[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 143 (Thursday, November 2, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACT OF 
                                  1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 31, 2000

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my support of S. 
1880, the Health Care Fairness Act of 2000. As an original co-sponsor 
of H.R. 3250, the House companion measure, I have long-supported 
legislation to expand research and education on the biomedical, 
behavioral, economic, institutional, and environmental factors 
contributing to health disparities in minority and underserved 
populations.
  I would like to commend my colleagues, Representatives Clyburn, 
Lewis, Thompson, Jackson, Rodriguez, Roybal-Allard, and Senator Edward 
Kennedy, who have worked long and hard to get this bill to the floor.
  In recent years, advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment 
of disease has improved the health status and quality of medical care 
to the overall U.S. population. However, while we are experiencing 
remarkable improvements in the health status of the overall U.S. 
population, we find this has not translated into similar benefits for 
minority populations. In fact, minority populations continue to 
experience disproportionate rates of disease, morbidity, and mortality. 
Numerous studies have proven that race and ethnicity correlate with 
persistent, and often increasing, health disparities among U.S. 
populations. These alarming disparities deserve our focused attention 
and call for action.
  The passage of the Health Care Fairness Act would, for the first 
time, focus research and attention to health disparities such as those 
that exist in Guam, with the creation of a National Center on Minority 
Health and Health Disparities within the National Institutes of Health 
to conduct research on minority health problems and commission the 
National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study of the 
data collection systems and practices of the Department of Health and 
Human Services. S. 1880 would also establish pilot projects in medical 
schools to develop educational tools that will reduce racial and ethnic 
health disparities. These improvements will increase our knowledge to 
the nature and causes of these disparities, as well as improve the 
quality and outcomes of health care services to minority and 
underserved populations.
  As the Chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus 
and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I am keenly aware of 
the health care needs of minority communities. Particular needs 
regarding language and cultural competency are often not being met in 
our public health centers and hospitals.
  On the island of Guam, Chamorros, who are the indigenous population, 
and other Asian and Pacific Islander groups represent a large majority 
of the 150,000 population. With an island largely comprised of minority 
populations, it is challenging to meet specific health needs of our 
diverse community with the limited resources that are currently 
available. In the case of Chamorros, diabetes affects Chamorros at five 
times the national average and infant mortality rates are more than 
double the national average. Chamorros also suffer from higher than 
average rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Lytico-Bodig, a 
disease endemic to Guam, which is a combination of Parkinsonian 
dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The case of mental illness 
is also a great concern to Guam residents with rising incidences of 
attempted and completed suicides.
  The overall Asian Pacific American population is often mislabeled as 
the ``model minority'' with few health or social problems. This is a 
huge misnomer as emerging data reveals significant health disparities 
and barriers to health care and social service access exist within 
Asian Pacific American communities. As a group, Asian Pacific Americans 
experience the highest incidences of tuberculosis. Particular Asian 
Pacific Americans sub-population groups experience diabetes, hepatitis 
B, cervical cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, 
and mental illness at alarming rates. Recognizing the challenges 
presented by the great diversity of Asian Pacific Americans and other 
minority populations is key to addressing the health care needs of all 
Americans.
  The Asian Pacific American population includes indigenous and 
immigrant populations, which comprises 10.4 million Americans or 
approximately 5 percent of the U.S. population. Asian Pacific Americans 
represent the fastest growing and most diverse racial and ethnic group 
in the U.S. with more than 30 different sub-populations and are 
expected to reach 10 percent of the U.S. population by 2050. 
Approximately 20 percent of Asian Pacific Americans are currently 
uninsured.
  It is clear that the face of America is becoming increasingly diverse 
as its minority populations continue to grow. And as our minority 
populations increase, so does the complexity of our health needs. 
Therefore, I urge your support of S. 1880, the Health Care Fairness 
Act, to develop programs and comprehensive strategies to address the 
health disparities among ethnic and minority groups. This bill 
represents a comprehensive bi-partisan effort to address the inequities 
in health care for all Americans.

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