Press Releases

On Monday, May 6, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus discussed the need and benefits of eliminating health disparities in America. Read and watch video of each Member's remarks below.

CBC Chair Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11): “Until we address the persistent poverty that plagues our community, the debilitating costs of health disparities will continue to rise. According to the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, health disparities collectivity cost minorities more than $1.2 trillion from 2003 to 2006. We must create and maintain a path for greater health equity in America.”

Rep. G.K. Butterfield (NC-01):“Every person should have access to affordable quality health care, regardless of who they are, where they come from, how much money they have in their bank accounts.”

Rep. Danny Davis (IL-07): “I believe that the big problem with the eradication of disparities is the fact that we as a nation have not committed ourselves to the concept that health care ought to be a right and not a privilege. We still have not reached the point where we take the position that every person no matter what their status or circumstance deserves the highest quality of health care that our nation can afford for them.”

Rep. Steven Horseford (NV-04): “Health is a cornerstone of equal opportunity, which is why access to quality affordable healthcare is so important.”

Rep. Donna Christensen (D-VI): “We call on all Americans to support us and make sure that all of those attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would close the door that we have been able to open for so many who have not had access to quality health for so long not be closed again.”

Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-09): “Across our nation health disparities continue to persist and widen in communities historically marginalized as a result of poverty and other social, economic and environmental barriers. It is important that we fully engage in a full implementation of the Affordable Care Act. This will lead us to closing these health disparity gaps.”

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18): “This is not a political issue but it’s a life or death issue. We need to work with the President to find ways to substitute the rejection Medicaid expansion, so citizens do not lose out on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act.”

Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03):“Because of the Affordable Care Act, we now have in place comprehensive health care reform that improves access to affordable care and reduces health disparities. In order to have a successful nation we must have a healthy nation.”

Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10):  “Even in the 21^st century health disparities are stark, especially in the African American community in which life expectancies are lower and infant mortality rates are higher.  Addressing health disparities in this country is a moral obligation and financial imperative. If we are going to truly eliminate health disparities, we must start by eliminating sequestration, which does nothing but further burden our distressed citizens.”

Rep. Marc Veasey (TX-33): “We need to correct our course as a country and get on the path to healthier lifestyles because we cannot sustain this unhealthy path we are on. Not only is it cutting the lives of Americans short, it is also costing our country.”

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08): “Let’s move forward and address the health care disparities that have been set for so eloquently here today, come together and deal with the ailments that are facing the American people.”

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