> Policy Committee Session HEALTH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2006 10:15AM — 12:00PM CHURCHILL Chair Representative Beverly Earle (NC) 1st Vice Chair Representative Joe Armstrong (TN) 2nd Vice Chair Representative Omeria Scott (MS) NBCSL Policy Staff Deana McRae JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on Health and Human Services addresses issues pertaining to health care, health education, aging services, child welfare and family services, homelessness, domestic violence, nutritional assistance programs and the promotion of good health care and human service policy with a view toward the specific indications for the African American community. TOPIC Tackling Inequalities Impacting African Americans In the 21st century, for the 300 million Americans inequalities in health care and human services is unacceptable. Over the past few decades, there has been a declining trend in socio-economic and health care equality in the US. Notably so, the state and federal governments has made tackling health inequalities a top priority. Their focus has turned to improving the overall health of the nation and narrowing the health gap between underserved populations and the rest of the nation. This policy session will discuss a variety of topics addressing epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Black America, disease management, and widely recognized prescription savings programs. The panel will bring about discussions that present evidence that interventions are needed for both minority and underserved populations that are largely effected. PANELISTS John Miall Special Consultant, American Pharmacists Association Foundation Evelyn Lewis, M.D., M.A., FAAFP Consultant, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences’ Center for Health Disparities Roba Whiteley Executive Director, Together Rx Access Frank Basile, M.D., M.B.A. Vice-President, Davita, Inc Gaetana Marshall Outreach Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Valentine J. Burroughs, M.D. Chief Medical Officer and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at North General Hospital