It is no coincidence that health appears among the main concerns of Hispanic voters just a few days before the November 5 elections.
Inequity in the United States health system is a persistent problem that disproportionately affects our community.
Although we are the largest minority in the country, we face structural barriers to accessing health care, such as insufficient health coverage and low availability of services in Spanish in our communities.
These inequalities not only impact the quality of life of millions of people, but also worsen disparities in health outcomes, causing many Hispanics to not receive the necessary care to prevent and treat diseases.
Although Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped reduce the rate of uninsured people, the Latino community remains one of the groups most likely to lack health coverage.
This is due in part to the fact that many Latinas and Latinos work in sectors where employers do not offer health insurance, as well as the difficulty in accessing public assistance programs due to eligibility restrictions, especially for those who do not have regularized immigration status.
Limited access to health services in Spanish also contributes to inequity. The language barrier can be a major obstacle for many Latinos who do not speak English fluently, making it difficult to communicate with doctors and understand diagnoses, treatments, and medications.
Additionally, the lack of culturally competent health care providers can result in unequal treatment, negatively affecting the quality of care received.
Worse yet, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated many of these inequalities. Our community was one of the hardest hit due to factors such as the high percentage of Hispanics in essential jobs, lack of health insurance, and difficulty accessing testing and treatment.
The health crisis confirmed that deep reforms to the health system are necessary to ensure fair and equitable access for all, regardless of ethnic origin or economic status. Addressing these disparities is crucial to creating a more just health system and improving the quality of life of the Latino community in the United States.
Vote for your health, because voting is a way to influence health policies that directly impact our families, communities, and ourselves.
It is also an opportunity to support candidates who promote an accessible and equitable health system for everyone, from young people who need preventive coverage to seniors who depend on Medicare to maintain their well-being.
We invite you to learn about the candidates’ proposals on health at laredhispana.org/votemos so that you can cast an informed vote, by mail, or in person on Tuesday, November 5.
