FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 7, 2020                                                                     

CONTACT: Kathy Melley, (617) 791-0708

(BOSTON, MA) — American voters have chosen former Vice President Joe Biden as their president and Senator Kamala Harris as their vice president. Harris’s historic election will make her our nation’s first female, Black, and Indian-American vice president. With unprecedented turnout, voters delivered a powerful message that it’s time for new leaders who are committed to improving the health and well-being of all people. The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Black, Latinx, and indigenous organizers – and the voters they mobilized across the country and in key states – driving up voter turnout in critical areas and showing us all the leadership it takes to move our country toward justice and equity in all aspects of society. Poll after poll showed that voters were deeply motivated by the need to make health coverage and care more affordable and accessible to all people. Voters were also deeply motivated by the need to protect people and communities against the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding access to high-quality, affordable health care, addressing inequities in our health care system, and helping the country recover from the pandemic were centerpieces of President-elect Biden’s platform.

Statement of Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst, in response to the 2020 election results.

“Today is a good day for the health and rights of all people. In the midst of a global pandemic that has exposed the deep inequities in our society and health system, voters made clear that health is a right, not a privilege.”

“It is time to turn the page from the Trump administration, and to move from defense to offense. As health justice advocates, we are hopeful for the opportunity to push at all levels of government for policies that boldly confront the inequities and systemic racism rooted in our nation’s health system. 

“President-elect Biden made clear he will work to mitigate the harm of the COVID-19 pandemic, defend the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, and secure major expansions in affordable coverage and care. He pledged his commitment to advancing racial justice and protecting civil rights. We are ready for President-elect Biden to deliver on those promises with impactful and sustained action. 

“We pledge to hold the Biden administration accountable to its promises and to the people and communities hurt most by our system today, especially Black and Brown people, immigrants, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ people. 

“From the White House to Congress to state houses to city halls, Community Catalyst will never stop fighting to ensure all people have what they need to be healthy and thrive, regardless of their income, race, zip code, ability, immigration status or gender identity. We have never been more committed to building a fair and just society where all people can be healthy and free.” 

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About Community Catalyst 
Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @HealthPolicyHub