http://www.hispanictips.com Hispanic & Latino News Redefined - Empowering & Engaging Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:53:24 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.hispanictips.com/2011/11/09/national-hispanic-medical-association-brings-health-leaders-to-meet-with-congress-on-prevention-strategies-to-improve-health-and-decrease-costs/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2011/11/09/national-hispanic-medical-association-brings-health-leaders-to-meet-with-congress-on-prevention-strategies-to-improve-health-and-decrease-costs/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:16:03 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=159842
The National Hispanic Medical Association held its Fall Congressional briefing to increase awareness of Prevention of Disease among Hispanic Communities to Decrease Cost of Care

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congresswoman Lucille Roybal Allard opened the annual Fall Hispanic health briefing on Capitol Hill calling attention to the fact that the U.S. now spends $2 Trillion for health care expenditures and 75% of these costs are for diseases that could be preventable. Under the Affordable Care Act, signed by President Obama in March 2010, a new Public Health and Prevention Fund is a turning point to provide needed support for programs in communities, at medical and nursing schools, as well as for doctors' offices, clinics and hospitals for prevention of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and cancer. The purpose of the briefing was to discuss how to decrease costs of health care among Hispanic communities with policies to address diabetes, obesity and physical exercise.

According to Dr. Elena Rios, president of the NHMA, "Prevention practices can be aligned with Hispanic families who care for each other's well-being - especially the children or chronically ill elder in the home, and decrease the high costs of health care if we focus on changing where we live." The NHMA is a partner with the First Lady's Let's Move Campaign and the Kellogg Foundation on child obesity and most recently was on stage with the CDC Director and the National Immunization Foundation for this year's flu season.

Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, medical officer of Texas BlueCross discussed the diabetes self management program partnership with the Texas Medical Association in San Antonio. He shared the statistics that prevention programs for workers have led to increased days at work and productivity and there is a trend to build more at work programs.

Mary Beth Bigley from the U.S. Surgeon General's Office described the new national prevention strategy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that includes, for the first time in this country's history, 17 federal agencies working to support programs and jobs that focus on disease prevention and health education - in schools and school lunch and WIC and SNAP food programs, parks and walking paths, environmental health, in clinics, hospitals and medical schools, and with the worksites, military and veterans programs and more.

The University of Southern California Center of Excellence on Obesity research focuses on the need for understanding of causes of our obesity epidemic such as the lack of maternal nutrition education to breastfeed and limit sugar with infants. Also a focus of the Los Angeles based research are Latino children use of cell phones at a 98% rate and families at 78% rate which calls for increased e-health communication for prevention.

Pfizer Helpful Answers program was an example of another level of prevention, since preventing the complications of diabetes and heart disease is now a reality for poor people who qualify for the program's discount medications.

Established in 1994 in Washington, D.C., the National Hispanic Medical Association is a nonprofit association representing Hispanic physicians. The NHMA mission is to empower Hispanic physicians to improve the health of Hispanics in collaboration with public and private partners. For more information, go to www.nhmamd.org.

SOURCE National Hispanic Medical AssociationCurated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino Redefined. Empower Yourself!]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2011/11/09/national-hispanic-medical-association-brings-health-leaders-to-meet-with-congress-on-prevention-strategies-to-improve-health-and-decrease-costs/feed/ 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2011/02/24/national-hispanic-medical-association-physicians-join-forces-with-national-medical-association-and-office-of-new-york-mayor-michael-bloomberg/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2011/02/24/national-hispanic-medical-association-physicians-join-forces-with-national-medical-association-and-office-of-new-york-mayor-michael-bloomberg/#comments Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:30:47 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=114426
The "Protecting All From Flu Campaign,"-HHS Demonstration Project is an effort to improve influenza vaccination rates among African Americans and Hispanics in targeted cities. New York was selected as one of the eight cities based on historical evidence that despite tremendous efforts on the part of state and local public health departments, minorities continue to have health disparities with influenza vaccinations. "It is imperative that we join forces with the NMA, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, and with the office of Mayor Bloomberg to promote health care provider awareness regarding low vaccination rates among racial and ethnic minorities and to facilitate health care provider strategies needed to increase seasonal influenza vaccinations in targeted populations," commented NHMA President and CEO Dr. Elena Rios. "Moreover, this year is the first influenza season in which the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends that all Americans over six months of age get a flu vaccine."

