FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 27, 2005

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Reid, Pelosi, Congressional Democrats Fight to Close the Health Care Divide

Washington, D.C. – Highlighting their commitment to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Congressional Native American Caucus unveiled today, Closing the Health Care Divide, a set of principles for addressing racial and ethnic health disparities. 

The principles include:

• Expanding the health care safety net
• Diversifying the health care workforce
• Combating diseases that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities
• Emphasizing prevention and behavioral health
• Promoting the collection and dissemination of data and enhancing medical research
• Providing interpreters and translation services in the delivery of health care

“Across America, minorities are less likely to have health insurance and less likely to receive the appropriate care they need,” said Reid, whose home state of Nevada has seen its Asian, Hispanic, and African American population increase significantly in the last decade. “The health care divide will only get worse if we do not act now. These principles are a strong health proposal that has the support of the House Minority Caucuses. We are committed to closing the health care divide and we will work together to ensure that everyone receives equal treatment in health care,” said Reid.

“For too long, this Administration has tolerated the national tragedy of having one out of every three Hispanics and 7.4 million African Americans without health insurance, and other grave health care disparities that minorities face," House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said. "Fortunately, our plan will expand health insurance and improve the quality of health care in order to address these inequalities.  Diversity is America's greatest strength, but it is not well served when health care disparities in minority communities go unaddressed. Democrats are committed to ensuring thatall communities have equal access to quality and affordable health care.”

The principles outlined by Democrats today are the first step towards drafting bicameral legislation to address racial and ethnic health disparities and ensure that the health of every community, regardless of race or ethnicity receive appropriate and affordable health care.

A copy of the principles follows:

CLOSING THE HEALTH CARE DIVIDE

Principles for Addressing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

Democrats are committed to eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health care because everyone deserves equal treatment in health care.  The elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities can and should be a priority for our nation.  The health of every community is enhanced when we work to promote health care equality for everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity.  Legislation to address racial and ethnic health disparities should do the following:

Expand the Health Care Safety Net.  Lack of health insurance and access to health services results in significant declines in health status within racial and ethnic minority communities.  The availability, quality, and affordability of health coverage options that provide meaningful access to health care services must be expanded in order to successfully address racial and ethnic health disparities. 

Diversify the Health Care Workforce.  Our public health workforce should reflect, understand, and respect the backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the people it serves.  Efforts should be made to recruit, train and retain health care professionals from underrepresented groups.  In addition, the training of health professionals should be expanded in order to produce a culturally and linguistically proficient health care workforce.

Combat Diseases That Disproportionately Affect Racial and Ethnic Minorities.  Many diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, asthma, and HIV/AIDS, disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities.   Federal research and prevention initiatives should seek to reduce the disproportionate burden of certain illnesses among racial and ethnic minorities.

Emphasize Prevention and Behavioral Health.  Estimates suggest that as much as fifty percent of health care costs are caused by behaviorally related illnesses, including heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and substance abuse.  Cultural and social factors can contribute to the behavioral patterns underlying these illnesses.  Behavioral interventions have the potential to prevent such illnesses and save billions of dollars in health care costs.

Promote the Collection and Dissemination of Data and Enhance Medical Research.  In order to fully understand the scope of health care disparities, it is necessary to have data on individuals’ health care access and utilization that includes race, ethnicity, primary language, and socio-economic status.   This information is necessary in order to measure the existence of, causes, and effects of health care disparities and to lead to solutions.

Provide Interpreters and Translation Services in the Delivery of Health Care. Almost 11 million people in the United States speak English “not well” or “not at all.” More than 21 million speak English less than “very well.” We need to ensure that the quality of and access to health care received by people with limited English proficiency is not sacrificed because of language barriers. Interpreters and translated materials are key to providing effective health care and reducing health disparities among these populations. 

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi