Hispanic Community speaks out for Health Coverage during ‘Cover the Uninsured Week’.

More than 1,000 events will be held across the nation this week to help millions of Hispanics who do not have health care coverage. The activities are planned as part of Cover the Uninsured Week, a nonpartisan, nationwide effort to urge U.S. leaders to make health coverage for Americans a top priority. Organizations representing Hispanics are actively involved in the effort.

According to government statistics, one in three Hispanics in America is uninsured. Hispanics who have insurance are three times as likely to see a doctor when they need to, compared to Hispanics who do not have coverage.

Nationally, nearly 46 million Americans have no health care coverage, including more than 8 million children. Eight out of 10 of the uninsured are in working families.

“Millions of Hispanics work hard every day but are either not offered health insurance benefits through their jobs, or they cannot afford the coverage that is offered,” said Jane Delgado, Ph.D., President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s oldest and largest network of Hispanic health and human services providers. “Too many Hispanics are living without health insurance, forced to hope every day that they won’t get sick or injured. That is why it’s so important that Hispanic communities are involved in Cover the Uninsured Week activities to find out if they are eligible for public programs, receive needed health services, and voice their concerns to our lawmakers.”

Some of the most influential organizations in the country, including the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance), are cosponsoring Cover the Uninsured Week, which occurs from May 1-7. Co-chaired by Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, the effort is supported by 10 former Surgeons General and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretaries appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents.

During Cover the Uninsured Week, hundreds of enrollment events will be held at hospitals, medical centers, malls, community centers, and in places of worship nationwide.

A comprehensive listing of all events being held across the nation can be found at http://www.CoverTheUninsured.org