Rep. Kelly to Attend Health Equity and Accountability Act Summit in New Orleans

WASHINGTON, DC – This Friday, March 4^th, Congresswoman Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, will attend the National Minority Quality Forum’s Health Equity and Accountability Act Summit in New Orleans, Louisiana. Rep. Kelly is attending the summit to share info about the bill and hear feedback from stakeholders. She will introduce the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) later this spring. The summit is open to the public; registration available here.

“Racial disparities in health and health care remain troublingly persistent. These disparities have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “We must act strategically to better understand and respond to these disparities. Communities of color cannot wait. I am proud to be leading this legislation this year on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus and the entire Tri-Caucus. I look forward to the discussion and feedback this summit will provide.”

“For many years racial disparities have hindered Louisiana and the United States at large,” said Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02). “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 is located 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 Robin Kelly (IL-02), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) and Jim Costa (CA-16), Xavier University of Louisiana President Reynold Verret, National Minority Quality Forum CEO Dr. Gary Puckrein, health experts, policy experts and more. 

Summit panels will explore topics within the Health Equity and Accountability Act, 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.

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. The agenda for the summit can be viewed here.

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