HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC) chairman, State Rep. Ronald G. Waters, D-Delaware/Phila., introduced two resolutions at the annual conference of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) in Atlanta. The NBCSL—whose membership includes African-American state legislators throughout the United States—ratified the resolutions condemning the Arizona immigration law, and supporting cultural competency training for health care professionals.
State Rep. Waters’ healthcare resolution stresses that cultural awareness and cultural competency are essential skills for providing quality health care to a diverse patient population, yet only a small percentage of medical schools and teaching institutions currently provide formal training.
In his resolution, Waters says “the NBCSL recognizes the role of cultural competency training in promoting communication at the provider, care institution, health plan, national and state levels is likely to contribute to success in reducing racial and ethnic disparities in the receipt of high quality care.” Further, “the NBCSL calls on states to require healthcare professionals, in order to be eligible to receive or renew licensure, certification or registration, as applicable, to submit evidence to the appropriate state board that the professional has successfully completed the board's requirements for instruction or continuing education in cultural competency.”
The resolution also urges state medical boards to consider problems of race and gender-based disparities in health care treatment decisions; approve continuing education courses addressing cultural competency in health care treatment, and consult professionally relevant and nationally recognized organizations when adopting new rules.
According to the Urban Institute, health disparities among African Americans and Latinos relative to whites cost the health care system $23.9 billion in 2009, including $700 million in Pennsylvania. Medicare alone will spend an extra $15.6 billion, and private health insurers an additional $5.1 billion due to elevated rates of chronic illness among these groups. From 2009 through 2018, it is estimated the total cost of these disparities will be $337 billion, including $220 billion for Medicare.
“The costs to treat the diseases which result from Health and Healthcare disparities represent one of the recognized areas of unnecessary and arguably avoidable healthcare delivery costs. Specifically, in certain instances both prevention and more cost efficient management of chronic disease states can significantly reduce healthcare costs,” according to Dr. Lee Kirsey, MD, co-founder of The Center for Health Improvement and Economic Development, and Michele Jones, MSW, Manager of Partnership Development and Community Relations at Fox Cancer Center in Philadelphia.
In his second resolution passed by the NBCSL, Waters condemned Arizona Senate Bill 1070, also known as the Arizona Immigration Law. Signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer on April 23, 2010, the law makes it a misdemeanor for an alien to be in Arizona without carrying the required documents, and authorizes police to ask suspected undocumented immigrants about their status. A federal court is reviewing the constitutionality of key provisions of the law.
The NBCSL resolution criticizes the Arizona law for violating the Fourteenth Amendment by interfering with federal immigration power and authority, and urges state governments and public officials to refrain from doing business with the state of Arizona.
“Arizona Senate Bill 1070 reminds us that we must remain vigilant when faced with threats to democracy and civil rights,” Waters said in his resolution. “The State of Arizona previously demonstrated a disregard for the legacy of civil rights when it became the last state of the Union to observe the Martin Luther King holiday,” Waters added. “The Arizona Law is oppressive in nature and promotes racial profiling and separatism similar to the Nuremberg laws in Nazi Germany, Jim Crow Laws in the former Confederate States and the Apartheid laws in South Africa.”
The PLBC was founded in 1973. Its purpose is to serve as an information and advocacy vehicle to advance the interests of African-American, Latino, and other minority citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The PLBC is a member of the NBCSL, which is based in Washington, D.C.
###
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
PLBC Press Confrerence in support of School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman
The following are photos from a December 9, 2010 press conference at the School District of Philadelphia, in support of Philadelphia Schools Superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman. Participants included PLBC Chairman Ronald G. Waters, State Sen. Shirley Kitchen, State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson, State Rep. Cherelle Parker, State Rep. Vanessa Brown, State Sen. LeAnna Washington, State Rep.-elect Michelle Brownlee, and Philadelphia and Pennsylvania NAACP Pres. J. Whyatt Mondesire.
Speakers Show Support For Ackerman
Fox 29 News: The community came out in force to show their support for Philadelphia Schools Superintendent Arlene Ackerman at a meeting of the School Reform Commission.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
PLBC members support Philly Schools Superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman
HARRISBURG, Dec. 7 – Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC) chairman, State Rep. Ronald G. Waters, D-Delaware/Phila., said caucus members support Dr. Arlene Ackerman, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, and commend her for her commitment to diversity. The fearless advocate for children and school reform has been criticized recently for removing Security and Data Technologies Inc. from a $7.5 million, no-bid contract for surveillance cameras, and replacing it with IBS Communications, a minority contractor.
“I am proud and encouraged that Dr. Ackerman is taking on the issue of inclusion, diversity and opportunity in an effort to spread the school district’s contracts among all the communities. IBS is a highly qualified and a highly recommended firm, and Dr. Ackerman should be given the opportunity to defend herself,” Waters said.
