Press Release: Board Member Josh Valdez named President by Aveta Inc. of MSO of Puerto Rico, Inc.

(San Juan, Puerto Rico)  – Aveta Inc., one of the nation’s largest providers of managed healthcare services, announced today the appointment of Josh Valdez, D.B.A., as president of MSO of Puerto Rico, Inc. (MSO).

Valdez will lead and oversee the company’s 2010 initiatives to improve the quality of service offered to beneficiaries, while effectively managing healthcare costs and establishing the technological platform needed to achieve these goals.  In addition, Valdez will be instrumental in guiding MSO through implementation of initiatives that result from healthcare reform in D.C.

“We are pleased to bring Josh Valdez to our leadership team – not only because we are confident in his ability to grow MSO but also because he will serve as an excellent resource to the providers in our IPAs and the patients who rely on them,” said Richard Shinto, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Aveta Inc.

MSO is Puerto Rico’s leading administrative medical service organization that helps providers streamline operations so they achieve financial success, operational efficiency and offer quality patient care.  The organization works in close coordination with Aveta’s two Medicare Advantage plans in Puerto Rico: MMM Healthcare, Inc. and PMC Medicare Choice, Inc.

With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field, Valdez has been recognized as one of the 15 most influential Hispanics in the United States by The Latino Coalition (2004), and one of the ten most influential Latinos in the healthcare sector by Hispanic Business (2004).  His experience spans business development, strategic planning, organizational management, advanced technologies and clinical care systems. 

“I am eager to join the Aveta family as president of MSO,” said Valdez.  “I believe that my solid experience in the industry will bring value to the company.  I look forward to working with the team in Puerto Rico and with the Aveta organization throughout the U.S.”

Previously, Valdez was president and chief executive officer for Right Way Healthcare Consulting, based in Thousand Oaks, Calif.  Valdez was also senior vice president of Health Care Management for WellPoint West and served as regional director of the United States Department of Health and Human Services from 2001 to 2003, under the George W. Bush administration.

Valdez holds a doctorate degree in Business Administration and Health Care Administration from the University of Southern California and a Master of Business Administration in Health Services Management from Golden Gate University.  Valdez is a commissioner in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for eliminating racial disparities in healthcare, a board member for the Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity and also the Inner City Games.  Valdez has held past appointments as a member of the White House Council on Aging, Chairman of the U.S. Latino Health Task Force, gubernatorial appointee of the California Health Policy and Data Commission, and Man of the Year for the Hollenbeck Youth Center in East Los Angeles, CA.  Valdez is married to Elizabeth and has three children, Gabriel, Noah and Jacob.

About MSO of Puerto Rico, Inc. and Aveta Inc.

MSO of Puerto Rico, Inc. (MSO) is Puerto Rico’s leading administrative medical service organization, offering support to 27 medical groups and healthcare organizations throughout the Island.  A partner to Medicare Advantage plans MMM Healthcare, Inc. and PMC Medicare Choice, Inc., MSO helps providers streamline operations so that they achieve financial and organizational efficiency and, most importantly, provide high-quality patient care experiences.  To learn more, visit www.mso.pr.

MSO is part of the Aveta Inc. family of companies – one of the largest providers of managed healthcare services in the United States.  Redefining healthcare management to meet the challenges of today’s complex healthcare environment, Aveta develops innovative models that coordinate care for more than 230,000 Medicare beneficiaries and more than 330,000 commercial members, Aveta builds provider networks and Medicare Advantage programs that are sustainable, cost-effective and utilize advanced technologies.  The company is headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and currently has operating subsidiaries in California, Illinois, Arizona and Puerto Rico.  For more information, visit www.aveta.com.

About Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity

The Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity Institute is a pro-business Hispanic advocacy organization whose mission is to help Hispanics take part in the American Dream through programs of public education and research.  To learn more please visit www.HAPInstitute.net. 

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Press Release: Sanchez Honored by California Latino Legislators

Austin, TX – Leslie Sanchez, author and political analyst, was honored with the prestigious 2010 Spirit Award by the California Latino Legislative Caucus during a special ceremony at the California Legislature on May 3.  Senator Gilbert Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) Chair of the Latino Caucus and Assembly member Tony Mendoza, (D- Artesia) Vice Chair, hosted the ceremonies.

