Health Care Reform

Families USA has published Building Blocks of Health Reform: The Social Security Example, which discusses how the Social Security program started out modestly but grew over time, as well as its importance to minority seniors. (March 2010)
The Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum recently published two fact sheets, Health Care Reform: Likely Impact on the U.S. Territories and the Freely Associated States and Priorities in Health Care Reform for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities. The fact sheets discuss health reform's potential to address disparities in health coverage by providing access to affordable, high-quality health insurance. (January/February 2010)
The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Health Policy Institute, in partnership with the Drexel University School of Public Health Center for Health Equality and Health Management Associates, has examined the major health reform bills in the 111th Congress to assess how they address racial and ethnic health and health care inequities. Click here for the latest analysis. (October 2009)
The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Health Policy Institute hosted a breakfast briefing to discuss the implications of health reform legislation for racial and ethnic minorities, and released a preliminary analysis on the economic benefits of addressing health disparities. To view a webcast of the briefing, click here. (September 2009)
Families USA Analyzes the Latest Census Data: Health Coverage in Communities of Color: 2008 Census Numbers takes a closer look at the latest data and finds that communities of color continue to bear the brunt of the uninsured crisis. This fact sheet looks at who is uninsured, poverty levels of different racial and ethnic groups, and why public programs are vital to communities of color. (September 2009)
Reducing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Key Health Equity Provisions examines several measures in the health reform proposals that are before Congress that will address inequities in the health care system. (August 2009)
Dr. Brian Smedley appeared on the August 18 edition of NPR's "Tell Me More" program to discuss the inclusion of a public option in health reform and whether market-based solutions address problems in the health care system. Click here to listen to the interview. (August 2009)
Dr. Willarda Edwards, the president-elect of the National Medical Association, is part of a distinguished panel of experts that is offering their "policy prescriptions" for America's health care system in a new "Washington Post" column. Health Care Rx is an ongoing, online dialogue between experts on how to improve health in our nation. To read Dr. Edwards' commentary, click here. (August 2009)
Families USA’s Comparative Effectiveness Research: A Potential Tool for Reducing Health Care Disparities counters misinformation about comparative effectiveness research and outlines steps to take to make it more useful in the fight against health care disparities. (August 2009)
The Asian & Pacific Islander Health Forum has created an advocacy toolkit that is designed to help community members build support for quality, affordable health care that addresses the needs of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. The toolkit includes background materials on health reform, talking points, and sample letters to legislators. (July 2009)
Families USA’s The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA): Addressing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities examines four key provisions in the new law: investing in outreach, increasing access for legal immigrant children and pregnant women, increased funding for interpretation and translation services, and establishing new quality of care measures. It also includes action steps for advocates. (June 2009)
On June 23, 2009, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held its first day of legislative hearings on the health reform discussion draft by the chairs of the committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor. To view the hearing or read Dr. Smedley's testimony, click here.
The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Health Policy Institute joined leaders of the Congressional Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander Caucuses at the U.S. Capitol to announce legislation to address health disparities, the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009. Rep. Barbara Lee, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, cited comments from Dr. Brian Smedley on the importance of having comprehensive strategies to achieve equity in health care as part of health reform. Click here to view a webcast of the event, and click here to view the press release. (June 9, 2009)
During Getting to Universal Coverage and Access: A Congressional Briefing, co-sponsored by Families USA and the Congressional Tri-Caucus, key experts explored the importance of achieving universal coverage and access as a critical step toward health equity. See presentations by panelists and background materials. (May 27, 2009)
Families USA’s Health Care Reform: Critical to Closing the Gap for Communities of Color presents a more in-depth look at data on the uninsured, which reveal alarming racial and ethnic disparities in health coverage. These data supplement data from the organization's national report on the uninsured, Americans at Risk: One in Three Uninsured. (March 2009)
In a column published in the "Seattle Medium," Dr. Brian Smedley discusses the challenges facing the Obama Administration as it looks to tackle health care reform and devise the solutions that are needed to address the fundamental problems that lead to unequal health opportunities. To read Dr. Smedley's column, click here. (February 2009)

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