During the spring of 2024, Adriana Serrano Matsumoto was an intern for Senator Dick Durbin. She wrote to us about her experience.
This past spring, I worked as a Legislative Intern within the Health and Poverty Committee in Senator Dick Durbin’s (IL-D) office in Washington, D.C., through the Illinois in Washington (IIW) program. The program, run by the University of Illinois, allows students to intern in D.C. while taking courses and connecting with lobbyists, lawyers, and alumni. Senator Durbin serves as the second-highest ranking Democrat, Senate Majority Whip, and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Within Senator Durbin’s office, the Health and Poverty Committee addresses issues such as healthcare access, affordable housing, nutrition programs, and anti-poverty initiatives, to improve the lives of marginalized communities.
During my time in the office, I tracked and compiled health updates across Illinois, focusing on critical issues such as measles outbreaks in migrant shelters and significant healthcare worker shortages. I conducted in-depth research on healthcare disparities, contributed to a tobacco regulation project with findings featured in The New York Times, and met with constituent organizations across Illinois to understand their needs and explore how our office could support them. Furthermore, I researched several key issues, including FDA regulations, where I attended a House hearing on tobacco regulations and FDA oversight. I explored the Supplemental Oxygen Reform Act of 2024, aimed at improving access to supplemental oxygen for Medicare beneficiaries. I analyzed the PSA Screening for HIM Act for expanded insurance coverage of prostate cancer screenings. I also researched the Life Saving Leave Act, which seeks to remove barriers for bone marrow and blood stem donors. My work extended past healthcare and involved focuses on student mental health in higher education, food allergies legislation, and reviewing bills related to civilian harm oversight.
As a first-generation Latina-Asian college student, one major takeaway from this experience was the realization of the underrepresentation of people like me in the legislative system. Being one of the few people of color, highlighted the lack of diversity in policymaking roles and served as a strong motivator for me. It reinforced the idea that we deserve to make ourselves known in these spaces and that there is still so much work to be done to ensure diverse voices are represented in legislative discussions. Despite feeling like an outsider at times, I recognized the importance of my presence and contribution It became clear to me that representation is not just about numbers; it’s about ensuring that policies reflect the needs and experiences of all constituents. This realization has empowered me to pursue opportunities where I can actively contribute to creating a more inclusive legislative environment.
Initially, I had limited knowledge of the healthcare system, but the opportunity to integrate my academic learning with real-world issues greatly enhanced my understanding of public health. Attending briefings and hearings on health-related topics, including IVF treatments, allowed me to see the complexity of public health issues firsthand. This internship not only deepened my interest in public health but also helped me identify my career path. Initially inclined toward immigration-related fields due to my background, I discovered that public health encompasses a wide range of critical issues. As a result, I have decided to pursue a master’s in public health with a focus on addressing disparities in access to care among minority populations, including issues related to immigration.
During this school year, I plan to focus on my research thesis that further analyzes public health in Latino communities, specifically examining disparities among laborers in their access to necessary healthcare and how they may be disproportionately affected. This focus will allow me to contribute meaningful insights and advocate for improved health outcomes in these communities.
By Adriana Serrano Matsumoto