Latinos United for Healthcare

Thursday, February 28, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of thirty leading Hispanic organizations in the nation, warned that the sequestration budget cuts would devastate Hispanics who were disproportionately impacted by the Great Recession. The cuts would derail the nation's fragile economic recovery and ax programs many Hispanic and low income families rely on.

Hector E. Sanchez, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director of LCLAA, stated: "With Latino unemployment still at 9.6%, now is not the time to play political games with our economy. From school children to seniors, these cuts would impact all Americans and would be especially devastating to our most vulnerable families. We should be investing in our future--education, job training, and children's health care--not stilfing our economic recovery with massive, arbitrary cuts."

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the sequestration cuts would reduce job creation by 750,000 this year, making it even harder for stuggling families to get back on their feet. The cuts would also force drastic reductions to safety net programs like the women, infants, and children (WIC) nutrition program. WIC, which helps mothers buy nutritious food for their children, would drop 250,000 Latinos starting with four-year-olds.

Alex Nogales, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, stated: "Sequestration is a thoughtless and unnecessary exercise that demonstrates Congress at its worst. Many leaders in Washington seem to be unwilling or unable to recognize the terrible consequences of their actions - or inactions - which, in this case, will be to needlessly harm our fragile and recovering economy. The sequestration budget cuts will harm the most vulnerable, including many Latinos who were disproportionately impacted by the recession. It is time for those in power to put politics aside and treat this situation with the sense of urgency and care that it deserves."

Rafael A. Fantauzzi, President & CEO of the National Puerto Rican Coalition, stated: “Our coalition is concerned about the negative impact that the sequestration cuts will have on all Puerto Ricans but our biggest concern are the vulnerable children, seniors, and the unemployed. On the Island, potential cuts to programs like Head Start, unemployment benefits, infant vaccinations, public health services, and domestic violence prevention will target already underserved constituents. Vulnerable citizens should not be the pawns of partisan politics.”

Dr. Yanira Cruz, President of the National Hispanic Council on Aging, stated: “We want to reach awareness among policy makers about the negative effects the sequester will have among the middle class, including older adults. While long term deficit reduction is necessary, it should not come at the expense of the most vulnerable. NHCOA calls on policy makers to find a responsible solution to the sequester.”

Jessica González-Rojas, Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, stated: “The sequester would have a devastating and lasting impact on the health and well-being of Latinas and our families and will only exacerbate existing health disparities. It’s time to invest in healthy families and strong communities, not take everybody backward.”

In the area of education, nearly 9.3 million students are at risk of losing the assistance they need, from young students in high-poverty, struggling schools to college students needing financial aid. In total, as of March 1, nearly $3 billion would be cut in education alone. Within those cuts are education and job training programs that help Hispanics get ahead. 25,000 Latino preschoolers would be kicked out of Head Start programs, 1.2 million children would no longer receive extra help in math and reading, and 270,000 adults and teens would be dropped from job training programs.

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. ###

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
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