October 20, 2003

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Co-Sponsors the Health Care Equality and Accountability Act of 2003

Washington, DC – For a press conference today that introduced the Health Care Equality and Accountability Act of 2003, comprehensive and ambitious legislation that will improve the health and healthcare of minority populations while simultaneously eliminating health and healthcare disparities based on race, ethnicity, and primary language, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today issued the following statement:

“I am proud to join the membership of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Hispanic Caucus, the Asian-Pacific Islander Caucus, and the caucus for all Americans -- the Democratic Caucus in sponsoring a bill that will provide health and access to quality care for all.”

“Today, we introduce the Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act of 2003. The bill has been a long time in the making. It is criminal that in the United States the color of your skin makes you more likely to die of HIV/AIDS, heart disease or diabetes, as a result of our flawed and culturally-insensitive health care system.”

“Our goal, and that of the American public, is the complete elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities. I believe that with this bill we have provided a good first step toward that goal. In this bill, we have diagnosed the major health care shortfalls and provided sound and culturally-conscious solutions. Over 43 million Americans are uninsured -- half of which are minorities. Further, those who have access to care are still dying of diseases that go undetected and undiagnosed because the quality of their care is subpar.”

“Today, we are united for all minorities across this country, and we will win the battle against ethnic and racial health disparities.”





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