[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 1, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACT OF 
                                  2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 31, 2000

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1880. This 
bill, the ``Health Care Fairness Act'' will improve the health of 
minority populations including Hispanics, African Americans, Native 
Americans, Alaska Natives and Asian-Americans. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 
3250, the House companion to S. 1880. Mr. Speaker, as you know, 
minority communities suffer disproportionately from many health 
problems and have higher mortality rates than whites for many treatable 
health conditions. They also continue to suffer from inequities in the 
U.S. health care system.
  The legislation that is on the House floor today will increase 
federal commitment to biomedical research on minority health and will 
improve health related data collection on minorities. This legislation 
will implement demonstration projects that address bias in the health 
care system that adversely impact minority populations and will 
establish pilot projects in medical schools to reduce racial and ethnic 
health disparities. This bill will also make grants available for the 
development of health care education curriculum and for continuing 
health education professional development. Another important aspect of 
this bill is that it will elevate the Office of Minority Health to a 
Center of Research on Minority Health at NIH. The Center will conduct 
and support basic and clinical research, training, the dissemination of 
health information, and other programs with respect to minority health.
  Mr. Speaker, more needs to be done in our country to address the 
disparities in healthcare for minorities. The Health Care Fairness Act 
is a step in the right direction and I urge my colleagues to support 
this important piece of legislation.

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