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THE CONGRESS: WHATS AT STAKE?

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Clean air, water and more than just insurance!


Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen NEJC - 2012
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THE MOST ANTI ENVIRONMENT CONGRESS IN HISTORY (LCV)


The House Republican assault on the environment has been reckless and relentless, said Rep. Waxman. In bill after bill, for one industry after another, the House has been voting to

roll back environmental laws and endanger public health. The Republican
anti-environment agenda is completely out-oftouch with what the American public wants.

-Congressman Henry Waxman, Ranking Member, House E&C Committee


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House Passed 2013 Budget on Environmental Issues


The Ryan Budget- An Attack on Clean Air, Clean Water and Americas Treasured landscapes NWF 2013 Ryan Republican Budget likes clean energy even less than 2012 version - NRDC
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Examples of Potential Impact of House Passed 2013 Budget


Cut as much as 19% in DOEs Clean energy programs Within the Department of Energy (DOE), the budget trims $3 billion for civilian DOE programs, which include funding for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Cut of $456 million to investments in public health and the environment under EPA (possibly as much as $1.6 billion)
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In the Congress, the Republican leadership, including Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and House minority leader John Boehner of Ohio, continue to inveigh against healthcare reform.

We've fought on behalf of the American people this week, and we'll continue to fight until this bill is repealed...
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Laws that were Enacted that Undermine ACA Provisions:

H.R. 3060 (Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012): Cuts $6.25 Billion out of the Prevention and Public Health Fund between FY2013 to FY 2021. H.R. 1217: This bill REPEALS the Fund altogether and rescinds all unobligated funds for the Prevention and Public Health Fund.
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1. H.R. 1: Full-Year Appropriations Act, 2011.


Cuts $2.2 billion (of the $6 billion) Repealed free choice voucher program Prohibits transfer of funds to pay for the new U.S. Public Health Sciences Track

2. H.R. 1173: Repeals the CLASS Act (the


Community Living Assistance Services and Support program).
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1. H.R. 1216: Threatens funding for Graduate Medical Education in Qualified Teaching Health Centers
2. H.R. 1214: Repeals mandatory funding for School-Based Health Center Construction (-$200 Million) 3. H.R. 1213: Repeals Funding for the Public Health Exchanges.
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in 2011

4. H.R. 4: Repeals all health reform measures that would be paid through taxes. 5. H. Res. 9: Instructs certain committees to report legislation replacing ACA.

6. H.R. 2: Repeals the Affordable Care Act. 7. H.R. 5: Repeals the Independent Payment Advisory Board

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House Passed 2013 Budget on Health Care


Repeals the Affordable Care Act
Ends Medicare guarantee and raises costs for seniors and people with disabilities

Turns Medicaid into a block grant jeopardizing access to health care and long term care
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Minorities have benefitted from ACA Already


Extended coverage to 26 year olds:
410,00 African Americans 736,000 Latino Americans 97,000 Asian Americans 29,000 American Indians/Alaskan Natives

Free preventive Care under Medicare:


2.4million African Americans More than 500,000 Latino Americans More than 500,000 Asian Americans
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CBC / TRICAUCUS APPROACH TO HEALTHCARE REFORM Insurance is not enough Health equity must be a core goal Provisions must address health at community level broadly
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PPACA Promotes Health Equity


Increases access, security and safety of health care Makes the elimination of discrimination and health disparities and key goals Creates a Public Health fund and programs

Invests in community based programs


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PPACA Promotes Health Equity


Improves cultural competency in health services and information Expands access to mental health, substance abuse and dental services Funds programs that increases training of underrepresented minorities in the health workforce Improves and expands data collection by race, ethnicity and certain socioeconomic factors

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PPACA Promotes Health Equity


Strengthens and expands Offices of Minority Health (and Womens Health) Elevates Center of Minority Health & Health Disparities to National Institute at NIH Requires a National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care including to eliminate health disparities Created a National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council
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The Congressional Black Caucus

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Health Disparities in the U.S. are the manifestations of all of societys other social inequalities.
Dr. Vicente Navarro
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ASSISTANT LEADER Transportation & Infrastructure 10 Oversight & Gov Reform 4 Energy & Commerce 4 Appropriations 5 Budget 4

CBC MEMBERS POSITIONS / COMMITTEES


Financial Services 10 Small Business 4 Agriculture 2 Foreign Affairs 3 Armed Services -2 Veterans affairs -2 Homeland security -7 Education and labor -1 Judiciary - 4
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Key Provisions of CBC alternative Budget


Unlike Republican Budget Protected social security, Medicare, SNAP, TANF, safety nets Increased Pell Grants Above the Presidents budget: invested additional $25 billion in education and job training Added $50 billion in transportation and infrastructure Added $12 billion in advanced research and development Added $10 billion for healthcare Created a Public health Insurance option Reduced deficit by additional $3.4 trillion Paid for with tax reform measures while extending middle class tax cuts 22

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2011 H.R. 2954


Title I:

Title II:

Title III: Title IV: Title V:

Data collection and reporting culturally and Linguistically Appropriate healthcare Health workforce Diversity Improvement of Healthcare Services Improving Health Outcomes for Women, Children and Families
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Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2011: H.R. 2954


Title VI: Mental Health Title VII: Addressing High Impact Minority Diseases Title VIII: Health Information Technology Title IX: Accountability and Evaluation Title X: Addressing Social determinants and Improving Environmental Justice
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OTHER CBC INITIATIVES


Out of Poverty Caucus / Resolution

The 10/20/30 Initiative


Jobs Creating Legislation / Tours

Voter protection efforts /tour Clergy outreach


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CLOSING THE GAP REPORT (2005)


Inequities within the health care system
and within larger social, environmental and economic structures persist not because of a dearth of solutions, but because of a failure of political will

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Thank you and please join us at the 2012 Spring CBC Health Braintrust on Tuesday, April 23-24, 2012 in Washington, DC.

This years theme is, Mobilizing to Protect Health Care Reform: Were Not Going Back!

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