Churches Help Latinos in NC Register for Health Coverage

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Sunday, January 31 is the last day for Latinos to register for health coverage as part of this open enrollment period in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Many groups are continuing to work with Latinos, still the largest group of uninsured individuals in the country, to help lower this number.

Rev. Ernesto Barriguete, Pastor of Unidos por Cristo United Methodist Church in Grimesland, NC, has mobilized his congregation to assist with enrolling individuals.

“As part of the church, we cannot neglect all the parts of a person or what makes a community,” he said. “We are part of everything. You know, family and social issues and economic and health issues, everything. It’s together.”

According to the Commonwealth Fund, Latinos have the highest uninsured rates in North Carolina. An estimated 10% of Latino children in the state also do not have health coverage.

“Health care is important for all of us,” said Jennie Belle, program director for Farmworker and Immigrant Rights for the North Carolina Council of Churches. “Children are one area that we’re really trying to stress that the Affordable Care Act can be for other members of your family as well.”

According to the Council, one of the barriers to Latinos singing up for coverage is the fear that they will endanger other family members who are undocumented. The current administration has insisted that ACA information will not be used for deportation purposes.