For Immediate Release:
Contact: Robert Nunez, rnunez@lchc.org
Governor Newsom Signs Historic Health Equity Bill for Latino and Indigenous Communities
The Latino and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act (SB 1016) Cements Governor Newsom’s Health Equity Legacy
[Sacramento, CA] – The Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC], Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indigena Oaxaqueño (CBDIO), Comunidades Indigenas en Liderazgo (CIELO), and the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) applaud Governor Newsom for signing SB 1016, a Latino Caucus priority authored by Senator and Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez the Latine and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act into law. This legislation will begin to address deep health disparities by collecting and disaggregating more detailed demographic and language health data for Latine & Indigenous communities in California, who make up 40% of the population and contribute over $83 billion in state taxes.
As we continue to celebrate Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month and days before Indigenous Peoples Day, Governor Newsom and the Legislature have ensured that Latines and, for the first time ever, Indigenous Mesoamerican communities are seen and counted in state data. Data is an absolutely critical tool for our decision-makers to make informed and equitable decisions. Deeper and more detailed data collection can help save lives. SB 1016 will do this and will help meet the needs of the diverse Latine community and will now take into account the specific needs of Indigenous Mesoamericans in California.
Latine and Indigenous Californians are the backbone of California’s economy as agricultural workers, service workers, teachers, and more. We look forward to working with the Governor and his administration in implementing this bill and continue advancing health equity for all in California.
“Latinos and Indigenous Mesoamericans are among the most diverse people in our state and so are their health needs,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). “Every Latino deserves to be seen and to be counted when it comes to ensuring equitable access to essential health services. I am thrilled to see our state moving in the right direction, and I am thankful to Governor Newsom for his support and to the many community advocates who were at the forefront of making this law a reality and who continue to fight for health equity for our communities.”
“This is a transformational win for California. We thank Governor Newsom for his precedent-setting decision to sign SB 016 into law, going beyond any state and the federal government to achieve data equity for our communities,” said Dr. Seciah Aquino, Executive Director of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. “Data equity can save lives. Collecting and disaggregating health data for a community that represents 40% of the CA population and contributes $83 billion in state taxes is not only the right thing to do but a sound economic decision. Today gets us one step closer to the north star of health equity. We look forward to working hand in hand with the California Department of Public Health to support its implementation. “
“We have all done so much work to get here to this very moment and we are incredibly grateful that the Governor has signed SB 1016 into law,” said Arcenio J. Lopez, Executive Director of the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP). “This decision is a major milestone in recognizing the thriving Indigenous Mesoamerican communities in California. Our voices have been heard, and we are thrilled to see this crucial step toward data equity and justice, ensuring that the Indigenous community is fully represented and supported. Thank you to the Governor for listening to our voices!”
“We believe with his signature, 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 (CIELO). “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 been signed, and we thank Governor Newsom for signing it and ensuring 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 Governor for signing this important bill into law, beginning 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, and 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/
