DC's Black Voices
Next meeting for the CNCMC
Monday, Feb. 20th @ 6:30 p.m. at 3939 Benning Rd. NE. This meeting is a strategy session for supporters of the National Capital Medical Center only.
Next meeting for the CNCMC
Monday, Feb. 20th @ 6:30 p.m. at 3939 Benning Rd. NE. This meeting is a strategy session for supporters of the National Capital Medical Center only.
posted by Leo Alexander | 10:15 AM
1 Comments:
Deceitful Debate Developing
Outrageous assertions often enter public debates to distort the facts on important issues. President Bush is a master of the art of deceit. A similar recent example of this same degree of distortion was declared recently by a Ward 6 physician in DC Watch. His comments impressed me as those of a provocative prevaricator. He maintains that a newly organized citizen's group that support the National Capital Medical Center was actually "a black power" meeting. His observations are far from the truth. The doctor's distorted claims are not only disappointing but also a profound distortion of the facts regarding this new group. It is inconceivable and deeply disturbing that public dialogue on NCMC has been reduced by the fear factor of race.
Several facts must be emphasized to reflect the truth about this newly formed citizen's group. It must be emphasized first that several white residents attended and participated in the meeting where allegedly African American bashed white citizens who oppose the proposed medical center. Our focus was not on those who oppose us but how to convince the majority of citizens and the Council of the merit of this proposed medical care proposal. Secondly, the physician's fantastical report on the meeting was completely depended on hearsay and rumors, not the facts reflective of a professional scientist. The doctor's report is reminiscent of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's assessment of Terry Schivo whom he examined via video and declared healthy. This doctor utterly failed in his comments to focus on the important and primary elements regarding NCMC. Perhaps he assumed that black residents ought to suspend their input and involvement regarding NCMC and leave such important matters to first class citizens in the District like the DC Hospital Association or the DCPCA who are specialists, well informed and wise regarding adequate medical services in the District. Yet none of this cohort suffers the medical disadvantages and difficulties of residents in the eastern portion of the District.
The fact remains that more than 50% of the District's residents live at least a half-hour away from a nearly-by hospital. The fact remains that residents in wards 5 through 8 also utilize emergency medical assistance more than any other sector of the city. The recent death of David Rosenbaum makes more evident the need for swift emergency medical service. Beyond the geographic disadvantages facing us is the added critical matter that many in these areas have serious and high rates of chronic diseases and many are not even aware of health problems because they have no health insurance or wait until they become ill before seeking medical care in a hospital emergency room. Equally as important, primary care alone will not suddenly create a medical safety net for the tens of thousands without an adequate health infrastructure in southeast.
Finally, I celebrate, as a member of this new citizen's group, the involvement of residents who have entered this debate not seeking to distort the facts or play the race card. They have spoken simply to include our views on this important public policy issue of health. I do not support NCMC because it will be developed by a local black institution, Howard University Hospital, or because it will largely serve poor and black residents at risk and without adequate medical services in their community. NCMC will move the District forward in providing health justice that benefits all residents rather than continue to ignore the pressing health care needs of those especially east of the river.
Raymond S. Blanks
The Gerasene Group
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