First Of Its Kind Spanish Site Launched

 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today unveiled CuidadodeSalud.gov, the first website in Spanish of its kind to help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to new information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable health care coverage.

Consistent with the mandate in the Affordable Care Act, CuidadodeSalud.gov is the partner site of HealthCare.gov, which was launched in July 2010, and is the first website in Spanish to provide consumers with both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs in a single, easy-to-use tool.

"CuidadoDeSalud.gov like HealthCare.gov is an unprecedented website which provides consumers with the power of information at their fingertips. Individuals, families, and small businesses will be able to easily compare both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs, said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "CuidadoDeSalud.gov will give Latinos across the nation better information about the choices they have, how much they cost, and what they can expect from their doctor--specific to their life situation and local community."

In addition, the website is a one-stop-shop for information about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act as well as other health care resources. The website connects consumers to quality rankings for local health care providers as well as preventive services.

CuidadodeSalud.gov is particularly important for Latinos, who have the highest rates of un-insurance in the nation-more than one in three Latinos are uninsured. Without healthcare coverage, Latinos have less access to care. Latinos are only half as likely to have a usual source of primary care, and half of Latinos do not have a regular doctor. Twenty percent of low-income Latino youth have gone a year without a health care visit - a rate three times higher than that for high-income Whites.

Latinos also suffer disproportionately from chronic health diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  Latinas have disproportionate rates of cervical cancer, which they contract at twice the rate of white women. Since 1998, mammography levels have been lower among Latinas compared with non-Hispanic white and black women.

In October 2010, CuidadoDeSalud.gov will include price estimates for health insurance plans. In the weeks and months ahead, new information on preventing disease and illness and improving the quality of health care for all Americans will also be posted. The website also includes a series of mechanisms through which users can indicate whether pages were helpful to them, and we will continue to seek user feedback to grow and strengthen the site.