222102 Where do we go from here? Maximizing the potential of health care reform to reduce racial and ethnic disparities

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Dennis P. Andrulis, PhD, MPH , Director, Center for Health Equality Associate Dean of Research, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
Nadia J. Siddiqui, MPH , Center for Health Equality, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Jonathan Purtle, MPH, MSc , Department of Health Management & Policy, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
Health care reform bills passed by both the House and Senate demonstrate a commitment from legislators to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care through federal policies. In addition to broad health insurance market reforms which have been the focal point of the health care debate, both bills contain a number of less publicized provisions that explicitly target the health care needs of racial/ethnic minorities—such as those addressing data collection requirements, workforce diversity initiatives, and cultural competence education. While the enactment of health care reform remains uncertain, the inclusion of these provisions in final versions of House and Senate bills suggest that such actions are Congressional and Administrative priorities likely to play an important role in guiding support for research, services and policy for future years.

With support from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, we have examined peer-reviewed literature, major reports, legislative summaries and text to conduct systematic analyses of the potential implications of House and Senate health care reform bills for racial/ethnic minorities. To our knowledge, our analyses are the most comprehensive assessments of health care reform bills with a focus on impacts specific to racial/ethnic minorities.

This presentation will provide attendees with an in-depth understanding of the implications of health care reform legislation for racial/ethnic minorities, with a focus on provisions explicitly addressing their needs. Attendees will obtain a knowledge base to fully take advantage of new programs and funding opportunities and advocate for implementation where legislative efforts fall short.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the implications of health care reform for reducing racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care. 2. Describe provisions in final Congressional determinations that explicitly focus on the needs of racial/ethnic minorities, the current legislative status of these provisions, and their implications for reducing racial/ethnic health disparities. 3. Discuss strategies for maximizing the potential of minority-specific provisions put forth by Congressional leaders and the Administration.

Keywords: Health Care Reform, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Principle Investigator of the project supported by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. I am also Direct of the Center for Health Equality and Associate Dean for Research at the Drexel University School of Public Health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.