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Minority Lawmakers Want
Bill to Close Health Gaps
By BEN EVANS
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON
(AP) -- Black, Latino and Asian lawmakers warned Democratic leaders that
any health care overhaul that ignores health gaps between whites and
minorities will face stiff opposition.
The lawmakers said they
would be hard-pressed to support a bill without a new program providing
access to health care for all Americans.
"The public health option
has to be there," Rep. Mike Honda, a California Democrat who chairs the
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said at a news conference.
"If we don't have a public option, there's no discussion."
Republicans are resisting a
government health insurance program that would compete with private
insurance companies, arguing that the companies would be put at a
competitive disadvantage.
Members of the Asian caucus, along with the Congressional Black Caucus
and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said they plan to introduce
legislation this week that includes their wish list for broadening
health care overhaul beyond various plans floated in the House and
Senate. The three minority caucuses have a total of 91 members, most of
them Democrats and enough to help shape the final legislation.
Citing federal research showing higher rates of cancer, diabetes, heart
disease and infant mortality among minorities, they said they would seek
more funds for community health centers that provide care in poor
neighborhoods.
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