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Contact: Media Relations Officer.
AAMC STATEMENT ON HEALTH DISPARITIES BILL SIGNING
Jordan J. Cohen, M.D., President
Association of American Medical Colleges
November 22, 2000
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) applauds President Clinton's signing of the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act. The bill identifies a series of initiatives that focus on the critical disparities in health status and access to quality health care that exist among significant segments of our nation's population. The Association believes the legislation will help establish a solid foundation as we work to address disparities in health status and access to health care among various racial and ethnic groups.
In particular, the AAMC supports the establishment of the Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the development of a comprehensive research plan for the conduct and support of all minority health research by the agency. The AAMC also supports the creation of Centers of Excellence for Research as a positive initiative to achieve the goal of a more diversified research work force. The Association is especially pleased with the bill's provisions on medical education, which will enable health professions schools to enhance and expand existing programs to address cultural competency.
In particular, we are pleased that the legislation will provide support, under the auspices of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to increase curricula and faculty development for cultural competency at all levels of health professions education, including continuing education. These programs will complement and enhance the AAMC's ongoing education initiatives.
The AAMC and its members will work with NIH, HRSA, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to make sure the objectives of this legislation are met and the benefits of our country's health care system are available to all regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
Contact: John Parker (202) 828-0975
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