On the recordApril 25, 2013
On behalf of Congresswoman Lee and myself, I rise to commemorate April as the 13th annual Minority Health Month. Before 2001, there was no national conversation about health disparities. Since then, the Congressional Tri-Caucus has been tireless in efforts to educate Congress and the country about the disproportionate burden of premature death and preventable illness in our minority communities. Due to the advocacy of the Tri-Caucus, the ACA contained ground- breaking policies to reduce disparities, such as expanding Medicaid eligibility, increasing resources for community health clinics, and institutionalizing Federal efforts to achieve health equity. In spite of these important advancements, more must be done. It is critical to adequately fund proven health equity programs and pass the next steps of the Tri-Caucus Health Equity bill, which, on behalf of the Tri-Caucus, I will introduce this fall. Health justice will be achieved when every man, woman, and child in America has an equal opportunity to live a healthy life, regardless of who they are or where they live. ____________________
