The National Minority Quality Forum, with honorary special guest, the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, will host the Health Equity and Accountability Act Summit on Friday, March 4th. The legislation addresses persistent racial and ethnic disparities in health and health care in the United States. The summit will serve as a conversation around the introduction of the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA).
The summit will occur at Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Dr., New Orleans, LA 70125, from 8:30 AM CST to 4:30 PM CST. Speakers and panelists include U.S. Representatives Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) and Robin Kelly (IL-02), Xavier University of Louisiana President Reynold Verret, NMQF President & CEO Dr. Gary Puckrein, health experts, policy experts, and more.
Summit panels will explore portions of the proposed Health Equity and Accountability Act, including the intersection of health equity and mental health, policy strategies for supporting a diverse workforce that can close the health equity gap, and federal efforts focused on health equity.
“Racial disparities in health and health care remain troublingly persistent. The COVID-19 pandemic made this all the more apparent,” said Rep. Robin Kelly, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust. “I look forward to discussing the policies we need to implement to eventually eliminate health disparities in the United States.”
“For many years racial disparities have hindered Louisiana and the United States at large,” said Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr. “While closing these disparities has been a focus of mine, there remains a lot of work to be done. I’m eager to have a conversation about the steps we need to take to achieve greater health equity.”
The summit precedes the New Orleans Community Health & Wellness Festival, hosted by the National Minority Quality Forum. The festival, which will occur Sunday, March 6th at Family Center of Hope, will offer free health screenings and COVID-19 vaccinations, a complementary lunch buffet, and multiple fun activities for participants of all ages.
Registration for the Health Equity and Accountability Act Summit can be completed here.