Sorority Hails Passage of Health Care Reform Bill
President credits members' hard work as key to law's passage
Alpha Kappa Alpha's International President Barbara A. McKinzie proclaimed the passage of the health care reform bill as a "seminal moment in our history" because of the profound impact it will have on the quality of life for millions of Americans who had been denied access to health care.
In a press release distributed following passage of the bill, she credited members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for being part of the gale force that swept it into law. She said members were relentless in e-mailing, calling, networking and even visiting lawmakers who had not decided how to vote.
Adopting the ESP theme that marks her administration, McKinzie said, "Our members Energetically, Sincerely and Proactively drew from their sister power to appeal to those 'fence-sitting' congressmen to do the right thing for America. Through this steady stream of calls and persuasion, many 'undecideds' opted to vote ‘yes' and this landmark legislation was passed."
McKinzie said that the bill will benefit a broad swath of Americans including those denied medical care because they lack insurance, those with pre-existing conditions whose illnesses preclude them from getting medical care and the millions on the precipice of disaster who would be financially devastated by a protracted-and costly-illness.
The immediate benefit, said McKinzie, is that over 32 million hard-working Americans who had not been able to afford health insurance, will be entitled to health care-something that should be a right-and not a privilege in America.
"Through this landmark legislation," said McKinzie, "middle class people who could not afford medical care, can now rest peacefully knowing that they will have affordable insurance that will provide comprehensive coverage."
In reflecting on the significance of the bill, McKinzie said, "This is about equality in a new frontier-the health care arena-which had not been open to all prior to the passage of this law." She said that while she mourns those whose deaths were due to inability to get timely healthcare before their illness was beyond treatment, she is relieved that this bill would prevent such deaths because it provides a much-needed solution to the crisis.
McKinzie praised President Barack Obama for his courage, tenacity and perseverance for shepherding through a law that had eluded past presidents. She said this represents the culmination of decades of attempts to create fairness and equality in health care.
She also applauded Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her stick-to-itiveness and inspired leadership in rallying the House of Representatives around this law.
Finally, she hailed members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the battalion of groups that the president called upon to help spread the message and usher in the passage of this bill.
Said McKinzie, "It was truly this grassroots movement, inspired by personal health care horror stories that prompted this overwhelming groundswell of support that culminated in the passage of this bill."
McKinzie cautioned that while this is a time of celebration and jubilation, we must "provide cover" for those who voted for the law, but will be targeted for defeat by conservatives who spread malicious lies in a desperate effort to stymie progress. She said Alpha Kappa Alpha members would mobilize and wage a voter education campaign in those districts where lawmakers are in jeopardy.
While cognizant that some congressmen put their political lives at risk by voting for the bill, she added that they should feel proud to be a part of history. Reflecting on the significance of the legislation, McKinzie declared: "This bill ranks in the annals of American history as one that set America on a course that truly united the nation. As all of the provisions of the law go into effect, the full force of its benefits will dramatically prove that this bill made America healthier, kinder and greater."