Daily Local News, 09/08/2020- Health and race discussed at Houlahan town hall

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th, Easttown held a virtual Tuesday town hall meeting focusing on racial disparities in health care, with nurse and freshman U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D- Ill.

This was the second town hall meeting in Houlahan’s Antiracism Policy series.

The representative said her goal and biggest responsibilities concerning racism during the ongoing pandemic are to listen and communicate with the community, and bring people together for what she said is an “awkward and uncomfortable conversation.”

Underwood said that people of color are impacted by a lack of timely COVID testing results, not knowing where to get treatment and adequate preparations to someday receive a vaccine. She also noted that larger investments need to be made in public health departments. Also, hunger issues at food banks are on the rise due to overwhelming demand.

People of color are more likely to be affected by the coronavirus.

African-Americans are more likely to die from COVID-19 and Hispanics more often become infected.

Houlahan said that businesses are struggling, with small businesses often having difficulties building a business during normal times.

Communities of color face barriers and disparities, according to Underwood.

Access and the ability to pay, with the underinsured and uninsured, is a major problem, along with physically getting transportation and working out language differences.

Underwood said that many Black and brown people are forced to risk going to work to support their families, which “puts them in line of exposure” or at risk of losing their job, Underwood said.

“We have seen disparities across the spectrum,” Underwood said. “It’s the way our health system responds — the way our health system is set up.”

Vanessa Briggs, president and CEO of the Brandywine Health Foundation, said that a racial bias is “bubbling up” during the ongoing pandemic.

The disparity has impacted social issues, housing, education and financial issues.

“The safety net is not there,” Briggs said, about the burdens of many people of color in Coatesville and Kennett.

Brigs said that stereotypes portraying Blacks as "lazy” or not caring about their health are false.

Houlahan seeks better representation for African-American professionals.

She said that while 13 percent of residents are Black, only 5 percent of physicians are.

Briggs was asked what can be done about bias.

“You have to begin to invest in the leadership in your community and provide resources and tools,” she said.

Briggs talked about a grassroots initiative.

“Lift up the community voice and align it with local policy,” Briggs said. “We have to align with local systems and efforts.”

Underwood agreed.

“As we start to probe, people are willing to share,” she said.

Houlahan wants to make sure the entire person is taken care of.

“Talk to the whole person, independent of color,” Houlahan said, “and take care of the whole person.”

Campaign Staff