Statement of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health on Signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Press Release
For Immediate Release: February 17, 2009
Contact: Adam J. Segal • 202.422.4673
media@hispanichealth.org

Focus on Health Delivers Critical Support to Hispanic Family Budgets

WASHINGTON, DC - Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation's leading Hispanic health advocacy group, delivered the following statement on the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by President Obama in Denver, CO.

"In the current economic environment, millions of Hispanic families are an illness or hospital stay away from financial disaster. The President's action today in Denver, signing into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, has brought a measure of peace of mind to millions struggling with their family budgets.

With one in ten Hispanics now unemployed, the ranks of the uninsured are growing daily. The President has taken decisive action to address the needs of Hispanic families. By reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) less than two weeks ago, an estimated 1.5 million currently uninsured Hispanic children are now poised to gain health insurance coverage. Today, by signing the stimulus package, the President is bringing relief to families by extending private health insurance support for the unemployed, increasing federal spending on Medicaid, and expanding the capacity of community health centers to deliver needed health care services.

The stimulus package signed by the President also makes critical investments in the future of improved health care for all Americans. Support for health information technology, including collection of information on gender and ethnicity, dramatically improves our national understanding of health. Comparative effectiveness research called for in the legislation is significantly improved by language recognizing that 'a one-size-fits-all approach'is not the most medically appropriate' and calling for inclusion of diverse populations in research. New investments in prevention and training of primary care providers will refocus health care services on supporting health rather than only treating illness. Furthermore, support for science research, environmental innovation, and education of the next generation of scientists will ensure that scientific, medical, and environmental innovation continues to be an important component of the American economy.

The National Alliance for Hispanic Health stands ready to continue its work with the President and the 111th Congress to deliver on the promise of a health care system that meets the needs of all communities. Today's action is an important step on the road to reform that reflects the American values of inclusion, compassion, innovation, and the best in health care for all."