The Spirit Awards recognizes individuals who exemplify the spirit of the Hispanic community. The honorees have furthered the understanding and acceptance of Hispanic-Latino values, culture and traditions through leadership and service.  Many of them have overcome tremendous obstacles and now are leaders in their communities. 

 Sanchez received recognition for her Achievement in Media.  Other distinguished honorees this year include: The Honorable Rosa “Rosie” Gumataotao Rios, Treasurer of the United States; Dr. Aliza A. Lifshitz, Editor in Chief of VidaySalud.com™; and the Honorable Frederick Aguirre of the Superior Court of California.  

“Leslie Sanchez has shown tremendous leadership and a continued commitment to the Latino Community.  Her remarkable accomplishments have been an inspiration and a true celebration of the Latino experience.  She has become a role model for all Latinos and it is our honor to acknowledge her achievements with 2010 Latino Spirit Award,” said Senator Cedillo.

“I am an honored to be recognized by the Latino Legislative Caucus and proud to be counted among the ranks of such significant contributors to our culture,” said Sanchez. “The flourishing impact of the Hispanic community on our nation’s economy and the political arena is fascinating and hope-filled.  It’s a privilege to help raise awareness and create opportunities for the Hispanic population in California and beyond.”

The Latino Legislative Caucus created the Latino Spirit Awards in 2001 to celebrate the contributions of Latinos to the common culture of the United States and to motivate the youth of California.  Previous honorees have included musician Carlos Santana, boxer and philanthropist Oscar de la Hoya, activist Rigoberta Menchu-Tum, producer Moctesuma Esparza, actors Andy Garcia, astronaut Ellen Ochoa.

About Leslie Sanchez

Sanchez is founder and CEO of Impacto Group LLC, a communications and market research firm specializing in defining social and economic trends affecting women and the emerging U.S. Hispanic community. She is author of the critically-acclaimed — You’ve Come a Long Way, Maybe: Sarah, Michelle, Hillary and the Shaping of the New American Woman and Los Republicanos: Why Hispanics and Republicans Need Each Other.

Sanchez was an on camera member of CNN’s award-winning 2008 election coverage team.  She currently serves as Co-Chairman of Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity (www.HAPInstitute.net) and in 2010 joined the Board of Directors for Resurgent Republic (www.resurgentrepublic.com).

About the Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity

Founded in 2004 the Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity is a national non-profit organization helping Hispanics take part in the American Dream through education, research and advocacy.  The Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity is a proven Hispanic grassroots network representing the views of Hispanics who believe in economic freedom.  For more information please visit www.HAPInstitute.net.

News: Obama seeks to ‘reconnect…young people, African-Americans, Latinos, and women’ for 2010

Obama seeks to ‘reconnect…young people, African-Americans, Latinos, and women’ for 2010
April 26, 2010
Obama seeks to ‘reconnect…young people, African-Americans, Latinos, and women’ for 2010
The Democratic National Committee this morning released this clip of the president rallying the troops, if rather coolly, for 2010. Obama’s express goal: “reconnecting” with the voters who voted for the first time in 2008, but who may not plan to vote in the lower-profile Congressional elections this year.

Obama speaks with unusual demographic frankness about his coalition in his appeal to “young people, African-Americans, Latinos, and women who powered our victory in 2008 [to] stand together once again.”

Turning out those so-called “surge” voters — who turned out for the first time to back Obama, but who sat out gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia last year — has become the Democrats’ central pre-occupation for the midterm elections, and the new Democratic effort to nationalize the election around Obama and his agenda mark an attempt to energize those voters.

News: Senators postpone climate bill unveiling

Senators postpone climate bill unveiling
Sat Apr 24, 6:59 pm ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Monday’s unveiling of a compromise Senate climate bill was postponed on Saturday, Democratic Senator John Kerry said, after a dispute arose over unrelated immigration reform legislation.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said earlier on Saturday he would have to pull out of the bipartisan climate change effort because of concerns Democrats would push forward with a debate on immigration reform, rather than the climate change bill, in the Senate.

Kerry said he hoped to keep working for passage of a climate bill.

He said that after more than six months of detailed meetings with Graham and independent Senator Joseph Lieberman, “we believe that we had reached” an agreement on the details of a bill to reduce smokestack emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases associated with global warming.

