NHHF Convenes the Hispanic Health Professionals Network
The National Hispanic Health Foundation convened the leaders from the groups we have worked with for over 20 years – collaborating on our National Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship. Those groups are called the Hispanic Health Professionals Network and all have their own annual conference, chapters, programs and members. The virtual meeting took place on March 5, 2025 and the purpose was to share key ways we can continue to collaborate with the NHHF Focus Areas:
2/19/25 – Hispanic Leadership
Today I spent the day at the National Association of Hispanic Nurses Policy Summit gaining knowledge on health policies being debated over the last few years in Congress that impact access and affordability to health care — obesity disease preclinical and clincal care being covered by Medicare and Medicaid and insurance eventually; discount patient medication programs such as the 340B support to hospitals and their contract pharmacies to pass on to low income patients; and the need to look at chronic disease treatment by physicians without step therapy…as well as prevention support…
And ended the day at the Ambassador from Spain’s residence hosting Latino CEOs of national and local organizatoins on a discussion on how to continue to build new efforts in this era with federal government and its bold changes (decreasing workforce and funding) creating uncertainty and anxiety in our communities and organizations, not to mention health care programs that are being scrutinized (nutrition, prevention, DEI, LGBTQ, price controls of medications) for new policy directions that can still advance health equity.
NHMA and NHHF 30th Anniversary Leadership Summit
NHHF and NHMA hosted 275 participants in Washington, DC, on April 12 – 13, 2024, to participate in Congressional Visits to advocate for Access to Care by protecting the Affordable Care Act prevention programs, expanding Medicaid, and focusing on obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, HIV, tobacco control; and for increasing Latinos in medicine by policies that create new institutions (regional medical schools) and advance diversity programs in STEM, research experience, mentoring and financing medical education (new GME slots, loan repayment). We also cohosted the White House Briefing on the Biden Administration accomplishments that impact the health of Latinos and considering a political appointment. We thank the staff and Office of Public Engagement, the White House.
Day 2 was a summit that started with the story of the history leading up to the establishment of NHMA. Dr. David Hayes Bautista provided the context of the 1960s in the U.S. when Latino college students developed clubs for prehealth students. In California, for example, the CCM and CHE groups were created across the state. As the leaders became professionals, they went to different states. Elena Rios’s history was announced as an activist and organizer — started recruiting poor students at Stanford, started the California statewide Chicano/Latino Medical Student Association in 1983, and the NHMA in 1994. Founders described their roles and challenges to the future: Collaboration, Leaning Latino Culture into Leadership, Enrichment of our NHHF Scholarship to help the next generation, and Partnership Development. Participants were assigned to four working sessions that resulted in strategies for NHMA and NHHF in the next five years: Increase Latinos in Medicine; Create health communications to other physicians about Latino health; Expand advocacy activities to Federal and State policymakers; and Develop partners to support executive leadership and clinical research training.
The First HHS Hispanic Health Summit
NHHF/NHMA president was presented with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for both NHMA (to develop a Hispanic pipeline for medical school) and NHHF the National Hispanic Health Foundation (to support Hispanic leadership development for the public health workforce, especially to increase Hispanics at HHS and county and state agencies and Hispanic principal investigators/patients in clinical research) through increased collaboration and information exchange with the HHS agencies and offices. The Hispanic Health Summit brought together leaders from health care and community organizations interested in learning about HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s priorities, including maternal health, access to care, especially Medicaid enrollment, and behavioral health programs to fight substance abuse, among other issues. We appreciated the NHMA/NHHF Board members and staff who joined me at this great event – Claudia Zamora, Yvonne Rodriguez, Dr. Sylvia Preciado, and NHHF Program Director Guadalupe Pacheco and our interns, who learned a lot from this historic event. (see HHS videos). We encourage all our staff to participate in the federal celebration of Hispanic and health equity.
The Rate of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Cases Among Latine Infants
NHHF and NHMA Applauds Reintroduction of the Treat & Reduce Obesity Act
The National Hispanic Medical Association applauds U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) and Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) for reintroducing the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act. This bill is a critical first step to address our country’s escalating obesity epidemic and its disproportionate impact on Hispanic communities.
Our current healthcare policies deny millions from accessing the care they need to treat this chronic, deadly disease — perpetuating health inequities and preserving roots of systemic racism that have put access to healthcare out of reach for millions.
Gun Safety Legislation Needed in Congress
Yesterday’s horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, represents our government’s continued failure to act against gun violence. The National Hispanic Medical Association grieves the loss of 22 innocent lives in Uvalde, Texas – a community that is 83.5% Hispanic. As a key representative of Hispanic interests and well-being, NHMA is devastated by this senseless and preventable loss of life. The incessant waves of gun violence in our country will not cease until policymakers pass gun safety legislation to protect our society. NHMA calls upon policy-makers in Texas and the U.S. Congress to set aside personal interests and carry out the long-overdue work needed to protect their constituents.