“In a school district that is 88 percent children of color, minority participation leaves much to be desired,” Waters added. “Out of all of the businesses that contract with the Philadelphia School District, only 20 percent are women- and minority-owned businesses, and only 10 percent of contractors are people of color. We have to end this practice of economic apartheid.”
“I support extending the opportunity to small and disadvantaged business to acquire state and local government contracts. I believe that these businesses, which are often women and minority owned, are frequently overlooked and need the support and intervention of government officials and those in administrative positions to level the playing field,” said State Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Phila., a PLBC member.
According to the U.S. Census, Philadelphia is 43.5 percent African-American, 39 percent white, 11 percent Latino and 5.5 Asian. This means that nearly 58 percent of Philadelphia’s citizens are people of color, yet Waters is concerned that their numbers are not reflected among contractors doing business with the city. “The city’s top elected official is a person of color. The chairman of the city’s School Reform Commission is a person of color, as is the District Attorney, the Sheriff, eight of the 17 members of the City Council, 18 legislators representing Philadelphia in the General Assembly, and one of Philadelphia’s four members of Congress. Even the President of the United States is a man of color,” Waters added.
“I am a strong advocate for giving African-Americans and minorities the opportunity to participate in contracts with the School District of Philadelphia and all forms of state-related contracts,” said State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson, D-Phila., a PLBC member.
“How do we encourage our youth to go to school, get an education and invest in their future, when they come to school and see that the contractors, the people working in the school don’t look like the person they see in the mirror?” Waters asked. “The majority of the teachers and people earning income in that building don’t look like them. What kind of signal are we sending when we talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk? Actions speak louder than words, and children want to see results, not just hear what we say. How do we incentivize good, desired behavior when we want them to believe the system is fair, but the reality doesn’t agree?” Waters added.
“I congratulate Superintendent Arlene Ackerman for having the will to end the old boys’ network and stop business as usual,” Waters said. “Far too often, too many of us stand around as spectators. If we want to end crime, promote healthy behavior, and want people to feel that America is a great place to live and raise a family, then we have to do it by way of example.”
“If you want to reduce crime and show kids a bright future, rather than investigate fourth grade reading levels as an indicator of prison growth, you have to show that education is important—not just academics but life experience,” Waters added.
###
“I am proud and encouraged that Dr. Ackerman is taking on the issue of inclusion, diversity and opportunity in an effort to spread the school district’s contracts among all the communities. IBS is a highly qualified and a highly recommended firm, and Dr. Ackerman should be given the opportunity to defend herself,” Waters said.
“In a school district that is 88 percent children of color, minority participation leaves much to be desired,” Waters added. “Out of all of the businesses that contract with the Philadelphia School District, only 20 percent are women- and minority-owned businesses, and only 10 percent of contractors are people of color. We have to end this practice of economic apartheid.”
“I support extending the opportunity to small and disadvantaged business to acquire state and local government contracts. I believe that these businesses, which are often women and minority owned, are frequently overlooked and need the support and intervention of government officials and those in administrative positions to level the playing field,” said State Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Phila., a PLBC member.
According to the U.S. Census, Philadelphia is 43.5 percent African-American, 39 percent white, 11 percent Latino and 5.5 Asian. This means that nearly 58 percent of Philadelphia’s citizens are people of color, yet Waters is concerned that their numbers are not reflected among contractors doing business with the city. “The city’s top elected official is a person of color. The chairman of the city’s School Reform Commission is a person of color, as is the District Attorney, the Sheriff, eight of the 17 members of the City Council, 18 legislators representing Philadelphia in the General Assembly, and one of Philadelphia’s four members of Congress. Even the President of the United States is a man of color,” Waters added.
“I am a strong advocate for giving African-Americans and minorities the opportunity to participate in contracts with the School District of Philadelphia and all forms of state-related contracts,” said State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson, D-Phila., a PLBC member.
“How do we encourage our youth to go to school, get an education and invest in their future, when they come to school and see that the contractors, the people working in the school don’t look like the person they see in the mirror?” Waters asked. “The majority of the teachers and people earning income in that building don’t look like them. What kind of signal are we sending when we talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk? Actions speak louder than words, and children want to see results, not just hear what we say. How do we incentivize good, desired behavior when we want them to believe the system is fair, but the reality doesn’t agree?” Waters added.
“I congratulate Superintendent Arlene Ackerman for having the will to end the old boys’ network and stop business as usual,” Waters said. “Far too often, too many of us stand around as spectators. If we want to end crime, promote healthy behavior, and want people to feel that America is a great place to live and raise a family, then we have to do it by way of example.”
