[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 50 (Friday, April 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL MINORITY CANCER AWARENESS WEEK

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                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2005

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate National 
Minority Cancer Awareness Week, which is taking place this week, April 
17 to 23, 2005.
  Despite remarkable advances in cancer research, prevention, and 
treatment, minority groups disproportionately fall victim to cancer. In 
honor of this year's National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, we must 
make a strong commitment to support public health programs dedicated 
not only to improving awareness in communities of color but to finding 
a cure for cancer and guaranteeing access to quality health care.
  Minority populations have higher chances of developing life-
threatening diseases like cancer, and poorer chances of early 
diagnosis, optimal treatment, and survival. Minorities face significant 
barriers to accessing health care, including the lack of adequate 
health insurance; unequal access to research, clinical trials, and 
treatment; and cultural and linguistic barriers. This unequal treatment 
is an unacceptable form of discrimination. We must eliminate health 
disparities affecting minorities by breaking down the barriers to 
access to quality health care.
  Minority health disparities affect all Americans. While minorities 
make up only about one-third of the U.S. population, they represent 
more than half of uninsured Americans. According to the Agency for 
Healthcare Research and Quality, by the year 2050 nearly 1 in 2 
Americans will be a member of a racial or ethnic minority. It is 
critical that we act now to eliminate health disparities and to reduce 
the number of uninsured Americans. The cost of inaction will mean more 
preventable illnesses and deaths, higher health care costs, and lost 
productivity.
  As we recognize National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, I hope that 
we will also work to expand public outreach and education efforts, 
accelerate medical research, and strengthen Medicaid and other public 
health programs.
  Finally, we must also make a commitment to provide access to 
affordable, comprehensive and quality health care for all Americans, 
regardless of their race, gender, income or geographic location. As the 
only industrialized nation in the world that does not guarantee access 
to health care as a right, it is time for a change.

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