They were planning to outline those details at a news conference on Monday that would have been attended by some environmental and industry representatives.

“But regrettably, external issues have arisen that force us to postpone only temporarily” the Senate’s work on the climate bill that also would have expanded U.S. nuclear power generation and offshore oil drilling.
The wide-ranging climate bill already faced an uphill battle in the Senate, even before it became enmeshed in a partisan battle between Democrats and Republicans over immigration reform.

But with only a few months left before November’s congressional elections, senators are trying to determine where their efforts should be focused, with the elections playing an important role in their decision.

Earlier on Saturday, The Washington Post reported that Graham wrote a letter to his colleagues informing them that unless Democrats stepped back from plans to move ahead with immigration reform rather than the climate change bill, the South Carolina Republican would drop out of the three-senator working group.

Without Graham on board, efforts to pass climate control legislation could be doomed as he was expected to work to win more Republican support for the bill.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued a statement on Saturday that immigration and climate change were both important to Americans.

“They expect us to do both, and they will not accept the notion that trying to act on one is an excuse for not acting on the other,” Reid said.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Peter Cooney)

Oppose the Healthcare “Reconciliation” Bill

March 25, 2010
 
Dear Member of Congress,
 
On behalf of nearly 2 million Hispanic small business owners, we were extremely disappointed with the passage of the health care reform legislation that will negatively impact minorities, especially minority small businesses.  We currently oppose the reconciliation bill, which will only worsen the already unpopular and massive Senate-passed health care bill.
 
We urge Congress to oppose the reconciliation legislation due to the additional $50 billion in taxes that increases taxes to $569.2 billion.  These taxes will place greater burden on Hispanic families and small businesses that are being strained by a weaken economy, lower wages and loss of jobs.

Hispanic small businesses cannot afford to lose more jobs.  Under the reconciliation bill, the penalty on businesses is tripled if these businesses are not able to provide health coverage for their workers.  An extension of the Medicare tax to all non-wage income will raise the top marginal rate on small business owners by 20%, which would discourage investment and fail to create new jobs.  

Sincerely,
 
Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity Institute              Voces Action
 
Hispanic Leadership Fund                            Colombian American Chamber of Commerce DC/Metro
 
Hispanic Professional Women Association            Nicaraguan American Chamber of Commerce N. Ca
 
The Latino Coalition                       Hialeah Chamber of Commerce
 
Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles            Pacientes Primero
 
CAMACOL: Latin Chamber of Commerce of USA       St. Louis Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Oppose the “individual mandate” in the “Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act of 2009.”

Dear Member of Congress:

On behalf of our organizations and the millions of people we represent, we strongly encourage you to oppose the “individual mandate” in the “Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act of 2009.”

Our groups and members may disagree on what are the best solutions to our health care problems, but this unprecedented coalition of organizations from across the political spectrum agrees that forcing individuals to buy insurance from private companies under the threat of fines or jail is not the reform we need.

 The “individual mandate” is a section of the bill that requires every single American to buy health insurance—whether or not they want it or feel they can afford it—or break the law and face penalties and fines. Consequently, the bill does not actually “cover” 30 million more Americans—instead it makes them criminals if they do not buy insurance from private companies. We hope you agree that it is unconscionable to force people to buy a product from a private insurer. This would effectively be a tax—and a huge one—paid directly to a private industry.

Enacting this mandate would be a major victory for the insurance companies at the expense of the American people. It should be no surprise they support the government forcing everyone to buy their product. Imagine how the hamburger industry would respond if the government forced everyone to have hamburgers for lunch or pay fines?

According to the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, the average annual premium for single coverage is $4,321. If the 46 million uninsured are forced to purchase private health insurance at that price, then the insurance industry stands to bring in up to $200 billion in new insurance premiums per year. The Senate bill also includes an estimated $630 billion in corporate welfare for private insurance companies in the form of subsidies over the next 10 years, creating even less incentive than currently exists for private insurance premiums to be lowered.

To make matters worse, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that 19 million Americans would not buy insurance and as a result would be forced to pay $29 billion in taxes/fines. The Joint Committee on Taxation has made it clear that failure to pay these fines could result in jail time.

Thirty-six states have passed or are considering measures that would allow their residents to opt out, including Virginia, Utah, Pennsylvania, Florida, Minnesota, Michigan, Georgia and Ohio.

