Endocrine Insider
October 1, 2008 

On September 26, 2008 The Endocrine Society presented its recommendations to the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Health Braintrust on measures to increase the participation of racial and ethnic minorities in clinical research.  A Society Task Force led by Maria Alexander-Bridges, MD PhD, former member of the Government Relations Committee, developed detailed recommendations in the Society's white paper "Increasing Minority Participation in Clinical Research."

The CBC Health Braintrust, chaired by Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen (D-VI), has worked tirelessly and collaboratively in Congress to improve the health of minorities in the US.  For example, the CBC, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus—collectively known as the Tri-Caucus—strongly support the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2007 (HR 3014).  The bill, introduced in July 2007 by Representative Hilda Solis (D-CA), chair of the CHC Task Force on Health and the Environment, contains many provisions for improving health disparities.  The legislation has 114 co-sponsors. 

Dr. Alexander-Bridges built upon discussions of the day and highlighted some of the Society's recommendations to Congresswoman Christensen during the CBC Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The Society's recommendations are largely in line with provisions in HR 3014, and Dr. Alexander-Bridges expressed support for the bill's intent.  Additionally, Dr. Alexander-Bridges presented some of the Society's novel recommendations that are not included in the bill but are complementary to approaches in the legislation.  Rep. Christensen indicated her appreciation of the Society's work and of Dr. Alexander-Bridges' remarks and invited the Society to come to her office and discuss the recommendations.

Though HR 3014 is unlikely to move in the current Congress, the CBC and Congresswoman Christensen are committed to the bill's progress in the next Congress and to reducing health disparities through all means available.  The Society will continue to work with legislators to advance important legislation to alleviate health disparities across the nation.