Unequal Lives: Health Care Discrimination Harms Communities of Color in New York

2009 – July 15

Unequal Lives: Health Care Discrimination Harms Communities of Color in New York (click to download PDF)

Rapidly escalating medical costs and insurance premiums, rising numbers of people without coverage, and rip-offs by monopolistic private insurers have dominated the New York political dialogue surrounding President Barack Obama’s plans for comprehensive health reform. On Capitol Hill, the American public is witnessing an historic clash of Washington special interest groups fighting to protect their revenue streams. Yet no one has more at stake than the 103 million people of color in the U.S.,1 including the 7,738,000 in New York.2 Throughout the nation’s history, communities of color have been forced to accept health care that bears little resemblance to what is experienced by members of more advantaged groups. For people of color in New York and nationwide, life is shorter, chronic illness more prevalent and disability more common. These are predictable side-effects of a health care system that provides these communities in New York with narrower opportunities for regular health services, fewer treatment options and lower-quality care.