The White House on Wednesday touted gains Hispanics have made in education, income and health insurance during President Barack Obama’s time in office. In a report released to mark the closing days of Hispanic Heritage Month, which ends Saturday, the White House issued a four-page brief from its Council on Economic Advisers on the Hispanics’ economic progress in the Obama years.
Obama marked the close of Hispanic Heritage month with remarks at a White House reception Wednesday afternoon. Hispanic Heritage Month began Sept. 15 and closes on Saturday. “Over the last eight years we have made a lot of progress, together for all Americans and nowhere have you been able to see more vividly the progress than in the Hispanic American community,” Obama said at the event.
According to the report, Hispanics saw the fastest income growth of any racial or ethnic group, the largest decline in the poverty rate and “substantial” gains in insurance coverage. Hispanics also have seen high school graduation rates and bachelor’s degree attainment each raise 5 percent. The White House attributed the gains to policies enacted when he took office to pull the nation out of the Great Recession, enactment of the Affordable Care Act and increases in investments in all levels of education.
“Many of the president’s policies, along with determination and hard work of the Hispanic community have contributed to these substantial improvements in economic outcomes,” the White House report states. “More work needs to be done to continue strengthening economic growth and ensuring that all Americans can share in that growth, including addressing the continued gaps that Hispanic Americans face in employment and opportunity,” the report states.
GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has said in rallies and in the recent debate that government has failed African Americans and Hispanics because they live in poverty and violence. His descriptions have been criticized for overlooking Latino and African American achievements and gains.
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