Latinas in Congress take on healthcare

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Women’s Task Force released the Latina Prosperity Principles and have found healthcare to be a top concern for women in the Hispanic community.

“Latinas are an integral part of our country’s economy, and we are proud to outline a framework to help lift the tide in a way that no longer leaves Latinas behind,” said task force chair Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.

Increasing access to quality healthcare not only increases positive medical outcomes for Latinos, but it contributes to the economic security of the community the task force found.

By having regular access to a competent physician, Latinos:

• reduce medical and non-medical related debt
• increase workplace productivity
• provides economic security by enabling Latinos to contribute to the economy

Unfortunately, Latinos have the some of the highest uninsured rates in the country making access to healthcare a continuously precarious situation.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus must continue to combat health disparities by bolstering Hispanic health research and the medical services low-income families depend on.

The task force also found:

• 19.5% of Latinos are uninsured
• Latinas experience higher rates of maternal and infant mortality. Babies born to Latinas are more than 47% more likely to die as infants.
• Latinas face higher incidences of cervical cancer, they are 25% more likely to be diagnosed
• 15.1% of Latina teens attempted suicide compared to 9.8% of non-Hispanic white teen girls

“Our commitment to promoting policies that will advance economic justice, ensure access to affordable quality health care, and equality will determine whether or not we build an inclusive economy that puts the American Dream in reach for everyone. When you empower Latinas, you empower families across the country,” said Debbie Mucarsel-Powell

The task force also includes U.S. Reps. Nydia Velázquez (NY), Grace F. Napolitano (CA), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA), and Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA).

The full Latina Prosperity Principles report can be found here.