The Los Angeles Urban League applauds the passage by the House of the landmark health care bill (H.R. 3962) that will extend insurance coverage to 36 million uninsured Americans. With respect to healthcare access, this legislation has the potential to help close the gap between people of color and the rest of the population - a gap that has continued to widen at an alarming rate.
Whether it is mortality rates, lack of prenatal care, life expectancy, the stratospheric rise of HIV among minority women, higher death rates from preventable diseases, or our rising number of families without health insurance, studies show that minorities continue to face alarming health statistics all across this nation. African Americans in particular face health disparities that literally threaten survival. It is time for serious action, and we are pleased to see the House answering the call.