The campaign is a public-private partnership of national, local public health, in conjunction with pharmacies, providers, community and faith-based organizations. The goal of the forum is to call on the local NMA Chapter and the Spanish American Medical/Dental Society of New York to help reduce disparities in influenza vaccination rates. US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Region II, Dr. Jaime Torres stated, "This campaign is very important because it will help many of our Latino and African American neighbors and families who otherwise may not be protected from the flu this season." According to NHMA and the NMA minority physicians are very respected in their communities and have the trust and ability to help change behavior of their patients, in this case, to obtain the flu vaccine. The forum will educate physicians about interventions to increase patient flu vaccines-standing orders and reminder recall systems. Participants will also receive information on availability of free flu vaccination vouchers for uninsured and underserved patients made possible through a partnership with Walgreens pharmacies.

"I hope that through this forum we can solicit the help and support of New York leaders and local TV/Radio and Print media to help our providers successfully protect our communities by getting the flu vaccine out to their patients," stated Dr. Rios.

Key partners joining the Forum include Dr. Jaime Torres, HHS Regional Director Region II, Dr. April Velasco, HHS Regional Health Administrator Region II, Iris R. Jimenez-Hernandez, Senior Vice President, Generations+/Northern Manhattan Health Network, and Executive Director, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, and leaders from the New York Department of Health and Human Services, Walgreens, and leaders from the local media and community. Curated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino Redefined. Empower Yourself!]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2011/02/24/national-hispanic-medical-association-physicians-join-forces-with-national-medical-association-and-office-of-new-york-mayor-michael-bloomberg/feed/ 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2011/02/15/national-hispanic-medical-association-physicians-join-forces-with-national-medical-association-and-texas-congresswoman-sheila-jackson-lee/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2011/02/15/national-hispanic-medical-association-physicians-join-forces-with-national-medical-association-and-texas-congresswoman-sheila-jackson-lee/#comments Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:15:07 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=113927
The "Protecting All From Flu Campaign,"-HHS Demonstration Project is an effort to improve influenza vaccination rates among African Americans and Hispanics in targeted cities. Houston was selected as one of the eight cities based on historical evidence of vaccination disparities and availability of provider networks. "It is imperative that we join forces with the NHMA and the NMA to promote health care provider awareness regarding low vaccination rates among racial and ethnic minorities and to facilitate health care provider strategies needed to increase seasonal influenza vaccinations in targeted populations," commented Sheila Jackson Lee. "I am committed to working with the NHMA and NMA as well as their partners to better educate Houstonians about how they can better protect themselves and their families from the flu."

The campaign is a public-private partnership of national, local public health, in conjunction with pharmacies, providers, community and faith-based organizations. "Minority physicians are respected in our communities and have the trust and ability to help change behavior of their patients, in this case to obtain the flu vaccine," stated NHMA's President and CEO Dr. Elena Rios.

The goal of the forum is to bring national attention to this issue and to begin to promote health care provider education and strategies needed to increase seasonal influenza vaccination in minority communities. Participants also will receive information on availability of free flu vaccination vouchers for the uninsured and underserved made possible through a partnership with Walgreens. "The importance of this initiative with our key partners such as the Office of Minority Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Walgreens cannot be overemphasized and we are thrilled to work with NHMA on this important effort," stated Randall C. Morgan Jr. MD, MBA, Executive Director, W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute.

"We hope that through this forum we can solicit the help and support of Houston leaders and local TV/Radio and Print media to help our providers successfully protect our communities by getting the flu vaccine out to their patients," stated Dr. Rios.

