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Latino Health Alliance

On February 15, LCHC and its LHA partners submitted a letter of concern to Cindy Ehnes, Director of the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) regarding their recent award of grant funds under the federal Consumer Assistance Grant Program.

The stated purpose of the grant is to "provide awards to States for the establishment of, expansion of, or support for consumer assistance (or ombudsman) programs." Despite the stated purpose, funds were not allocated to Community Based Organizations to assist in disseminating vital enrollment information. Therefore, it was necessary to voice our concerns that the most appropriate organizations were being left out of the education outreach and enrollment process: those organizations with the closest ties to the communities with the most need of health care reform information and services.

Members of CPCA and LCHC had a meeting with Herb Schultz, Regional Director for the Department of Health and Human Services yesterday. Part of the conversation related to the letter we sent to Director Ehnes. We are very pleased to say that as a result of the efforts of LCHC, partners and allies, that DMHC is now interested in doing "partner grants" with CBOs.

Those interested in this opportunity are encouraged to contact Ellen Bradley of DMHC at

geninfo@dmhc.ca.gov

Policy Statement

Latino Coalition for a Healthy California seeks and values the perspective of our Board, our staff, policymakers, health experts and Latino community members to:

Improve the health of Latinos by addressing the adverse social, economic, educational and environmental conditions, and inequities in quality of health care that underpin disparities in the health status of our population;
Make available high quality, culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate health care, and prevention services to everyone regardless of ability to pay or immigration status;
Support individuals to make informed choices that favor better health outcomes; and
Empower communities to fully participate in health planning, implementation, evaluation and advocacy.

LCHC focuses on the following areas:

Access to Care

Focus: increase access to affordable, high quality, culturally and linguistically appropriate care in a timely manner.

Community Health

Focus: prevent disease and injury and eliminate conditions that lead to health disparities.

Health Disparities

Focus: build healthy communities by improving the social and physical environments shaping health behaviors and outcomes.

Click here to see our full legislative bill list! (updated 8/2011)

For More Information

The following are excerpts, position statements and policy briefs. For more information on a particular position, please contact Chad Silva, Statewide Policy Analyst, at (916) 448-3234 or via email at csilva@lchc.org.

Budget Watch How does California's Budget impact Latino health?
	Summary Governor's 2010-11 May Revise
	Summary Governor's 2010-11 Budget Proposals

Monthly Policy Updates As a member of the Rapid Response Network, you will receive monthly electronic newsletters on statewide policy issues impacting Latino health. Below are some samples. If you would like to become a member of the Rapid Response Network or a dues-paying member of LCHC, please click here.
	September 13, 2011 Newsflash
	August 10, 2011 Newsflash
	July 21, 2011 Newsflash
	January 2010 Update (Budget, SB 472)

Legislative Wrap Up:

Take a closer look at how legislation is impacting Latino Health over the years.

2009 Legislative Summary

Policy Briefs: Quality and Affordable Prescription Drugs

Wanted: Safe, Affordable Pharmaceutical Drugs. Prescription medications are an essential part of health care delivery and have contributed to increasing the quality and life expectancy of patients Despite their importance in a health care regimen, many Californians face challenges in accessing affordable medications.

Policy Brief on Pharmaceutical Drugs

Policy Events: Medi-Cal Language Access Services (MCLAS) Task Force LCHC co-chaired the Medi-Cal Language Access Services Task Force (MCLAS). California has become increasingly diverse with one in five Californians (6-7 million) speaking English less than “very well”. How do limited English proficient (LEP) patients fare when accessing California's health care system. The MCLAS Task Force was charged with providing a recommendation to the California Department of Health Care Services on maximizing existing federal funds to cover health care interpreting for patients.
View the Task Force's Work:
	Final MCLAS Report
	Draft Copy of Official Report
	Understanding Washington: A review of Washington State's broker system for language servies and interpretation.

Policy Events: Workforce Diversity LCHC chaired the Healthcare Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee (HWDAC) in 2007. Charged by Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger and administered by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), HWDAC was responsible for developing recommendations on workforce development and diversity.
	Official Report
	Fact Sheet