Political Quotes

“I speak for a moment on the issue of equality in health care and what I have personally been able to observe, which we as a body have tried to address--in fact, have taken some major steps forward--but which stands as a major challenge which I believe we can address in this body. That is the subject of health care disparities. In the 21st century, Americans are among the healthiest, the longest living, and robust citizens in the history of the world. We have conquered diseases that were once untreatable. Our remarkable scientists continue to develop new drugs, therapies, treatments, and procedures that every day are bringing new hope and, indeed, saving the lives of millions around the country and millions around the world. We have much of which to be proud. At the same time, there is something we should be ashamed of because despite the dazzling medical and social progress of the last century, there remains wide health disparities and inequalities between minority and nonminority citizens. I will cite a few examples. Infant mortality rates are twice as high among African Americans versus Whites. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Latino populations is four times higher. And the prevalence of AIDS among African Americans is nine times higher than among Whites. African-American children are twice as likely to have asthma. They are six times more likely to die from asthma than others.”