Well, this week some of the nation's most influential minority advocacy groups have stepped up to demand a voice at the table as Congress continues to battle over how to overhaul the nation's health care system. The NAACP, the National Council of La Raza and the Leadership Council on Civil Rights and others have joined forces to advocate for reform.
Blacks and Latinos are more likely than whites to go without health care because they can't afford it, are less than half as likely as whites to have a regular doctor and minorities have among the highest rates of being uninsured.
Preaching that health care is a moral imperative, the groups are taking to the airwaves with an ad campaign, for which the details can be found here: http://www.healthequityforall.org. They're pushing for a comprehensive coverage and quality for all and a plan that includes what has been at the core of the health care fight lately: a public insurance option.
Last night, the NAACP's Washington branch held a town hall meeting in an effort to debunk myths about the proposals in congress and provide members an opportunity to ask questions of congressional staffers and experts on reform. As the fight over health care reform heats up, we expect there will be more advocacy to come.
Photo: NAACP president Ben Jealous and members of Congressional Black Caucus urge for reform earlier this year.
