Reps. Hoyer, Brown Participate in Roundtable on Disparities in Health Care

LARGO, Maryland, June 15 -- Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Maryland, issued the following news release:

This morning, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and Congressman Anthony Brown (MD-04) participated in a roundtable discussion on health disparities among minority groups in Maryland. During the discussion, Congressmen Hoyer and Brown discussed the ongoing efforts by Democrats in Congress to lower health care and prescription drug costs and reduce disparities in health care. They also heard from community stakeholders about the work being done in Prince George's County to expand access to affordable health care.

"Among the most persistent health care challenges facing our communities are the disparities among minority populations," said Congressman Hoyer. "In Prince George's County, African Americans have higher rates of death from diabetes, strokes, and heart failure. Only 60% of Hispanic American adults in our county have health coverage compared to 87% of county residents overall. The Affordable Care Act made significant strides in expanding affordable health coverage and bringing down the rate of uninsured Americans, but there is still much more we must do to work to end disparities in health care."

"As Majority Leader, I've brought to the Floor legislation to stop the Trump Administration from sabotaging the Affordable Care Act and ensuring those with pre-existing conditions can't be denied coverage," continued Congressman Hoyer. "But we must do more. I appreciated the opportunity to sit down with stakeholders from across the region to discuss how best to meet the challenges facing families in the Fifth District. Congressman Brown and I will continue to advocate for Marylanders in Congress, and work to expand access to affordable, quality care to more families."

"House Democrats are working to help more Americans get access to affordable health care even as the Trump administration continues to undermine our health care system," said Congressman Brown. "By working in a bipartisan manner to shore up the Affordable Care Act, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and protect innovative state programs that lower health care premiums, Democrats are keep our promises to the American people. But we can't stop there. I'm glad to join Majority Leader Hoyer in discussing how we can better meet the health care needs of residents living in low-income and medically underserved communities."

Since January, House Democrats have passed ten bills to address the cost of health care and prescription drugs. Additionally, Democrats authorized the House to intervene in the Texas v. United States lawsuit and passed a resolution expressing opposition to the Trump Administration's efforts to sabotage the law.