Read the Full Report in English Here.
Read the Full Report in Spanish Here.
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-03) joined UnidosUS Action Fund and Protect Our Care for a press call discussing the importance of accessing lower healthcare costs through the ongoing Medicare and Affordable Care Act open enrollment periods, and how the Inflation Reduction Act is lowering health care costs for Latino families. During the call, UnidosUS Action Fund and Protect Our Care released a report detailing how the Inflation Reduction Act is benefiting Latinos nationwide.
According to the report, Latinos face disproportionately high adverse health outcomes with Latino seniors being the most likely to experience affordability challenges of any racial/ethnic group in America. The Inflation Reduction Act addresses this challenge by lowering the out-of-pocket cost of health coverage and prescription drugs, which will especially help Latinos who face barriers to care due to unaffordable costs.
The report also spotlights the states with the highest Latino populations, including Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas. The report also details how half of the first ten drugs selected to have lower prices negotiated by Medicare are disproportionately taken by Latino Medicare enrollees.
“Last year, Congressman Gallego and I worked with our Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, a historic investment in good jobs, affordable health care, and better lives for America’s families and seniors. More than a year later, the Inflation Reduction Act is capping prescription drug costs and lowering health care premiums for millions of Americans, especially in Latino communities that have disproportionately struggled with access to care,” said Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20). “As we approach the final weeks of open enrollment, I strongly urge all Americans to visit Healthcare.gov and Medicare.gov and check out their coverage options today.”
“The report from Protect Our Care and UnidosUS underscores what we have long known: that the Inflation Reduction Act is saving Latinos in Arizona hundreds of dollars on health care,” said Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-03). “Insulin is now capped at $35 a month, drug companies are finally being held accountable for their price gouging tactics, and even more savings are coming. I look forward to continuing my work to build on these improvements and lower prescription drug and health care costs for all Arizonans.”
“Increasing engagement between the Latino community and the benefits offered by programs like Medicare and the Inflation Reduction Act is imperative, not only to ensure the health of our communities but to our financial health and economic prosperity as a nation,” said Rafael Collazo, Executive Director of the UnidosUS Action Fund.
“I have lived with Type One Diabetes now for almost 28 years, so I have been through not having insurance, having to insulin ration – I understand those struggles,” said Yamelisa Taveras, founder of The Unidos Foundation. “I understand what our community needs, which is why I founded The Unidos Foundation. So seeing the huge changes, especially the insulin cap, I know that is something that benefits me personally, but it definitely benefits a great number of individuals who live within my community. These changes are necessary and we need to support them. ”
“The Inflation Reduction Act is a game-changer, especially for Latino families,” said Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care. “Between lowering premium costs for families, capping insulin costs and drug costs for seniors, penalizing drug companies for egregious price hikes, and giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices, the benefits of this historic legislation are already being seen across the nation. Thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress, not only will Latino seniors and families save thousands of dollars a year, but they will also be able to access the health care they need and deserve.”
“I was paying $780 in insurance, but that doesn’t include all my medicines for my asthma and I was not yet old enough to be on Medicare,” said Ana Valenzuela, Deputy Director of the Arizona LULAC. “Luckily, I was on Medicare when I was diagnosed with cancer. And eventually, the Inflation Reduction Act will limit my out-of-pocket spending to $2,000. The Inflation Reduction Act is really working for a lot of us. We need these programs that are really going to help our health care. Like President Biden said, ‘We are stronger as a Nation when we work together to lift everyone’s well-being.’”