Bipartisan House Resolution Seeks to Designate October 1 as National Latino and Latina Physician Day

By Amr Gohar

WASHINGTON, D.C – U.S. Representatives Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-Calif.) and María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) have introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing October 1 as National Latino and Latina Physician Day, highlighting efforts to increase the number of Latino physicians and address gaps in health care across the United States.

The measure, H.Res. 1589, was introduced September 28 and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Ruiz is the resolution’s sponsor and Salazar is a cosponsor.

The lawmakers say increasing Latino representation in medicine could help communities where patients face language, cultural and access barriers.

“Trust in medical care is essential,” Salazar said, arguing that physicians who understand and reflect the communities they serve can play an important role in building that trust. She also pointed to the broader physician workforce shortage facing the country.

Ruiz, an emergency physician, connected the initiative to his own upbringing in a farmworker family and his experience with communities that have limited access to medical care.

“Today, too many Latino families still can’t find a doctor who speaks their language or understands their cultures,” Ruiz said. He said the resolution both recognizes Latino physicians currently serving patients and calls attention to the need to expand opportunities for future generations of doctors.

The initiative has received support from the Association of American Medical Colleges and the National Hispanic Medical Association.

Danielle Turnipseed, chief public policy officer for the AAMC, said addressing the country’s physician shortage will require expanding access to medical careers for future Latino and Latina doctors as well as the broader next generation of physicians.

The National Hispanic Medical Association said Latino physicians remain significantly underrepresented in the U.S. physician workforce and argued that increasing their numbers could strengthen care in communities across the country.

The resolution is currently before the House Energy and Commerce Committee and has not yet received a House floor vote.