WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, October 1, 2026, the National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) will host a Capitol Hill briefing to launch its 2026 Status of Hispanic Older Adults Report (SHOAR). The briefing will bring together policymakers, advocates, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to examine issues that shape the health and well-being of Latino older adults and their families.
The briefing will take place at 1:00 pm (EST) in Room 2060 of the Rayburn House Office Building, in Washington, D.C., and will highlight research and insights from the 2026 SHOAR. The report examines issues such as prescription drug pricing, tobacco harm reduction, Alzheimer’s disease, HIV, MASH liver disease, caregiving, and nutrition.
“Through the 2026 Status of Hispanic Older Adults Report, we are bringing research and direct community perspective to Capitol Hill, to inform policymakers and advance solutions that address the needs of Latino communities,” said Dr. Yanira Cruz, President and CEO of NHCOA. “The SHOAR also serves as an important resource for voters, with key insights into highly relevant issues, especially in light of the upcoming midterm elections on November 3, 2026.”
The event will feature opening remarks from Dr. Yanira Cruz, followed by a panel discussion on key health and policy issues affecting older Latino adults. Jeff Cruz, the Executive Director of Latinos for a Secure Retirement, will moderate the briefing.
Other speakers include Dr. Ray Serrano, Director of Research and Policy at LULAC, and Didier Trinh, National Director of the Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC).
Members of NHCOA will provide important updates on key issues: Christine S. Pérez, Director of Programs, will present the findings of the NHCOA MASH focus group; Pedro Lima, Finance and Project Development Manager, will speak about tobacco harm reduction; and Christina Pacheco, Director of Research and Development at NHCOA, will discuss adult vaccination. The panel will also include presentations from Thomas Johnson, Executive Director of ASAP 340B, who will discuss the 340B Drug Pricing Program, and James Michel, Vice President of Medicare Policy and Federal Programs at AHIP, who will talk about healthcare access.
The event will conclude with a Q&A session and closing remarks from Robert “Bob” Blancato, NHCOA’s Board Director.
The launch of the 2026 SHOAR is an opportunity to incorporate the experiences of Latino older adults and family caregivers into conversations that shape health and aging policies. By sharing research findings and community perspectives with lawmakers and other stakeholders, NHCOA aims to improve public understanding of the challenges facing Latino communities and to promote policies that address these challenges.
This briefing is intended for policymakers, advocates, healthcare professionals, aging services organizations, community-based organizations, caregivers, and older adults interested in issues affecting Hispanic older adults.
NHCOA invites members of Congress, congressional staff, community partners, and other stakeholders to join the discussion and learn more about the 2026 SHOAR’s findings and policy implications.
About NHCOA:
NHCOA is the leading national organization working to improve the lives of Hispanic older adults, their families, and 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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