Issue Position: Health Issues

Issue Position

I have long worked to reduce health disparities for vulnerable populations and increase funding for major diseases like HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.

I have repeatedly sought increased funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative, which I created as Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus in the late 1990's. In FY 2011 I requested $610 million dollars for the Initiative. Some of the latest statistics show that minorities represent 70 percent of all HIV/AIDS diagnoses, so increased funding is imperative to help research, treat and ultimately defeat the disease.

Some of the legislation I have introduced to combat HIV/AIDS includes The Routine HIV Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 2137), The Stop AIDS in Prison Act (H.R. 1429), and H.Res. 592, which encourages doctors and clinicians to do more to raise awareness about the disease and to get tested themselves.

An estimated 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease, so I have authored legislation to support the Department of Justice Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program, which passed the House and awaits full Senate passage, and I wrote the Alzheimer's Treatment and Caregiver Support Act (H.R. 4123).

Diabetes is a disease that can be deadly, and occurs more frequently in minority populations. Last year I introduced the Minority Diabetes Initiative Act (H.R. 4404) which would provide grants to physicians and community based organizations for diabetes prevention, care, and treatment programs.

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