Transcripts For CSPAN2 Lawmakers 20240702 : vimarsana.com

CSPAN2 Lawmakers July 2, 2024

This is just under two hours. Cooks healthcare issues that must be addressed. First, the major need for more black latino native american and secondly the alarming rate of Maternal Deaths in america thats disproportionately impacting black latino native american women. They are in the midst of a Healthcare System that in my view is largely broken and dysfunctional. Where we spent almost twice as much per capita on healthcare as the people in any other country. A 5 million americans today are uninsured or underinsured. We dont have enough doctors, nurses, Mental Health specialist, or pharmacist we have another crisis on top of all of that. That is, that problem lack of medical personnel is extremely, especially acute in latino and native american commutes which is the subject of the hearing today. Despite making up almost 14 of our population just 5 of all doctors in our country are black. Less than 4 of all dentists to default nurses in america are africanamerican. Despite making up over 19 of our population just 6 makes up 1. 3 just three tens of 1 about in our country why is this an important issue that weve got to address . Native american doctors their Health Outcomes substantially improve. Theyre more likely to prevent preventative services. They are more likely to live longer and happier lives. In my view it is unacceptable that Life Expectancy on average. Rate which is low in American General is about five years lower for black americans and 11 years lower than native americans for. Black americans are more likely to die of Heart Disease in the highest rates of cancer of any group in america. Its unacceptable black americans are more than we are doing with right now. Major epidemic in america, twice assigned black community and White Community but one of the most alarming and Troubling Health disparities in america is the Maternal Mortality rate. The other major focus will be talking about in the highest infant mortality rate facts the Maternal Mortality rate is 19 times higher than norway. Four times are than france appeared incredibly according to the cdc women in america are twice as likely to die from childbirth than their mothers. And, as bad as the crisis is, it is much much worse for black women and infants for it America Today black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications and their white counterparts. The crisis is also getting significantly worse for latino women. Fertility rates skyrocketed by 44 in just one year. Maine wont black infants it america almost four times more likely to die from complications due to low birth weight. The question then becomes given that reality what we can do about it . How are we going to address what is obviously a major healthcare crisis in america . That is what we will be discussing this morning. Just a few things i think weve got to do but when she substantially increase the class sizes of historically black colleges and universities. We need to pass the black maternal act introduced by senator booker. Senator beutler will be talked about that today. We need to substantially increase funding for women, infant, Childrens Program privilege substantial increase funding for Health Services or in my view we need to cancel student debt make all public and College Universities tuition free people of all regardless of background income will get the education they need include going to medical school for the good news is make tuition free is a growing idea. In fact fort medical schools in america including the New York University school of medicine are currently tuition free while five others have made tuition temporarily free or offering free tuition to workingclass students. So, we have a lot to talk about today. I look forward to a serious discussion about a serious issue. I thank our panelists who are here with us. Thank you chair at sanders for this guy received shortage of positions other healthcare workers extensively. Shortages or deliver healthcare in all communities. Home state of louisiana projected to have the third wart shortage of the state by 2030. We need more doctors appear particularly in the underserved areas lacking sufficient healthcare resources. My practice is a position was for 25 years on a hospital serving the uninsured and poorly insured which is to state medicaid. This is something i spent my professional life attempting to address. Underrepresented in the healthcaresystem. For example africanamerican account for only 8 of all physicians despite comprising 13. 6 of the population. Now, if youre listening carefully you will note my statistics are different than the chairs. His is 5 . Minus 8 paid my data in the area of medical colleges 2019 data. I am using bureau of labor statistics which is 2022 data. That is important. 2019, 2022. Government data a little more uptodate, little more valid. Maybe there is progress being made. As we look at something which needs to be addressed we can also say if we have gone from five 8 there may be progress being made and that is a good thing. But it is interesting to note this disparities that felt across all minorities. Agent doctors account for 22 of all physicians but are only 6. 8 of the population. This is an important nuance as we address the situation. It is also important to note is the chair notes we have a limited number of residency slots to train doctors. These residency positions are not allocated or disbursed to reflect where underserved communities are. Unfortunate this topic is under finance jurisdiction. But it is an important context and needs to be considered in any conversation about addressing Healthcare Workforce shortage. It is a truism practice within work she or he does the residency. At the residency spot is not in an underserved area is not going to be within the 100 miles. Access to opportunity is crucial. I want to highlight, brag on Xavier University in my state of louisiana this week they announced an agreement with oxnard health to open a medical school in new orleans at xavier but many of the doctors trained in xavier which is not a Traditional Mission to serve the underserved and provides opportunity for minorities. They will stay in louisiana go elsewhere to serve the population. I am proud of xavier look forward to continuing to support their effort. As a doctor i am so aware and desire to support those nurses who have claimed the career ladder by building credentials over time through upscaling. Despite benefiting the individual it benefits the capabilities of the workforce. It also benefits their family as their child sees the impact of the mother or father seeking through education and delayed gratification greater opportunity that results in more prosperity. There is a woman i worked with name all lived he would permit nurses assistant to lpn to an rn, to a nurse manager. The clinic she was formerly the na and being the manager of. Incredible story will have someone with a similar story. Doctor jonas will tell us how she has done that in her career. That is something we need to think how to enable bird we should also look at other challenges to ensure our Healthcare System meet the need of all. Especially underserved. Making sure patients from all walks of life can participate in Clinical Trials. Which often times gives the most advanced treatment to those who have the most advanced disease. And, as i mentioned for my career making sure all have high quality medical treatment is something i am passionate about. One