Contact Congressman Loebsack

I emailed Dave Loebsack (http://loebsack.house.gov/) on this issue. I hope you will call or email as well. (319-364-2288)

Building Momentum to Address Racial Health Disparities
The Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2007 (H.R.3014), is comprehensive legislation aimed at the root causes of the current health disparities crisis. This bill was developed by the Health Chairs of the Congressional Hispanic, Black and Asian Pacific American Caucuses (the “Tricaucus”) and currently has roughly 104 co-sponsors in the House — our website includes a current list of cosponsors.

The bill will help eliminate the persistent health disparities that leave millions of Americans in poorer health and more likely to die prematurely during their most productive life years by:
1. Strengthening educational institutions/the capacity of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, etc.;
2. Bolstering efforts to ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate health care and removing language and cultural barriers to healthcare;
3. Increasing workforce diversity by expanding programs to address the shortage of under-represented health care providers;
4. Strengthening and coordinating data collection with appropriate safeguards to privacy;
5. Requiring each federal health agency to develop and implement a national strategic action plan to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities;
6. Advancing rural health;
7. Supporting the implementation of health information technology as a means to measure, monitor and reduce health disparities.

Estimates show that by 2020, 40 percent of the U.S. workforce will be comprised of minorities; and as we all know, the U.S. employer-based health care system already does a weak job of delivering quality, affordable health care, particularly to these very minorities. Furthermore, the U.S. is signed on to United Nations’ anti-discrimination resolutions that state our intentions to eliminate health and other disparities within our borders. Recognizing this, RESULTS has taken on addressing health disparities as a part of our 2008 Health Care for All campaign.

This bill goes a long way in addressing all of these concerns. Over 300 organizations, including RESULTS (nationally and some local chapters) have demonstrated their support by signing a recent letter to key House committee leaders in support of the legislation.

TAKE ACTION: Urge members of Congress to support The Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2007 (H.R.3014) by cosponsoring the legislation and urging swift action on the bill through a committee hearing. You can use our online alert to target an email to your representatives based on your zip code. And, be sure to make plans to join our next National Conference Call — Saturday, May 10, at 12:30 pm ET, where we will discuss health disparities and our May Domestic Action Sheet (to build support for H.R.3014).

I wasn't able to call in on the Global call Wednesday night. My dad took ill during the day and I went over to my parents' apartment to help out. Sorry I am not able to update you.