Pallone, Colleagues Unveil Democratic Principles to Address Health Disparities

PALLONE, COLLEAGUES UNVEIL DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES TO ADDRESS HEALTH DISPARITIES
April 27, 2005

Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), co-chairman of the House Democratic Health and Medicare Task Force and vice-chairman of the Congressional Native American Caucus, joined several of his colleagues today at a news conference on Capitol Hill to unveil the Democratic principles to address healthcare disparities.

"I am very pleased to be a part of this news conference today during health disparities awareness month to emphasize Senate and House Democrats' commitment to addressing health disparities. We worked together in the 108th Congress to unveil landmark legislation to bridge the divide in health care between the general population and minority communities, including African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Asian Americans-Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans. We are committed in the 109th Congress to do the same, and today we are proud to present our consensus Democratic principles for addressing racial and ethnic health disparities.

"I want to highlight the plight of Native Americans, who in particular experience tremendous disparity in health care. Federal delivery of health services and maintaining and improving the health of Indians are required by the federal government's historical and unique legal Trust responsibility with Indian tribes. Despite such services, the unmet health needs of Indians remain alarmingly severe and the health status of Indians is far below the health status of the general population of the United States. For example, Indians suffer a death rate for diabetes that is 350 percent higher than the rest of the American population, a pneumonia and influenza death rate 52 percent greater, a tuberculosis death rate that is 650 percent greater, and a death rate from alcoholism that is 770 percent higher than all other races.

"Legislation is essential for bridging the gap in the health care divide between Native Americans and the general population. The main goals of the legislation will be similar in the 109th Congress, starting with guaranteeing Indian Health Service funding. With the Service operating as an entitlement program like Medicare or Social Security, accessibility and adequacy of services for Indian country and urban Indians is addressed. In addition, the Director of the Indian Health Service should be elevated to an Assistant Secretary for Health within the Department of Health and Human Services. The establishment of such a position would facilitate better development of Indian health policy and promote improved consultation and advocacy on matters related to Indian health.

"The Democratic health disparities bill will be vital to the health status of Native Americans, and is important for ensuring that all Americans are afforded their right to adequate, affordable and accessible health care."

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http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj06_pallone/pr_apr27_health_disparities.html