National Alliance for Hispanic Health urges Congress to support passage of health insurance reform bill

"Health is more than insurance coverage, but it is critical that this step be accomplished as we continue our journey towards health care for all. The entire Alliance network is committed to working with Congress to ensure health insurance reform is new legislation that is signed in 2010," said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation's leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

The Alliance urged its members to write to Congress to support timely passage of a health insurance reform bill that combines the best elements of House and Senate passed versions of legislation. Among actions urged by Alliance members:

- End no later than 2013 the practice of limiting or denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions (House version);

- Allow any resident to purchase health insurance on exchange using their own funds (House version); and,

- Include community health center funding to expand or establish new health centers in 10,000 communities (Senate and House versions).

More than a third (37.1%) of Hispanic workers are uninsured according to the latest data from the Department of Health and Human Services. According to Dr. Delgado, "with one million Hispanics losing their job over the past year the economic crisis is increasing the number of families that must go without insurance."