Monthly Archives: April 2013

Taking a Look Back at National Minority Health Month

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MinorityHealthMonth_postcard_2013Today is the last day of National Minority Health Month. We have participated in a number of activities this month to promote this important month. As advocates for minority communities, we work every day at the policy level to protect health equity for underserved populations. And, through our Institute for Hispanic Health, we administer programs designed to equip these communities with the tools they need to live happy and health lives.

If you missed any of the fabulous blogs we wrote in observance National Minority Health Month, just click on the various links below. Also visit the health pages of the NCLR website.

Happy Día de los Niños!
Protect Health Equity Programs in the Budget
Act Now to Advance Health Equity
Mujer Sana, Familia Fuerte: How Promotores Help NCLR Fight Cervical Cancer
An Open Enrollment Period for All Americans
Smart Shoppers Make Health Shoppers

Lastly, we leave you with this delightful video from one of our promotoras.

Protect Health Equity Programs in the Budget!

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We’re joining a host of organizations and the Office of Minority Health in a call to action as part of National Minority Health Month. This is an important opportunity to reflect on the health disparities in our communities and how to advance health equity despite the challenges that lie ahead. The federal budget fight poses a major threat to our health equity work.  Today you can join our Twitter Storm (you can follow and join via the widget below) and Blog Carnival from 12:00-5:00 pm ET using #4OurHealth.

Tweet or blog about a health care program in your community that’s been affected by the federal budget battle. Ask your networks, friends, and families to demand that our leaders work #4OurHealth!


Happy Día de los Niños!

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Dia de Los Ninos 2013

Today is Día de los Niños, a traditional Hispanic celebration of children and the role of young people in our communities that is now enjoyed in the United States.  At NCLR, we’d like to wish all children a happy Día de los Niños and highlight the exemplary work of Para Los Niños (PLN), a member of the NCLR Affiliate Network.

PLN is a nonprofit community organization that has helped thousands of children and families in Southern California succeed in school and in life.  The dedicated staff at PLN do this by helping children overcome the various barriers—such as stressful family environments, unstable housing, and hunger—that can impede their education and long-term success.  Their services include early childhood education, elementary and middle schools, family support and mental health services, and youth workforce development services.

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The New York Times’ Unfortunate Misunderstanding of the USDA Claims Program

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Photo: Bread for the World

Photo: Bread for the World

You may have read in the New York Times last Friday about the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) claims program for Hispanic farmers and ranchers.  For an organization like NCLR, which has worked hard to promote some level of compensation for Hispanics who have suffered discriminatory practices by the U.S. government, it was a deeply disappointing article, full of innuendo and short on facts.  Below we address the most egregious assertions.

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Act Now to Advance Health Equity

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We’re joining @HHSGov @NLIRH for a chat about the Affordable Care Act as we wrap up National Minority Health Month. We know you have questions and we want to answer them! So, follow the conversation below and join in using #ActNow.

The chat gets started at 1 ET, but you can send your comments and questions in now.


This Week in Immigration Reform – Week Ending April 26

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Week Ending April 26

This week in immigration reform, NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee as it held its first hearing on the Gang of Eight’s bipartisan bill; NCLR Affiliate Erie Neighborhood House hosts Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D- Ill.) as the two partner up to promote immigration reform; NCLR’s Miami office, South Florida Affiliates and partners, and Rep. Joe Garcia (D-Fla.) come together at a community roundtable on immigration reform; NCLR Affiliates continue visiting their members of Congress, while NCLR Field offices debrief Affiliates on the bill and execute citizenship workshops; and a new survey finds that two-thirds of polled Republicans support the Senate Gang of Eight’s immigration reform bill.

Top Lines:

  • Janet Murguía at Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing: We Need Reform This Year
  • NCLR Affiliates in Action
  • Republicans, American Public Overwhelmingly Support the Senate Gang of Eight’s Immigration Reform Bill

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American Voters Want Comprehensive Immigration Reform

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All in for CitizenshipDespite a general consensus at Monday’s fifth Senate Judiciary Committee immigration hearing this year, a voice of opposition came from minority-side witness Kris Kobach, the current Secretary of State of Kansas.  Aside from Kobach, a diverse set of witnesses expressed their support for the recently introduced bipartisan immigration bill and urged the Senate to move forward with reform.

Kobach, however, stands out among his fellow panelists.  He is best known for being the brains behind the slew of devastating anti-immigrant laws adopted in several states over the past few years, including Arizona’s SB 1070 in 2010 and similar laws in Alabama, Georgia, and Missouri.  More recently, he served as immigration policy advisor to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and is largely credited for the “self-deportation” policy embraced by the Romney campaign.

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