Adequate healthcare among Hispanics is at a disparity in Texas, with more than 25% of Texans uninsured, of those, 40% are Hispanic (according to a report by Code Red Texas). These individuals seek medical attention directly from hospitals when they become ill, resulting in healthcare debt for hospitals and consequently, to the community at–large. Incidentally, when our employee workforce is at risk of becoming ill and suffering from severe illness because of lack of prevention, our businesses suffer a loss of productivity. The businesses that suffer most in our communities are small business owners, which are not aware of the options that they can provide their employees for health insurance and other cost–effective options for quality healthcare. Of growing concern to the Hispanic population are diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Those diseases can lead to a need for costly prescription drugs that can be avoided by prevention and education . It is important for employers to take notice of their employeesÂ’ well–being and to foster healthy, behavior changes that will lead to a healthier, more sustainable workforce.
Last year, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce launched the Healthcare Summit to inform and create joint solutions for the San Antonio community in the area of Healthcare, as they affect the Hispanic population. The Hispanic Chamber, along with selected leaders of the community have continued to take aggressive action to understand the diseases, access to care issues, and solutions to enhancing healthcare outcomes and community wellness for AmericaÂ’s fastest growing population. This year, the 2007 Healthcare Summit will focus on advocacy for adequate healthcare for the Hispanic community, with a review of the pharmaceutical industry and the Hispanic Community; Hispanic health disparities and Texas solutions; the National Outlook on the Healthcare Industry and Hispanic issues; and federal and state healthcare initiatives for small businesses. Planning participants for the Healthcare Summit include various community organizations, such as, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas, Christus Santa Rosa Healthcare, South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, La Fe Policy and Advocacy Center, Mexican American Hispanic Physicians Association, and the City of San Antonio.
“Providing adequate healthcare continues to be a distressing concern to small businesses and therefore, is a concern to Hispanic business. This summit will strive to outline the critical position that our state’s healthcare is currently in and provide Hispanic Chamber members with the opportunity to discuss potential remedies with local experts,” said A.J. Rodriguez, President and CEO of the SAHCC.
Hispanic healthcare issues are no longer confined to the border states, but much can be learned from their painful experiences. The Hispanic Health Summit is expected to attract medical care providers, businesses that provide support services, and consumers that desire to learn more about the issues and services. The Summit brings together health and social service professionals with community and political leaders to address the needs of the entire Hispanic population. Speakers who have been invited to present include Former Surgeon General, Vice Admiral, Richard Henry Carmona; U.S. Congressman, Charlie Gonzalez; Texas Senator, Carlos Uresti; Texas Senator, Leticia Van de Putte; Albert Hawkins, Commissioner of the Department of State Health Services; and Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, president of the University Health Science Center at San Antonio.
In an effort to have small business owners walk away with immediate practices, confirmed guest speaker, Vincent Fonseca, MD, MPH, State Epidemiologist with the Texas Department of State Health Services will present a workshop about how to plan for a worksite wellness program. During his presentation, Dr. Fonseca will instruct participants how to use a web–based Health Risk Assessment (HRA) and how to promote specific health behaviors and medical services.
This yearÂ’s Hispanic Healthcare Summit is led by Chairman, Ted Terrazas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TerraHealth, Inc. (THI). Terrazas is recognized nationally for his expertise in healthcare delivery systems, and as an entrepreneur; under his leadership, Terra HealthÂ’s success, and innovations were featured in the July 2006 edition of the Hispanic Business Magazine, when they were named the fastest–growing Hispanic–owned company in the United States. Terrazas has been recognized in many different venues, makes television appearances, has published various articles, and presents lectures on several health care, business, and leadership topics across the nation.
