Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, senior member of the Florida Congressional Delegation, is proud to have cosponsored “The Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2007” that will help eliminate health disparities that leave millions of Americans in poorer health and more likely to die prematurely during their most productive life years.
This legislation will bolster efforts to remove language and cultural barriers to healthcare. The bill will help patients from diverse backgrounds, including those with limited English proficiency by assisting health care professionals in providing cultural and language services. Increasing the number minority health care providers will improve access to care because these providers are more likely to serve low-income, uninsured, and racial and ethnic minority patients. In addition, the bill will provide grants to launch cancer prevention demonstration projects, promote positive health behaviors among women and ensure that low-income individuals can ensure access to health care for their children. Said Ros-Lehtinen, “I am pleased to cosponsor this legislation that helps to provide better health care services to our community. We must work together in order to bring down language barriers that are afflicting our constituents in order for them to receive the best care possible. This legislation will help us address the concerns of the growing numbers of uninsured patients and reduce health disparities in low-income, minority, homeless communities in South Florida. I urge my colleagues to join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.”
