osoab
8th June 2011, 05:06 PM
Health Secretary Sebelius asks ministers to help push back against "mistruths" on healthcare bill (http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-health-secretary-sebelius-asks-minister-to-help-push-back-against-mistruths-on-healthcare-bill-20110607,0,5128171.story)
10:36 p.m. EDT, June 7, 2011
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asked black pastors and clergy members to help the administration fight what she called “mistruths” about the health care reform law President Barack Obama signed into law last year
Sebelius, addressing crowd of over 5,000 at the Hampton University Ministers’ Conference Tuesday night, said that black churches had a key role to play in helping to drum up support for the law, which has ignited controversy.
“As faith leaders you have a unique ability to reach people, especially the most vulnerable populations,” Sebelius said. “No one can do more to arm your communities with tools and information.”
Sebelius said that too many blacks were still uninsured and that gaps in coverage affect the economy. “Racial and ethnic disparities cost our economy more than $300 billion in economic activity,” she said. In the speech Sebelius compared the Administration’s battle for health care reform to the civil rights movement, referencing the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. several times, who was a past speaker at the 97th annual event.
“Dr. King once said that of all the forms of injustice, the disparities in health were the most shocking and the most inhumane,” Sebelius said.
Republican leaders in the state, including Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli have been harsh and consistent critics of the health care overhaul. Prominent legal scholars on both sides of the argument believe the legal challenges to the law are destined for the Supreme Court.
The gathering draws a wide group of interdenominational clergy members and politicians from across the country to the college each year. A host of local leaders and dignitaries were present for the speech, including U.S. Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott,D-Newport News, state Del. Gordon C. Helsel, and others.
Past speakers at the conference have included the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. T.D. Jakes. Obama addressed the conference when he was a U.S. senator in 2007.
Some ministers in attendance said they were receptive to message from Sebelius. “ I think the church role in a situation like this is to do what’s always been done. To be the voice and communication’s point for the people,” said Larry Smith, a minister with Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn.
“Unfortunately we can’t separate religion from the life we live, which sometimes is political,” Smith added.
Earlier in the day, Sebelius toured the HU Proton Therapy Institute with HU President William R. Harvey, as well as Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
10:36 p.m. EDT, June 7, 2011
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asked black pastors and clergy members to help the administration fight what she called “mistruths” about the health care reform law President Barack Obama signed into law last year
Sebelius, addressing crowd of over 5,000 at the Hampton University Ministers’ Conference Tuesday night, said that black churches had a key role to play in helping to drum up support for the law, which has ignited controversy.
“As faith leaders you have a unique ability to reach people, especially the most vulnerable populations,” Sebelius said. “No one can do more to arm your communities with tools and information.”
Sebelius said that too many blacks were still uninsured and that gaps in coverage affect the economy. “Racial and ethnic disparities cost our economy more than $300 billion in economic activity,” she said. In the speech Sebelius compared the Administration’s battle for health care reform to the civil rights movement, referencing the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. several times, who was a past speaker at the 97th annual event.
“Dr. King once said that of all the forms of injustice, the disparities in health were the most shocking and the most inhumane,” Sebelius said.
Republican leaders in the state, including Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli have been harsh and consistent critics of the health care overhaul. Prominent legal scholars on both sides of the argument believe the legal challenges to the law are destined for the Supreme Court.
The gathering draws a wide group of interdenominational clergy members and politicians from across the country to the college each year. A host of local leaders and dignitaries were present for the speech, including U.S. Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott,D-Newport News, state Del. Gordon C. Helsel, and others.
Past speakers at the conference have included the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. T.D. Jakes. Obama addressed the conference when he was a U.S. senator in 2007.
Some ministers in attendance said they were receptive to message from Sebelius. “ I think the church role in a situation like this is to do what’s always been done. To be the voice and communication’s point for the people,” said Larry Smith, a minister with Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn.
“Unfortunately we can’t separate religion from the life we live, which sometimes is political,” Smith added.
Earlier in the day, Sebelius toured the HU Proton Therapy Institute with HU President William R. Harvey, as well as Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.