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8 in 10 uninsured Latinos eligible for gov't help

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says eight in 10 Latinos lacking health insurance are eligible for Medicaid or other government programs.

The department released a study Tuesday, saying of the estimated 10.2 million Latinos without health insurance, 3.9 million may be eligible for lower costs on monthly premiums through new insurance exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act and 4.2 million may be eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

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Officials touted the so-called Obamacare law for helping reduce the disparity of uninsured minority groups.

"The healthcare law addresses longstanding inequalities that have affected minority communities across the nation, including lack of access to affordable health insurance coverage," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. "Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 10.2 million uninsured Latinos have the opportunity to purchase quality, affordable coverage through the marketplace, and as many as 8 million of those could get a break on costs."

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