Latinos United for Immigration Reform

Oct 21, 2013 - NHLA Seizes Historic Opportunity to Increase Latino Access to Health Care

Latino leadership highlights benefits of enrolling in new health insurance options during National Hispanic Health Week of Action

PRESS RELEASE
October 21, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 36 of the nation’s preeminent Latino organizations, held a news conference at the National Press Club to kick off the National Hispanic Health Week of Action and launch NHLA’s campaign to raise awareness among Hispanic families about the affordable health coverage options available through the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace and encourage families and individuals to enroll. Currently, almost one in three Latinos do not have health insurance. Over 10 million currently uninsured Latinos will now have access to affordable coverage.

"For far too long, the Latino community has faced stark health disparities and the Affordable Care Act provides our member organizations with an historic opportunity to increase Latinos’ access to health care, and it’s an opportunity we are seizing across the nation, in communities and online. As a community we cannot sit back and fall into the criticism of a website, but insist that the challenges be addressed as quickly as possible so that the 10 million uninsured Latinos eligible for new affordable health insurance options are able to enroll. We hope and expect that these issues will be addressed very soon. In the meantime, we as a coalition will continue our national campaign to educate and encourage enrollment,” said Hector Sanchez, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA).

Many of NHLA's member organizations have held outreach events for the Hispanic community and plan further efforts as part of the National Hispanic Health Week of Action. For example, LULAC will host a town hall in Washington, D.C. on October 28, along with other events, as part of its Latinos Living Healthy initiative. The National Hispanic Medical Association launched its Covered Hispanics Campaign with six regional forums in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Antonio, Atlanta, New York City, and Washington, DC and has also begun an awareness campaign on social media. Voto Latino has launched a digital information campaign reaching nearly 175,000 online followers.

"The Affordable Care Act provides an historic opportunity for millions of uninsured Americans to get high-quality health coverage. The opening of the marketplaces are also the gateways to lasting change for Latinos who have for so long been disconnected from our health system. NCLR and its Affiliate network are committed to doing our part to ensure that we reach the 10.2 million individuals in our community who are eligible for coverage,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR).

NHLA's Latinos United for Healthcare campaign encourages families to learn more about new affordable health coverage options at HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov and to call the bilingual hotline, 1-800-318-2596 FREE for help with enrolling. CuidadoDeSalud.gov includes a live Spanish webchat function and a "Find Local Help" section that connects people with trained specialists in their communities who can answer questions. The specialists are available at many local health centers and libraries to assist with the application process.

"The League of United Latin American Citizens is delighted about the opportunity the Affordable Care Act provides to millions of Latinos. We are particularly excited that the Spanish-language component of the Administration’s enrollment outreach is starting earlier than previous public programs. No community stands to gain more from the Affordable Care Act than Latinos, which is why we waged a campaign during the legislative process to ensure a bill was produced and signed into law that would give Latinos access to affordable health care," said Brent Wilkes, NHLA Vice Chair and National Executive Director of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

"The National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) – the leading national organization working to improve the lives of Hispanic older adults, their families and caregivers – is excited to work with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on education and enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace. NHCOA’s Navigator program provides assistance to those having difficulty accessing information in the new Marketplace as they shop for, and enroll, in the Health Insurance Marketplace, which opened October 1. The Exchange Navigator program is especially beneficial to Hispanics, as more than one in four live in poverty, and nearly one in three lack health insurance. They are a highly vulnerable population, suffering from disproportionate levels of chronic disease. In addition, many Hispanics have low levels of health literacy, making the health care system difficult for them to navigate. NHCOA is enthusiastic and committed to conduct outreach and education in the Hispanic community," said Dr. Yanira Cruz, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA).

"Because farmworkers and rural Latinos are a hardly reached population when it comes to connecting to health care, Farmworker Justice is working with farmworker community-based organizations, rural community health centers, and other service providers to create and distribute educational materials on the Affordable Care Act. Farmworkers and their families have many questions about how the ACA impacts them. By reaching out to farmworker communities, Farmworker Justice is working to ensure all eligible farmworkers understand their options and opportunities to secure health insurance," said Bruce Goldstein, President of Farmworker Justice.

