Frist, Landrieu Unveil Health Disparities Bill (2/12/04)
Frist, Landrieu Unveil Health Disparities Bill
(2/12/04)
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Thad Cochran (R-Miss) and Mike Dewine (R-OH) introduced comprehensive legislation to reduce and eliminate health disparities for racial and ethnic minorities and other underserved populations.
On average, African Americans and American Indians/Alaska Natives have higher overall rates of death than any other racial or ethnic group. American Indians/Alaska Natives, African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to report poor health. Infant mortality rates, which are one of the most sensitive indicators of health and well being of a population, are significantly higher in African Americans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives.
The "Closing the Health Care Gap Act" builds on successful legislation authored by Frist and others, the "Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Education Act," which was signed into law in November of 2000. This new legislation aims to further reduce and eliminate health disparities in racial, ethnic and other underserved populations.
Read complete press release at http://frist.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.
Detail&PressRelease_id=1572&Month=2&Year=2004