NHMA Policy StatementsNHMA Urges Expansion of Obesity Treatment Coverage in MedicareWASHINGTON - Nov. 20, 2024 — The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) strongly supports the inclusion of provisions from the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) in the year-end healthcare package, advocating for expanded Medicare coverage of obesity treatments. We urge the Senate Finance Committee to act swiftly, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries have access to essential FDA-approved obesity management medications and intensive behavioral therapy, to improve health outcomes for millions of Americans. Read the full letter here. NHMA Interim President and Board Chair Condemns the Reprehensible Comments Targeting Puerto Rico and the Latino Community Made Sunday During a Political RallyNEW YORK - October 31, 2024 —Gilbert Burgos, M.D., MPH, the Interim President and Board Chair of the National Hispanic Medical Association, released this statement: “The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA), representing Latino physicians, including Puerto Rican physicians and their descendants across the United States, strongly condemns the reprehensible comments targeting Puerto Rico and the Latino community made Sunday during a political rally. Such remarks are unacceptable and undermine our core values of respect, inclusion, and equity. Read Full Letter Here... NHMA Urges Governor Newsom to Sign Medical School Diversity BillWASHINGTON - Sept. 6, 2024 — In a letter sent to California Governor Gavin Newsom today, the National Hispanic Medical Association is calling on the governor to immediately sign a bill which would help add diversity to the state's medical schools. Read the full letter here. NHMA, leading a coalition, has sent a letter to Secretary Becerra in support of ongoing therapeutics to combat COVID-19. The recent FDA Emergency Use Authorization of Pemgarda, a monoclonal antibody treatment, represents a significant stride in the fight against the virus. NHMA commends this milestone but underscores the need for equitable access and affordability. Vulnerable populations, notably the immunocompromised, require assurance of access to these vital therapies. NHMA urges Secretary Becerra to extend coverage guidance for Pemgarda and other treatments, echoing past efforts for vaccine accessibility. Prioritizing access ensures that all Americans can benefit from these critical resources in our battle against the pandemic. NHMA Nevada Chapter and 12 Organizations Respond to Delayed Proposed Menthol Cigarette RuleWASHINGTON - April 29, 2024 — The joint letter authored by the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) Nevada Chapter and 12 other allied organizations urges President Biden to take action on the delay of the FDA menthol rule. The scientific evidence supporting the removal of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars in the U.S. market is irrefutable, and the further delay announced on April 26 by Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra will continue to have detrimental impacts on Black and Brown communities. NHMA and 31 Organizations Issue Joint Letter in Opposition to CMS Proposed RuleWASHINGTON - April 25, 2024 — The joint letter authored by the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) and 31 other allied organizations serves as a collective voice echoing concerns over the potential repercussions of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) pending final rule of the Misclassification of Drugs, Program Administration and Program Integrity Updates Under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. Through this unified effort, NHMA and its partners aim to advocate for policies that uphold principles of fairness, inclusivity, and accessibility within the Medicaid Program, safeguarding the well-being of all beneficiaries. WASHINGTON – September 28, 2023 — The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) commends Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD (D-CA-25), Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, MD (D-CO-08), Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) for introducing resolutions to designate October 1st as “National Latino and Latina Physician Day,” honoring Latino and Latina physicians nationwide. NHMA represents 50,000 licensed Hispanic physicians dedicated to reducing health disparities and improving care for Hispanics in the U.S. Though Hispanics make up 19.1% of the population, only 6% of physicians are Latino. Expanding this workforce is essential for meeting the country's health needs. NHMA Applauds Reintroduction of the Treat & Reduce Obesity Act WASHINGTON - July 20, 2023 — “The National Hispanic Medical Association applauds U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) and Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) for reintroducing the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act. This bill is a critical first step to address our country’s escalating obesity epidemic and its disproportionate impact on Hispanic communities. Our current healthcare policies deny millions from accessing the care they need to treat this chronic, deadly disease — perpetuating health inequities and preserving roots of systemic racism that have put access to health care out of reach for millions. The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act is vital to begin modernizing an outdated statutory restriction in Medicare policy to ensure that we are removing barriers to care and treatment for communities disproportionately shouldering the burden of this disease. We urge the Senate and House to pass this legislation without delay." Statement by NHMA on Supreme Court Decision to End Affirmative Action In College Admissions WASHINGTON, June 29, 2023 – The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) condemns the Supreme Court of the United States decision based on the cases against Harvard College and the University of North Carolina striking down race-based admissions in all colleges and universities across the country. This ruling against affirmative action in higher education rolls back decades of precedent to the 1950’s era of Brown v. Board of Education. Our nation’s future depends on racial equity and diversity in higher education to achieve upward mobility for our families and greater prosperity among our multicultural communities that leads to a thriving economy. We must continue to work together to achieve this goal. We call on government and philanthropy to commit long-term financial investments to community based organizations to develop innovative strategies that will continue to prepare students for the application process that will support diversity in higher education.
