10 • May 12, 2022 - May 18, 2022
THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
Union Matters Reports: Universal health care will contribute to racial equity By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff The phrase “universal health care” has been on the minds of many Americans for over a decade. The language from a new report by the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus and Campaign for New York Health urges the state assembly and the state senate to pass legislation ending medical debt. An issue that affects many low-income New Yorkers. Released last and titled “Healthcare and Racial Justice: Systemic Change Is Needed for a More Equitable Health System,” the report states that universal, single payer healthcare plans would contribute significantly to racial equity providing New Yorkers of all races and ethnicities better health care across the state. With Black, Latinx and other ethnic minorities suffering from COVID-19 and dying at higher rates than white New Yorkers, better medical care wouldn’t have left people in the dark about what other ailments they have that might affect their reaction to a COVID-19 infection. Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) were more likely than white people to be uninsured and have medical debt. In New York City, Blacks were more likely to die of complications from pregnancy than white women with 63% of the deaths being preventable. And communities of mostly non-white people
tend to have a lower number of medical providers. The legislative caucus decided to act. New York Health Act (S.5474), sponsored by State Sen. Gustavo Rivera, would establish a “comprehensive system of health insurance for all New York state residents.” Every New Yorker regardless of age, economic status or
“If we are to effectively address the racial inequities prevalent throughout our healthcare system, we must radically change the way we deliver health care to New Yorkers,” Rivera said in a statement. “As the Campaign for New York Health’s new report further highlights, it is critical that we pass the New York Health Act to guarantee comprehensive
acerbate Health Disparities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Call for Equitable Reform,” researchers found that not only did medical access, or lack thereof, contribute to racial equity, but it went hand in hand with housing policies with people of color in New York City more likely to live in crowded neighborhoods with low-quality housing and don’t have jobs where they can work remotely during the pandemic. CSS’s report also states that 75% of essential workers are people of color and more nonwhite communities have higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, chronic lung disease and cardiovascular New report shows racial disparities in medical care. Newly introduced state legislation disease—all conlooks to end that. (Photo courtesy of: Robin Gentry & Drazen Zigic of iStock) ditions that leave people more vulemployment could enroll in a health healthcare coverage to all New Yorkers nerable to the virus. plan where there would be “no network and in that way, move the needle forLisa Ohta, president of UAW Local restrictions, deductibles, or co-pays. ward to eliminate our de facto two-ti- 2325 - Assoc. of Legal Aid Attorneys, Coverage would be publicly funded,” er system of care and truly improve our said that the state legislature needs to and it includes inpatient and outpatient state’s health outcomes as a whole.” contribute in lifting the burden of medcare and primary and preventive care. According to a 2020 report from the ical debt from people of color. Rivera said that the issue of racial Community Service Society of New “Racial disparities in health servicequity in the healthcare system needs York titled “How Structural Inequalities es are another way that racism affects to end now. in New York’s Health Care System Ex- the health of communities of color. This
has been magnified by COVID-19,” Ohta stated. “Public health insurance programs play a major role in providing affordable care and better outcomes, especially for Black Americans. Comprehensive, quality, and affordable health care must be a legislative priority. ALAA, along with the Campaign for New York Health, joined the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus to urge our legislative leaders to bring the New York Health Act to a vote this session.” Tonia Bazel RN, of the New York State Nurses Association’s Infectious Disease Unit, spoke about her personal experience with medical debt and what lack of access has done to her and her family members. “Eight years ago, I had to file bankruptcy in order not to lose my home because of mounting medical bills, while on short term disability for having had two different surgical interventions on my back, consequences of the toll my work as a nurse has taken on my body,” stated Bazel. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell any of you about the longterm effect bankruptcy is having on this Black woman’s ability to be considered to have credit in good standing. I have many family members who have lost a limb or two because they can’t or couldn’t afford medical care, or they have died, much too soon, because they were among those who fall through the large fissures in our current healthcare system.”
More endorsements from unions looking to give politicians the labor push By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff More labor unions have announced endorsements leading up to the primaries. Last month, AFSCME District Council 37 endorsed Congressman Jamaal Bowman for re-election in New York’s 16th Congressional District. Bowman is currently serving his first term in office. “Congressman Jamaal Bowman is no stranger to the needs of public employees,” stated AFSCME DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “As a former public school principal and teacher, he is intimately familiar with the challenges and hardships faced by our members on a daily basis. I have faith that he will continue to be an advocate for workers’ rights and labor protections in Congress and work towards creating a society that holds solidarity at its core. Bowman quickly acknowledged and
accepted the union’s endorsed by the New Eddie Gibbs, the first formerly incarcerated assembly dorsement. York City District member elected to office, was endorsed by the New “I am proud to be enCouncil of CarpenYork City District Council of Carpenters (Photo courtesy dorsed by AFSCME DC ters. Gibbs, the in37,” stated Bowman. “From of Jack Lobel/Eddie Gibbs Campaign) cumbent, was a road repairs to regulations, member of the there are extraordinarily few United Brotherthings in the lives of New hood of Carpenters Yorkers that go untouched Local 608 for seven by a government worker. The years. fierce advocacy that DC 37 “The New York provides on behalf of these City District Counemployees ensures that cil of Carpenters those who choose to serve proudly endorses their community are protectAssemblymember ed in the workplace.” Eddie Gibbs for reBowman is currently election,” said the being challenged by Vedat union in a stateGashi, a real estate attorney ment. “A former and Westchester County union carpenter legislator. Gashi fashions himself as a In the run for state assembly, cur- raised by a single mother, Eddie undermoderate Democrat who thinks that rent assemblymember Eddie Gibbs, stands the challenges working people the current congressman is too far left who’s running for re-election in New face in his community, and the differfor his taste. York’s 68th Assembly District, was en- ence a family-sustaining career in the
unionized construction industry makes. Union workers will have his back at the ballot box, and he will continue to have ours in Albany.” Gibbs said that he was happy to receive an endorsement from a group where he still has ties. “Once a part of the union carpenter family, always a part of the union carpenter family,” stated Gibbs. “I am honored to receive the endorsement of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, whose members quite literally built this beautiful city we call home. Together, we are fighting to ensure working people and their families are not just able to get by in New York but able to thrive.” Gibbs has also been endorsed by New York State United Teachers, Communications Workers of America Local 1180 and AFSCME District Council 37. He is the first formerly incarcerated individual to win a state assembly seat.