Key participants will include Associate Director for Research and Policy, HHS Office of Minority Health, Dr. Jamila Rashid, Regional Health Administrator, Dr. Epi Elizondo, Founding Dean of Texas A&M University, Rural School of Public Health, Ciro Sumaya, MD, MPHTM, Decrecia Robinson and Porfirio Villareal representing the Houston Department of Health & Human Services, Roy Armstrong representing Walgreens, Dr. Lovell Jones, MD representing MD Anderson Cancer Center.Curated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino Redefined. Empower Yourself!]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2011/02/15/national-hispanic-medical-association-physicians-join-forces-with-national-medical-association-and-texas-congresswoman-sheila-jackson-lee/feed/ 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/11/10/upcoming-national-hispanic-medical-association-nhma-conference-seeks-research-posters/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/11/10/upcoming-national-hispanic-medical-association-nhma-conference-seeks-research-posters/#comments Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:22:48 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=108810 HispanicTips from www.saludtoday.com
Hispanic & Latino News Redefined. Empower Yourself!]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/11/10/upcoming-national-hispanic-medical-association-nhma-conference-seeks-research-posters/feed/ 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/09/05/statement-of-dr-elena-rios-president-and-ceo-national-hispanic-medical-association-hispanic-doctors-dentists-and-nurses-applaud-the-health-care-reform-law-for-our-patients/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/09/05/statement-of-dr-elena-rios-president-and-ceo-national-hispanic-medical-association-hispanic-doctors-dentists-and-nurses-applaud-the-health-care-reform-law-for-our-patients/#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:16:12 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=97840 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Obama earlier this year, is the most comprehensive health care reform legislation in the U.S. since Medicare, which provides access to care for persons over 65, the blind and dialysis patients, and Medicaid, which does so for the poor, were established in 1965. This month, key provisions of the new law go into effect that will start increasing insurance and thus, access to health care services for 30 million Americans.

The National Hispanic Medical Association, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and the Hispanic Dental Association, representing over 125,000 doctors, nurses and dentists treating millions of Hispanic patients, support President Obama's Patient Care Act not only for increasing access to care, but because it will provide quality care and prevention services that will reduce costs and support new jobs in the health workforce. This law, over the next decade, will result in a positive paradigm shift in the way health care services are provided to our patients.

For example, the quality of care will be improved as we see the adoption of the new language and cultural competence services as well as electronic health records and data collection efforts in our private offices, community clinics, public hospitals and teaching hospitals. In addition, increased quality will decrease costs as new guidelines are created, based on value and outcomes of our patients, not on the current system based on how many lab tests or x-rays we order - so we can better care for our patients' diabetes, heart disease and cancer, etc.

Prevention services will be improved in our communities with federal agencies working together for the first time to focus on community transformation programs, school clinics, worksite wellness programs, and healthy homes. New programs targeted at children and adults will reduce the obesity epidemic as asthma-inducing trucks are diverted away from schools, as parks, fresh food markets and gardens and walking and bike paths are built, and health messaging will become more common through multimedia.

Since the Patient Care Act will cover 30 million new insured patients over time, there will be a national focus on building the primary care workforce ---doctors, nurses, dentists who can see the majority of sick patients and then refer them to specialty care as needed. This new workforce will work together in multidiscipline teams with mental health professionals, allied and community health workers to offer more efficient and less costly care.

In summary, the National Hispanic Medical Association, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, and the Hispanic Dental Association salute President Obama and Congress for the new health care reform law and look forward to treating healthier patients and communities.

The National Hispanic Medical Association is a nonprofit association with the mission to empower Hispanic physician leaders to improve the health of Hispanic populations. See www.nhmamd.org for more information.

SOURCE National Hispanic Medical Association Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/09/05/statement-of-dr-elena-rios-president-and-ceo-national-hispanic-medical-association-hispanic-doctors-dentists-and-nurses-applaud-the-health-care-reform-law-for-our-patients/feed/ 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/09/02/texas-childrens-vaccine-book-helps-spanish-speaking-parents-understand-consequences-of-vaccine-preventable-diseases/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/09/02/texas-childrens-vaccine-book-helps-spanish-speaking-parents-understand-consequences-of-vaccine-preventable-diseases/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:02:59 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=97510 Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/09/02/texas-childrens-vaccine-book-helps-spanish-speaking-parents-understand-consequences-of-vaccine-preventable-diseases/feed/ 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/07/22/congressional-hispanic-caucus-national-hispanic-medical-association-and-hispanic-ngos-meet-with-obama-administration-about-health-care-reform-for-their-communities/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/07/22/congressional-hispanic-caucus-national-hispanic-medical-association-and-hispanic-ngos-meet-with-obama-administration-about-health-care-reform-for-their-communities/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:29:12 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=91067 Congressional Hispanic Caucus and national Hispanic medical and non-profit agency leaders are meeting in Washington, DC tomorrow, at the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2168 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, to coordinate new programs with the Obama Administration on the recently passed health care reform legislation, the Affordable Care Act, to target their communities.

Hispanic doctors and non-profit agencies tend to provide more services, than their non-Hispanic counterparts, in poor areas of the country, and know first-hand, the challenges of Hispanic health care disparities in the U.S.


