G. K. Butterfield: “Mr. Speaker, the subject of public health remains a top priority for rural America, including my home district of…”

“Mr. Speaker, the subject of public health remains a top priority for rural America, including my home district of eastern North Carolina, the First Congressional District. Health has been an issue that has not always included the topic of disparities and the lack of access for minority communities and low-income communities. But under the leadership of this chairman, I am confident that we are now going in another direction and we are going to confront head on the issue of disparities. I want to thank the chairman and the committee for making the decision to go in that direction. But, Mr. Speaker, I have come to the floor today to address the subject of medications that are intended to combat tropical diseases and their access to the developing world. My desire, Mr. Speaker, is for the House to further cooperate and work with the other Chamber in search of a solution to the tropical disease epidemic facing the developing world. These diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and malaria and tuberculosis, continue to inflict millions of impoverished people because of the lack of medicines.”