of her Witnesses Today will tell us how he is trying to address these issues in his community. The committee will also discuss Maternal Mortality per topic incredibly important that its been a priority of mine in congress. It is important to acknowledge it disproportionately affects african americans. As a doctor worked in Louisiana Charity Hospital System i note this community for my practice i note in this community is at high risk. Thats when please have u. S. Representative doctor Michael Burgess testified by ob gyn who stated many nights delivering medical care to pregnant moms and their babies in an underserved population of dallas. Now that legislator is a leader in addressing Racial Disparities in healthcare its been an honor to work with him on legislation specifically tackling Maternal Mortality. We are unaware we were having a members of Congress Panel until sunday so we greatly appreciate him joining us on short notice when they were adjourned at last night for his participation helps makes clear congress understands the severity of the issue and is working to address. Im also proud to have led several bipartisan legislative efforts to improve Maternal Mortality reduce healthcare disparities. In 2022 Congress Passed the Maternal Health Quality Improvement act which helps address Maternal Mortality particulates that disparaging with an african americans. It supports Research Examining the best practices to reduce and prevent Racial Discrimination in the american Healthcare System. The same year Congress Passed my legislation john lewis at National Institute of minority Health Disparities Research Endowment revitalization act, its a mouthful but a good piece of legislation provided funding to institutions including the savior to conduct research and address minority Health Disparities. Last year end this committee we passed preventing Maternal Deaths reauthorization act. The legislation led in the house by doctor burgess the bill directs cdc to provide hospitals and other providers information on best practices to prevent Maternal Mortality. This is not yet become law we are pushing for passage with congress. All this shows bipartisan commitment to address the Health Disparities among online Monitoring Systems center in beutlers about to promote or demote you which i introduced with the senator of New Hampshire in this committee promotes medicaid coverage Remote Monitoring technologies for those who are pregnant at higher risk of complications. The need for moms and underserved rural areas of travel sometimes hours on Public Transportation to a Doctors Office could be a major impediment to care. This legislation allows a physician to remotely monitor her health watching for indicators crucial healthcare for moms and Maternal Deaths. On how we can continue to make progress in how we address these important issues. The senator from california opportunities for students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds of the health profession. She is also a strong advocate for reducing Maternal Health disparaging in the black Maternal Health Crisis Center beutler thank you for being here. Rex thank you chairman sanders. And Ranking Member at cassidy for the hearing today. Thank you to other members of the committee for joining your leadership on this issue is demonstrable. Thank you for having me. Its an honor truly to sit before todays committee to bring added amplification to the lack of diversity within our nations Healthcare System you both have outlined so clearly. In addition the worsening Maternal Health crisis. Before i begin my testimony i would like to acknowledge those leaders who have been champing this issue prior to my arrival in the United States senate. It is leaders like representative lauren underwood. Our colleague senator booker who introduced black maternal omnibus in the Senate Representative adams for their leadership and developing black Maternal Health caucus. And the leadership. I also cannot sit here Vice President harris who introduced the first version while serving in the senate. She continues to lead the Biden Harris Administration effort to improve maternal Health Outcomes. These are champions i am proud to stand alongside. Want to take a brief moment to highlight was a witness in todays hearing. Let resident of california. One of my constituents. He is a Board Certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Specializing in pediatric hand surgery in valid Childrens Hospital in california pretty cocreated National Latino physician day to bring attention to the fact that while latinos make up 19 of the population, they account for only six 7 of the Physician Workforce. Thank you for being here today. Our Healthcare System and the state of Maternal Health in this country is at an Inflection Point that requires the urgent attention of this committee. The numbers should alarm all of us. The United States has the highest rate of Maternal Mortality among high income nations. Within recent years thousands of womens have a loss of their lives due to pregnancy related causes. Over the past decade, the birthrate in this country has declined by roughly 20 , Maternal Mortality rates have steadily risen. The crisis is exacerbated in committees grappling with the lack of access to central Maternal Health care according to a report produced by the march of dimes one third of counties in the United States are considered Maternity Care deserts. There are no hospitals no obstetric providers. Think about that. Imagine your loved and preparing to give birth to bring new life into your family and having no choice but to drive hours away from home to seek the care they need. We know from that research on the numbers this a crisis has not been felt equally among a black and native indigenous Maternal Mortality rates are twr compared to those. Two four times higher on black and native american women more likely to die. In a pregnant sleep related deaths. Black and brown communities experience highest rates of mortality and morbidity populations also remain historically underrepresented within the healthcare field. While an estimated 13 of our countrys population identifies as black, only about 5 are physicians in the United States are black. Research suggests under the care of black physicians the mortality rate decreases. By over 50 . Which is why i applaud and urge the committee both through the Healthcare Workforce but use every tool to ensure that workforce is diverse and equipped to provide unbiased culturally competent care. Only then can we begin to change the course of our nation current Healthcare System. We know this must not mean focusing exclusively but families, mothers and babies this means do listen nurse midwives, nutritionists and the full spectrum of Reproductive Health care professionals. Health, wellbeing and birthing experience. Have competence of care team can make a world of difference for families. I saw firsthand how to do lives integrate into their overall Maternal Health care model to ensure birthing mothers receive the highest quality, most competence of care. The leadership of doctor elaine batchelors made a significant difference for even as we have existing models we consider other proposed solutions to this crisis i implore this committee to advance the black maternal act led by senator booker. It is comprised 13 individual bills that would come about the black Maternal Health crisis make historic investments to address comprehensively every driver of Matern

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