The Latinx and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act Passes Critical Assembly Appropriations Vote as Indigenous and Latinx Communities Face Disproportionate Impact of Rising COVID-19 Cases and Climate Change-related Flooding
SACRAMENTO — On September 1st, 2023, the California Assembly Appropriations Committee voted in favor of the Latinx and Indigenous Disparities Reduction Act. The bill now heads to its final legislative vote on the Assembly Floor before heading to Governor Newsom’s desk to be signed. The bill, which collects and disaggregates more detailed data for Latinx subgroups and Indigenous Mesoamerican nations to improve health outcomes, makes it past this critical vote amidst rising COVID-19 cases and the threat of new variants – in addition to experiencing impacts from recent climate change-related flooding.
“When California faces challenges, such as the recent hurricane flooding or rising COVID-19 cases, Latino communities face disproportionate adverse health impacts,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez (D – Long Beach). “We have to keep in mind that Latinos are over 40% of the population in our state with diverse backgrounds, who speak many different languages and have specific health needs. Knowing how to meet their specific health needs is key to helping Latino communities live healthy, full lives. That is why I have authored SB 435 this year, so that we can better understand the health needs of Latino and Indigenous populations in our state and provide them the quality information and services they need from our state agencies and programs, especially during difficult times. As the bill moves to the Assembly Floor for a vote, I urge my Assembly colleagues to vote yes on SB 435 to help advance health equity in our state.”
During the pandemic, California made public health a cornerstone priority; this bill represents a necessary first step in addressing blindspots in our public health systems by disaggregating data for Latinx subgroups and never-before-collected information on Mesoamerican nations in California.
“This vote is transformational! Data disaggregation ensures the continuation of sustainable support and commitment from the legislature in advancing health equity for Latinxs and Indigenous Mesoamericans.“ said Dr. Seciah Aquino, Executive Director of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, “California cannot continue to play defense when it comes to public health issues. California must be proactive and begin to collect life-saving data for Latinxs and Indigenous Mesoamericans to identify and address health disparities and effectively allocate resources to achieve health equity. There is no clearer sign than the once again rising cases of COVID-19 in the Latinx community. We hope to advance this bill with the support of the full Assembly.”
“We are delighted and enthused for the legislators because this indicates that they are taking seriously the presence of many of the original first people — our Mesoamerican people, their presence here in California and the Americas, and the contributions we give to our community’s social fabric and economic well-being. We are grateful because the legislators have ensured that all voices are represented and heard,” said Arcenio J. López, Executive Director of the Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project, “We are also sure the Governor will mirror this if he does by signing, which is the last job to complete this proposed law — we have all done so much work to get here to this very moment. If the Governor signs SB 435, we will be sure that he is really listening to the voices of all Californians!”
“This vote will greatly affect the lives of indigenous communities that are part of the social fabric across California. Disaggregating data is a key step toward creating an inclusive health system that recognizes our presence in this state and the country.” said Odilia Romero, Executive Director, Comunidades Indigenas en Liderazgo
The deadline for a vote on SB 435 by the full Assembly is September 14th, 2023.
For questions or comments, please contact LCHC’s Sr. Communications Manager, Robert Nuñez, at rnunez@lchc.org or at (805)815-7730.