Sen. John Kerry Joins Joint Center HPI in Launching Initiative to Reduce H

[Mass]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=54028

To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor

Contact: Gina Screen, 240-606-7757 or 301-218-1628 Or Michael K. Frisby, 202-625-4328

News Advisory:

SEN. JOHN KERRY JOINS JOINT CENTER HPI IN LAUNCHING INITIATIVE TO REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES

KATRINA VICTIMS UNDERSCORE NEED FOR STRONGER SOCIAL SAFETY NET; HPI MEDICAID STUDY CITES CONSEQUENCES IF CONGRESS CAPS BENEFITS; SEN. KERRY URGES NATION TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE FOR THE POOR

WHO:

-- Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass)

-- Former Ohio Rep. Louis Stokes, Chair of the HPI Advisory Committee

-- Former HHS Secretary Dr. Louis Sullivan

-- HPI Director Gail Christopher

WHAT:

The Joint Center Health Policy Institute (HPI) holds a press conference to announce a broad initiative to curtail health disparities in America by addressing the social and economic conditions that increase diseases among minorities, and were so evident among many low-income Gulf Coast residents in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The initiative, "PLACE MATTERS: Addressing the Root Causes of Health Disparities,'' has identified 100 counties in America with the largest numbers or concentration of minority populations where they will address economic, social, political and environmental inequalities that lead to poor health.

In one of the initiative's first steps, HPI will release today a study that examined the consequences if Congress caps Medicaid enrollment or spending. The study found that if Medicaid enrollment is capped the number of uninsured in the United States in 2004 would have increased by six million people -- up to 52 million Americans from the 46 million recently reported by the US Census Bureau. Moreover, the impact on African Americans would be devastating because Blacks have such a huge stake in the Medicaid program. The study found that 36 percent of low-income Black adults, 73 percent of Black children from low income families and 51 percent of all Black children under age six receive health benefits from Medicaid.

WHERE:

National Press Club, First Amendment Room, 529 14th St. NW, Washington, DC

WHEN: 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 27

SATELLITE FEED:

Package, B-Roll -Tuesday 2-2:15 ET

[TayTay]

1. ooohh, National Press club

that means there is a good chance C-Span will show video. (They show NPC stuff all the time.)

Nice. This is good work that ties in the long-time commitment to getting ehatlh care for all to the immediate needs of the victims of Katrina. Reall nice work.

[TayTay]

2. Oh, and Sen. Kerry is certainly

reaching out to address issues of importance to the minority communities in the US. This is about the 5th initiative he has had (or more) that specifically address the problems that will result from * Admin cutbacks.

I like this. Very much.

[Mass]

3. Sen. John Kerry Joins Joint Center HPI in Launching Initiative to Reduce R

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=54076

Sen. John Kerry Joins Joint Center HPI in Launching Initiative to Reduce Root Causes of Health Disparities for Minorities


....

Citing the poverty and health issues exposed by Katrina, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) said: "The real test of Katrina is whether we'll do only the immediate -- care for the victims and rebuild the city -- or if America as a country will be inspired to tackle the injustice that left so many of the least fortunate waiting and praying on those rooftops. Eleven million children and over 30 million adults in American don't have health care. The truth is that, as a result of Katrina, many children went to shelters where they got vaccinations for the first time. Thousands of adults are seeing a doctor for the first time in years. Illnesses lingering long before Katrina will be treated by a health care system that just weeks ago was indifferent. We have to act now to be sure it won't soon be indifferent again. We must demand something simple and humane: health care for every American -- not just when a disaster strikes, but every day of the year."

...