"Hispanic doctors and community leaders join the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to tell President Obama to include a national strategy to build Hispanic focused prevention, health and mental health care," according to Dr. Elena Rios, president of the National Hispanic Medical Association, a Washington, DC based advocacy group. "As health care reform has started to be implemented by the Federal government, we have been urging community leaders to provide input to new regulations and commissions that will increase access to insurance, education, housing, transportation, economic development, labor, health care and food programs to Hispanic families so they suffer less from heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity and HIV/AIDS."

Speakers include Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Chair, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Health Task Force, Garth Graham, MD, Deputy Secretary for Minority Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Janet Heinrich, DrPH, Associate Administrator for Health Resources and Services Administration, Nora Super, Director, Federal Government Relations-Health/Long-Term Care, AARP, Ciro Sumaya, MD, Professor, Rural Public Health School, Texas A&M, and Elena Rios, MD, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association. The briefing is being funded by AARP.

The Affordable Care Act, signed into law on March 23rd supports new prevention programs in communities, schools and worksites for nutrition and physical exercise and new jobs such as community health workers and translators; expands recruitment of Hispanic students into health professions careers; mandates data collection of race/ethnicity and language and quality measures about providers cultural competence; and supports government research that compares effectiveness of treatments.

Established in 1994 in Washington, DC, the National Hispanic Medical Association is a nonprofit association representing Hispanic physicians. The NHMA mission is to empower Hispanic physicians to improve the health of Hispanics in collaboration with public and private partners. For more information, go to www.nhmamd.org. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/07/22/congressional-hispanic-caucus-national-hispanic-medical-association-and-hispanic-ngos-meet-with-obama-administration-about-health-care-reform-for-their-communities/feed/ 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/06/17/dennis-rivera-president-of-seiu-healthcare-to-address-national-hispanic-health-associations-at-10th-anniversary-healthcare-diversity-awards-gala/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/06/17/dennis-rivera-president-of-seiu-healthcare-to-address-national-hispanic-health-associations-at-10th-anniversary-healthcare-diversity-awards-gala/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:10:54 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=88376 Dennis Rivera, president of SEIU Healthcare, one of the nation's most powerful unions, and a key player in President Obama's drive to develop health reform for the United States, will be the keynote speaker at the 10th Anniversary Healthcare Diversity Awards Gala of the Association of Hispanic Healthcare Executives (www.AHHE.org) and the National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Health (www.NHCCH.com) on Friday, June 18, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

This year's event, with the theme of Mentoring the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders, brings together the presidents of major national Hispanic health associations as well as business, political and hospital leaders to focus on the need for more Latino leaders in the healthcare system. Investing in the nation's health care workforce to increase diversity and reduce health care disparities is one of the objectives of the health reform bill passed last year.

"We have been focused on this goal for the last ten years," said George A. Zeppenfeldt-Cestero, president of AHHE. "We have made some important strides but more needs to be done. We are happy to be working with all of the leaders of the major Hispanic health associations as well as our corporate partners towards achieving this goal."

Each year, the Association recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the effort. Among the honorees this year is Kenneth E. Raske, President and Chief Executive Officer for the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA), as the Diversity Leader of the Year. In 2004, when the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (PRLDEF/LATINOJustice) issued "Condition Critical: Absence of Latinos Among Policymakers in NYC's Voluntary Hospitals," the GNYHA, realizing that more had to be done to fill the gap, took a unique and groundbreaking approach by establishing the Task Force on Diversity in Health Care Leadership. Raske was the major force behind that initiative.

Also being honored are Ruben Dario Taborda, Vice President, Medical Device Procurement/Supplier Diversity for Johnson & Johnson as Supplier Diversity Executive of the Year; Paloma Hernandez, President and Chief Executive Officer, Urban Health Plan as Community Health Executive of the Year; Beatriz M. Manettta, President and Chief Executive Officer for Argent Associates as Health Information Technology Leader of the Year; Alvin Strelnick, MD, Director of he Hispanic Center of Excellence at Albert Einstein College of Medicine as the Academic Leader of the Year; Honorable Felix Ortiz, Chair, Committee on Mental Health for the New York State Assembly as Legislator of the Year; Honorable Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York Start Comptroller as Government Leader of the Year; and, Madelyn Lugo, Chair, Board of Directors for the 2010 National Puerto Rican Day Parade for the Cultural Diversity Award of the Year.

