Latino Coalition For A Healthy California Hosts 2002 Conference.

In California alone, there are nearly 11 million Latinos making up over 30 percent of California’s population. Latinos have become a powerful force in this nation and will be much of the country’s strength in the future. Today, it is not unusual to see Latinos as well known celebrities, elected officials, community leaders and business owners. Latinos have proven themselves as hard-working, tax payers, who vote and contribute to the economy. Yet one issue remains illusive for
many Latinos — health access.

The Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC), the state’s leading Latino voice on health access, will hold its unique conference on August 21-23 in Sacramento, CA. LCHC will address this year’s theme “Latino Access to Health When? Cuando?” Through thought provoking presentations and discussions with advocacy experts, notable elected officials, national and regional leaders, health care experts and more — the LCHC will drive home this important question and seek to determine where our answers begin.

“Our purpose is to address health access, develop solutions, monitor implementation and see goals achieved,” said Lia Margolis, President and CEO of LCHC. “The time is now, California can no longer ignore the Latino community, we will not be pushed aside, we have a voice and we will fight for health access.”

Chaired by Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante, this conference will address many essential issues regarding health access and the Latino community. Topics to include: The Promise that is Latino, Addressing Latino Health Disparities and Public Health in a Changing World.

Ruben King-Shaw, Jr., Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Ruben Barrales, Deputy Assistant to President George Bush and Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs are both expected to speak.

Event Highlights
— A march and rally to the California State Capitol to kick-off the conference on August 21.
— An elite, invitation-only VIP/Media reception.
— Cultural celebration of over 20 Latin American countries.
— Gala Dinner honoring California Senator Richard Polanco.
— Town hall meeting on the State budget’s implication on health programs and services.