Latinos have much to lose under Senate GOP health care bill

Editor’s note: This piece was originally posted on the National Council of La Raza’s blog on June 23. As the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, the National Council of La Raza works to build a stronger America by creating opportunities for Latinos. NCLR is one of two honorees we are celebrating at our 14th annual Human Needs Hero reception on July 25.

This year, we are proud to come together to highlight the essential work of NCLR and the National Immigration Law Center in fighting for justice for immigrants. When so many of our neighbors are under threat of deportation and family break-up, it is important – and a privilege – for the human needs community to stand with immigrants and the heroic groups that serve them. Please join us on July 25 to honor these amazing progressive leaders! And please follow the call to action in the piece below by sharing the infographics and calling your senators today at (202) 224-3121 and tell them to oppose the GOP health care bill!

In May, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would strip health coverage from 23 million Americans and slash more than $800 billion in federal funding from the Medicaid program. Yesterday, the Senate GOP released its proposal and it is just as cruel as the House version, if not more so, including even deeper cuts in federal funding to the Medicaid program. This proposal is a threat to millions of Americans, including Latinos.

This week Families USA and NCLR released new state fact sheets highlighting just how much is at stake for Latino children and families in states like Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and Florida. Since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, more than 20 million Americans have gained health insurance, including more than four million Latino adults and 600,000 children. In states like Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and Florida, these gains have been particularly significant, especially when it comes to children’s access to health care. Those gains are now in jeopardy.

Here’s a glimpse at what’s at stake:

Nevada

In Nevada, more than one in four residents identify as Latino.

Nevada stands to lose an estimated $5 billion in federal Medicaid funding.
Medicaid coverage for around 225,400 Latinos in Nevada is at risk.
About 54% of children with Medicaid or other public health coverage in Nevada are Latino.

Colorado

In Colorado, more than one in five residents identify as Latino.

Colorado stands to lose an estimated $15 billion in federal funding for Medicaid.
Medicaid coverage for approximately 405,300 Latinos in Colorado is at risk.
More than 50% of children with Medicaid or other public health coverage in Colorado are Latino.

Arizona

In Arizona, one in three residents identify as Latino.

Arizona stands to lose an estimated $19 billion in federal funding for Medicaid.
Medicaid coverage for around 927,100 Latinos in Arizona is at risk.
About 60% of children with Medicaid or other public health coverage in Arizona are Latino.

Florida

In Florida, one in four residents identify as Latino.

Florida stands to lose $7 billion in federal funding for Medicaid.
Medicaid coverage for about 1 million Latinos in Florida is at risk.
Nearly 40% of children with Medicaid or other public health coverage Florida are Latino.

Click here to read more on what’s at stake for millions of Americans, including Latino children and families. The shared progress we’ve made to give more children and families the opportunity to be healthy and more financially secure is on the line.

Call your Senators today at (202) 224-3121 and tell them to oppose the GOP health care bill!