In attendance, and partners with AHHE and the NHCCH are the leading national Hispanic health association presidents, including Elena V. Rios, MD, President of the National Hispanic Medical Association; Ms. Carmen Collado, CSW, President, the Association of Hispanic Mental Health Professionals; Pedro Aponte, MD, President, the Dominican Medical Association; Norma Martinez Rogers, PhD, RN, FAAN, President, National Association of Hispanic Nurses; Samuel Arce, MD, President, Spanish American Medical Dental Society of NY, Inc., Dr. Yolanda Bonta, Executive Director of the Hispanic Dental Association and Luis A. Vazquez, Chairman, National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Health. Elected and Appointed officials representing city, state and the federal government, including Dr. Jaime Torres, Region II Director, for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will be present to be interviewed on health care reform.

Major financial support for this event, which supports the work of AHHE and NCCH, is provided by National Partner, Aetna, and Regional Partners, NewYork Presbyterian, North Shore-LIJ, Healthfirst, Healthplex, TIAA-CREF, Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Johnson & Johnson and Inlanet Digital Marketing. AHHE has taken the lead in developing social media initiatives to respond to the needs of Latino health care professionals. It is in the process of creating a national virtual online mentoring program as part of its broader social media campaign.

For more information on AHHE, NCCH or the 10th Anniversary Diversity in Health Care Awards gala, call 212-877-1615 or visit www.AHHE.org.

SOURCE Association of Hispanic Healthcare Executives Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/06/17/dennis-rivera-president-of-seiu-healthcare-to-address-national-hispanic-health-associations-at-10th-anniversary-healthcare-diversity-awards-gala/feed/ 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/03/29/unitedhealth-group-receives-hispanic-health-leadership-award/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/03/29/unitedhealth-group-receives-hispanic-health-leadership-award/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:43:16 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=80137 UnitedHealth Group is the recipient of the National Hispanic Medical Association’s (NHMA) 2010 Hispanic Health Leadership Award, recognizing the company for its innovation in creating high-quality initiatives aimed at improving the health of Hispanic consumers.

“On addressing health matters that impact the Hispanic community, UnitedHealth Group is a true leader,” said Dr. Elena V. Rios, M.D., M.S.P.H., president and CEO of the NHMA. “The company’s initiatives show a strong dedication to both diversity and the development of programs that speak to the unique needs of our community in a culturally competent way.”

“UnitedHealth Group operates under a simple belief: that no matter what language you speak or what culture you come from, everyone deserves quality health care,” said Dr. Manuel Selva, Jr., senior medical director for UnitedHealthcare, Southeast Region. “The services and products our company has developed to help Hispanics lead healthier lives revolves around three basic principles: a commitment to bilingual excellence, interacting with individuals in a culturally relevant way and communicating in a linguistically accurate fashion.”

UnitedHealth Group was selected to receive the Hispanic Health Leadership Award based on its dedication to creating a diverse health care work force and its strong commitment to the needs of local, medically underserved communities.

NHMA highlighted three UnitedHealth Group programs targeting the Hispanic community: PlanBienSM, the Latino Health Scholars Program and support for Community Health Centers of Excellence in Hispanic communities.

PlanBien offers a suite of products enhanced with bilingual health information and services. It includes dedicated, bilingual call centers and Web sites, and access to bilingual physicians and clinical teams. Today, PlanBien serves more than 35,000 individuals in six states.

The Latino Health Scholars Program was created as part of UnitedHealth Group’s Diverse Scholars program aimed at fostering a more diverse health care work force. Through the United Health Foundation, the program has awarded more than 330 scholarships totaling more than $1 million to help Hispanic students across the country pursue health careers.

The Foundation works with leading Hispanic organizations such as the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the National Health Foundation of the National Hispanic Medical Association, and others to administer the scholars program.

UnitedHealth Group and the United Health Foundation also strongly support Community Health Centers of Excellence across the country, creating partnerships with local community clinics to address racial, ethnic and socioeconomic health disparities.

To date, the program has provided $23 million in funding for health centers in Miami’s Overtown community, the Bywater area of New Orleans, the Anacostia community in Washington, D.C., and New York City.

About the National Hispanic Medical Association
Established in 1994 in Washington, D.C., the National Hispanic Medical Association is a non-profit association representing 36,000 licensed Hispanic physicians in the United States. The mission of the organization is to improve the health of Hispanics and other underserved populations.

About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix, and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 70 million individuals nationwide. Visit www.unitedhealthgroup.com for more information.

