Hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee - The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Communities of Color

Hearing

Good Afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this important and timely hearing.

Throughout my career, I fought to make health care available to every American. I deeply believe that in order to recognize the dignity and worth of every human being, we must first realize their right to equal and affordable health care. I have said it before, and I will say it again: In this country we are one family. We are one house -- the American house, the people's house. And when one member of the house falls ill, it will affect us all -- whether we want to admit it or not.

In the wake of this deadly virus, we should admit we have fallen short. Health inequality is once again costing lives on a scale that no one can ignore. Mr. Chairman, in order to save lives and right this wrong, we must listen, learn, and take action. I believe in my heart of hearts that if we put ego and ideology to the side, we will find a way to fix the underlying flaws in our health system that result in communities of color bearing the disproportionate burden of a global health crisis.

For these reasons, I thank the Committee for making this question the very first public priority in the face of this crisis. We have a mission, a duty, and a mandate to take action. Every minute, every second matters to those who expect us to speak up and speak out on their behalf.

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