"Twenty-five percent of the eligible uninsured population is Hispanic, the highest of any minority group. The statistics show the importance of reaching out to the Hispanic uninsured community as open enrollment continues. Since launching our Get Covered America campaign, we have been actively engaged on the ground speaking with Hispanic families and individuals addressing their questions and concerns about affordability, understanding the intricacies with coverage, and what kind of enrollment help will be available to them," said Jose L. Plaza, National Director of Latino Engagement for Enroll America.

"The six-month enrollment period represents a unique opportunity for the 15 million uninsured Latinos in the U.S., as many will be able to purchase health insurance for the first time in their lives. Latinos have the highest uninsured rate of any group in the country, which means we have the most to gain. It is important for all Latinos – healthy or sick, young or old – to enroll in a health insurance plan. As more healthy, young people sign up, the overall cost of healthcare for everyone goes down and the health of our community improves. The Affordable Care Act will only work if we, as a Latino community, take advantage of this law and enroll in coverage for ourselves and for our families," said Maria Teresa Kumar, President and CEO of Voto Latino.

Ann Marie Benitez, Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs of National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, said, “The Affordable Care Act will expand access to important reproductive health care services for millions of Latinas like mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, contraception and other vital services by expanding our coverage options. National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health believes that health care is a basic human right and the ACA will be the first step in making this a reality for many.”

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. For more information, please visit www.nationalhispanicleadership.org and follow @NHLAgenda. For more on NHLA’s Latinos United for Healthcare campaign, please visit http://www.latinosunited.org/healthcare.

Enroll America is the nation's leading health care enrollment coalition, bringing together community and health organizations, businesses and others across the nation to inform consumers about the new health coverage options and how to enroll in them. We are an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

###

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

  • JAN 13, 2015 - NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS URGE CONGRESS TO VOTE NO ON REPEAL OF PRESIDENT'S IMMIGRATION ACTIONS +

    PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION January 13, 2015 Votes on Amendments to Homeland Security funding bill will be included in NHLA’s Congressional Scorecard Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, sent a letter to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives today strongly urging them to vote against the Aderholt, Blackburn, and DeSantis amendments to H.R. 240, the Fiscal Year 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, that would repeal or impede the implementation of President Obama’s administrative actions to address some of the most immediate and damaging flaws in… Read More

  • Dec 4, 2014 - NATIONAL HISPANIC COALITION URGES CONGRESS TO VOTE AGAINST REPEAL OF PRESIDENT'S IMMIGRATION ACTIONS +

    PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION December 4, 2014 NATIONAL HISPANIC COALITION URGES CONGRESS TO VOTE AGAINST REPEAL OF PRESIDENT'S IMMIGRATION ACTIONSVotes on HR 5759 and similar measures will be included in NHLA Congressional Scorecard Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, sent a letter to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday strongly urging them to vote against H.R. 5759, the Executive Amnesty Prevention Act of 2014, and any similar legislation that seeks to repeal President Barack Obama's recent administrative action to provide relief from deportation to parents of U.S.… Read More

  • Dec 3, 2014 - NATIONAL HISPANIC COALITION OPPOSES BILL TO REPEAL PRESIDENT'S ACTION ON IMMIGRATION +

    PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION December 3, 2014 NATIONAL HISPANIC COALITION OPPOSES BILL TO REPEAL PRESIDENT'S ACTION ON IMMIGRATIONBill would prevent relief to families torn apart by deportation Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, strongly opposes H.R. 5759, the Executive Amnesty Prevention Act of 2014, and any similar legislation that seeks to repeal President Barack Obama's recent administrative action to provide relief from deportation to parents of U.S. citizen and legal permanent resident children and would expand eligibility for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. H.R. 5759… Read More

  • Nov 21, 2014 - NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS WELCOME PRESIDENT'S ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION +

    FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION November 21, 2014 NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS WELCOME PRESIDENT'S ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION Coalition Renews Call For Congress to Enact Immigration Reform As Soon As Possible Washington, DC -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, welcomed President Barack Obama's announcement, which he elaborated on in Las Vegas today, to grant affirmative relief from deportation to nearly five million undocumented immigrants, and vowed to continue to advocate for just, humane and inclusive immigration policy in the United States. "We are very pleased that the President is taking action to enable… Read More

