Jon L. Christensen: “I would have come here to primarily discuss H.R. 3459, the Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act of 2003, which is…”

“I would have come here to primarily discuss H.R. 3459, the Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act of 2003, which is a very important piece of legislation that the four caucuses that we have heard have introduced with our Democratic leadership in both this and the other body. The bill, which I call the Heal America Act, would do just that: heal America, because the health of people of color is inextricably linked to that of all Americans. So the provisions that are included, which would expand Medicaid to include pregnant women, young people to the age of 20, and legal immigrants, which provides that Federal program set standards and pay for translation services; that includes programs for young people of color to enter the health professions at all levels, and even for older ones to enter the health professions by changing their profession as long as they practice in underserved communities; which would strengthen the safety net facilities like our hospitals and our community health centers; fully funds and strengthens the Office of Civil Rights within the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the Office of Minority Health which creates empowerment zones so the communities themselves, which face high disparities, will get the resources and technical assistance that they need to address their health care challenges.”