New Bill Tracking Resource

The National Conference of State Legislators has launched a new bill-tracking resource that tracks bills that were introduced with the aim to reduce disparities in health (in the 2009/10 state legislative session).

Take a look!

Student National Medical Association Launches Letter Writing Campaign

We always encourage people who care about important issues that affect our communities to get involved. A question these caring individuals always ask is, "How?"

The Student National Medical Association has created a great model for other organizations encouraging advocacy.

Their letter writing campaign not only encourages people to write a letter, but provides a template for the letter and specific people who should receive it.

Health Policy Institute Director Reports on Equity Impacts

HPI director Brian Smedley is issuing regular reports on the equity impact of the health reform legislation as it moves through Congress.

Legislation is being considered in Congress to address the many woes of U.S. health care, which include rapidly escalating costs, uneven quality, and a large number of uninsured Americans. Given the disproportionate impact of these problems on communities of color, and the greater burden of poor health and shortened lifespans among some U.S. racial and ethnic minorities, it will be important for Congress to establish equity as a key goal of any health legislation.

To help highlight the need to address equity, The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies' Health Policy Institute, in partnership with the Drexel University School of Public Health's Center for Health Equality and Health Management Associates, is pleased to announce that we will analyze major health reform bills in the 111thCongress to assess how they will address racial and ethnic health and health care inequities. We will make these analyses available periodically throughout the health reform debate as bills are considered in relevant committees and by the full House and Senate.

Read more...

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009

The Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009 (H.R. 3090) was introduced on Friday, June 26, 2009. A one-page description of the bill is attached and the legislation can be viewed in its entirety on www.thomas.gov.

This bill – which represents the congressional TriCaucus’s consensus health disparity elimination effort in the 111th congress – is comprehensive and addresses the myriad root causes of health inequities that go beyond issues of access. We welcome letters of support for this legislation and look forward to working with you to ensure that the Health Equity and Accountability Act – wherever applicable – is integrated into the final health care reform bill.

If you have any questions or need additional information on this bill or any other legislative priorities of the CBC Health Braintrust or the Congressional TriCaucus, please feel welcome to contact Britt Weinstock, Director of Health Policy in the Office of Congresswoman Donna Christensen via email at britt.weinstock@mail.house.gov.