About NHMA Government Affairs
NHMA was established by a core group of Hispanic physician leaders who met in 1993 at the White House during the Health Care Reform Task Force meetings of President Bill Clinton. From the beginning of the establishment of NHMA, we have served as a unique resource for the White House, the Congress and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
In 1995, NHMA convened a Retreat with Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) officials to recommend improvements to Federal programs that recruit Hispanic students and faculty to medical education. In 1995-96, NHMA convened five Regional Meetings to discuss the priorities for policy development from the greater health community in Hispanic key areas that were presented to HRSA. In 1997, NHMA established its Annual Conference on Hispanic Health to share model programs and strategies to Washington, DC. In 1998, NHMA was awarded a Cooperative Agreement to develop national physician leadership and cultural competence efforts from the Office of Minority Health.
NHMA has advocated developing and enhancing Federal and key State health care programs and policies that impact the health care and mental health care delivery systems, prevention programs, medical education, and research and reduce health disparities for Hispanic populations’ health.
In 2002 NHMA convened the First National Hispanic Health Summit with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the HHS, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In 2007-8, NHMA convened the National Hispanic Health Disparities Leadership Summit Series with HHS on Access to Health Care, Obesity and Diabetes Prevention, and Diversity in the Health Professions with key stakeholders invited to develop recommendations by consensus. The Final Report was presented in 2008 to the Health Policy Advisors of presidential campaigns at our Annual Conference, to Senator Kennedy’s health care reform team, and to President Obama’s Transition Team and several of the recommendations were incorporated in the Affordable Care Act.
We welcome you to learn about our efforts with government affairs, including Testimony to Congress, Legislative Action Center, and Presentations to Policy Forums to improve the health of all Americans. Contact our office if we can be of help in your advocacy efforts.
