[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     THE HEALTH CARE CRISIS HAS NOT VANISHED FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS

  (Miss COLLINS of Michigan asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks, the health 
care public debate has centered around whether there is a health care 
crisis in America. I am astounded that anyone has to ask the question.
  For African-Americans, the crisis is clear: African-American infant 
mortality rates are double those in white communities; African-American 
children have higher levels of untreated dental disease; African-
Americans live 5 to 7 fewer years than whites; African-Americans have a 
25 percent higher incidence of cancer; and while African-Americans are 
12 percent of the population, only 3 percent of physicians are African-
Americans.
  These disturbing statistics tell us that something is not working, 
that access to good health care is problematic, at best.
  I welcome the health care debate in these Halls. It is long past time 
to dismantle a health care system based on health needs, but on demand 
generated by the pure luck of having insurance.
  I invite those who say there is no crisis to come with me to my 
district where you will learn that, yes, indeed, there is a crisis.

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