The National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) will host a Capitol Hill Briefing on Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM (EST) at the Rayburn Building, Room 2358-A, in Washington, DC. NHCOA will engage with lawmakers and relevant experts from the field, for an important discussion of issues impacting the Latino population, and of what solutions may look like on a legislative level.
NHCOA will release the Status of Hispanic Older Adults Report (SHOAR), a data and testimonial-driven report that offers policy recommendations to address the challenges currently faced by Latino older adults, their families, and caregivers. The 2025 SHOAR’s Insights from the Field – Advancing Health Equity Through Access, Awareness and Prevention launch will prioritize healthcare challenges, with a particular emphasis on such chronic illnesses as liver disease, obesity, and mental health among older adults, as well as such systemic issues as the 340B Drug Pricing Program, counterfeit anti-obesity medications, and barriers to adequate care amongst Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.
The event will be moderated by Jeff Cruz, Executive Director of the Latinos for a Secure Retirement Coalition, and will include remarks from NHCOA’s President & CEO, Dr. Yanira Cruz. Together these two leaders in advocacy for Latino older adults will set the stage for what is one of the most integral events to NHCOA’s wholistic vision for a healthier and more equitable society for all older adults. With additional remarks from Congressman Juan Ciscomani of Arizona’s 6th Congressional district, the event will also feature speakers with expertise relevant to recent areas of focus that have become central to NHCOA’s mission, as is reflected in the 2025 Status of Hispanic Older Adults Report. Expected attending congressmen include the Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, and additional members of congress.
Dr. Ray Serrano, Director of Research and Policy at the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), will provide his expertise on the developing issue of counterfeit anti-obesity medications. He is joined by Sara van Geertruyder, representing Global Liver Institute, who will discuss liver disease and MASH; and by Jaden Dickinson, Medical Science Liaison at Bristol Myers Squibb, who will speak about the mental health challenges faced by Latinos, particularly those with schizophrenia.
Thomas Johnson, Executive Director of ASAP 340B, will provide his expertise on the systemic and pervasive issue of the misuse of the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Sohini Gupta, Executive Vice President of AHIP’s Government Affairs & Innovations, will close the slate of speakers with her own expertise on the strained access to care for chronic illnesses, felt by beneficiaries of Medicare Advantage. The event will conclude with closing remarks by Lorena Kuri, Inclusion and Community Impact Lead at Bristol Myers Squibb, and Art Motta, Director of US Federal Affairs and Policy at AstraZeneca.
Attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions to the event’s speakers on their presentations. A vital point of the Capitol Hill Briefing is the dissemination of important information, the further enhancement of perspective on these issues is made possible through the discourse provided by attending professionals and members of congress. NHCOA is thrilled to facilitate a discourse that not only serves to bring progress and innovation to U.S. policy, but also to catalyze civic participation, awareness, and action surrounding issues that impact Latino communities, older adults, and often the entire country.
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 the last 51 years.
For more information about NHCOA call 202-347-9733 or visit www.NHCOA.org.
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