WASHINGTON, DC — "It was forty-four years ago this month that the first recipients enrolled in Medicare. Now is the time to get the rest of the job done to ensure quality health care for all," said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation's leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

"President Obama set out in his speech tonight a call to action for all Americans to raise their voices and help ensure that meaningful health reform is no longer a dream deferred. America's families facing strained household budgets cannot wait another year for the peace of mind brought by access to quality health care."

According to Dr. Delgado, one in three Hispanics (33.5%) are uninsured and the economic crisis is increasing the number of families that must go without insurance. "If we can afford the $1.4 trillion we have spent since last year in bank, lending, and investment firm bailouts, we can afford $1.2 trillion for health reform spread out over the next decade. Health reform is a good investment in America that supports better health for our families and spurs new growth in good jobs that will see increased demand as our nation ages."

"There was a clear sense of urgency in the President's speech tonight to act on the common ground we have to achieve health reform. Both the Senate and the House have come together on key principles that no person should be denied access because of pre-existing conditions, women should not face higher premiums than men, and those who cannot afford health insurance and small business deserve a hand in making coverage possible. These are principles we can all agree on."

"Now it is time to get the rest of the job done on access and quality. The entire Alliance network is committed to working with Congress and the President to enact meaningful health reform in 2009," concluded Dr. Delgado.

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Editors Note: The Alliance's Statement of Principles on Access to Affordable Quality Health Care is available at http://www.hispanichealth.org/principles/

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health
The Alliance is the nation's foremost source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States. The Alliance represents thousands of Hispanic health providers across the nation providing services to more than 15 million each year, making a daily difference in the lives of Hispanic communities and families. For more information, visit http://www.hispanichealth.org or call the Alliance's Su Familia National Hispanic Family Health Helpline at 1-866-783-2645.