Bernie Sanders

Poverty in itself is a death sentence.

We can achieve the goal of a substantial increase in the Black American representation in the medical field, but it will take more individuals like you, Senator Sanders, and the HELP Committee to achieve this goal.

It will take more individuals like you, Senator Sanders, and the HELP Committee, to achieve--thank you.

It is imperative that we as a country understand the significance of black physicians providing care for black patients and other patients as well.

It is time, Chairman Sanders, for us to get our due so the aspiring physicians in our Country may see that they will be fairly treated and protected should they choose a career in medicine.

An adverse ruling by the Supreme Court would be very detrimental to addressing physician diversity.

Thank you again, Chairman Sanders, for your leadership and interest in our views.

Thanks to the work of Senator Sanders' HELP Committee.

Thank you for your time, Senator Sanders.

We are going to do our best to grow the healthcare workforce and put a special focus on the need for more black doctors, nurses, psychologists, dentists, etcetera.

Health care is a human right, not a privilege.

Most importantly, I hope that what I and other Committee Members will learn from this hearing will be translated into law and will have an impact on how we provide health care to minority communities all across this country.

The worst thing we can do is take no action and wish it were better.

You got to elect people who are going to stand up and fight for them.

I would not be here as Chairman of the Committee if the people of Georgia had not done what they did.

You will say that you want to treat all the patients who walk at your door, not just those who have the money.

The system today, the health care system today is working really good, for the insurance companies and for the drug companies.

On Wednesday, this coming Wednesday in D.C., I will be meeting with, I think, several hundred doctors and nurses to announce that we will be introducing legislation for a Medicare for all single payer program.

In Build Back Better, which was a major piece of legislation which would have dealt with many of the issues we are talking about here today, which lost by two votes, we substantially increased the number of GME slots.

We got to bring those people into the process.

We are going to do our best to grow the healthcare workforce and put a special focus on the need for more black doctors, nurses, psychologists, dentists, etcetera.

Health care is a human right, not a privilege.

Most importantly, I hope that what I and other Committee Members will learn from this hearing will be translated into law and will have an impact on how we provide health care to minority communities all across this country.

Now is the time to act!

We are very grateful to HELP Committee Chairman Sanders, Ranking Member Cassidy, and all Members of the Committee for your interest in and focus on national health workforce challenges.