While the debates continue as to whether or not the Affordable Care Act (ACA) should be implemented, a key component of health reform that is often overlooked includes health equity and the elimination of disparities in health status and healthcare among vulnerable populations.

The second session of the 112th Congress begins at a critical moment in our nation’s history. Nearly two straight years of private-sector job growth is encouraging news, but we still have a great deal of work to do.  

Sinsi Hernandez-Cancio, Director of Health Equity at FamiliesUSA, on the importance of Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security for communities of color at a Capitol Hill briefing titled "What's at Stake? Proposed Deficit Reduction Measures Affecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and the Impact on Communities of Color".

In the wake of health care reform, one of the key health equity issues that needs to be fully addressed is the collection and reporting of data on demographic variables for electronic health records (EHR), particularly for racial and ethnic minority groups. This is a critical issue because without comprehensive data, we are unable to accurately identify and track the disparities in health status and care among vulnerable populations.

California has been a powerful force in our 30 year fight against HIV.  The demands of early activists from this state played a central role in the U.S. government investing in AIDS research. It was the only way to save the many lives hanging in the balance.

This week, I stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow Democrats in Congress, fighting to extend unemployment benefits for nearly 2 million Americans and to preserve a payroll tax cut for the American worker.