HHS Report Distorts the Science of Healthcare Disparities

[Guest guest]

Of vital interest.

I have not yet had the opportunity to explore all the links.

I hope that as we do so, what we learn -- esp. as concerns migrant and

seasonal farmworkers -- will be shared with all.

tina.castanares@...

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Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 2:11 PM

Subject: FW: HHS Report Distorts the Science of Healthcare Disparities

In a June 2003 draft report, HHS scientists found that racial and ethnic

disparities in health care are " national problems " that are " pervasive in

our health care system " and carry a significant " personal and societal

price. " After review by political appointees, however, the final version

contained none of these conclusions. Released December 23, 2003, the

National Healthcare Disparities Report is a case study in the manipulation

of science.

On January 13, 2004, the Special Investigations Division of the minority

staff of the Government Reform Committee released a report for eight members

of Congress comparing the two versions of the report. These

members then wrote HHS Secretary to protest the manipulation of

science on healthcare disparities and to request copies of all drafts and

comments on the disparities report. The eight included:

- Rep. Henry A. Waxman, ranking member of the Government Reform Committee;

- Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus;

- Rep. Ciro D. , chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus;

- Rep. M. Honda, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American

Caucus;

- Del. Donna M. Christensen, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health

Braintrust;

- Rep. Hilda L. Solis, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Health

Task Force;

- Rep. Danny K. , secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus; and

- Rep. Dale E. Kildee, Democratic co-chair of the Congressional Native

American Caucus.

http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/example_disparities.htm

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Look at the differences in the two reports:

BACKGROUND

Draft HHS exec. summary

http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/pdfs/pdf_politics_and_science\

_disparities_rep_summ_draft.pdf

Final HHS exec. summary

http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/pdfs/pdf_politics_and_science\

_disparities_rep_summ_final.pdf

MORE

Letter to HHS

http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/pdfs/pdf_politics_and_science\

_disparities_hhs_let.pdf

Press Release

http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/pdfs/pdf_politics_and_science\

_disparities_press.pdf

From:

http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/example_disparities.htm