Democrats Introduce Minority
Health Bill
November 14, 2003 - Led by Senate Minority Leader
Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.),
18 Democratic Senators Nov. 6 introduced the Healthcare Equality
and Accountability Act (S.
1833), which seeks to improve the health care of minority
individuals. The broad legislation addresses Medicaid, the
Indian Health Service, culturally and linguistically appropriate
health care, workforce diversity, border health, community
health workers, HIV/AIDS, and infant mortality, among other
issues. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) also on Nov. 6 introduced
a companion bill (H.R.
3459) in the House with 19 Democratic cosponsors.
The bill establishes a Center for Cultural and Linguistic
Competence in Healthcare within the Department of Health and
Human Services' (HHS) Office of Minority Health. The Center
would provide remote medical interpretation and translation
of materials to health care providers, among other activities.
The legislation also directs HHS to submit biannual reports
on workforce diversity to Congress beginning in 2006 and to
establish a National Working Group on Workforce Diversity
that would review and recommend workforce initiatives. Additionally,
health professions schools receiving federal funds would be
required to submit information for a national database on
race and ethnicity in the health professions.
The bill also authorizes grants to educational institutions
to support career development for minority scientists, researchers
and other health care professionals. Through the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), there would be grants
to study the effect of workforce diversity on quality. Also
included are a health disparities education program, cultural
competence training grants, and various health professions
fellowships.
Information:
Erica Froyd, Director, Public Health and Research Legislative Affairs
AAMC Government Relations
efroyd@aamc.org
(202) 828-0525
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