Latinos United for Healthcare


NHLA STATEMENT ON ALEXANDER ACOSTA FOR SECRETARY OF LABOR

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of the nation’s 40 preeminent Latino advocacy organizations, welcomes Alexander Acosta’s nomination for the United States Secretary of Labor. Unlike Andrew Puzder, Mr. Acosta’s background and credentials demonstrate that he has a long record of public service and he is a viable candidate for the position of Secretary of Labor. A number of NHLA representatives have known Mr. Acosta throughout his years of public service and believe him to be fair and open, and, overall, consider him a qualified candidate to serve on President Trump’s Cabinet.

NHLA vigorously advocates for expanding workforce opportunities and the protection of the rights of Latino workers and working families, including increasing the minimum wage, ensuring gender equity, promoting worker safety, and enforcing employment laws. As such, the coalition is reserving final judgment on Mr. Acosta’s fitness for the position until there has been an opportunity for further evaluation of his views on employment issues and the role of the Department of Labor. NHLA leaders will call on the committee to ask tough questions to better understand Mr. Acosta’s policy positions and how they will impact Latino and all families.

Mr. Acosta’s selection marks the first Latino to be nominated to a Cabinet position under the Trump Administration. NHLA has been critical of President Trump’s failure to ensure that his Cabinet is both diverse and inclusive. Specifically, Latino leaders have urged President Trump to nominate an individual who upholds the values that are important to all families and places workers’ rights before business interests.

"I am pleased to know that the President finally heard our demands for diversity in his Cabinet. While this is an important move, it is not enough to have just one Latino high level nominee in the Trump Administration. Despite this, we are encouraged by Acosta’s nomination for Secretary of Labor. He is significantly more qualified and a much more serious candidate than Andrew Puzder. Acosta’s record does raise some concerns related to voting rights and the hiring fallout that occurred at DOJ during his time there. We plan to follow his confirmation hearings closely to learn more about his positions and plans on issues that impact Latinos and all workers. We look forward to working with him and intend to hold him accountable to the Latino community and the entire nation that he has been tapped to serve," said Hector Sanchez, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director of LCLAA.

“Acosta’s nomination is a long-awaited positive sign from the Trump Administration. Not only would Acosta be the first prominent Latino member of this Administration, he is well known as a thoughtful, fair, and experienced public servant willing and able to work across the aisle and with the diverse communities deeply affected by the work of the Labor Department,” stated Janet Murguía, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Economic Empowerment and Labor Committee and NCLR President and CEO.

“We at Farmworker Justice look forward to learning about Mr. Acosta’s vision for the Department’s fulfillment of its mission. The Department of Labor maintains important programs and responsibilities regarding agricultural workers. These include employment and training programs, licensing farm labor contractors, setting occupational safety standards, administering the H-2A agricultural guestworker program, and enforcing the minimum wage and other wage-hour laws. Many farmworkers experience low wages and violations of their limited labor protections. We hope to learn the nominee’s views on building a more sustainable, prosperous and equitable agricultural sector,” said Bruce Goldstein, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Economic Empowerment and Labor Committee and President, Farmworker Justice.

"While we may not agree with some of the stances that Dean Acosta has taken in non-labor related issues such as voter ID, we recognize that he is a very qualified nominee and we welcome the appointment of a Latino to the cabinet. We look forward to hearing from Dean Acosta regarding the specifics of his plans for the Labor Department and call upon the Senate to hold an open and inclusive confirmation process. We will pay special attention to his positions on minimum wage, seasonal and migratory workers, work visas, workforce development, discrimination and other areas impacting the quality of life and career advancement of hard-working people across America," said Kenneth Romero-Cruz, Co-Chair of NHLA's Government Accountability Task Force and Executive Director of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL).

“I applaud the nomination of Dean Alexander Acosta of FIU School of Law for the Secretary of Labor and recognize his stellar credentials, accomplishments and his commitment to the Latino community,” said Dr. Elena Rios, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Health Committee and President and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA).

“R. Alexander Acosta is an outstanding choice for this cabinet position,” said Javier Palomarez, NHLA Member and President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC). “His record reflects a skill set and expertise both in the private and public sector which will serve the administration and the nation greatly. We are thrilled to work with Acosta on a host of economic and labor issues which directly affect our members and the Hispanic community as a whole. When Gov. Purdue was nominated for Secretary of Agriculture, I said we will continue to advocate for diversity within the administration, including if and when a cabinet position becomes available during President Trump’s time in office. Our ongoing dialogue with the administration have proven effective.”

###

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
| Michael Torra | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (202) 425-0582 |
| Brenda Arredondo | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (915) 373-1483 |

ABOUT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERSHIP AGENDA

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda is composed of 40 of the leading national and regional Latino civil rights and public policy organizations and other elected officials, and prominent Latinos Americans. NHLA coalition members represent the diversity of the Latino community – Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Latino Americans. NHLA’s mission calls for unity among Latinos around the country to provide the Latino community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country’s affairs. NHLA brings together Latino 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. For more information, please visit: www.nationalhispanicleadership.org.

NHLA MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

Alianza Americas | American GI Forum | ASPIRA Association, Inc. | Avance | Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network | Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute | Farmworker Justice | Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities | Hispanic Federation | Hispanic National Bar Association | Inter-University Program for Latino Research | 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 | 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. | Presente.org | SER – Jobs for Progress National, Inc. | Southwest Voter Registration Education Project | United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | United States Hispanic Leadership Institute | United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce | U.S.-Mexico Foundation

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
› ‹