NATION’S OLDEST AND LARGEST CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION CALLS FOR FAIR AND CIVIL PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON UNITED STATES HEALTH CARE CRISIS
WASHINGTON DC—The NAACP called for an end to the disruptive strategies designed to distract from a serious discussion needed over health care and encourages a fair and civil debate.
In the historic tradition of our Democratic process, during the Congressional recess, elected officials throughout the country are holding town hall meetings to discuss the current health care reform package. Adversaries to the current proposal have continually disrupted town hall meetings, preventing citizens from engaging in the political process. These disruptions have included “shout-downs” and racially offensive antics designed to intimidate supporters of health care reform. A recent instance occurred after Congressman David Scott hosted a town hall meeting on health care reform. Approximately one week following this meeting, authorities found a swastika painted outside Congressman Scott’s office.
“Opponents of health care reform and partisan activists have gone too far by stooping to deplorable antics during these discussions. Their intent to disrupt the political process, and employ racially offensive tactics, including the painting of a Nazi swastika on Congressman Scott’s door, are deplorable, unproductive and flat out wrong,” stated NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous.
“Instead of spinning a web of myths and mistruths about health care, opponents of the current plan in Congress should be engaging in a thoughtful, productive discussion with their elected officials,” added Jealous.
“The health care system in this country is badly broken, and what is even sadder is that instead of engaging in thoughtful and productive dialogue, adversaries are turning to hate mongering, sensationalism and “shout-downs” to try and prevent an informed discussion and sway the court of public opinion through fear and intimidation,” stated Hilary O. Shelton, Director of the NAACP’s Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President for Advocacy. “Opponents of health care reform need to move away from intimidation and name calling and allow the American people to engage their elected representatives on the crucial issue of health care reform."
While health care moves through Congress, the NAACP is working hard to ensure that any health care reform package, (1) provides full health care coverage that is affordable to every individual, family and business and covers all pre-existing conditions; (2) contains standard, comprehensive health care benefits that meet everyone’s needs, from preventive to chronic care; (3) provides individuals with the choice of a private or public health care plan, which includes a new public health care plan that will provide a guaranteed backup which will always be there to ensure quality, affordable health care coverage no matter what; and (4) ensures equity in health care access, treatment, research, and resources to people and communities of color and stronger health services in low-income communities.
“In the United States today the color of your skin, your ethnic background and where you live can not only influence your health care access and quality; they can determine them. And while medical science has made a lot of advances over the last 10 years, the gains made by the discovery of new drugs and treatments have not passed on to all segments of our population,” added Shelton.
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.
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