“If you want to reduce crime and show kids a bright future, rather than investigate fourth grade reading levels as an indicator of prison growth, you have to show that education is important—not just academics but life experience,” Waters added.
###
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Statement from PLBC Chair Ronald G. Waters commending Governor Ed Rendell for his veto of expanded Castle Doctrine bill
HARRISBURG, Dec. 2 – As chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, I commend Governor Ed Rendell for his decision to veto H.B. 1926, also known as the Castle Doctrine expansion bill.
I voted against the legislation because of its inherent dangers. I support the Castle Doctrine already on the books in Pennsylvania, which says that a person has a right to protect their home, their “castle” against intruders. However, the bill would have expanded the Castle Doctrine so that the word “castle” would no longer apply. This legislation went out into the streets—wherever people find themselves—and created a wide-open condition where you would no longer have to retreat when you feel threatened, but rather you could shoot first and ask questions later. You would no longer have to confront people verbally, just shoot to kill if you have a gun. These circumstances only encourage people to arm themselves, and can lead to a lethal confrontation which can prove harmful not only to those in conflict but innocent bystanders as well. Anyone knocking on someone’s door could be met with deadly force.
In addition, the bill contained no benchmarks for gun owners, and no additional training in proper gun usage. Even police departments are trained not to use deadly force unless they have to. They must have a perfect score of 100 in their firearms qualifying course in order to become police officers. If law enforcement requires training in the police academies on the proper time to use a weapon, then ordinary citizens should as well. Further, the bill extremely limited the ability of innocent victims’ families to file a civil action, thereby removing the element of responsibility.
I supported H.B. 1926— which would have protected young citizens by closing a loophole in Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law— in its original form. I voted for the original Megan’s Law legislation in the Judiciary Committee and on the House floor because it was a good bill. I also questioned and voted against H.B. 40, which was the expanded Castle doctrine, in committee. However, the Megan’s Law provision was later bundled with the Castle Doctrine bill into a single, unfair piece of legislation. The two bills address unrelated issues, and therefore should run separately and independently on their own merits.
The National Rifle Association supported the new Castle Doctrine legislation with expanded gun use. However, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association opposed the bill because it “gives thugs a new line of defense to escape the law,” and I support their decision. We have been trying our best to get the General Assembly to pass reasonable gun legislation to no avail, so they pass expansion of gun use instead.
I support a standalone Megan’s Law bill, and look forward to voting on it in the next legislation session. I encourage all members of the General Assembly to explore reasonable legislation that we can agree upon and sign into law next term.
I applaud Governor Rendell for his leadership and his commitment to protecting the safety of all Pennsylvanians.
###
I voted against the legislation because of its inherent dangers. I support the Castle Doctrine already on the books in Pennsylvania, which says that a person has a right to protect their home, their “castle” against intruders. However, the bill would have expanded the Castle Doctrine so that the word “castle” would no longer apply. This legislation went out into the streets—wherever people find themselves—and created a wide-open condition where you would no longer have to retreat when you feel threatened, but rather you could shoot first and ask questions later. You would no longer have to confront people verbally, just shoot to kill if you have a gun. These circumstances only encourage people to arm themselves, and can lead to a lethal confrontation which can prove harmful not only to those in conflict but innocent bystanders as well. Anyone knocking on someone’s door could be met with deadly force.
In addition, the bill contained no benchmarks for gun owners, and no additional training in proper gun usage. Even police departments are trained not to use deadly force unless they have to. They must have a perfect score of 100 in their firearms qualifying course in order to become police officers. If law enforcement requires training in the police academies on the proper time to use a weapon, then ordinary citizens should as well. Further, the bill extremely limited the ability of innocent victims’ families to file a civil action, thereby removing the element of responsibility.
I supported H.B. 1926— which would have protected young citizens by closing a loophole in Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law— in its original form. I voted for the original Megan’s Law legislation in the Judiciary Committee and on the House floor because it was a good bill. I also questioned and voted against H.B. 40, which was the expanded Castle doctrine, in committee. However, the Megan’s Law provision was later bundled with the Castle Doctrine bill into a single, unfair piece of legislation. The two bills address unrelated issues, and therefore should run separately and independently on their own merits.
The National Rifle Association supported the new Castle Doctrine legislation with expanded gun use. However, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association opposed the bill because it “gives thugs a new line of defense to escape the law,” and I support their decision. We have been trying our best to get the General Assembly to pass reasonable gun legislation to no avail, so they pass expansion of gun use instead.
I support a standalone Megan’s Law bill, and look forward to voting on it in the next legislation session. I encourage all members of the General Assembly to explore reasonable legislation that we can agree upon and sign into law next term.
I applaud Governor Rendell for his leadership and his commitment to protecting the safety of all Pennsylvanians.
###
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)