Latinos United for Healthcare

PRESS RELEASE
January 28, 2014

HECTOR SANCHEZ: PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION PRIORITIES WILL EXPAND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL HISPANIC FAMILIES
Reducing Income Inequality, Effectively Implementing Affordable Care Act, Passing Immigration Reform Will Strengthen Hispanic Community

Washington, D.C. -- Hector Sanchez, Chair of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address. Last week NHLA, a coalition of 36 preeminent national Latino organizations in the country, sent a letter to the President urging him to focus on seven priorities in the address: immigration, the economy and budget, education, health, Latino inclusion in the federal government, voting rights, and support for Latino Veterans. Full text of the letter can be found here.

Hector E. Sanchez, Chair of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, stated:

“Tonight, President Obama made a forceful argument for maximizing the potential of America by expanding opportunity for all. Like the president, NHLA has been calling for a pro-growth economic strategy with investments in education -- especially our Hispanic Serving Institutions, job training and small businesses that create the types of jobs that enable families to achieve the American dream. Successive rounds of budget cuts and sequestration have constrained our nation’s ability to invest in job creation. Now that the deficit is on the decline, talk of further cuts should be off the table. It’s time to invest in our future again.

“The President’s announcement that new federal contractors will need to abide by a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour will ensure many Latino workers have a living wage, and will be especially important for Latinas who earn only 55 cents of each dollar that a man is paid, resulting in an average loss of $23,298 in wages each year. The President is right: women deserve equal pay for equal work.

“The President said that America does not stand still and that neither will he; that wherever and whenever he can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity, he would do so. As we wait with growing impatience for Washington to reform our nation’s immigration laws, we welcome the President's support, and respectfully call on him to use his executive powers, which he is using to advance other priorities, to prevent more families from being ripped apart by arbitrary detention and deportation policies. More than five out of every six immigrants who have been deported are non-criminal, and over 5,000 American children have been sent into foster care because their parents were deported. This needs to stop.

“The President also addressed the Affordable Care Act. While it had a very rocky roll-out, the fact is that it is providing life-saving health insurance coverage to millions of previously uninsured and an historic opportunity to reduce Latino health disparities. We still have a long way to go and will be counting on the Administration’s strong partnership to do all it can to enroll the 10 million eligible uninsured Latinos into quality, affordable health insurance plans.

“The inclusion of so many inspiring Latinos in the First Lady’s box sent a positive message about the contributions our community makes to the nation. The appointment of qualified Latinos to senior government positions provides a lasting opportunity to send a similarly positive message year-round -- not just for one evening. This is especially needed as Latinos are by far the most under-represented population group in the federal government. We look forward to working with President Obama and the Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta to improve Latino inclusion across the federal workforce through executive action.

“The President’s endorsement of the bipartisan Sensenbrenner-Conyers bill to restore voting rights protections is welcome, as is the President’s recognition of the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the need to do right by our veterans. And while the Voting Rights Amendment Act marks significant progress on this issue, we believe there is room for improvement.”

# # #

Established in 1991, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. Earlier this year, NHLA launched the Latinos United for a Fair Economy campaign. For more information, please visit www.nationalhispanicleadership.org and follow @NHLAgenda.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: | Melody Gonzales | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (202) 508-6917 | | Brenda Arredondo | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (915) 373-1483 |

__________________________________________________________

American GI Forum | ASPIRA Association, Inc. | Avance | Casa de Esperanza | Cuban American National Council | Farmworker Justice | Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities | Hispanic Federation | Hispanic National Bar Association | Labor Council for Latin American Advancement | Latino Justice PRLDEF | League of United Latin American Citizens | MANA, A National Latina Organization | Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund | National Alliance of Latin American & Caribbean Communities | NALEO Educational Fund | National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives | National Association of Hispanic Publications | National Association of Latino Independent Producers | National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. | National Council of La Raza | National Hispana Leadership Institute | National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators | National Hispanic Council on Aging | National Hispanic Environmental Council | National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts | National Hispanic Media Coalition | National Hispanic Medical Association | National Institute for Latino Policy | National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health | National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. | SER – Jobs for Progress National, Inc. | Southwest Voter Registration Education Project | United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce | U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute

Healthcare Press Releases

  • Nov 13, 2014 - NHLA ORGANIZATIONS GEARING UP TO INCREASE LATINO HEALTH INSURANCE ENROLLMENT +

    PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION November 13, 2014 NHLA ORGANIZATIONS GEARING UP TO INCREASE LATINO HEALTH INSURANCE ENROLLMENT New enrollment period for ACA’s Health Insurance Marketplaces presents opportunity to build on previous success in securing health coverage for Latinos Washington, D.C. – Member organizations of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation’s preeminent Latino organizations, are preparing extensive outreach efforts to boost enrollment and re-enrollment of eligible Latinos during the upcoming open season of the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Marketplaces that open on November 15. Last year’s enrollment efforts resulted in a significant drop… Read More

  • Oct 8, 2014 - HISPANIC LEADERS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO ALLOW HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR DEFERRED ACTION RECIPIENTS +

    For Immediate Release October 8, 2014 HISPANIC LEADERS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO ALLOW HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR DEFERRED ACTION RECIPIENTS Immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and those who benefit from expanded administrative relief should have access to the programs their taxes pay for Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, has called on President Barack Obama and HHS Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell to restore access to affordable health coverage and care to those enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which the President established… Read More

  • Oct 8, 2014 - NHLA LETTER TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA REGARDING HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR DEFERRED ACTION RECIPIENTS +

