National African-American Leaders and Congressional Black Caucus Members
Hold Press Announcement at U. S. Capitol
to Dispel Myths and Urge Americans to Support Health Care Reform

Washington, DC – Prior to President Obama’s speech to the joint session of Congress on healthcare reform, national African-American leaders and members of the Congressional Black Caucus joined together at the U.S. Capitol today to call for action in support of the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act and to dispel myths that are plaguing the minds of many Americans.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chair, Congressional Black Caucus and Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League and Chair of the Black Leadership Forum led the delegation of leaders stating the need to clarify what’s at stake and why
all American’s need to support healthcare reform. "As the health care debate continues to heat up, African-American leaders need to
be more vocal about why health care reform is needed in this country,” stated Marc H. Morial. “With 46 million people living without health care insurance and about half of those being people of color, and with rising health care costs that are crushing families
and small businesses, an overhaul is imminent.”

Three Good Reasons to Support Health care Reform:
1. Access –make healthcare accessible to ALL Americans.
2. Affordability – reduce costs to make health care affordable with a focus on prevention and wellness.
3. Competition – ensure stable costs and quality care through a robust public option.

Three Big Lies (Myths) about Health care Reform:
1. People with insurance don’t benefit.
2. It creates death panels for the elderly.
3. It represents Socialism.

"As the Members of Congress who represent millions of disproportionately under- and uninsured Americans whose health and wellness have suffered because of the numerous gaps in our nation's health care system, we are deeply concerned about the current discussions surrounding health care reform," said Congressional Black Caucus Chair Barbara Lee (D-CA). "We want President Obama to know that the members of the Congressional Black Caucus and our coalition partners stand at the ready in the fight to reform America's broken health care system."

About National Urban League
Established in 1910, The National Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest communitybased movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Today, the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates. There are over 100 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 35 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than two million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research. Please visit us at www.nul.org.

About The Congressional Black Caucus
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc. (CBCF) was established in 1976 as a nonpartisan, non-profit, public policy, research and educational institute intended to broaden and elevate the influence of African Americans in the political, legislative and public policy arenas. For more information about the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, visit www.cbcfinc.org.