Health reform legislation must address health inequities and ensure that health and health care disparities reduction and elimination is prioritized.

In 2009, a Working Group coalesced to ensure that these issues were included in health reform discussions. This Working Group brings together members from the coalitions, groups, and organizations involved in issues related to health equity.

This website seeks to provide a clearinghouse of the principles, position papers, issue briefs and other materials from members of the Working Group. For more information about these issues, please contact the author of the document.

If you have questions about this website, please contact Mara Youdelman, youdelman@healthlaw.org, or (202) 289-7661.

Consensus Material from the Working Group:
Sign-on Letter Requesting Hearing on Health Disparities (April '09)
Sign-on Letter Requesting the Inclusion of Health Disparities in Health Reform (April '09)
Sign-on Letter Congressional TriCaucus Health Disparities Bill (July '09)
Health Disparities in Health Reform Side-by-Side

• Population Groups
  1. Racial and Ethnic Populations
     • Achieving Health Care Equality for Puerto Rico – Health Policy Briefing Paper (July '09)
     • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
     • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
     • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
     • Health Care Disparities in Puerto Rico – Fact Sheet (July '09)
     • Health Disparities and Individuals with Disabilities Sign On Letter
     • Health Disparities Policy Recommendations for Inclusion in National Health Care Reform
     • Health Inequities in the Asian American Community
     • Health Reform: An Opportunity to Address Health Disparities Among Women
     • HHS Advisory Committee on Minority Health – Recommendations on Health Reform
     • Improving Quality and Achieving Equity: A Guide for Hospital Leaders
     • National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Research Brief: Public Hospitals Focus on Reducing Health Care Disparities
     • National Council of Urban Indian Health: Health Care Reform General Policy Statement
     • National Organizations Comment on the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Coverage Options Paper
     • National Public Health and Hospital Institute: Assuring Healthcare Equity: A Healthcare Equity Blueprint
     • Policy Statement on Equity for People and Communities of Color
     • Priorities for Health Care Reform that Promote Health Equity for Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
     • Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Influenza and Pneumococcal Immunization Rates among Medicare Beneficiaries
     • SAFETY NET HEALTH SYSTEMS: An Essential Partner in Reducing Health Care Disparities
     • SOPHE Fact Sheet – Health Disparities and Reform Legislation
     • Support Increased Access to Mental Health Services
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
     • American Hospital Association: Improving Hospital Care for Minorities
     • American Hospital Association: Letter to President Obama on Health Reform
     • AARP: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Influenza and Pneumococcal Immunization Rates among Medicare Beneficiaries (Oct. '08)
     • AARP: Improving Access to Care Among Medicare Beneficiaries with Limited English Proficiency: Can Medicare Do More? (Aug. '08)
  2. Limited English Proficient Individuals
     • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
     • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
     • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
     • Health Disparities Policy Recommendations for Inclusion in National Health Care Reform
     • Health Inequities in the Asian American Community
     • Improving Quality and Achieving Equity: A Guide for Hospital Leaders
     • National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Research Brief: Public Hospitals Focus on Reducing Health Care Disparities
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
     • National Organizations Comment on the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Coverage Options Paper
     • National Public Health and Hospital Institute: Assuring Healthcare Equity: A Healthcare Equity Blueprint
     • Policy Statement on Equity for People and Communities of Color
     • Principles for Health Reform and Language Access
     • Priorities for Health Care Reform that Promote Health Equity for Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
     • SAFETY NET HEALTH SYSTEMS: An Essential Partner in Reducing Health Care Disparities
     • Support Increased Access to Mental Health Services
     • American Hospital Association: Improving Hospital Care for Minorities
     • American Hospital Association: Letter to President Obama on Health Reform
  3. Immigrants
     • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
     • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
     • Health Disparities Policy Recommendations for Inclusion in National Health Care Reform
     • Health Inequities in the Asian American Community
     • National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Research Brief: Public Hospitals Focus on Reducing Health Care Disparities
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
     • National Organizations Comment on the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Coverage Options Paper
     • National Public Health and Hospital Institute: Assuring Healthcare Equity: A Healthcare Equity Blueprint
     • Priorities for Health Care Reform that Promote Health Equity for Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
     • SAFETY NET HEALTH SYSTEMS: An Essential Partner in Reducing Health Care Disparities
     • Support Increased Access to Mental Health Services
  4. LGBT Community
     • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
     • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
     • Support Increased Access to Mental Health Services
  5. Low-Income Populations
     • Achieving Health Care Equality for Puerto Rico – Health Policy Briefing Paper (July '09)
     • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
     • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
     • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
     • Health Care Disparities in Puerto Rico – Fact Sheet (July '09)
     • Health Disparities and Individuals with Disabilities Sign On Letter
     • Health Disparities Policy Recommendations for Inclusion in National Health Care Reform
     • National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Research Brief: Public Hospitals Focus on Reducing Health Care Disparities
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
