Lauding the United States Congress for what they see as a "stop to death by lack of health care," the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Urban League and the Black Leadership Forum, commended Congress for passing a bill that reforms the current health care system–in spite of the fact that there is a long road ahead as the bill heads for U.S. Senate debate.They especially like the strong public option and look forward to a system that will deliver affordable, quality health care to all Americans.
Show of Solidarity
According to a released statement from the NAACP, the bill's passage in the House of Representatives was a "show of solidarity." Todd Jealous, NAACP President and Chief Economic Officer, said the bill's passage was a decision to "stop letting so many of our neighbors die for lack of affordable health care coverage," and said the public option will bring more choice, competition and lower costs to get more families covered and fewer forced into bankruptcy.
H.R. 3200– Last Leg of Journey
House Resolution 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009," was created to provide affordable quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending. Sponsored by 83-year-old U.S. Representative, John Dingell in Michigan’s 15th District, the bill is now up for debate in the United States Senate in what ABC News calls the "final and most difficult phases." Nevada Democratic Senator Harry Reid, U.S Senate Majority leader, revealed the bill this week as it will be debated on the Senate floor.
"Tonight begins the last leg of this journey we have been on for some time," he said.
Utah Republican Senator Orin Hatch, said the bill will create a "holy war" in Congress because of language in the bill regarding abortion coverage.
Prognosticators doubt the bill will pass before the end of 2009.
Health Care Affects us All
The $849 billion bill that will be paid for over the next 10 years, extends coverage to 31 million who are currently not uninsured.
Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League said the bill so far is indicative of the fact that health care reform is something that affects us all.
"We are pleased at the outcome and look forward to future opportunities to join forces to advocate on behalf of our communities,” he said.
Uninsured More Likely to be Minority
According familiesusa.org, 86.7 million people under the age of 65 were uninsured. Three out of five families with incomes below the federal poverty level (21,200 for a family of four in 2008) went without health insurance in 2007 to 2008.
Hispanic, Latino and African Americans were more likely to be uninsured than whites.Fifty-five per cent of Hispanic and Latino and 40 per cent African-Americans went without health insurance in 2007 to 2008. Whites accounted for 25.8 per cent of those considered to be uninsured.
Executive Director and CEO of the Black Leadership Forum, Gary L. Flowers said the urgent need for health care reform brought together over 50 civil rights organizations and "together we were able to ensure that Congress indeed heard our voices," he said.
"This (bill) represents a victory not only for black America but all of America," Flowers said.
Leslie McCloud - Biography on Leslie Jones McCloud, author of Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life. Leslie Jones McCloud has been reporting news ...
