Today's Date: March 28, 2024
Tax Tip From MEFA: Send Your Tax Refund Directly to Your 529   •   Gale Primary Sources Release Four New Archives Devoted to Contributions from Underrecognized Communities   •   Argonne-Supported Critical Materials Assessment Tags Potential Supply Chain Bottlenecks   •   MDA SPACE INCLUDED IN THE GLOBE & MAIL'S ANNUAL WOMEN LEAD HERE RANKING   •   JAMS Diversity Fellowship Accepting Applications   •   Sila Moses Lake Manager Rosendo Alvarado to Speak at Big Bend Community College Building the Future Energy Workforce Event   •   First Book and Ashoka Announce 15 Youth Challenge Winners in Time for Change Nationwide Initiative   •   Dawson-Forté Cashmere Shareholders Sell Majority Equity Stake to Tempus Partners   •   Ziebart Salutes Franchisees, Veterans & Community in Celebration of 65-Year Legacy and Reveals Future Initiatives   •   Chevron Announces Opening of Fab Labs at HBCUs   •   RICE Announces Strategic Leadership Additions, Cementing Its Role as the Nation's Largest Entrepreneurial Hub   •   Bill Introduced in Minnesota Would Increase Access To Genetic Testing   •   Impacts of Extreme Weather on Interior Design Examined in New Research   •   35 National Partners Representing Over 3 Million Women Join Women's Suffrage National Monument Foundation's Growing Coalition   •   Impact Communications Signs Best-Selling Book Author and Financial Advisor Coach Derrick Kinney   •   Terragia Secures $6M to Develop Cost-Competitive, Low-Carbon Biofuel Technology   •   Consolidated Credit Launches Free Webinar Series to Empower Individuals During Challenging Economic Climate   •   Scotiabank ranks on The Globe and Mail's annual Women Lead Here benchmark of executive gender diversity for the fourth consecuti   •   Key Piece of “Titanic” Movie Memorabilia Purchased By Titanic Museum Attraction   •   Paralyzed Veterans of America to honor former Senator Elizabeth Dole with 2024 Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Awar
Bookmark and Share

Senate Urged By Latinos To Pass Health Care Reform

 LANDMARK HOUSE HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL IS GOOD FOR LATINOS, SENATE NEEDS TO COMPLETE THE TASK AND BUILD ON THE HOUSE EFFORT, SAYS NCLR

 

Washington, DC—Millions of Americans, including Latinos, who have the highest uninsurance rates in the country, are one step closer to obtaining health care coverage with the passage of the “Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009” by the House of Representatives.  NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, supports several core provisions in the “Affordable Health Care for America Act,” such as its emphasis on preventive care.  The House bill would ensure that illnesses and diseases are detected at the earliest possible stages, and it takes tremendous steps to improve health care delivery by addressing inequalities and health disparities.  For example, the bill would provide new resources to expand and diversify the health care workforce.  The legislation also includes a comprehensive data collection system that will identify and eradicate unequal access to care and uneven treatment of patients.

“The health care reform bill passed by the House is a fundamental step toward making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans, including Latinos,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. 

The leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) deserves special recognition for successfully fending off the efforts of some lawmakers to add onerous, costly, and unnecessary immigrant restrictions to health care that would have harmed U.S. citizen children.  In addition, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the CHC, as well as Rep. Henry Waxman, deserve considerable praise for their efforts to secure and protect meaningful access to health care for Latino families, children, and all families of color. 

Despite serious gains, however, the House bill is still too tough on legal immigrants and their access to public health care.  For example, the bill would continue the mandatory five-year bar for legal immigrants to access public health services.  To promote an equitable system for all, restrictions on legal immigrants’ access to federal aid such as Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) must be removed.  Furthermore, roadblocks to insurance must be eliminated by removing excessive verification requirements that raise costs, increase barriers to health care, and have been proven to harm many U.S. citizens.

“The Senate now needs to act and pass a health care reform bill that builds on the House plan and increases access, quality, and affordability of coverage for all Americans, especially the uninsured,” concluded Murguía.

For more information, visit www.nclr.org | http://www.facebook.com/nationalcounciloflaraza | http://www.myspace.com/nclr2008 | http://twitter.com/nclr.

 



Back to top
| Back to home page
Video

White House Live Stream
LIVE VIDEO EVERY SATURDAY
alsharpton Rev. Al Sharpton
9 to 11 am EST
jjackson Rev. Jesse Jackson
10 to noon CST


Video

LIVE BROADCASTS
Sounds Make the News ®
WAOK-Urban
Atlanta - WAOK-Urban
KPFA-Progressive
Berkley / San Francisco - KPFA-Progressive
WVON-Urban
Chicago - WVON-Urban
KJLH - Urban
Los Angeles - KJLH - Urban
WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
New York - WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
WADO-Spanish
New York - WADO-Spanish
WBAI - Progressive
New York - WBAI - Progressive
WOL-Urban
Washington - WOL-Urban

Listen to United Natiosns News