With over 15 million Latinos uninsured, groups will be helping Latinos sign up for new insurance under Affordable Care Act & building support for universal healthcare in Puerto Rico





What: Doctors, elected officials, healthcare unions from



U.S. mainland & Puerto Rico to hold “Speak Out” on urgent health issues facing Latinos



When: Friday, June 7 at 11 AM



Where: 1199SEIU, 310 W. 43rd St. (First floor gallery), Manhattan, NY







New York City- On Friday, June 7th, doctors, elected officials and healthcare unions from both the United States mainland and Puerto Rico will speak out on urgent health issues facing Latinos. The “Speak Out for Latino Health” is being held two days before the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, which has a theme this year of “Salud – Celebrate Your Health.”



A large delegation from Puerto Rico is travelling to New York for the Speak Out and parade, including the President of the Unión General de Trabajadores, Manuel Perfecto Torres, who is also the “Padrino” of the parade, and Dr. Eduardo Ibarra, President of the Colegio de Medicos Cirujanos de Puerto Rico. This delegation will be joining New York City elected officials and health advocates of Puerto Rican descent, as well as 1199SEIU President George Gresham, who is the International Marshal for the parade.



Latinos have the highest uninsured rate of any group – more than 15 million are uninsured, over 30% of the Latino population nationally. In New York City, over 420,000 Latinos – 25% of the Latino population – lack insurance. And 300,000 residents of Puerto Rico are uninsured. Latinos are also less likely to have access to preventative care and a primary care physician than other groups, which has compounded epidemics like diabetes.



At the press conference, participants will discuss efforts to address the urgent health crisis facing Latinos, including signing up Latinos for the new insurance options under the Affordable Care Act, and passing universal healthcare legislation in Puerto Rico.



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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest union in New York City and largest healthcare union in the nation. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout New York State, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.