Statement from UnidosUS on H.R.987’s Health Care Proposals

WASHINGTON – UnidosUS issued the following statement by Steven Lopez, Director, Health Policy, regarding today’s vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on H.R. 987, the “Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act.”

“UnidosUS has long championed policies that give more Americans, including Latinos, the opportunity to have quality, affordable and accessible health coverage and care. H.R. 987 is consistent with those goals and today’s vote in the House of Representatives is an important step in protecting and strengthening our health care.

“Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Latinos have realized gains in access to health coverage and care—more than four million Latino adults and 600,000 Latino children have gained health coverage and millions more have benefited from new consumer protections. H.R. 987 includes a number of proposals that are important to our community, including measures to protect people with pre-existing conditions and funding for federal navigators, as well as for outreach and marketing to ensure consumers are aware of their coverage options and enroll.

“Health care is an important issue for the Latino community. In our most recent health care poll of Latino voters, more than 60 percent supported efforts to strengthen the ACA so the law works for more Americans. We thank the House for its leadership and look forward to continuing to work with the Congress to advance solutions that give more Americans the opportunity to be healthy and economically secure.”