For Immediate Release:
Contact: Robert Nunez, rnunez@lchc.org
PRESS RELEASE: Health Data Bill for Latine and Indigenous Mesoamericans Heads to Governor’s Desk
Latine and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act (SB 1016) Has the Power to Build on Governor’s Newsom Health Equity Legacy.
[Sacramento, CA] – On August 27, 2024, the Latine and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act passed through its final vote in the legislature. It is now headed to Governor Newsom’s desk to be signed into law. Over 40% of Californians are counting on Governor Newsom’s vote toward health equity and justice. This legislation begins to address deep health disparities in the Latine & Indigenous communities in California, which annually contribute over $83 billion in state taxes. A healthier 40% of our state population ensures a healthier state economy. Signing SB1016 into law would ensure Governor’s Newsom legacy is sustained for years to come.
The Latine and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act will collect more specific demographic health data to address disparities for Latine and Indigenous communities in California. Latines make up California’s largest ethnic population, representing over 40% of Californians, yet Latine subgroups are diverse in terms of culture and language and experience health outcomes differently. Additionally, Indigenous Mesoamericans do not identify as Latine and speak over 560 Indigenous languages. SB 1016 takes the first critical step in California to begin recognizing the diversity of Latines and to start collecting specific data on Indigenous Mesoamerican communities who have their own cultural and language needs. Latine and Indigenous Californians are the backbone of California’s economy as agricultural workers, service workers, teachers, and more. We celebrate the legislature’s leadership in advancing this bill and urge Governor Newsom to advance health justice in our state by signing this bill into law.
“Today, we move one step closer to achieving health equity for Latino and Indigenous Mesoamerican communities in California,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). “By enhancing health data, we can better tailor resources and services to address the needs of our diverse populations. I am deeply grateful to my Assembly colleagues for their support and to the strong organizations and community voices that continue to champion this essential policy.”
This is the second year this legislation makes it to the Governor’s desk. In 2023, the governor’s office vetoed the bill, citing Federal OMB standards, which were in the rulemaking process, saying California would not act until the final standards were released. Those final standards were released in early 2024 and are no longer a barrier; they set forth a blueprint that California can expand on to lead in these efforts nationally.
During this year’s Democratic National Convention, Governor Newsom proclaimed, “We pride ourselves in our ability to live together, advance together, and prosper together across every conceivable and imaginable difference.” He also declared, “We believe the future happens in California first.” We agree! It’s time for Governor Newsom to put those words into action by signing this low-hanging, common-sense legislation that protects the health and lives of one of the state’s most diverse communities.
“We applaud the leadership of our California legislature in doubling down on its commitment to protect the Latine and Indigenous communities of our Golden State. The Governor now has the existence and lives of Latine and Indigenous Communities fixed squarely on his desk,” said Dr. Seciah Aquino, Executive Director of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. “Governor Newsom, signing SB1016 into law is not only the right thing to do but a sound economic decision. Let’s continue to lead the country in the fight for health justice and ensure your legacy resounds for years to come!”
“We are delighted and enthused for the legislators because this indicates that they are taking seriously the presence of many of the original first people — our Mesoamerican people, their presence here in California and the Americas, and the contributions we give to our community’s social fabric and economic well-being. We are grateful because the legislators have ensured that all voices are represented and heard,” said Arcenio J. López, Executive Director of the Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project, “We hope that the Governor will mirror this seriously by signing it this time, and truly recognize the presence and contribution of our indigenous migrant communities to the state of CA– we have all done so much work to get here to this very moment. If the Governor signs SB1016, we will be sure that he is really listening to the voices of all Californians!”
“We believe that making SB 1016 a law will significantly improve the lives of Indigenous communities that are integral to California’s social fabric. ,” said Odilia Romero, Executive Director, Comunidades Indigenas en Liderazgo. “Disaggregating data is crucial to creating an inclusive health system that acknowledges our presence in this state and country. We are thrilled that the bill has passed the Legislature, and we strongly urge Governor Newsom to sign it to ensure that Indigenous communities have better access to the health resources they need.”
“SB 1016 is the first approach at the State level that attempts to capture our presence, not as Latinos or Hispanics, but as First Nations,” said Dr. Sarait Martinez, Executive Director for Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indigena Oaxaqueño (CBDIO). “Disaggregating data is a crucial step for agencies to learn about the cultural and linguistic diversity of the communities they serve and a first step to ensure that they are working to respect the fundamental right of individuals to receive information and services in the language they understand and prefer. I am thankful to the Senate and Assembly for supporting this important bill, and we are hopeful Governor Newsom will sign it into law to create the change we need for our communities.”
For questions or comments, please contact LCHC’s Sr. Communications Manager, Robert Nuñez, at rnunez@lchc.org or at (805)815-7730.
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Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC)—the only statewide policy organization with a specific emphasis on Latinx health—was founded by health care providers, consumers and advocates in 1992 to impact Latino health by focusing on policy development, providing enhanced information, and community involvement. Learn more at: lchc.org
Majority Leader Gonzalez represents the 33rd Senate District, which encompasses the City of Long Beach and portions of South Los Angeles and Southeast Los Angeles, including the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, Signal Hill, and South Gate. In the Senate, she advocates for working families and champions various priorities, such as fighting for a clean environment, digital equity, LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, and the economic prosperity of small businesses. Her landmark legislative achievements include bills enacted to end neighborhood oil drilling, provide broadband for all, and expand paid sick leave. Majority Leader Gonzalez also serves as Vice Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. She lives in Long Beach with her family. To learn more about Majority Leader Gonzalez, visit her website at www.sen.ca.gov/gonzalez.
Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño (CBDIO), is an Indigenous women-led organization building power in the Indigenous communities from southern Mexico in the Central Valley and Central Coast for almost 30 years. Our mission is to foster and strengthen the civic participation, economic, social, cultural development of the indigenous communities, as well as the resistance of the indigenous communities. Learn more at: www.centrobinacional.org
CIELO is an Indigenous women-led, intergenerational organization that is combating racism towards Indigenous people by bringing visibility and resources to the Indigenous migrant communities. CIELO creates substantive solutions to the social, economic, and cultural challenges faced by the Indigenous community. We work on language revitalization by creating new spaces of engagement with Indigenous languages for younger generations. Learn more at: https://mycielo.org/
