FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
February 17, 2014 Camila Gallardo
(305) 215-4259
cgallardo@nclr.org
Ricky Garza
(202) 776-1732
rgarza@nclr.org
Event will inform Latinos about the new insurance marketplace during National Latino Enrollment Week
WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Thursday, February 20, 2014, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. EST, NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) and La Clínica del Pueblo will partner in hosting an event for Latino youth and their families to provide information and encourage Latinos to enroll in health insurance available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Latinos represent the nation’s largest uninsured population; the event will walk participants through the enrollment process as the March 31 deadline approaches. The workshop, to be held at LAYC headquarters, 1419 Columbia Road NW, in the District of Columbia, takes place during National Latino Enrollment Week.
Health experts from NCLR and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will provide an overview of the benefits of the ACA, including the preventive screenings available at no cost, as well as a walkthrough of the enrollment process for health insurance before the open enrollment periods ends on March 31. Navigators will be on site to discuss with youth and their families the options available, answer any questions about their specific situations and facilitate the enrollment process. On-site computer terminals will allow participants to visit www.HealthCare.gov or www.CuidadodeSalud.gov. Speakers will urge Latino youth to help older relatives who are eligible for health insurance through the ACA but may need additional information or assistance before signing up online.
There are 10.2 million Latinos who are eligible for coverage under the ACA.
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: ACA outreach event to Latino youth and families for National Latino Enrollment Week
WHEN: Thursday, February 20
2:00–4:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: Latin American Youth Center
1419 Columbia Road NW
Washington, DC 20009
WHO: Lori M. Kaplan, President and CEO, LAYC
Kumera Genet, Escalera Program Coordinator, Workforce Development, NCLR
Jeanette Contreras, Partner Relations Group, Office of Communications, CMS
Joel Iglesias and Tania Ruíz, Patient navigators, La Clínica del Pueblo
Visuals will include Latino teens and families learning about the Affordable Care Act in the LAYC community room and at computer terminals. Media interested in attending should RSVP to Camila Gallardo at cgallardo@nclr.org or (305) 215-4259.
For 45 years, LAYC, a member of the NCLR Affiliate Network, has been committed to transforming the lives of low-income young people and their families. Its mission is to empower a diverse population of youth to achieve a successful transition to adulthood, through multi-cultural, comprehensive and innovative programs that address youths' social, academic and career needs. LAYC offers multi-service, comprehensive and bilingual enrichment, prevention and intervention programs and opportunities in education, workforce readiness, housing, community building, mental health services, arts and healthy recreation to over 4,000 individuals each year.
La Clínica del Pueblo, also a member of the NCLR Affiliate Network, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center that serves the Latino and immigrant populations of the Washington, DC metro area. Its goal is to provide culturally appropriate health services to persons in the Latino community regardless of their ability to pay. La Clínica del Pueblo offers patient services, mental health and substance abuse services, interpreter services and community health action.
NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.
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