The Congressional TriCaucus — an organization that includes Latino-American, African-American, and Asian-American members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives — recently unveiled legislation billed as a way to "eliminate racial and ethnic disparities that exist under the current healthcare system."
The introduction of the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009 comes as the members of the TriCaucus and their colleagues in Washington consider a reform of the healthcare system in conjunction with the administration of President Barack Obama. Various proposals are currently in the works in Washington, with proposals ranging from some that would increase requirements for employers to provide insurance to others calling for a national healthcare system run by the government.
Members of various ethnic communities face various challenges in terms of health compared to the overall population. Some of the challenges stem from higher rates of certain diseases due to genetic, dietary, economic, and environmental factors. Diabetes is an example of one such challenge, striking Latino-Americans, Asian-Americans, and African-Americans at a higher rate than the overall population, according to medical research.
Research has also shown disparities in availability and quality of healthcare, with many ethnic communities lagging the overall population in such categories. An inability to pay for healthcare insurance and matters such as translation services for patients for whom English is not a first language also factor into disparities, according to research.
"America's health is at a critical juncture with persistent disparities between ethnic and racial groups contributing to our country's diminished health status, the onset of preventable disease, and premature death," said U.S. Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard, a Democrat whose 34th District includes Downtown and a number surrounding areas, including parts of the Pico-Union and Westlake districts, much of the Eastside, and portions of southeastern Los Angeles County. "The future health of America as a whole will be influenced substantially by our success in improving the health of all minority groups."
Roybal-Allard and the other lawmakers who count large numbers from ethnic communities as constituents said that they hope to foster such improvements for healthcare in ethnic communities with the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009, which outlines the following priorities, among others:
* A public health insurance option that is universal and includes mental and dental health services.
* Elevating the federal government's National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institutes of Health.
* Strengthening the Office of Minority Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
* Addressing cultural and linguistic concerns such as credentialing for medical translators, and ensuring adequate reimbursement for language and translation services
* A requirement that healthcare provisions regarding clinical trials must — whenever possible — include racial and ethnic diversity to find out effects on a broad range of groups
Backers say that the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009 will also take steps beyond bolstering various federal program and "address the root causes of this nation's health disparities crisis by working to achieve health equity across lines of race and ethnicity, gender and geography."
Among the other steps would be increasing the capacity of historically African-American colleges and Universities, as well as educational institutions that service high numbers of members of various other ethnic communities. The legislation would also support "the implementation of health information technology as a means to measure, monitor and reduce health disparities. The bill also aims to support "programs... to address the shortage of under-represented minority healthcare providers across medical realms, including dental, oral and mental healthcare."
15th District U.S. Representative Mike Honda, a Democrat from San Jose who also serves as chairperson of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said that a legislative focus on healthcare disparities among ethnic groups is much needed.
"Asians and Pacific Islanders have much at stake as approximately one-third of our communities live in linguistic isolation, and have higher rates of certain preventable diseases, such as hepatitis B and tuberculosis," Honda said. "I am confident that President Obama and Congressional leadership will seriously consider healthcare disparities as part of this vital debate.
U.S. Representative Barbara Lee, a Democrat who represents Oakland and also serves as chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus, issued a statistical reminder of the economic aspects of healthcare.
"Today over 47 million people lack health insurance in America and although racial and ethnic minorities account for about one third of U.S. population, they account for more than half of the uninsured," Lee said. "The Congressional TriCaucus stands together and speaks with one voice to demand health care reform now, and to demand an end to the factors that perpetuate racial and ethnic health disparities in this country."
More information on the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009 can be obtained by contacting Britt Weinstock, director of health policy for the Congressional Black Caucus, via e-mail to britt.weinstock@mail.house.gov.
Leave a comment