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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | ||||
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| REMARKS BY: | TOMMY G. THOMPSON, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| PLACE: | The National Medical Association (Videotape) Honolulu, Hawaii |
| DATE: | August 4, 2002 |
Since I'm unable to be with you in the beautiful state of Hawaii, I wanted to send my greetings via videotape to all of you … and to thank you so very much for everything the National Medical Association has done, and is doing, to improve the quality of life for African-Americans all across our great country.
For 107 years, you have been at the forefront of African-American health, leading the way forward … often through very difficult times. Your leadership has shown great vision … your members have shown deep compassion … and your work has borne tremendous fruit.
I remember so well meeting with Doctors Maxey and Carroll shortly after the terrorists struck our country.
We came up with a plan to reach out to the African-American community to provide information about anthrax … working in tandem with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This was a model of the kind of cooperation I want us to have. Because we share a mutual commitment to quality health care for every citizen of our nation, regardless of race or ethnicity, I'm looking forward to an even closer working relationship.
And I know you have worked closely with Deputy Secretary Claude Allen. Claude is my strong right arm, someone I can depend on completely. He's one of those rare public servants you can trust implicitly, and I'm so very grateful for his outstanding work.
Now, I know you are honoring Dr. David Satcher at this year's convention. I was delighted to hear this, because Dr. Satcher has done a great deal for the health and well-being of all Americans.
Dr. Satcher was a voice of calm during the anthrax crisis of last fall. He offered seasoned counsel, not only to me but also to the entire medical community. His work with the CDC … his dedication to preventive medicine … and his work in closing health disparities are just a few of the reasons that I join with you in recognizing this gifted physician.
Working together, we're taking steps to close the health gap. HHS has launched an Initiative to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health, which focuses on six major areas where minorities experience significant gaps in health access and outcomes - diabetes … heart disease … stroke … cancer … infant mortality … child and adult immunizations … and HIV/AIDS.
We're moving ahead boldly. For example, in our budget for 2003, we're calling for $410 million for programs that are aimed at reducing the impact of H-I-V/AIDS on racial and ethnic minorities … funding for this program has doubled since 1999.
Our "Closing the Health Gap" campaign is in full swing. It's a health education and information campaign for communities of color. We're getting the word out, through ABC Radio Networks and "The Tom Joyner Morning Show."
On September 24th, we're sponsoring a nationwide "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day," which is designed to encourage people to bring someone they care about to visit a health professional.
And I know that many of you have been involved with the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Let me urge all of you to visit their Web site - www.ncmhd.nih.gov. We need your input, and would value your feedback.
It was that great champion of freedom Frederick Douglass who reminded us that, in his words, "People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get."
That's why, together with you, we're working so hard to make sure that men, women and children of color have every opportunity for quality, affordable, life-enhancing health care.
I'm passionate about achieving that goal, and look forward to working with all of you in achieving it.
Thank you again for all you do, and may God bless you all.