Given these fact, it is not surprising that a recent NBC News poll finds 57 percent of Americans do not want the government to create “a law that requires everyone to have health insurance coverage” and that only 38% of Americans favor the mandate, making it the least popular part of the bill.

The American people stand in firm opposition to the individual mandate. We stand with them.   We hope you will, too.

Sincerely,

Americans for Tax Reform, Grover Norquist, President

Democrats.com, Bob Fertik, President

Healthcare-NOW!, Katie Robbins, National Organizer

FreedomWorks, Matt Kibbe, President and CEO

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), Tim Carpenter, Director

 Campaign for Liberty, John Tate, President

60 Plus Association, Jim Martin, President

Liberty Tree Foundation, Ben Manski, Executive Director

Hector Barreto, Chairman, The Latino Coalition

National Taxpayers Union, Duane Parde, President

National Coalition of Organized Women, Consuela Sylvester, Ohio Director

Citizens for Health, Jim Turner, Chairman

Competitive Enterprise Institute, Gregory Conko, Senior Fellow

American Association of Small Property Owners, F. Patricia Callahan, President

U.S. Bill of Rights Foundation, Dane vonBreichenruchardt, President

Institute for Liberty, Andrew Langer, President

Santa Monicans for Safe Drinking Water Coalition, Gene Burke, Founder, Director

Alliance for Natural Health USA, Gretchen DuBeau, Executive Director

Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Jane Orient, Executive Director

Fairfax County Privacy Council, Mike Stollenwerk, Chairman

The Rutherford Institute, John W. Whitehead, President

Pain Relief Network, Siobhan Reynolds, Executive Director

American Policy Center, Tom DeWeese, President

Justice Through Music, Brett Kimberlin, Director

Velvet Revolution, Brad Friedman, Co-Founder

After Downing Street, David Swanson, Co-Founder

Project Vote Smart, Mark A. Adams, Founder

 Democracy in Action (DIA), Dorothy Reilly, Organizer

Squadron13.com, Gordon Sturrock, Founder

 Democracy for America – Tucson Chapter, Richard Kaiser, Co-chair

DownWithTyranny.com, Howie Klein, Publisher

Center for Financial Privacy and Human Rights, J. Bradley Jansen, Director

DownsizeDC.org, Inc., Jim Babka, President

Cyber Privacy Project, Richard Sobel, Director

Citizens For Legitimate Government, Lori R. Price, Managing Editor

Republican National Hispanic Assembly, Minnesota Chapter, Rick Aguilar, Chairman, 

Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition, Mike Hearington, Steering Committee

Council for Affordable Health Insurance, Brian McManus, Director of Federal Affairs

Americans for Prosperity, Tim Phillips, President

American Academy of Private Physicians, Marcy Zwelling, MD FACEP

Coalition for Urban Renewal and Education, Star Parker, President

National Coalition of Organized Women, Eileen Dannemann, Director

Citizens’ Council on Health Care, Twila Brase, President

Hispanic Professional Women Association, Laura Drain, President

Prosperity Agenda, Kevin Zeese, Executive Director

Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity Institute, Joe Nino, Co Chairman  

Republican National Assembly of Tennessee, Raul Lopez, Chairman

Independence Institute, Linda Gorman, Director

Doctor Patient Medical Association, Kathryn Serkes, Co-Chair

Hispanic Groups Urge Congress To Vote No On The Health Care Legislation

Hispanic Groups Urge Congress To Vote No On The Health Care Legislation
Medicare cuts, employer mandates will negatively target low-income minorities

Washington, DC – Hispanic groups wrote a second letter to congressional leaders to raise their concerns about provisions in the current health care bill that negatively targets minority communities.  They believe that the current legislation will have a disproportionately negative impact on low-income minority groups and will lead to Medicare cuts for Hispanic seniors, increase in taxes for Hispanic small businesses and reduced wages for Hispanic workers. Congress has failed to listen to their concerns.
 
Hispanic companies, driven by small businesses, are among the fastest-growing business segments in the United States, growing more than three times faster than the national average. Employer mandates would be an added expense to these Hispanic small businesses as well as lead to lower wages for Hispanic workers.  The individual mandate will be a burden on all Americans.  Capital investment in new and established businesses will fall under the tax scheme proposed in the reconciliation language.
 
