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Hispanic Community Speaks Out for Health Coverage During 'Cover the Uninsured Week'

Posted on: Tuesday, 2 May 2006, 09:01 CDT

WASHINGTON, May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,000 events will be held across the nation this week to help millions of Hispanics who do not have health care coverage. The activities are planned as part of Cover the Uninsured Week, a nonpartisan, nationwide effort to urge U.S. leaders to make health coverage for Americans a top priority. Organizations representing Hispanics are actively involved in the effort.

According to government statistics, one in three Hispanics in America is uninsured. Hispanics who have insurance are three times as likely to see a doctor when they need to, compared to Hispanics who do not have coverage. Nationally, nearly 46 million Americans have no health care coverage, including more than 8 million children. Eight out of 10 of the uninsured are in working families.

"Millions of Hispanics work hard every day but are either not offered health insurance benefits through their jobs, or they cannot afford the coverage that is offered," said Jane Delgado, Ph.D., President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation's oldest and largest network of Hispanic health and human services providers. "Too many Hispanics are living without health insurance, forced to hope every day that they won't get sick or injured. That is why it's so important that Hispanic communities are involved in Cover the Uninsured Week activities to find out if they are eligible for public programs, receive needed health services, and voice their concerns to our lawmakers."

Some of the most influential organizations in the country, including the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance), are cosponsoring Cover the Uninsured Week, which occurs from May 1-7. Co-chaired by Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, the effort is supported by 10 former Surgeons General and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretaries appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents.

During Cover the Uninsured Week, hundreds of enrollment events will be held at hospitals, medical centers, malls, community centers, and in places of worship nationwide. A comprehensive listing of all events being held across the nation can be found at http://www.covertheuninsured.org/.

In addition, the Alliance announced the availability of help with enrollment in programs that provide low-cost or free coverage to those who are eligible. By calling the Alliance's 1-866-SU-FAMILIA (1-866-783-2645) National Hispanic Family Health Helpline, callers get free, reliable, and confidential health information in Spanish and English. Bilingual health information specialists can also refer callers to a local health care provider in their community.

"Hispanics are mobilizing their communities throughout the nation to be the voice for millions of others who live without health coverage," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which organizes Cover the Uninsured Week. "Millions of people are suffering each day -- either not getting treatment when they are sick and need a doctor, or worrying that just one illness or injury could wipe out their bank account. Whether insured or not, everyone needs to get involved."

People can express their concerns about health insurance coverage by instantly e-mailing a member of Congress through the campaign Web site, http://www.covertheuninsured.org/.

Organizations sponsoring Cover the Uninsured Week include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO, Healthcare Leadership Council, AARP, United Way of America, American Medical Association, National Medical Association, American Nurses Association, Families USA, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, America's Health Insurance Plans, American Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Service Employees International Union, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, The California Endowment, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

To download state-specific resource guides, or locate Cover the Uninsured Week activities, log on to http://www.covertheuninsured.org/. Information is also available in Spanish at http://www.covertheuninsured.org/espanol/.

The National Alliance for Hispanic Health is the nation's oldest and largest network of Hispanic health professionals. The nation's action forum for Hispanic health, Alliance members deliver quality and caring services to over 14 million persons every year making a daily difference in the lives of Hispanic communities. For more information, visit the Alliance's website (http://www.hispanichealth.org/) or call 1-866-SU-FAMILIA (1-866-783-2645).

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful, and timely change. For more than 30 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit http://www.rwjf.org/.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

CONTACT: Laura Morrill, +1-202-745-5058, for the Robert Wood JohnsonFoundation

Web site: http://www.covertheuninsured.org/http://www.hispanichealth.org/http://www.rwjf.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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