Contact:

UnitedHealth Group
Brenda Perez, 718-548-4370
Brenda_perez@uhc.com
or
NHMA
Carol Castaneda, 703-369-0414
castaneda77@aol.com Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/03/29/unitedhealth-group-receives-hispanic-health-leadership-award/feed/ 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/03/22/national-hispanic-medical-association-urges-u-s-to-improve-health-care-access-as-doctors-meet-march-25-28-in-washington/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/03/22/national-hispanic-medical-association-urges-u-s-to-improve-health-care-access-as-doctors-meet-march-25-28-in-washington/#comments Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:05:00 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=79586 Hispanic doctors and national and state leaders are meeting in Washington during the National Hispanic Medical Association's (NHMA) conference March 25-28 to discuss disparities in access to health insurance and care for Latinos and how the U.S. needs a health care transformation to improve the lives of Americans today and for generations to come.

Doctors and decision-makers will meet for the 14th annual conference of the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA), a nonprofit group based in Washington, DC, that represents Hispanic physicians in the U.S. The conference, "Health Care Transformation to Expand Prevention and Health Promotion for Hispanic Communities," is March 25-28 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Rd. NW, Washington, DC.

"The health care discussion between Congress and the White House is a phenomenal first step in the right direction," said Dr. Elena Rios, NHMA's president and CEO. "Comprehensive health care reform is a major step in increasing affordable access to health insurance for Hispanics and the working poor and giving people a chance at a better quality of life."

NHMA is having a press conference at 11:15 a.m. Friday, March 26 in Room Wilson C at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel to address health disparities in legislation and how health care reform is critical to preventing disease and increasing access to care for millions of Americans. Invited to the press conference are leaders from the White House and HHS, and the presidents of the national health professional associations – such as NMA, AAIP, NCAPIP, HDA and NAHN.

Also speaking at the conference are Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and Dr. Janet Collins of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They are among the speakers at the opening plenary, "National Vision for Health Care Transformation for Hispanic Communities," at 9:30 a.m. March 26.

Surgeon General Regina Benjamin will be the keynote speaker at the awards dinner at 7:30 p.m. March 27. Also attending is Mary Wakefield, Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration, who'll discuss "Primary Care Workforce and Hispanic Health" at 2 p.m. Friday.

The conference brings together experts from across the nation to share their experience in eliminating health disparities for Hispanics. As the nation's largest subgroup, Hispanics stand to gain the most from comprehensive health care reform. More than 15 percent of U.S. population is Hispanic. The Census Bureau projects 30 percent of Americans will be Hispanic by 2050.

The nation needs change that's inclusive and responsive to our diverse communities, otherwise Hispanics are going to continue to die prematurely because they can't afford to go to a doctor or a clinic.

"If we don't pass health reform now, then we won't have another opportunity for 30 years," said Rios, referring to Medicare, which became law in 1965 and is the largest health care policy change in the nation. "If we don't pass it, the uninsured will increase to 60 million." Of the uninsured, 33% are Hispanics.

NHMA supports the healthy dialogue the nation is having on reform. By 2042, one in four Americans will be Hispanic. Latinos are uninsured at higher rates than any other group.

Health care legislation will allow the next generation of Hispanics to be a healthier workforce. It will increase services and safety nets, including hospitals and clinics. It will increase wellness programs, helping communities transform into healthy environments with disease-preventing amenities such as parks and groceries that offer fruits, vegetables and healthier choices.

In addition, it will allow more Latino families to get health insurance, fund obesity and diabetes prevention programs and improve access to care for the poor.

NHMA supports increasing the number of insured people, affordable health insurance with subsidies and limited premiums to 10% of income, more clinics, DSH and support for safety net hospitals and medical practices, participation of Puerto Rico and immigrants for health exchange, expand Office of Minority Health and establish a National Institute of Minority Health, increase Hispanic physicians, nurses, dentists, and public health workforce and Hispanic leadership in the public health system and increase prevention, tort reform and primary care incentives for doctors, and cultural competence training and language services throughout the health system.

"In the health care debate, we're not going to get everything we have been advocating for. But at least more people will have insurance – and that's a welcome first step," Rios said.


Established in 1994 in Washington, DC, NHMA is a nonprofit association that represents licensed Hispanic physicians in the U.S. in its mission to improve health care for Hispanics and the underserved. For more information, visit www.nhmamd.org. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://www.hispanictips.com/2010/03/22/national-hispanic-medical-association-urges-u-s-to-improve-health-care-access-as-doctors-meet-march-25-28-in-washington/feed/ 0