ARIZONA LATINOS FACE BARRIERS IN HEALTHCARE.

Did you know that more than 7 out of 10 of Latinos in the workforce are essential and frontline workers in Arizona—but many still do not have access to health insurance? The pandemic has proven that when more people have access to affordable, quality healthcare, everyone wins. Research shows that children with health coverage are more likely to have improved health, lower rates of disability, higher educational attainment, and greater financial security in adulthood. A healthy child can attend school more regularly and has a higher chance of completing school and getting a good start in life.

While Latinos make up less than half of the under-18 population in Arizona, 6 in 10 Latino kids are covered by Medicaid’s Child Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), partly because many Latino parents work in jobs that do not provide health insurance. Unfortunately, in Arizona, CHIP covers children only during the school year. In addition, seasonal workers whose pay fluctuates, such as farm laborers and hospitality workers, may not even qualify for CHIP. The result is that over 80,000 Latino children in Arizona are without adequate health insurance.

Healthcare in Arizona

CREATE A PATHWAY TO HEALTHIER KIDS AND PREGNANT WOMEN

Previously, federal law required a five-year waiting period before many legal immigrants were permitted to enroll in Medicaid and CHIP.

Now, federal law permits states to waive the waiting period for pregnant women and children, giving them access to the care they need.

Women and children who are lawfully in the United States should have access to healthcare and the insurance that makes that care affordable.

Arizona is one of only a handful of states that has not provided access to much-needed care by applying the waiver.

Lack of health insurance and affordable care for anyone affects all of us. Arizona should adopt the waiver and open up access to care for those who need it most.