Latinas make their voices
heard on Affordable Care Act
The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
(NLIRH), their grassroots activists and a contingent of other health
care supporters rallied on the steps of the Supreme Court Tuesday in support of
the Affordable Care Act. Advocates from NLIRH joined hundreds of other women
and men to voice their support for the ACA as the Supreme Court justices heard
arguments.
“Latinas still face far too
many health disparities, including higher rates of cervical cancer and
unintended pregnancy,” said Jessica González-Rojas, executive director of
NLIRH. “The steps the ACA takes toward closing disparities in care are critical
for Latina health.”
The Affordable Care Act
already expands health coverage for children and young people. The ACA both
eliminates coverage discrimination against children with pre-existing
conditions and requires insurance companies to cover dependents until age 26.
Thanks to the ACA, 736,000 young Latino/as have access to health care,
according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Latinas can expect even
more access to high quality, affordable care if the Supreme Court allows the
ACA to remain intact. The law expands access to life-saving preventive care,
like cervical cancer screenings, and increases support for community health
centers, expands Medicaid coverage and ensures that every woman can plan the
timing and spacing of her family without expensive co-pays.
“On Tuesday on the Supreme Court steps,
Latinas used their voices to tell America that they deserve access to quality,
affordable healthcare, including contraception,” González-Rojas said. “The
Affordable Care Act allows millions of Latinas to make the healthiest decisions
for themselves and their families, and they made sure America heard their
support for that.”
