An article published in MedPage Today discusses the need for Congress to better address minority health issues, especially for African Americans. On Friday,  Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) called out House Republicans for not attending an Energy and Commerce Committee forum on minority health and health disparities.  "There are no Republicans in this room," Rep. G.K. Butterfield said. "That isn't because they weren't invited; they were invited, but they did not show up. That speaks volumes." The article goes on to describe several ways that Congress can reduce health disparities for African Americans including: finding more ways to encourage diversity in the healthcare workforce; reducing the number of health professional shortage areas, and including more African Americans in clinical trials.