On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, NHCOA held its Virtual Legislative Breakfast. During the event, we had the opportunity to hear from experts on key issues affecting the Latino and aging community, as well as discuss proposals and recommendations to address these issues before Congress.
Through this initiative, NHCOA reaffirms its goal of bringing together legislators to discuss legislative priorities and understand the leaders of the Latino and older adult communities in the United States. On this opportunity, Dr. Yanira Cruz, CEO of NHCOA, emphasized a call for CMS to make access to obesity and Alzheimer’s medications available to the population. “We urge (CMS) to consider their most vulnerable populations. And the effects of mental health care policies. We must continue to advocate for reducing health care costs, access disparities, and ensuring U.S. research and development.“
This space also served as a forum to reinforce other topics of interest related to health care for older adults, and health disparities between Black and Latino communities, which have been exacerbated by the inequities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As well as the importance of vaccination including influenza and pneumococcal immunizations.
We were joined by Robert Blancato, president of Matz, Blancato and Associates and current NHCOA board member, who noted NHCOA’s leadership in promoting access to vaccination for all citizens and said, “We need to keep the voice strong at the national and local level, as NHCOA does. It’s important to understand who you represent and what their needs are.” He also reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to ensuring telehealth and telemedicine coverage in Medicare for the Latino population.
During the Legislative Breakfast, we addressed different topics of interest to our community with the participation of experts on these issues. Yarissa Reyes, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of the Alzheimer’s Association, provided details of the current situation regarding the low representation of Latinos in clinical trials. As a result of this situation, the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s and Dementia in these patients is very unlikely. This is why they advocate for increased diversity and attention to minority communities in the US. She urged CMS to commit to reducing health inequities and healthcare disparities. She highlighted the impact on older adults and facilitating access to high-quality dementia care and treatment in this population.
Nancy Glick, Director of Food and Nutrition Policy at the National Consumers League, pointed out the disparities in the diagnosis of obesity, highlighting the fact that it is a disease that, according to statistics, affects older adults the most, and within them, it affects older Latinos the most and affirmed that this condition is not due to a lifestyle, but rather a chronic disease that we must pay attention to.
In her participation, she called on CMS to address this problem by issuing new rules that cover anti-obesity medications within the available insurance plans. The director emphasized the need to intensify CMS action on this issue and insisted on the need to issue final formal guidance to States regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange plans so that they can require each State to provide the necessary coverage for the treatment and diagnosis of obesity in patients.
On the other hand, Josefina Mata, Executive Director of Concilio CDS Inc, mentioned the challenges faced by Latino communities after the pandemic. In particular, family caregiving and the challenges in acquiring resources, food, and meeting basic needs during the pandemic. She stated, “Many may not look the same, but resilience is a common denominator in describing how Latino communities have responded to this public health crisis.” So she insists that Latino communities must continue to fight to rebuild their communities.
Ending the event, we had the participation of Jorge Lambrinos, President of the NHCOA Board of Directors. In his words, he highlighted that “the United States is the only developed country that does not provide healthcare to all its citizens“, a worrying reality that gives us details about the U.S. health policy.
He also added that there is still a long way to go to ensure health care for people of color and other minorities. “The Legislative Breakfast is a wonderful opportunity to bring attention to important issues,” he said, providing a window for understanding the issues affecting Latinos and other minorities. An impact that Lambrinos says is being made on women, Blacks, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and people with intellectual and other disabilities.
This webinar was held during the Older Americans Month and we hope to continue to address different topics of interest to our communities in the upcoming edition next year. We invite you to watch and share the recording of the first edition of the Legislative Breakfast from our Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/q-Iuf4ElRzI
About NHCOA
NHCOA is the leading national organization working to improve the lives of Hispanic older adults, their families, and their caregivers. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NHCOA has been a strong voice dedicated to promoting, educating, and advocating for research, policy, and practice in the areas of economic security, health, and housing for Hispanic older adults, families, and caregivers for more than 50 years.
For more information about NHCOA call 202-347-9733 or visit www.NHCOA.org.
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