Coalition: Health reform should address health disparities

More than 20 national organizations Monday urged the president and Congress to address the health disparities gap for racial and ethnic minorities as part of comprehensive health reform. Among other priorities, the group said health reform should improve incentives, resources and data collection to eliminate disparities in care for minority populations; increase the number of nurses, doctors, dentists, mental health practitioners and other caregivers in minority and underserved communities; and provide coverage and access to care for all, resources to address the factors that contribute to the disparities gap, and training to help health care providers deliver culturally competent care. The cited priorities grew out of the AHA Special Advisory Group on Improving Hospital Care for Minorities. “Every day, hospitals care for increasingly diverse communities and patients,” said AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock. “Finding ways to eliminate the gaps in access to care and quality of care for minorities is a key component to health care reform and we’re pleased to help lead this important discussion.”