On Tuesday, July 15th, the National Hispanic Council on Aging held its latest installment of the Legislative Breakfast, an ongoing event series designed to gather community advocates amongst professionals with key expertise on relevant issues facing Hispanic and Latino American older adults.
We were thrilled to host an excellent selection of speakers who brought much needed perspective on issues at the forefront of our work, and our community’s minds, during these challenging times.
NHCOA’s President & CEO, Dr. Yanira Cruz began the event with remarks that stirred the meeting’s focus towards matters of chronic diseases, what is required of an individual living with them, and what should be expected of our nation’s healthcare system in supporting their treatment. Before handing off the podium to NHCOA’s Board Member, Robert “Bob” Blancato, Dr. Cruz spoke sincerely on the importance of social security, and ensuring its protection.
Bob Blancato offered a point of celebration, and reminded us all that the Older Americans Act had beheld its 60th anniversary this summer, just as a bipartisan bill is reaching congress for its reintroduction. Max Richman, President & CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security, followed Mr. Blancato, and likewise offered a point of celebration with recognition of the imminent 90th anniversary of the Social Security program, on August 14th. Mr. Richman urged us all to advocate for substantiation of the program, as the only threat that it currently faces is a drawback in the benefits it is able to offer beneficiaries by 2034.
What followed these brilliant opening remarks, was an equally informative and illuminating series of speakers. NHCOA was happy to welcome Nancy Glick, Director of Food and Nutrition Policy at the National Consumers League, as she spoke about the Weight Truth Campaign, which aims to defeat what she described as an “infodemic” surrounding GLP-1s, and the subsequent exploitative market created from a lack of FDA oversight over compounded versions of these weight management drugs.
Shahzia Lakhani, Senior Director of the Clinical Education for the American Kidney Fund, brought the day’s discussion to the subject of chronic kidney disease, as it pertains to healthcare on a community level. Ms. Lakhani spoke on the absolute necessity of education and understanding amongst Hispanic and Latino communities around chronic kidney disease, and related chronic illnesses like diabetes. The primary hurdle in tackling chronic kidney disease, is ensuring that those at risk are seeing medical professionals regularly.
Max Hyams, Medical Science Liaison of Otsuka American Pharmaceutical, expanded upon this subject matter to highlight the disproportionate impact of kidney diseases upon communities of color, due to unique genetic make-up as well as systemic barriers. Mr. Hyams was able to succinctly summarize the science of treating kidney disease, its impact on communities of color, and the need for this disease to be better addressed.
This edition of the Legislative Breakfast included an excellent Fireside Chat, with three expert speakers on the critical matter of the 340B Drug Pricing Program, moderated by President & CEO of MANA, A Latina Organization, Amy Hinojosa. Thomas Johnson, the Executive Director of ASAP 340B, Jeanette Contreras, the Founding Director of the Organization for Latino Health Advocacy (OLHA), and Guillermo Avilés-Mendoza, Associate Director of Programs for the National Hispanic Health Foundation, provided a highly informative in-depth overview of the 340B Drug Pricing program, including the benefits behind its original intention, and especially the means by which it is now being exploited by hospital systems. While the truth of the exploitation, that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries are being vastly overpriced for discounted drugs such that hospital systems can amass staggering profits, was devastating, and yet our three experts left attendees with hope for the revision of this program that still possesses the bones for genuine benefits to underserved communities.
The event was closed with remarks from Caroline Fisher-O’Neil, Senior Director of Alliance Development & Strategic Advocacy for Otsuka America Pharmaceutical. Ms. Fisher-O’Neil echoed Nancy Glick’s belief that treatment coverage is a right, especially for those who live with chronic diseases. She also called our attention to the new piece of legislation, The New Era for Preventing End-Stage Kidney Disease Act of 2025 (HR 1518), which seeks to improve understanding of this serious chronic disease, and meet it with early diagnosis and prevention.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our collaborators—ASAP 340B, Merck, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, and PhRMA—for their generous support in making this Legislative Breakfast possible.
The National Hispanic Council on Aging was thrilled to host yet another incredible discussion between brilliant and caring minds, united under a common concern for American public health and the improvement of its healthcare service to the Hispanic and Latino American community, as well as many other underserved communities.
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