Donald M. Payne: “I thank the gentleman. Let me first thank my colleagues, Congressman Horsford from Nevada and Congressman Jeffries of…”

“I thank the gentleman. Let me first thank my colleagues, Congressman Horsford from Nevada and Congressman Jeffries of New York, for anchoring tonight's CBC's Special Order on eliminating health disparities. I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge our leader on health issues in the Congressional Black Caucus, Dr. Christensen. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge a young person on the floor, the gentlelady from Nevada, the young Miss Horsford, who is here tonight. This is truly unique quality time to spend with your daughter. There are numerous factors that contribute to the growing health disparities in New Jersey's 10th District--poverty, environmental threats, inadequate access to health care, and educational inequities. These issues are so interconnected that a piecemeal approach to fixing them just will not work. A comprehensive approach that focuses on providing access to quality care to all, creating good jobs that provide a decent living and increasing educational opportunities for low-income communities, is the only way to eliminate health disparities once and for all. Even in the 21st century, health disparities are stark, especially in the African American community, in which life expectancies are lower and infant mortality rates are higher. Children of color who live at or below the poverty line are much more likely to have asthma, develop ADHD and contract diseases because they cannot afford vaccinations.…”