Commentary

Healthcare insurance cost soars

Friday, 18 September 2009 14:59 Judge Greg Mathis

17 percent of the nation’s economy goes toward healthcare costs; far more than in any other industrialized nation. Yet, 50 million Americans are currently without health insurance. For those fortunate enough to be covered, the high premiums and deductibles make a serious dent in their household budget. Companies are paying less for employee healthcare while workers are coming out of pocket more often, sometimes for fewer services. A medical emergency can often leave a family financially drained. In fact, a large percentage of those who file bankruptcy do so because of mounting healthcare bills. There is a clear and urgent need for healthcare reform. The system is broken. It is time that is fixed.

Racial schizophrenia

Friday, 18 September 2009 14:56 Joseph Phillips

Speaking to NBC News Anchor Brian Williams former president Jimmy Carter (taking a breather between having tea with dictators and lunatics) proffered that not only was South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson’s inappropriate outburst during President Obama’s speech before a joint session of congress fueled by racism, but the wider opposition to Obama is also based on the fact that Obama is Black. Said Carter: "I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African-American."

Obama fighting back, at last!

Thursday, 17 September 2009 15:51 Ron Walters

President Barack Obama took off the gloves in his speech to Congress on health care reform, seeming to hear those who said that he was not leading, that he had not been specific enough; they did not know where he stood on some of the critical issues. Of course, many of these charges are a mystery to me, perhaps because I paid attention to the speeches that previewed the aims of his initial White House Summit on health care, the bi-partisan meetings in the White House on health care, the many speeches he has given on town halls all over the country, the Saturday messages on health care, and the many other places where he has given his views on this subject.

Serena Williams - Beautifully human

Thursday, 17 September 2009 15:42 Julianne Malveaux, NNPA columnist

Days after Serena Williams melted down during her US Open match with her long-time friend and fellow tennis champion Kim Clijsters, the controversy continues to swirl. As of this writing there is talk of a possible suspension, further fines, and other action against the phenomenal tennis diva who let her intensity and passion run away with her when she reacted inappropriately to what may have been a faulty foot fault call on the part of an overzealous line judge. Several of the commentators noted that the foot fault call was untimely and perhaps inappropriate. Nothing, however, excuses Serena’s behavior.

Blacks & health care

Wednesday, 16 September 2009 15:50

America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 is on the table. Whatever version that becomes law will have a great impact on poor and minority patients, the hospitals that treat them and those hospitals’ doctors, nurses and staff. In regards to the Act, the interests of Blacks and the poor need to be placed on the table with the question: What are the best ways to address problems in a health care system all Americans agree is expensive and economically discriminatory?

Building a majority coalition for progressive change in America

Wednesday, 16 September 2009 15:43 Dr. Ron Daniels

President Barack Obama began to get his "mojo" back when he addressed a joint session of Congress September 9th. Seeking to recapture the momentum in the health care reform debate, he articulated the most detailed outline of his vision for universal health care to date. The problem is that the vision, passion and leadership the President showed in his speech should have come much earlier in the debate. By nature, the American policy-making process is resistant to dramatic change. Disjointed incremental change is the norm.

Feel good policy

Friday, 11 September 2009 16:46 Joseph C. Phillips

The message began to pop-up all over my Facebook page: “No one should die because they cannot afford health care or insurance and no one should go broke or bankrupt because they get sick.” Let us set aside the fact that no one in need of emergency life-saving medical care is denied because they do not have insurance and that there are state and federal programs already in existence that provide medical coverage for those of lesser means. I agree with the sentiment. I dare say I know of no one that doesn’t agree. There is simply no questioning the potential calamity that awaits those without some form of medical coverage.