Press Release: BLACK PUBLIC OFFICIALS LAUNCH NEW ALLIANCE TO ADDRESS CRITICAL POLICY ISSUES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 17, 2006
For more information, contact:
Michael K. Frisby
202-625-4328
Averyl Bailey
571-277-5174
BLACK PUBLIC OFFICIALS LAUNCH NEW ALLIANCE TO ADDRESS CRITICAL POLICY ISSUES FACING PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE US
Alliance Seeks to Influence Medicaid Reform, Katrina Rebuilding and Federal Budget Priorities
WASHINGTON-Leaders of organizations representing African American public officials are holding a mobilization summit this week to launch a new alliance that will impact public policy on critical issues affecting their constituents, such as Medicaid reform, rebuilding the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina and Federal budget priorities.
The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is the catalyst for the new alliance, which includes Blacks in Government (BIG), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Judicial Council of the National Bar Association, National Association of Black County Officials/National Organization of Black County Officials (NABCO/NOBCO), National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBCLEO), National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL),
National Caucus of Black School Board Members (NCBSBM), National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) and World Conference of Mayors (WCM).
“The African American community and other communities of color are facing unique and difficult challenges in today’s policy environment,’’ said Togo D. West, Jr., President and CEO of the Joint Center, which is the most influential African American think-tank in the country. “From disaster preparedness and responsiveness to equitable access to quality health care, the African American community and other communities of color are facing unique and difficult challenges in today’s policy environment. In such an environment it is crucial that those who represent these communities collaborate and present a powerful voice in addressing these challenges.’’
Key members of the alliance are meeting Thursday and Friday in Washington for the “Black Public Officials Summit: Mobilizing to Address Critical Policy Issues.’’ At panel discussions on Friday, the alliance will determine policy positions on three key issues that are posing the biggest threat to the health and wellbeing of African Americans around the country:
- Medicaid Reform– The Medicaid Commission appointed by President Bush is currently considering reforms to the Medicaid Program that will have a significant negative impact on beneficiaries, a large percentage of whom are African Americans who may lose or have dramatically reduced healthcare benefits.
- Post-Katrina Rebuilding– Decisions made with regard to the rebuilding effort will have a major impact on the pre-Katrina African American population of the Gulf Coast, and therefore, African Americans must have a significant voice in the decision-making process.
- Federal Budget Priorities– The priorities established for Federal expenditures and revenue-generation in an atmosphere of increasing deficits will have a significant impact on social programs of vital importance to the African American community.
The participating organizations will give a united voice to the 9500 African American elected officials and more than 3 million African American government employees who serve the nation. These public servants represent the interests of the 35 million African Americans, as well as the interests of all Americans. For example, the 43 members of the Congressional Black Caucus represent approximately 40 million people of every racial and ethnic group. “Our pursuit of public policies that serve the interests and needs of the African American community are bolstered by the certain knowledge that these policies will benefit the nation as a whole,’’ said a key coalition member.) “The policies that we advocate for will make African American communities stronger, and will make our nation stronger.’’
In the coming months, the alliance will deploy a wide range of strategic activities aimed at influencing public policy on these issues. The activities may include position papers, advertising, speeches, press conferences, testifying before congressional committees, seeking meetings with the White House and mobilizing grassroots efforts to influence public policy so the end results do not endanger African Americans.
“Our goal is to create a powerful new alliance that will speak forcefully on issues that are of critical importance to the safety and wellbeing of African Americans,’’ said Dr. Gail Christopher, director of the Joint Center Health Policy Institute. “The time for action is now. Decisions are being made on Capitol Hill and in the White House that could be detrimental to African Americans and other people of color for decades. We want to influence public policy so that African American men, women and children can benefit from our nation’s public policy, not be its voiceless victims.’’
