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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 22, 2022 08:47 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Donna Bullock and Rep. Stephen Kinsey |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Making a Commitment to Health Equity |
| Health care is a basic human right. This fundamental truth is acknowledged by the World Health Organization and embraced by scores of nations – developed and lower income countries alike – that have built health systems devoted to providing equal access to quality health care for all citizens. These great foreign achievements cast a sad reminder that communities in Pennsylvania are not afforded the same rights and protections. The Covid-19 Pandemic has made violently clear that our health system discriminates marginalized people and populations without access to care. As this catastrophic episode in our history continues to claim the lives of the undervalued and underpaid, we can no longer ignore nor delay righting this destructive state of affairs. That is why we plan to introduce legislation to establish the Office of Health Equity within the Department of Health. This Office will devote itself to the ideals of equal health access and ensure for future generations that everyone – no matter where you are born or who you are – will receive high quality care. Repairing such a massive and complex problem as the glaring inequities in our health care involves making a long-term commitment and this legislation is the first step in correcting a multi-generational problem. We believe that establishing the office in statute will ensure our unending commitment to the health of every citizen. Please join us in supporting this legislation to protect the health of all present and future Pennsylvanians. Thank you. |
Introduced as HB648