    October 8, 2014 The Honorable Barack H. Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Re: Health Care Access for Deferred Action Recipients Dear President Obama: We write on behalf of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 leading national Latino civil rights and advocacy organizations, to urge you to undertake expansive administrative action to provide health care access to undocumented immigrants with grants of deferred action, both under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and any future affirmative administrative relief programs. Administrative action is warranted in light of the chronic and severe lack… Read More

  • Mar 5, 2014 - LATINO LEADERS PRAISE UNANIMOUS COMMITTEE SUPPORT FOR MARIA CONTRERAS-SWEET AS SBA ADMINISTRATOR +

    PRESS RELEASE March 5, 2014 LATINO LEADERS PRAISE UNANIMOUS COMMITTEE SUPPORT FOR MARIA CONTRERAS-SWEET AS SBA ADMINISTRATOR NHLA urges swift Senate Floor Vote for Latina business and community leader who would be second Latino in President's Cabinet and highest-ranking Latina in the Administration Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) today praised Senators on the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee for unanimously supporting the nomination of Maria Contreras-Sweet as Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator. The next step toward confirmation is a full vote of the United States Senate and NHLA urges Senators to move swiftly in scheduling a floor… Read More

  • Mar 5, 2014 - LATINO LEADERS SEND LETTERS TO U.S. SENATE IN SUPPORT OF LATINO NOMINEES FOR HUD AND SBA +

    PRESS RELEASE March 5, 2014 LATINO LEADERS SEND LETTERS TO U.S. SENATE IN SUPPORT OF LATINO NOMINEES FOR HUD AND SBA NHLA urges YES votes on confirmation for Maria Contreras-Sweet to head SBA and offer support prior to hearing for Gustavo Velasquez to be Assistant Secretary at HUD Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), the coalition of 37 preeminent national Latino organizations, sent letters to United States Senators on behalf of two highly qualified nominees: Maria Contreras-Sweet to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and, Mr. Gustavo Velasquez to be an Assistant Secretary of the United… Read More

  • Feb 25, 2014 - With Affordable Care Act Enrollment Deadlines Approaching, NHLA Boosts Outreach +

    PRESS RELEASE February 25, 2014 With Affordable Care Act Enrollment Deadlines Approaching, NHLA Boosts Outreach Various events planned for Latino Enrollment Week of Action Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 37 of the nation’s preeminent Latino organizations, and its members have multiple events planned during the Latino Enrollment Week of Action, as part of their continued efforts to ensure as many eligible Latinos as possible enroll in health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Marketplace. March 15 is the deadline to sign up for coverage that goes into effect on April 1,… Read More

  • Feb 12, 2014 - LA PEQUEÑA EMPRESA Y LA LEY DEL CUIDADO DE SALUD A BAJO PRECIO +

    Cientos de miles de propietarios de pequeñas empresas han aprovechado del crédito tributario de la ley, que asciende hasta un 35% de su aporte a la prima del seguro, cifra que se elevará al 50 por ciento el próximo año, para ayudarles a brindar cobertura a sus empleados. Entérese más acerca de Créditos Tributarios para la Pequeña Empresa. Las primas de seguros patrocinados por los empleadores aumentaron solo el 3 por ciento el 2012, la tasa más baja registrada hasta ahora. Y conforme a la ley, una mayor responsabilidad de las compañías de seguros ha significado que las pequeñas empresas… Read More

  • Jan 6, 2014 - LA CELEBRACIÓN CONTINÚA: EL DÍA DE LOS TRES REYES MAGOS Y EL MERCADO DE SEGUROS MÉDICOS +

    Mayra E. Álvarez on January 06, 2014 at 01:42 PM EST Nota del editor: Este blog se ha extraído del blog de la Oficina de Salud de las Minorías Cuando era niña, siempre esperaba con ilusión el 6 de enero. Para muchos de mis amigos, las celebraciones de Navidad habían terminado y Santa Claus ya estaba de vuelta en el Polo Norte ocupado preparándose para la siguiente temporada navideña. Para mis hermanas y para mí, y para muchos otros en la comunidad latina, los regalos no se habían acabado ya que todavía quedaba por celebrar el Día de los Tres… Read More

  • Nov 12, 2013 - LA LEY DEL CUIDADO DE SALUD A BAJO PRECIO: SU SALUD, DE FORMA SENCILLA +

    Lo primero que tiene que saber con respecto a la Ley del Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio es que ya está funcionando para millones de personas que viven en Estados Unidos. El 85% de las personas que viven en Estados Unidos que ya tienen seguro de salud ahora obtienen mejor calidad por su dinero, tienen acceso a atención preventiva sin copagos y ahorran dinero en medicamentos con receta en el período sin cobertura de la Parte D de Medicare. Lo segundo que debe saber es que para el 15% de las personas que viven en Estados Unidos que no… Read More

  • Oct 21, 2013 - Latino Leaders to Announce Enrollment Campaign for National Hispanic Health Week of Action +

    NHLA To Hold Press Conference Launching Efforts to Encourage Hispanic Enrollment in Health Insurance Marketplaces MEDIA ADVISORYOctober 21, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C.—This afternoon the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 36 of the nation’s preeminent Latino organizations, will host a press conference to kick off a National Hispanic Health Week of Action to raise awareness among Hispanic families about the affordable health coverage options available in the Health Insurance Marketplaces that are part of the Affordable Care Act.   Currently, almost one in three Latinos do not have health insurance and over 10 million are uninsured. NHLA strongly advocated… Read More
  • 1
  • 2
› ‹