"I will be proud to cast my vote in favor of this bill and look forward to doing the same for comprehensive immigration reform in the near future," said Congressman Jose E. Serrano (D-NY).  "In passing this bill we are ensuring health coverage for nearly all Americans and adding strength to the financial security of America's families."

In addition to expanding coverage, the proposal will improve Latinos' quality of care.  By requiring insurance companies to offer preventive care with no cost-sharing, the President's proposal would help identify and prevent conditions that Latinos suffer from disproportionately like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The bill is expected to put an end to a number of unfair practices in the insurance market that are particularly harmful to Latinos.  Under the legislation, insurance providers will no longer be allowed to drop coverage of customers when they grow sick, nor will they be able to deny coverage to those with preexisting conditions.  Members of the Caucus said that because of these important consumer protections, American families will no longer go bankrupt in the future in order to afford health care coverage.

Members of the Caucus also noted that the legislation makes significant investments to expand community health centers throughout the nation.  By directing funding to health care services and for the operation, expansion, and construction of community health centers nationwide, the bill will improve care for all Americans, but be particularly beneficial to Latinos and those living in underserved communities. 

Finally, Members of the Caucus praised the legislation for reducing the national deficit.  Over the next ten years, the bill is expected to reduce the deficit by $130 billion and, in the following decade, cut $1.2 trillion from the deficit.

"Taken together, these reforms constitute a critical step toward enhancing both access and quality of health care for Latinos," Velazquez said.  "The CHC calls on all of our colleagues to come together and, at long last, pass this landmark legislation, which will do much good, not only for our community, but for our entire country."

SOURCE Congressional Hispanic Caucus