“Now it’s time to make sure the voices of people of color are heard loud and clear.”
There was an extremely interesting article in The Huffington Post this afternoon regarding Americans of color and health care reform. It’s something that we don’t talk about much, something that maybe we’re still afraid to talk about, which shouldn’t really be the case considering we elected an African American president.
But, alas, health care for U.S. citizens of color is in rough shape, and has been for a long time. This reform that is being proposed will not only change the way the 46 million uninsured will live their lives, it will change the way roughly 70% of that number will see America. That’s the percentage of African Americans and Latinos who do not have health insurance (as of 2002).
Take a look at these numbers from The Huffington Post, and soak it in. It’s disheartening:
· Shorter life expectancy. African American men on average are 6.1 years younger than white men at the time of death. The life expectancy of black men is 69.6 years, compared to 75.7 years for white men.
· Higher rates of uninsured. Disproportionately large percentages of people in communities of color and of immigrant communities are uninsured. About 21 percent of white Americans lacked health insurance at some point in 2002, compared with 28 percent of African Americans and 44 percent of Latinos.
· Less access to standard tests, procedures and drugs regardless of income and insurance status. African American heart patients are less likely than white patients to receive diagnostic tests, coronary artery-opening procedures, and blood-clot dissolving drugs, even when they have similar incomes, insurance, and other characteristics. Black and Latino patients are less likely than whites to receive aspirin when leaving a hospital after a heart attack, to receive appropriate care for pneumonia, or to be given appropriate medications for pain.
These are fairly current numbers. Numbers that reflect what’s going on in the real world of this American health care reform discussion. Sure, we all know the color of this health care debate is green, money green. But did you know that of just three Democrats who voted against the reform have collected over $15 million from insurance and health companies. Both sides are to blame in this debate. That’s only three Democrats. It doesn’t even begin to assume the numbers that Republicans have racked up.
It’s because of these numbers, and because the color shouldn’t be green anymore, organizations around the nation who represent African Americans and Latinos have joined forces for one last push towards reform.
The NAACP National Voter Fund, the National Council of La Raza, The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the Campaign for Community Change, the U.S. Student Association and PowerPAC have been extensively involved in the fight for health care reform for years. Now that the debate has reached a critical moment, these groups are coming together to ensure that voices of people of color are heard and heeded. (The Huffington Post)
While big business insurance lobbies do their best to pay off Democrats and Republicans alike, these organizations are non-profit and work for the people who don’t have the money to get their voices heard. Those with money are the ones who are heard, and seen, and no one else unless they have the courage and personality to stand in front of a camera with an effigy of Obama, a gun loaded in holster, or a Nazi sign.
What do you think? Is there disconnect between races and health care reform? Let us hear your voice.