     • National Organizations Comment on the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Coverage Options Paper
     • National Public Health and Hospital Institute: Assuring Healthcare Equity: A Healthcare Equity Blueprint
     • Priorities for Health Care Reform that Promote Health Equity for Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
     • SAFETY NET HEALTH SYSTEMS: An Essential Partner in Reducing Health Care Disparities
     • Support Increased Access to Mental Health Services
  6. People with Disabilities
     • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
     • AUCD Fact Sheet on Disability-Based Health Disparities
     • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
     • Health Disparities and Individuals with Disabilities Sign On Letter
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
     • National Organizations Comment on the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Coverage Options Paper
     • Principles for Health Care Reform from a Disability Perspective
     • Support Increased Access to Mental Health Services
  7. People with HIV/AIDS
     • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
     • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
     • Health Care Reform and People with HIV/AIDS
     • HIV Health Care Access Working Group: 2009 Health Care Reform Principles
     • National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Research Brief: Public Hospitals Focus on Reducing Health Care Disparities
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
     • National Public Health and Hospital Institute: Assuring Healthcare Equity: A Healthcare Equity Blueprint
     • Support Increased Access to Mental Health Services
  8. Rural Residents
     • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
     • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
     • Health Reform: An Opportunity to Address Health Disparities Among Women
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
     • Support Increased Access to Mental Health Services
  9. Seniors
     • Achieving Health Care Equality for Puerto Rico – Health Policy Briefing Paper (July '09)
     • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
     • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
     • Health Care Disparities in Puerto Rico – Fact Sheet (July '09)
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
     • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
  10. Women
      • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
      • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
      • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
      • Health Disparities and Individuals with Disabilities Sign On Letter
      • Health Reform: An Opportunity to Address Health Disparities Among Women
      • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
      • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
      • Nowhere to Turn: How the Individual Health Insurance Market Fails Women
      • Support Increased Access to Mental Health Services
      • Women and Health Coverage: The Affordability Gap
      • Women and Health Reform: An Introduction to the Basics
      • Raising Women's Voices: A Women’s Vision for Quality, Affordable Health Care for All
  11. Issue Areas
      1. Access
         • Achieving Health Care Equality for Puerto Rico – Health Policy Briefing Paper (July '09)
         • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
         • AUCD Fact Sheet on Disability-Based Health Disparities
         • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
         • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
         • Health Care Disparities in Puerto Rico – Fact Sheet (July '09)
         • Health Disparities and Individuals with Disabilities Sign On Letter
         • Health Disparities Policy Recommendations for Inclusion in National Health Care Reform
         • Health Reform: An Opportunity to Address Health Disparities Among Women
         • National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Research Brief: Public Hospitals Focus on Reducing Health Care Disparities
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
         • National Public Health and Hospital Institute: Assuring Healthcare Equity: A Healthcare Equity Blueprint
         • Nowhere to Turn: How the Individual Health Insurance Market Fails Women
         • Priorities for Health Care Reform that Promote Health Equity for Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
         • SAFETY NET HEALTH SYSTEMS: An Essential Partner in Reducing Health Care Disparities
         • Support Increased Access to Mental Health Services
         • Women and Health Coverage: The Affordability Gap
         • Women and Health Reform: An Introduction to the Basics
      2. Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services
         • "No Community Left Behind”: Health Information Technology as a Tool for Consumer-Focused Health Promotion, Quality Enhancement and Disparity Elimination in Underserved Communities
         • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
         • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
         • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
         • Health Disparities and Individuals with Disabilities Sign On Letter
         • Health Disparities Policy Recommendations for Inclusion in National Health Care Reform
         • Health Inequities in the Asian American Community
         • Improving Quality and Achieving Equity: A Guide for Hospital Leaders
         • National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Research Brief: Public Hospitals Focus on Reducing Health Care Disparities
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
         • National Organizations Comment on the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Coverage Options Paper
         • National Public Health and Hospital Institute: Assuring Healthcare Equity: A Healthcare Equity Blueprint
         • Priorities for Health Care Reform that Promote Health Equity for Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
         • SAFETY NET HEALTH SYSTEMS: An Essential Partner in Reducing Health Care Disparities
      3. Coverage
         • Achieving Health Care Equality for Puerto Rico – Health Policy Briefing Paper (July '09)
         • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
         • AUCD Fact Sheet on Disability-Based Health Disparities
         • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
         • Health Care Disparities in Puerto Rico – Fact Sheet (July '09)
         • Health Disparities and Individuals with Disabilities Sign On Letter
         • Health Disparities Policy Recommendations for Inclusion in National Health Care Reform
