ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA – Latino community advocates and political figures emphasized the importance of addressing healthcare policy concerns during the Latino Health Summit. Hosted by the Latino Connection at the Wind Creek Event Center, the summit featured various discussions and workshops centering on critical health issues affecting Latinos, including malnutrition, domestic violence, and palliative care.
UnidosUS Action Fund, the advocacy and political branch of UnidosUS, presented the National Health Care Latino Agenda for 2024 during a news conference. The agenda aimed to highlight the essential need for protecting and enhancing healthcare provisions for the Latino population. Key politicians such as Cynthia Mota and State Representatives Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and Danilo Burgos gathered to underscore the significance of prioritizing Latino healthcare concerns.
Rafael Collazo, Executive Director of UnidosUS Action Fund, stressed that healthcare remains a top political priority for Latinos nationwide. With Latinos constituting a significant portion of the U.S. population and experiencing rapid growth, issues like access to healthcare, food insecurity, and diabetes prevention have become paramount concerns within the community.
The Affordable Care Act’s impact on providing health insurance to millions of Latinos underscores the necessity of safeguarding those advancements. In addition, initiatives to expand benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have been called for to address food insecurity prevalent among Latino families. Collazo also advocated for widening access to affordable insulin, especially considering the higher risk of diabetes within the Latino population.
Yamelisa Jimenez Taveras, CEO of Counseling Solutions of Lehigh Valley, shared her firsthand experience as a person diagnosed with diabetes, highlighting the critical nature of affordable insulin access for Latino communities. She emphasized the urgent need for equitable healthcare access, stressing that it is not just a matter of fairness but a vital aspect of preserving lives within the Latino population.
Cynthia Mota echoed the sentiments, noting the importance of making healthcare services more accessible to the Latino population. While strides have been made in providing bilingual services, challenges like language barriers and navigating complex healthcare systems persist. By involving Latino leaders in the healthcare dialogue, Mota stressed the need for a more inclusive approach to ensure every individual receives the care they require.