Healthcare

The healthcare reform debate raises many complex issues including those of coverage, accessibility, cost, accountability and quality of health care. In 2010, with the support of the CBC, a major feat was accomplished with the passing (and subsequent signing into law) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Nearly every aspect of the Affordable Care Act positively impacts minority communities: from protecting those with preexisting conditions, ensuring dependent coverage, providing vital preventive services and care, making health care affordable for small businesses and increasing Medicare benefit coverage. While this was a tremendous victory for all Americans, it was particularly important to the Black community.

It is necessary that the Caucus remain diligent in addressing these problems to holistically improve African American communities (learn more here). Furthermore, it is important to protect health equity and the access to affordable healthcare. African Americans have long-suffered from poorer health and premature mortality as a direct result of their disproportionately high rates of uninsurance, HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and overweight and obesity, as well as from the social determinants of health that not only sustain, but that exacerbate racial and ethnic health disparities (learn more here). Furthermore, it is important to protect health equity and the reliable access to affordable healthcare that this new law will ensure.

The Healthcare Taskforce works to improve the health and wellbeing of all Americans by putting forth common sense healthcare policy proposals.

• Committee on Energy and Commerce