Kerry and Congressional Black Caucus recognize Health Disparities Commission achievements - 07/17/2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 17, 2006 Contact: Daniel Delaney
617-722-2130
BOSTON – State Rep. Peter Koutoujian co-chair of the Commission to Eliminate Health Disparities Among Ethnic and Racial Minorities accepted the Congressional Black Caucus’ Spring Health Braintrust Leadership Award on behalf of the Commission from Senator John F. Kerry.
This past spring, Senator Kerry nominated the Commission for the groundbreaking work members are doing to tackle the issue of ending racial and ethnic health disparities in a comprehensive way. Chairman Koutoujian, who also serves as the House Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Health, said “when I first heard that Senator Kerry nominated us, it really put our work in perspective. Sen. Kerry is aware of so many groups worthy of such distinction; his nomination reinforces and reinvigorates our momentum.”
The 30-member commission includes doctors, public health officials, lawmakers and community advocates and others health care experts. The Massachusetts Legislature created the Commission in 2004 and tasked it with making statutory and regulatory recommendations to facilitate the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities.
After holding various hearings and gathering testimony, the Commission has synthesized recommendations which aim at stopping the well documented reality of health care disparities among people of color. The report, which is scheduled for release this summer, focuses on four issue areas: Workforce Diversity, Access to Care, Health Care Delivery System and Social Context.
“Given the recognition we have received from the Congressional Black Caucus and Senator Kerry, I have no doubt that our work will be applicable beyond Massachusetts and serve as a positive model throughout our vast and diverse country,” said Koutoujian.
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