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U.S. Representatives Call for Universal Coverage at Minority-Health Conference

Dec. 4, 2008 — Minority-health experts from around the United States have gathered on St. Croix to address how minorities, low-income and rural residents can gain access to affordable, high-quality health care and prevent disabilities and premature deaths, with U.S. representatives Thursday calling for universal health care.
The second annual National Conference on Health Disparities is hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands' Caribbean Exploratory Research Center, the Medical University of South Carolina and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. The conference began Thursday with a reception at Fort Frederik and continues through Saturday at UVI.
"Reform must be made," said Rep. Barbara Lee of California, incoming chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. "It is outrageous — there are 47 million uninsured in the wealthiest country in the world."
Lee made the statement at a media conference held Thursday at the Buccaneer Resort.
"Health care is a right, not a privilege," said Congressman John Lewis of Georgia. "Universal, comprehensive health care must be available to all."
The conference, called "Improving Our Health, Improving Our Lives," features presentations by health-care professionals from across the country, policy makers at the local and federal level, national health-advocacy groups and community organizers working toward providing awareness and alternatives.
"This conference covers the full dimension of what is needed," said Delegate Donna M. Christensen. "Not just diseases, but education and change in the social and economic environment — all social determinants to bring about a better quality of life in general."
Christensen, a former family physician who serves as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, believes the dialogue will be crucial to coming up with a consensus as the 111th Congress forms when President-elect Barack Obama assumes leadership in January.
"We hope to develop a policy framework for the elimination of health disparities which will guide federal, state and local legislation, serving as a blueprint for the White House, state houses and mayoral offices as well as the private sector, unions and not-for profit initiatives," Christensen said.
Lee feels that more money is needed for health initiatives to reduce diseases such as HIV/AIDS, which is high in the Caribbean and African-American communities. The United States needs a strategy to develop a national plan to reduce, prevent and treat HIV, she said.
"The level of appropriations needs to be raised from $630 million to a couple billion," Lee said. "The government has spent $10 million an hour on the war and given tax cuts to people that didn't need them. We have to fight to make sure budget priorities are reordered to do what we need to do."
Christensen agreed that funds need to be increased drastically. She expressed hope that the 111th Congress will be able to accomplish their goals by taking steps that are the most effective and cost-efficient. Access to health care and universal coverage is a must, and the United States should make it a priority to increase the diversity of the health-care workforce, she said.
The conference will begin with an overview of health-disparity issues and conclude with recommendations for and by community advocates, business and political leaders for the best and most effective tools to eliminate health disparities. Speakers and panelists will provide historical context for the causes of health disparities and highlight initiatives that are making a difference. Some of the panel discussions will be on breast cancer, diabetes, violence against women and women's health, to name a few.
Participants will also discuss the work of V.I. organizations working to close the disparities gap, such as the American Cancer Society, V.I. Perinatal, the Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program, 10,000 Helpers and Minesterio Evangelistica of St. Thomas.
Organizers expect conference participants to leave St. Croix prepared and motivated to ensure that the elimination of health disparities is a central part of the nations health-care agenda.
For more information about the conference, click here.
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