[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1078-E1079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         REINTRODUCTION OF THE HISPANIC HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2003

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to reintroduce the 
Hispanic Health Improvement Act along with my lead cosponsor 
Congresswoman Hilda Solis. This legislation is a comprehensive bill 
aimed at improving Hispanic health in the United States.
  As the fastest growing population in the U.S., Hispanics now comprise 
close to 13 percent of the total population. Yet, they continue

[[Page E1079]]

to face numerous challenges in accessing quality care. Hispanics make 
up 23 percent of the total uninsured population. According to a report 
by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, nearly 37 
percent of Hispanics under the age of 64 are uninsured. Sadly, 31 
percent of Hispanic children are uninsured.
  Access to affordable, quality health care is a challenge--this 
includes economic challenges, language barriers, cultural differences, 
citizenship status, even location plays a key role. And we know that it 
has a direct relation to health disparities. Hispanics continue to 
suffer disproportionately from chronic and infectious diseases such as 
diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.
  We need targeted public policy changes to reverse these trends in 
both the short-term and the long-term. I believe we can do so by 
greatly expanding insurance and other coverage, by addressing specific 
diseases that disproportionately impact the Hispanic community (and 
other communities of color), and by making institutional changes in our 
health professions and training so that more doctors are sensitive to 
the particular needs of the Hispanic community.
  The Hispanic Health Improvement Act offers a variety of different 
strategies for expanding health care coverage, improving access and 
affordability, reducing health disparities and strengthening our 
nation's health care workforce. While I consider each provision in our 
bill to be important, I am just going to highlight some of the more 
urgent ones.
  In order to address the lack of health care coverage, we examined 
ways to expand existing programs like SCHIP and Medicaid. While this is 
not a new idea, it will have an enormous impact on the Hispanic 
population. The legislation provides for the expansion of the 
successful State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover 
uninsured low-income pregnant women and parents. In addition, it 
provides states the option to enroll legal immigrant pregnant women and 
children in Medicaid or SCHIP, and other individuals based on need.
  The bill also provides for a number of measures to reduce health 
disparities. First and foremost, it requires an annual report to 
Congress on how federal programs are responding to improve the health 
status of Hispanic individuals with respect to diabetes, cancer, 
asthma, HIV infection, AIDS, substance abuse, and mental health. 
Increased funds are provided for targeted diabetes prevention, 
education, school-based programs, and screening activities in the 
Hispanic community. Similarly, the bill provide for targeted funding 
for programs aimed at the prevention of suicides among Hispanic girls.

  Access and affordability are key components to improving Hispanic's 
health care status. The bill provides for grants to expand dental 
services in medically underserved areas. Provisions are included to 
support promotoras, or community health workers, who work to improve 
the health of women and families. A special emphasis is placed on 
border health by authorizing $200 million to improve health and 
infrastructure along the U.S.-Mexico border. Communities along the 
border often experience health care provider shortages making them 
medically underserved areas.
  The last title of the Hispanic Health Improvement Act focuses on the 
reduction of health care disparities by addressing the lack of 
providers who can provide culturally competent and linguistically 
appropriate care. The bill provides for increased funding for HRSA's 
health professions diversity programs. It also seeks to promote the 
training of bilingual health professionals and creates a Center for 
Linguistic and Cultural Competence in Health Care within OMH. The 
Center would carry out programs that promote and facilitate the 
provision of health-related services, education, and training in a 
culturally competent manner.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support and cosponsor the 
Hispanic Health Improvement Act. As the Hispanic community continues to 
grow, the implementation of these provisions will take on an even 
greater importance. The consequences of inaction will be felt for years 
to come in greater health care needs, lower productivity, and higher 
rates of mortality and disability.

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