People Need to Come Together to Change Health Care

National Hispanic Council on Aging, AARP New Mexico Co-Sponsor Town Hall on Health Care Reform.

By: State: New Mexico | Source: AARP.org

During a recent discussion on health care, one over arching theme wove itself through both the audience and the presenters—that the people must unify their voices and demand action from their lawmakers should America hope to make any progress in improving the system.

The discussion, which also focused on the needs of the Hispanic population, came during a public town hall sponsored by the National Hispanic Council on Aging and AARP New Mexico, held Feb. 24th at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

"This is the time for all of us to come together," said Dr. Yanira Cruz, NHCOA President and CEO. "We need to have one voice, a unified voice. We need to let (lawmakers) know what's working and what isn't working. We put them in office. We must hold them accountable."

Leonel Garza, chairman of the AARP New Mexico legislative committee, who served on the town hall's panel, said that AARP was trying to bring people together to accomplish that very goal through its Divided We Fail campaign.

During the election cycle, AARP asked people to sign its DWF pledge card, which asked them to pay attention to the issues of health care reform and financial security; then pledge to vote for the candidate they thought had a real plan to bring about change; and once that person was in office, hold them accountable for implementing that change.

"The DWF initiative became an attempt nationwide to bring these two issues to the public, to unify the people into one voice to demand change," Garza said.

Salvador Balcorta, CEO for Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe Inc., the U.S. Mexico Border's leading community health organization, who served as moderator of the event, said it was up to the people to get Washington moving on health care reform.

"We need to make the politicians accountable by standing up and saying you are not doing what you said you would. We need to hold them responsible and accountable," Balcorta said.

He said that too often Hispanics are left behind when it comes to health care.

Dr. Roberto Otto Valdez, executive director for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center for Health Policy at the at the University of New Mexico, said the Latino population is exposed to severe working conditions while at the same time don't utilize health care during those working years, either because there is no access or because of the high cost. As a result, they have higher rates of diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions in their later years.

Orlando Gallegos, a retiree in the audience, said that health care options are not available, particularly in the state's rural areas.

"Northern New Mexico doesn't have access to health care providers let alone pharmacies. How do we include them in this health care reform?" he asked.

Dr. Cruz responded that, "We need to encourage our children and grandchildren to go to medical school. We need culturally competent services."

Patricia Montoya, Quality Improvement Manager for the New Mexico Medical Review Association and former cabinet secretary for the state Department of Health, said that the climate, in light of the new presidential administration's position, is right for the implementation of health care reform.

"What we're hearing today is the need to come together, the need for a collective message. We need to clearly identify what it is we need. Now is the time," Montoya said.

Also in attendance were Cindy Padilla, secretary of the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department, and Dr. Alfredo Vigil, secretary of the New Mexico Department on Health.

Both addressed their concerns for expanding health care coverage and the availability of health care providers. They also noted Gov. Bill Richardson's proposals for health care reform in New Mexico, which are currently going through the state legislative process.

NHCOA is conducting several similar Town Halls around the country to gather information on what community leaders and the public think health care reform should include, ensuring that the needs of Hispanic families are part of that discussion.