Latinos Experience Barriers to Health Care
The Institute of Medicine issues a report this week stating that Hispanics and other minorities in the United States tend to get lower quality health care than whites, even when income, age and whether they have insurance is factored in. Doctors, pressed for time and pressured to make hasty decisions by insurance companies, often stereotype patients and minorities can pay for this with their lives, according to a report by the Institute of Medicine which was commissioned by the U.S. Congress. Overcoming communication and cultural barriers is often at issue, and Latinos are more likely to feel that they are treated with disrespect when receiving health care, and to feel that they would receive better care if they were of a different race or ethnicity. The study states that in comparison to whites, African-Americans -- and in some cases Hispanics -- are less likely to receive appropriate cardiac medication or to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery, are less likely to receive hemodialysis and kidney transplantation because they are less likely to be placed on waiting lists, and are likely to receive a lower quality of basic clinical services. These differences are associated with greater mortality among Latino patients. The report, written by 15 experts and reviewed by a panel of 11 others, also found that Latinos do not get optimal treatment for HIV and are less likely to receive antiretroviral therapy and other state-of the art treatments that could delay the onset of AIDS. For more information go online to: http://www4.nationalacademies.org.

Braceros Abandoned
During the 1940s, many Mexican workers came to the United States under the Bracero Act. Ten percent of the salaries of these workers was deducted and held in trust by the U.S. and Mexican governments in a "mandatory savings program" with the earnings to be returned to the workers upon their return to Mexico. The workers and their families have yet to receive their hard-earned monies. There is a lawsuit against both governments on behalf of the braceros. To find out more about this injustice, go to: http://bracerojustice.com/main.htm.

Ziglar Testifies on INS Restructuring Proposal
Immigration and Naturalization Commissioner James Ziglar testified before Congress in support of the Bush Administration's INS restructuring proposal. Ziglar acknowledged the need to quickly and effectively respond to the security needs of the United States, as well as quickly and effectively respond to the processing of naturalization petitions, changes in status, and other adjudications functions. Ziglar noted that the reorganization is necessary to provide clearer lines of decision-making and specific accountability. Updating the INS's technology was also at the top of his list, as technology systems were antiquated and unable to interact within the department and with outside law enforcement agencies. Congressman Silvestre Reyes, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus who worked with the INS for 26 years proposed that Congress offer a comprehensive legislative solution to properly elevate the status of the nation's immigration system. He suggested that a new Cabinet-level agency be created and be made responsible for the nation's ports-of-entry. For Commissioner Ziglar's testimony, go to: http://www.ins.gov/graphics/aboutins/ congress/testimonies/2002/zigtestimony.pdf.

Action Alert: Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
The Bush Administration has proposed to eliminate Title 167 of the Workforce Investment Act, which funds the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP). Many agencies that provide vital employment, training and supportive services to migrant seasonal farmworkers would be put out of business. Without a national program targeting farmworkers, there is minimal initiative by individual states to serve a largely transient, limited English speaking, economically disadvantaged, and undereducated population. Funding for this national program has been limited, yet its impact has been significant allowing farmworkers - largely Hispanic -whose average annual income is below $10,000 to survive crises through the program's supportive services components. For more information contact the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs at www.afop.org or register your opinion with President Bush at 202/456-1414.