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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2012

Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

Statement from Secretary Sebelius for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Jan. 2012

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Eliminating Injustice in Health Care

Today, as we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we reflect on our own response to his call for justice. “Of all the forms of inequality,” Dr. King said, “injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”

As a department, we are committed to ensuring that all Americans achieve health equity by eliminating disparities and doing what we can to improve the health of all groups, including the poor and underserved.

One of the most important ways we are doing this is through our new health care law, the Affordable Care Act, which will expand health coverage to 34 million Americans, prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions, and bring new funding to community health centers, an important safety net for vulnerable populations.

In April 2011, HHS released an Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, which outlines concrete goals and the actions we are taking to achieve these goals.

Dr. King dreamed of a nation in which every child had the chance to reach his or her full potential. On this day of remembrance, I encourage all Americans to honor Dr. King and to recommit to helping the most vulnerable among us.


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Last revised: January 13, 2012