[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 59 (Friday, April 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 26, 2013

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor 
of National Minority Health Month and I want to address a key issue of 
importance: raising awareness of the medical needs for minorities.
  National Minority Health Month aims to raise awareness about health 
disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minorities.
  It is important to recognize the need to raise awareness because our 
communities are often left out, finding quality and affordable health 
care is a real obstacle.
  This year's theme is Advance Health Equity Now: Uniting Our 
Communities to Bring Health Care Coverage to All, a common goal in 
improving the health for everyone in our communities.
  On that note, I wish to speak on the issue of home dialysis and those 
affected by this daily necessity.
  Home dialysis can be very beneficial for numerous reasons--it can 
help patients live a more full and independent life. It can also be 
more cost-effective and by staying at home, it relieves constraints on 
an already small health care workforce.
  However, the reality is that most people who begin dialysis in the 
U.S. are treated in dialysis centers.
  3.3 percent of non-Hispanic patients receive this amenity but only 
1.7 percent of Hispanic patients receive this treatment.
  Furthermore, African-American dialysis patients are approximately 20 
percent less likely than average to receive home dialysis and Hispanic 
dialysis patients are 37 percent less likely to be receiving this home 
treatment.
  In my home-state of California alone, almost 38,000 people are on 
dialysis, with only 2.1% of people receiving home dialysis on a daily 
basis.
  That is why I would like to raise today and promote awareness of the 
disparities that minority communities face, with the goal of improving 
the care for all of those in need.

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