The Medicare Advantage cuts will negatively and disproportionately target Hispanic seniors.  80% of Hispanic seniors making less than $20,000 per year are on Medicare Advantage. These cuts will force low income, minority seniors out of their current plans into a traditional Medicare program with higher costs and fewer benefits.  
 
Congress has spent enough time supporting an unpopular health care bill that expands government without providing quality care and true accessibility and affordability to minority communities.
 
“The American people are displeased with how Congress is applying unprecedented and tricky legislative maneuvers to pass a health care bill that will overhaul our health care system,” stated Hector Barreto, Chairman of The Latino Coalition, “This bill will create employer mandates that would be a burden for Hispanic small businesses and lead to reduce wages and loss of jobs for Hispanic workers.”

“Latinos as other Americans oppose a government takeover of our health care system.  The Obama plan does nothing to reduce health care costs, which is at the root of the problem.  This plan is terrible for Latinos. It would lead to less income for Latino families.  And, the additional tax burden, would force many Latino companies out of business,” stated Alfonso Aguilar, Senior Fellow, Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles.

“Why is President Obama encouraging Congress to use obscure tricks and shady backroom deals to force an unpopular bill through that saddles our children with debt, increases government dependency in our community, and puts politicians and unelected bureaucrats in charge of our health care?  Obamacare is a threat to every family’s pursuit of the American dream,” stated Mario Lopez, President of the Hispanic Leadership Fund.

Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity Institute              Voces Action
Hispanic Leadership Fund                                              Colombian American Chamber of Commerce DC/Metro
Hispanic Professional Women Association              Nicaraguan American Chamber of Commerce N. Ca
The Latino Coalition                                                           Hialeah Chamber of Commerce
Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles     Pacientes Primero
CAMACOL: Latin Chamber of Commerce of USA

# # #

Participate in Energy Citizen Rally in your Area!

The Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity will join other energy citizens across the country in the following cities to express our dissatisfaction with Congress and their push to increase energy costs on consumers by approval of pending climate change legislation and express our support for policies that promote jobs and affordable energy for American consumers and businesses.

We need your Participation!

Please take time over the next week to attend Energy Citizen rallies in your area and show Congress that our daily lives and ability to carry on business depends on affordable energy and a healthy economic environment. We demand energy policies that secure today’s jobs and provides employment opportunities for a growing population!

If you are unable to attend a rally or a rally is not being hosted in your area, please take time to visit the Energy Citizens website www.EnergyCitizens.org and “Add your Voice” to this effort!

Make your voice heard! Attend a Rally or sign up today!

RALLY SCHEDULE:

Monday, August 31, 2009

Greenville, SC @ Carolina First Center (5:00pm)

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Springfield, IL @ Crowne Plaza (11:30am)

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Detroit, MI @ Burton Manor Banquet and Conference Center (11:30am)

Richmong, VA, Westin Richmond Hotel (11:30am)

Chester, PA @ Turbine Hall (4:30 pm)

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Lincoln, NB @ Embassy Suites Lincoln (2:30pm)

Monday, September 7, 2009

Huron, SD @ Freedom Stage South Dakota State Fair (1:15pm)

BACKGROUND

Energy Citizens is a nationwide alliance of organizations and individuals committed to bringing together people across America to remind Congress that energy is the backbone of our nation’s economy and way of life, and to give voice to their concerns about the impact that climate legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would have on American jobs, families and businesses.

As part of this effort, local individuals and organizations will be participating in Energy Citizens “Rallies for Jobs and Affordable Energy” in 20 states during the congressional recess, beginning with a kick-off rally in Houston on August 18. The alliance will also encourage ordinary Americans to engage in ongoing online conversations about energy issues, including taxes and domestic resources, at a new website, www.EnergyCitizens.org.

The Energy Citizens events and Web site will provide forums for people from all walks of life – truckers, farmers, small business owners, energy industry workers, homemakers and seniors – to demonstrate that there is widespread dissatisfaction with the House climate bill, and to urge the U.S. Senate instead to support policies that promote jobs and affordable energy when it takes up climate legislation later this year.

