National coalition announces push to foster civil rights by ending inequities in health insurance

***Interviews available with individuals newly receiving coverage***

(WASHINGTON) - As millions of Americans are newly tapping low-cost healthcare insurance available under the Affordable Care, a national coalition here today is announcing stepped-up efforts in four key states to get the word out to underserved people in the African American, Latino, and lesbian/ gay/ bisexual/transgender (LGBT) communities.

The LGBT, Latino and African American communities have a disproportionate number of uninsured individuals in their ranks - and suffer worse healthcare outcomes as a result.

"The Affordable Care Act gives us the opportunity to turn the unjust inequities in quality healthcare around," said Chair of SEIU Healthcare L. Toni Lewis, an M.D. "We can make a difference for our communities who have been left behind, giving more African American, Latinos and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities the peace of mind that come from having high quality, affordable healthcare."

The outreach already underway in Pennsylvania and Texas and launching in the next week in Florida and Michigan is co-sponsored by the Black Civic Engagement Fund, the Latino Engagement Fund, Out2Enroll and the Service Employees International Union. The national coalition partners are awarding $800,000 in grants to statewide and local groups for their education and outreach efforts such as:

• In Pennsylvania, community members co-hosted a flu clinic and outreach event at Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
• In Texas, a news conference in front of Houston's world-class medical facilities by members of coalition partner groups drew attention to disparities in access to care and how the coverage available through the Affordable Care Act helps level them.

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