UnidosUS Applauds Senate Passage of the ‘Inflation Reduction Act’

Legislation will Protect Health Insurance for Millions of Latino Families

WASHINGTON, DC—In response to the Senate successfully passing the “Inflation Reduction Act,” UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía issued the following statement:

“UnidosUS congratulates Leader Schumer for his leadership and the Senate majority for passing the budget reconciliation package that will help Americans pay for health coverage, prescription drugs, and their energy bills. This legislation is critical to our nation’s ongoing efforts to support families who are still weathering the pandemic and struggling to make ends meet in the face of rising prices. It also makes vital investments to protect the planet our children and grandchildren will inherit, while taking steps toward preventing disadvantaged communities from falling behind or suffering collateral damage in the move to a more sustainable future.

“For Latinos, the three-year extension of enhanced tax credits that the American Rescue Plan provided to people who buy their own insurance on Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces will be particularly meaningful. Due to this financial support, around three million uninsured Latinos were made eligible for low-cost health insurance, including about 2.5 million who now qualify for zero-premium coverage. As a result, Latino participation in ACA marketplaces skyrocketed by 39% in just one year. Without this extension, Latinos and the millions of other families in America who have benefited from these tax credits would face a significant increase in their premiums at the end of 2022, forcing many to lose health insurance. The Senate vote today brings us one step closer to ensuring we do not have to face this reality.

“We are proud to have stood with Senator Menendez and Senator Padilla in calling on the Senate to vote down any harmful amendments that sought to jeopardize the bill’s passage by vilifying immigrants and scoring political points on the backs of people of color. Like all compromises, the Manchin-Schumer bill is not perfect so we will continue to fight for legislation that meets all of our community’s needs. Our struggle for justice will continue, but this bill takes significant steps forward and, as passed, will make an historic difference in the lives of millions of struggling families in America. We urge the House to pass it quickly and send it to the President’s desk.”