On the recordJuly 9, 2015
Simply put, Mr. Chairman, these provisions addressed persistent systemic and widespread disparities in health outcomes for minority communities. As you know, many diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, lupus, osteoporosis, asthma, sickle cell, and kidney diseases have been studied at length and still afflict minority populations in disturbing numbers and at disturbing rates. Minorities are disproportionately underrepresented in clinical trials. There are many reasons attributed to this disproportionality, such as a lack of funding. The chief culprit is that research professionals tend to work toward solutions for the cure of diseases to which they have personal connections and have personal experiences. Mr. Chairman, I am so glad that the 21st Century Cures Act does address some of these critical issues. I rise in support of the 21st Century Cures Act, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of H.R. 6.