Studies have shown that legislation approved by the House will cost 2 million American jobs, raise gasoline and diesel prices up to $4 per gallon, affect U.S. businesses’ ability to compete globally and reduce America’s energy security. These job losses and higher energy costs will ripple throughout the U.S. economy, pushing up the prices of many critical goods and services and hurting millions of Americans who work in or depend on trucking, farming, manufacturing, mining, small businesses and energy production.

Tell Congress “Oppose Climate Change Legislation” Rally in Houston

The Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity will join other citizens in the Houston area at a rally to express our dissatisfaction with Congress and their push to increase energy costs on consumers by approval of climate change legislation currently pending. 

We need your Participation!

Please take time during your lunch on Tuesday, August 18^th to attend this rally and show Congress that our daily lives and ability to carry on business depends on affordable energy and a healthy economic environment.  We demand energy policies that secure today’s jobs and provides employment opportunities for a growing population!

Make your voice heard!  Attend Tuesday’s Rally!

Energy Citizens Rally

HOUSTON, TEXAS

Tuesday, August 18^th @ 11:30am

Verizon Wireless Center

BACKGROUND

Energy Citizens is a nationwide alliance of organizations and individuals committed to bringing together people across America to remind Congress that energy is the backbone of our nation’s economy and way of life, and to give voice to their concerns about the impact that climate legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would have on American jobs, families and businesses. 

As part of this effort, local individuals and organizations will be participating in Energy Citizens “Rallies for Jobs and Affordable Energy” in 20 states during the congressional recess, beginning with a kick-off rally in Houston on August 18.  The alliance will also encourage ordinary Americans to engage in ongoing online conversations about energy issues, including taxes and domestic resources, at a new website, www.EnergyCitizens.org.

The Energy Citizens events and Web site will provide forums for people from all walks of life – truckers, farmers, small business owners, energy industry workers, homemakers and seniors – to demonstrate that there is widespread dissatisfaction with the House climate bill, and to urge the U.S. Senate instead to support policies that promote jobs and affordable energy when it takes up climate legislation later this year.

Studies have shown that legislation approved by the House will cost 2 million American jobs, raise gasoline and diesel prices up to $4 per gallon, affect U.S. businesses’ ability to compete globally and reduce America’s energy security.  These job losses and higher energy costs will ripple throughout the U.S. economy, pushing up the prices of many critical goods and services and hurting millions of Americans who work in or depend on trucking, farming, manufacturing, mining, small businesses and energy production.

Hispanic Alliance Urges Congress to Continue Work on Health

“With one-third of Hispanic American adults uninsured, we need Congress to get this right”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 31) – With at least one-third of Hispanic adults uninsured, the Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity Institute today urged Congress to work through the planned August Congressional recess to continue working toward streamlining America’s health care system.

“For the one-third of Hispanic American adults without health coverage, this is no time for a vacation,” said HAP Institute co-chair Jose Niño.　 “We need Congress to get this right, not in a rush.”

“As a threshold matter, Congress needs to determine exactly how many Americans are truly without access to care: our efforts should be focused on those citizens who earn too much for existing health programs but too little to afford insurance – not those who have put off purchasing care or who for whatever reasons have failed to sign up for existing programs.”

“For Democrats and Republicans to work together in the best interests of the American people, they need to develop a health care plan that will reduce costs and help cut the deficit, not increase them.　 Let’s increase patient access to Health Savings Accounts, reduce frivolous lawsuits and defensive medicine that is both expensive and unnecessary, cut waste, and bring 21st Century technology to medical record-keeping to save lives.　 Take your vacation after the work is done, not before.”

The Hispanic Alliance seeks bipartisan health care reforms that will:

 

• Ensure that all Americans have access to quality health care at a price they can afford with tax credits to help the working poor and small employers afford health insurance
• Preserve Americans’ ability to select the Doctors, specialists and hospitals of our choice
• Increase consumers’ access to innovations like Health Savings Accounts
• Give consumers, not government bureaucrats, control over health insurance options

 

“Hispanic Americans know that we won’t be able to provide health coverage by making it even more　 expensive, in the hope that Washington will somehow pick up the check,” said Niño.　 We need solutions that will reduce inefficiency and waste, get lawyers out of the Examining Room, and encourage Doctors and hospitals to continue practicing — not drive them out of medicine.　 Those kinds of solutions take hard work and true bipartisan compromise, but they don’t happen in the rush to a month-long summer vacation.  Congress should stay in Washington and get the job done right.”