[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 167 (Tuesday, November 18, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H11504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       ON THE HEALTH CARE EQUALITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2003

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the backdrop of just 
returning from Iraq and seeing the challenges of our soldiers, might I 
offer to their families and those who lost their lives in the Black 
Hawk incident of just about 3 days ago my deepest sympathy.
  I rise today because I am very proud to be joining with my colleagues 
in the offering of the Health Care Equality and Accountability Act of 
2003, I believe one of the singular legislative initiatives of this 
century. I congratulate the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), 
chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; the gentlewoman from the 
Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen), chair of the Congressional Black 
Caucus Health Brain Trust; House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi; Senate 
Democratic leader Tom Daschle; Senator Edward Kennedy; as well as 
leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Rodriguez); Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus; and the 
Native American Caucus. This has been a tremendous coming together 
recognizing the need for curing disparity in health care in America.
  I am very proud that this bill improves the diversity of our health 
workforce, improves data collection on health disparities, and helps to 
reduce the disparities by promoting accountability and strengthening 
the institutions that serve minority communities.
  I am glad to have been the author of two particular pieces of this 
legislation, one that will create the Center for Cultural and 
Linguistic Competence in Health Care so that individuals who speak a 
different language, who have a different culture will be able to be 
treated by those health professionals who understand; and a piece to be 
able to give visas to those who will come and to treat those in the 
inner city areas and rural communities.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a great bill. I hope my colleagues on both sides 
of the aisle will help to see this bill passed immediately to save 
lives here and abroad.
  Mr. Speaker, across this great Nation the health disparities between 
minority and majority populations are staggering. As the economy 
continues to falter and as the unemployment rate spikes, millions of 
Americans are losing their health insurance. That state of affairs will 
only make the health disparities worse. Therefore, the introduction and 
movement of this legislation is imperative.
  I commend my colleagues: Representatives Elijah E. Cummings, chair of 
the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Delegate Donna Christensen, chair 
of the CBC Health Braintrust, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, 
Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, and Senator Edward Kennedy, as 
well as Leaders from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the 
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and the Native American 
Caucus. This has been a tremendous effort, and has truly resulted in a 
landmark piece of legislation.
  This bill will expand health coverage, improve the diversity of our 
health workforce, improve data collection on health disparities and 
then help reduce those disparities by promoting accountability and 
strengthening the institutions that serve minority communities. Truly, 
this bill represents years of intense thought and discussion, and 9 
months of hard work on both the House and Senate sides. It is the 
comprehensive approach that this important issue deserves. The 
Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act is a solid foundation upon 
which we can build a strong healthcare system that will bring quality 
affordable healthcare to all Americans.
  I am also pleased to be the author of two pieces in this landmark 
legislation. First, this act will create the Center for Cultural and 
Linguistic Competence in Health Care. Too often, even people who can 
afford to pay for quality care receive second-rate services because 
healthcare providers cannot speak their language or relate to their 
cultural health backgrounds. Good medicine is more than dispensing 
pills; it is about communication and an understanding relationship 
between doctor and patient. The center will help foster that kind of 
relationship.
  Also, drawing on my expertise as ranking member on the House 
Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims, I was gratified to contribute a 
piece that will provide appropriate visas for healthcare providers to 
come to the U.S. to work in underserved areas as needed.
  It is a misconception that minority health care is just about helping 
minorities. Keeping Americans healthy ensures that children can stay in 
school and that their parents can go to work. It ensures that our 
emergency rooms are not glutted. It ensures that our hospitals are not 
wasting time and money chasing the uninsured with massive bills they 
cannot afford to pay anyway. Keeping Americans healthy ensures that all 
of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones can have longer, more 
productive lives to contribute to our communities and to our economy.
  We all pay the cost of leaving people in America without health 
coverage. We cannot afford to pay that high cost any longer. The time 
for health equality is now.

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