  • Nov 20, 2014 - NATIONAL COALITION OF LATINO ORGANIZATIONS WELCOMES PRESIDENT’S ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ON DEPORTATION RELIEF +

    FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION November 20, 2014 NATIONAL COALITION OF LATINO ORGANIZATIONS WELCOMES PRESIDENT’S ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ON DEPORTATION RELIEF Washington, DC – The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, welcomed President Barack Obama’s announcement of his plan to grant affirmative relief from deportation to around five million undocumented immigrants. NHLA has urged the President to take action on deportations throughout the year, lifting the voices of Latino immigrants and family members impacted by the harsh realities of deportation, and making the case for how he could use his administrative authority to provide the broadest… Read More

  • Nov 10, 2014 - NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS CALL FOR CLOSURE OF FAMILY DETENTION CENTERS +

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 10, 2014 NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS CALL FOR CLOSURE OF FAMILY DETENTION CENTERS Government should instead use humane, effective, less costly community-based alternatives Washington, DC -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, is calling on the Obama Administration to close existing family detention centers, scrap plans for opening new ones, and implement alternatives to detention that have proven to be successful and more humane. Most of those held at detention centers are women and children fleeing violence in Central America, and many have survived abuse in their home… Read More

  • Nov 7, 2014 - NATIONAL LATINO ORGANIZATIONS CALL ON SENATE LEADER AND CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS TO PRESS PRESIDENT FOR IMMEDIATE EXECUTIVE ACTION +

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 7, 2014 NATIONAL LATINO ORGANIZATIONS CALL ON SENATE LEADER AND CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS TO PRESS PRESIDENT FOR IMMEDIATE EXECUTIVE ACTION With conclusion of mid-term elections, there is no excuse for delaying action to stop deportations that are tearing apart families and communities Washington, DC -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, is calling on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and its natural allies in Congress – the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) – to weigh in strongly with President Barack Obama on the need for affirmative relief from deportation to… Read More

  • Nov 5, 2014 - NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO FULFILL PROMISE WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY TO HALT DEPORTATIONS FOR MILLIONS +

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 5, 2014 NATIONAL LATINO LEADERS CALL ON PRESIDENT TO FULFILL PROMISE WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY TO HALT DEPORTATIONS FOR MILLIONS Administrations most recent delay already led to additional 70,000 deportations, tearing apart families and communities Washington, DC -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, calls on President Barack Obama not to delay in fulfilling his promise to grant affirmative relief from deportation to as broad a range of undocumented immigrants as possible. The president, who previously committed to take action before the end of the summer, then said… 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

  • Aug 1, 2014 - NATIONAL HISPANIC COALITION URGES "NO" VOTES ON BORDER SUPPLEMENTAL AND ANTI-DREAMER BILLS +

    PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION August 1, 2014 National Hispanic Coalition Urges "No" Votes on Border Supplemental and anti-DREAMer Bills Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 37 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, released the following statement expressing its strong opposition to the revised border supplemental funding and DACA restriction bills that are scheduled to be considered by the full House tonight. As NHLA made clear to Congress in its July 16 letter and reiterated yesterday, NHLA intends to score votes on such legislation as that being considered in the House today. "The House of… Read More

  • Jul 31, 2014 - NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERS OPPOSE BILL TO BLOCK EXECUTIVE ACTION ON DEPORTATIONS +

    PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION July 31, 2014 National Hispanic Leaders Oppose Bill to Block Executive Action on Deportations Bill would prevent relief to families torn apart by current deportation policies Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 37 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, sent a letter to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives today expressing strong opposition to H.R. 5272, a bill that would block federal agencies from issuing any new policies that defer deportation and would prevent any future grants of work authorization to new recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood… Read More

  • Jul 30, 2014 - NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERS URGE "NO" VOTE ON HOUSE BORDER SUPPLEMENTAL BILL +

    National Hispanic Leaders Urge "No" Vote on House Border Supplemental Bill Rolling back due process rights for vulnerable children is not the answer to the humanitarian situation along the southern border Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 37 of the nation's preeminent Latino organizations, issued the following statement opposing H.R. 5230, a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to provide supplemental funding for border security and handling the humanitarian situation of increased child migration. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 5230 this week, possibly as early as Wednesday. "The… Read More
  • 1
  • 2
› ‹