[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 94 (Tuesday, July 18, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H5286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS REGIONAL HEALTH FORUM

  (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the Congressional 
Hispanic Caucus Regional Health Forum that was held on July 7 in Los 
Angeles, California.
  The Hispanic Caucus and Congressmember John Conyers from the Black 
Caucus came together with over 200 community activists to find a new 
direction to battle health care disparities in disadvantaged 
communities.
  The new direction that we have adopted ensures quality health care 
that is accessible, affordable and culturally and linguistically 
appropriate.
  An accessible and culturally sensitive health care system is critical 
to addressing conditions that disproportionately impact communities of 
color like, for example, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, HIV and 
AIDS, and mental illness. All these chronic illnesses affect our 
communities.
  The new direction developed at the forum is one where community 
members, providers and policymakers at the local, State and Federal 
levels come together to collaborate to end health care disparities; and 
we plan for solutions in the next upcoming congressional session.
  We came together with the Hispanic Caucus at this forum in Los 
Angeles, and we will continue to take the show on the road throughout 
the country to ensure that all Americans have a healthier system of 
health care.

                          ____________________