NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY PUERTO RICAN/HISPANIC TASK Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, Chair FORCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 26, 2012 CONTACT:

Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force prhtf@assembly.state.ny.us / 518-455-3821 827-A LOB, Albany, New York 12248

White House Representatives Meet With NYS Assembly Puerto Rican and Hispanic Task Force
White House representatives Dr. Jaime R. Torres, Regional Director of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services and Dennis O. Romero, Regional Administrator of SAMHSA, met with Members of the Executive Committee of the NYS Assembly Puerto Rican and Hispanic Task Force this past week to discuss health and mental health issues impacting Hispanic communities. A video of the meeting can be viewed at somosnewyork.org. Regional Director Jaime Torres reported on the Affordable Health Care Act status as it will impact all New Yorkers: It will provide new benefits and lower the costs for Medicare recipients, allowing most to receive free preventive testing such as mammograms and colonoscopies Provide new funding to the state to support consumer assistance programs Providing preventive care for chronic diseases and better primary/preventative care as well as fighting health disparities Lowering the cost for families by creating reform for insurance industries and provided financial relief Eliminating insurance company discrimination

Dennis O. Romero stated the Federal Governments commitment to reducing the impact of substance abuse and addressing the issues regarding mental illness in the community. He sought the input of Task Force members to learn about issues that occur within their districts. The Task Force is focusing its efforts on developing sound public health policy relating to preventative health care measures, rather than our current system of crisis reaction medical treatments, stated Task Force Chairman Felix W. Ortiz. We have opened our meeting to the public, on our website at Somosnewyork.org, and we encourage people to submit their questions, comments and suggestions to improve the health and well being of our community. The Task Force has held Town Hall Meetings via webcast, to address public policy issues including economic development and veterans affairs. For further information visit the website at somosnewyork.org. -30-