Congressional Black Caucus keeps up efforts for reform

Aug 12 2009

The Louisiana Weekly reports that the Congressional Black Caucus "has vowed to continue pushing for specific provisions that its members feel are vital for African Americans. ... The original House and Senate bills would significantly reduce the staggering number of uninsured Americans," which are disproportionately black, according to the news organization. 

"The CBC and the Congressional Tri-Caucus, which also comprises the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, introduced a bill recently that outlines their priorities for healthcare reform for people of color." Their list includes items such as improved healthcare workforce diversity efforts, comparative effectiveness research, prevention efforts that "focus on reducing racial and ethnic health disparities, language and translation services throughout the health care system and a significant investment in community health centers and in community health workers."

The Louisiana Weekly notes: "With hopes that certain reform provisions from their Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009 will make it into the final healthcare bill, CBC leaders – including Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) — wrote a letter to both President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi" (Martin, 8/10).