NHMA Statement on Florida’s Discriminatory and Harmful Legislation Signed into Law WASHINGTON, June 1, 2023 - The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) strongly condemns Governor Ron DeSantis' signing of harmful and discriminatory legislation into Florida law. These laws impose severe penalties on immigrants, limit their employment opportunities, require hospitals to collect citizenship information, and restrict movement within the state. Additionally, they ban public colleges from funding diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and allow health care providers and insurers to deny care based on personal beliefs, which will reduce access to essential health services and threaten public health. As an organization committed to the principle of "do no harm," NHMA opposes any legislation that undermines health care access, especially for vulnerable and underserved communities. These laws will cause fear and hesitation among Floridians, potentially leading people to avoid seeking necessary medical care. Hispanic and Hispanic-serving physicians play a vital role in caring for diverse, often underserved populations, including rural communities. NHMA urges all physicians, partners, and community leaders to stay informed, engage with their representatives, and continue fostering trust with patients to promote equitable health care for all.
WASHINGTON, April 14, 2023 – The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) remains committed to ensuring full access to women’s health care amid the growing challenge and corrosion of women’s reproductive health care in the U.S. It’s becoming harder for women to access reproductive health services as doctors are quitting medicine and hospitals face closures, an especially devastating impact on Hispanic and Latino communities access to care across the country. We recognize doctors may have concerns due to legal and financial risks they may face carrying out their lawful federal duties. Yet, it remains important for all Americans to have access to FDA approved, safe and effective medications. NHMA recognizes FDA approval of a drug reflects a rigorous science-based drug approval process which provides benefits that outweigh its risks. It is reckless to interfere with the scientific review and advisory process and medical experts at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). NHMA opposes judicial interference in FDA approval and regulation of medication for all Americans.
Statement by NHMA President and CEO Dr. Elena Rios on Gun Violence NHMA Physicians and Partners Organize Policy Forum Against Gun Violence, Advocate for Urgent Common Sense Gun Reform WASHINGTON – February 2, 2023 – In just the first month of 2023, the U.S. has already experienced over 50 mass shootings, highlighting the urgent need for gun reform as a public health crisis. The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) renews its call for bipartisan, common-sense gun laws to address the disproportionate impact of gun violence on Latino and minority communities. On January 26, 2023, the NHMA Texas Chapter and Texas Doctors for Social Responsibility hosted a forum on “Gun Violence: A Preventable Public Health Epidemic,” gathering experts and officials to advocate for action. “We commend our physicians and valued partners for their leadership and we support ongoing advocacy to pass long overdue national and local gun control laws that are proven to save lives.” - Dr. Elena Rios, NHMA President and CEO NHMA remains committed to empowering physicians and working with partners to push for meaningful reforms that protect our communities.
Statement by NHMA President and CEO Dr. Elena Rios on the Overturning of Roe v. Wade WASHINGTON - June 24, 2022 - The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) strongly condemns the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, disregarding 50 years of precedent on bodily autonomy and privacy. This ruling will not stop abortions but will bring back dangerous conditions, disproportionately harming poor communities and people of color, while wealthier individuals can still access safe services. With abortion bans already in effect in several states, NHMA urges Congress to codify federal abortion protections into law. We encourage our community to advocate for reproductive rights and ensure that their next vote supports the protection of vulnerable communities. Congress must act now.
Statement on Medicare Administrative Contractors' (MACs) Recent Decision to Exclude Medications from Coverage WASHINGTON - June 21, 2022
Statement on House FDA User Fee Package WASHINGTON- May 10, 2022 - On May 4, the House Energy & Commerce Committee released a comprehensive legislative package that not only reauthorizes the Food and Drug Administration’s user fee agreements, but also tackles medical product safety; accelerated approval process; and diversity in clinical trials. NHMA has been advocating for more representative clinical trials for years as increasing the participation of underrepresented populations in clinical trials would improve the efficacy of drugs. It has been widely known for many years that racial and ethnic minorities in the United States have higher rates of diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and obesity, and receive worse care. How new drugs interact within populations of non-European descent is crucial to improving healthcare treatment options and ensure that the best medical treatment is given to patients. NHMA strongly supports the reauthorization of FDA user fee agreements and calls on Congress to quickly pass this into law.” NHMA Statement on Climate Investment WASHINGTON - May 10, 2022 - The National Hispanic Medical Association urgently calls for the Senate to quickly pass the $550 billion in climate investments that the House passed at the close of 2021 as part of the Build Back Better bill. While the investments from the bipartisan infrastructure bill are a good start, the climate can’t wait any longer. Congressional action is essential to meeting the U.S.’s goal of 50-52% greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030. We need to combat climate change and invest in climate justice so that our future healthcare isn’t spent on combating preventable diseases and sickness caused by pollution and hazardous environments. Latinos and other underserved groups face the greatest burden from climate change and we urge you to support finding that will improve the health of all Americans. Please pass the $550 billion climate investments into law as soon as possible. NHMA Statement on Reported Supreme Court Draft Decision Regarding Roe v. Wade WASHINGTON - May 5, 2022 - The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) unequivocally opposes the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v Wade. Abortion is healthcare and NHMA supports access to healthcare for all women. Should this decision stand, our communities will suffer as low-income women who want abortions will not have adequate access to them, thus, increasing health disparities in the U.S. NHMA is calling on Congress to codify access to abortion into law immediately so that women around the country do not have to needlessly suffer health complications and even death just to have access to healthcare. NHMA will continue to work with our partners to advocate to Congress for a woman’s right to choose an abortion. |