         • Health Reform: An Opportunity to Address Health Disparities Among Women
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
         • National Organizations Comment on the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Coverage Options Paper
         • Nowhere to Turn: How the Individual Health Insurance Market Fails Women
         • Priorities for Health Care Reform that Promote Health Equity for Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
         • SOPHE Fact Sheet – Health Disparities and Reform Legislation
         • Support Increased Access to Mental Health Services
         • Women and Health Coverage: The Affordability Gap
         • Women and Health Reform: An Introduction to the Basics
      4. Data Collection
         • "No Community Left Behind”: Health Information Technology as a Tool for Consumer-Focused Health Promotion, Quality Enhancement and Disparity Elimination in Underserved Communities
         • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
         • AUCD Fact Sheet on Disability-Based Health Disparities
         • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
         • Health Disparities and Individuals with Disabilities Sign On Letter
         • Health Disparities Policy Recommendations for Inclusion in National Health Care Reform
         • Improving Quality and Achieving Equity: A Guide for Hospital Leaders
         • National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Research Brief: Public Hospitals Focus on Reducing Health Care Disparities
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
         • National Organizations Comment on the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Coverage Options Paper
         • National Public Health and Hospital Institute: Assuring Healthcare Equity: A Healthcare Equity Blueprint
         • Priorities for Health Care Reform that Promote Health Equity for Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
      5. Health Literacy
         • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
         • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
         • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
         • Health Disparities Policy Recommendations for Inclusion in National Health Care Reform
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
      6. Human Rights
         • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
         • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
         • Health Disparities and Individuals with Disabilities Sign On Letter
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
      7. Prevention
         • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
         • AUCD Fact Sheet on Disability-Based Health Disparities
         • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
         • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
         • Health Disparities and Individuals with Disabilities Sign On Letter
         • Health Disparities Policy Recommendations for Inclusion in National Health Care Reform
         • National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Research Brief: Public Hospitals Focus on Reducing Health Care Disparities
         • National Public Health and Hospital Institute: Assuring Healthcare Equity: A Healthcare Equity Blueprint
         • Priorities for Health Care Reform that Promote Health Equity for Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
         • SOPHE Fact Sheet – Health Disparities and Reform Legislation
         • Women and Health Reform: An Introduction to the Basics
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
      8. Quality
         • Achieving Health Care Equality for Puerto Rico – Health Policy Briefing Paper (July '09)
         • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
         • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
         • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
         • Health Care Disparities in Puerto Rico – Fact Sheet (July '09)
         • Health Disparities and Individuals with Disabilities Sign On Letter
         • Health Disparities Policy Recommendations for Inclusion in National Health Care Reform
         • Health Reform: An Opportunity to Address Health Disparities Among Women
         • Improving Quality and Achieving Equity: A Guide for Hospital Leaders
         • National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Research Brief: Public Hospitals Focus on Reducing Health Care Disparities
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
         • National Organizations Comment on the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Coverage Options Paper
         • National Public Health and Hospital Institute: Assuring Healthcare Equity: A Healthcare Equity Blueprint
         • Priorities for Health Care Reform that Promote Health Equity for Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
         • SAFETY NET HEALTH SYSTEMS: An Essential Partner in Reducing Health Care Disparities
         • Women and Health Reform: An Introduction to the Basics
      9. Workforce
         • "No Community Left Behind”: Health Information Technology as a Tool for Consumer-Focused Health Promotion, Quality Enhancement and Disparity Elimination in Underserved Communities
         • Achieving Health Care Equality for Puerto Rico – Health Policy Briefing Paper (July '09)
         • American Public Health Association 2009 Agenda for Health Reform
         • Council on Social Work Education: Social Work Education Principles and Recommendations for Health Care Reform
         • Creating More Equity in Health: A Comprehensive Approach to Health Reform
         • Health Care Disparities in Puerto Rico – Fact Sheet (July '09)
         • Health Disparities and Individuals with Disabilities Sign On Letter
         • Health Disparities Policy Recommendations for Inclusion in National Health Care Reform
         • National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Research Brief: Public Hospitals Focus on Reducing Health Care Disparities
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—House of Representatives
         • National Health Equity Coalition Recommendations for Health Reform—Senate
         • National Organizations Comment on the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Coverage Options Paper
         • National Public Health and Hospital Institute: Assuring Healthcare Equity: A Healthcare Equity Blueprint
         • Priorities for Health Care Reform that Promote Health Equity for Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
         • SAFETY NET HEALTH SYSTEMS: An Essential Partner in Reducing Health Care Disparities
         • SOPHE Fact Sheet – Health Disparities and Reform Legislation
         • Support Increased Access to Mental Health Services