Congresswoman Hilda Solis Lays Out Top Latino Health Challenges in June Issue of “Médico de Familia’ Magazine

“A tireless advocate for Latino health and the uninsured, Rep. Solis (D-CA) shares her views on the healthcare disparities that affect the Hispanic community as well as her vision for possible solutions in June’s issue of “Médico de Familia,” the Spanish-language healthy-lifestyles magazine written by Hispanic MD’s and distributed in waiting rooms and health fairs around the nation, as well as via www.medicodefamilia.org.

Rep. Solis’ position as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ Task Force on Health and the Environment gives her unique insights on the healthcare challenges that the Hispanic community has to contend with in improving the well-being of its families. In this exclusive article for “Médico de Familia,” she presents her top health issues, which include access to health care for the uninsured, the need for health information in Spanish, obesity/diabetes, smoking, HIV/AIDS and the lack of representation of Hispanics in healthcare provider roles.

“We are glad that Congresswoman Solis has chosen “Médico de Familia’ as a venue to underscore the importance of these crucial issues,” said Publisher Neil Porter. “One of them ”” access to health information in Spanish ”” is in fact Médico’s core mission.”

One of Rep. Solis’ top priorities is the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which was created in 1997 to provide health insurance to children who do not qualify for Medicaid. Without reauthorization by Congress, federal funding for this program will end in September.

“One out of three Latinos lacks health insurance,” the Congresswoman notes in the article. “Lack of insurance results in reduced access to care, which means that people are less likely to receive health services or receive services at the right time.”

About “Médico de Familia’
“Médico de Familia” [www.medicodefamilia.org] is a unique health monthly written by Hispanic physicians in plain-spoken Spanish for U.S. Hispanic consumers. The publication fills a void in the Hispanic consumer print market by delivering the insight and experience of family doctors, in the frontline of community healthcare, to readers in a compelling, full-color, glossy, digest-size format. Distribution is through ICPS-affiliate doctors’ offices and clinics as well as health fairs throughout the U.S. “

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