First historic White House Latino Policy Summit: Illinois’ Latino health leaders lead Health Care discussion

 

Chicago, IL —This week the White House Office of Public Engagement and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics joined to host the first ever White House Hispanic Policy Conference. 160 Hispanic leaders from 25 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico met with over 100 Administration officials to discuss the President’s agenda and its impact on the Hispanic community, with a focus on improving outcomes and access for the Hispanic community. Representing Illinois at the conference were Jesse Ruiz, Illinois State Board of Education; Laura Leon and Dr. Ilan Shapiro, Campaign for Better Health Care; Suleyma Perez, NEIU: and Martin Castro, Chair of U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. 

The summit had three main purposes:

The discussions included a large range of issues that affect the Hispanic community, including the economy, education and health care. Being the fastest growing minority group in the United States, it is important to communicate with this large community and discuss the concerns and aspirations of the Hispanic community.

 

One major issue in America was highlighted as an equally, if not greater, concern by the Hispanic community: health care. The Illinois Latino Health Care Policy Agenda was presented by Laura Leon and Dr. Ilan Shapiro during the summit.

 

President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law on March 23, 2010 and members of the Hispanic community are striving to implement the Act in Illinois. The Campaign for Better Health Care is working to ensure that maximum consumer protections are built into the Illinois Insurance Exchange (marketplace).  “Nine million Latinos will benefit from The Affordable Care Act.  The Insurance Exchanges are being developed now in each state,” said Laura Leon of the Campaign for Better Health Care.  She added, “Raise your voices now to ensure there are strong consumer protections.”

 

If you could host a community forum, or want to learn more about the IL Latino Health Care Reform Policy Agenda; contact Laura Leon at lleon@cbhconline.org or 312.913.9449.

                

 

 About the Campaign for Better Health Care

We believe that accessible, affordable, quality health care is a basic human right for ALL people.  The Campaign for Better Health Care the state’s largest coalition representing over 300 diverse organizations, organizing to help create and advocate for an accessible, quality health care system for all.  

For more information, visit www.cbhconline.org.