Legislative Letter

January 18, 2015

The Honorable Cory Booker

United States Senate

141 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510-3007

Dear Senator Booker,

My name is Rasheeda Thomas. I am Registered Nurse from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I do not reside in your district, however, I found your proposed bill written to the senate “Reducing disparities using care models and education act of 2014” (S. Rep. No. 2841, 2014) influential to my community and the patient population whom I work with.

The Reducing Disparities Using Care Models and Education Act proposes a study to determine the causes of health disparities among African Americans. This study allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Institute of Medicine (IOM) to work together to identify methods that are successful at eliminating these health disparities. Funding from the Secretary will grant different entities for evaluate existing programs while developing new programs and activities that can better help at reducing disparities.

As an African American Registered nurse who work in a rural area I feel its is of great importance that this bill is enacted. I not only work with patients who suffer health disparities, but I personally have family members who suffers from health disparities such as chronic diabetes and cancer due to limited access middle and low class income citizens have. I believe race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, or geographic location should not determine what type of health care people can access. African americans populate only 12 percent of this country and has already have the leading numbers in health conditions. Again, I think it would be great to see this bill enacted so many people like myself can help prevent and reduce health disparities so the lifespan of African Americans can be prolonged and improve care for all Americans.

Sincerely,