John Lewis Nimhd Research Endowment Revitalization Act of 2021

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 189, the John Lewis National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Endowment Revitalization Act. This is a bipartisan bill that I introduced with my colleague from Georgia, Congressman Carter.

It is fitting that this bill comes before us during National Minority Health Month because this legislation moves us closer to ending the public health disparities facing communities of color. We need to understand why people of color are more likely to get certain illnesses.

It is a tragic reality, but solutions are out there. H.R. 189 will fund the research that will help us find solutions and save lives.

This bill would, once again, allow for current and former NIMHD or Health Resources and Services Administration centers of excellence to receive research endowment funding, money that is critical in the fight to reduce minority health disparities.

The Research Endowment Program at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities provides funding to the endowments of academic institutions across the country, such as Charles R. Drew University in my district, Morehouse School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Howard University College of Pharmacy, and so many others.

The goal of the program includes promoting minority health and health disparities research capacity and infrastructure, increasing the diversity and strength of the scientific workforce, and enhancing the recruitment and retention of individuals from health disparity populations that are underrepresented in the scientific workforce.

This is critical legislation that is going to play a huge role in addressing and researching disparities.

During the COVID-19 health emergency, communities of color were once again disproportionately affected. Research into health disparities is more crucial than ever.

I want to thank my cosponsors, and I want to thank Chairman Pallone for working to help me get this important bill to the floor. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Let's get this done and across the finish line.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source