Urban League: Health, jobs legislation fall short

WASHINGTON – Landmark health legislation won't be enough to reduce racial gaps in unemployment and health care, the National Urban League says in urging President Barack Obama to promote a "jobs surge" that targets hard-hit communities.

In its annual "State of Black America" report being released Wednesday, the 100-year-old organization said African Americans had made gains in overall equality with whites as measured partly by their high voter turnout in 2008. Still, blacks lagged in homeownership rates and were almost twice as likely to be unemployed and lack health insurance.

The 151-page study, which in 2007 featured a foreword by then-Sen. Obama bemoaning the problems facing black men, makes clear that it appreciates his efforts so far as president but that "much, much more must be done."

Seeking to broaden its appeal, the report for the first time also addresses inequality for Hispanics, the nation's fastest growing demographic group. It noted that Latinos faced many problems similar to blacks and in some areas may lag further behind, such as voter participation, insurance coverage and college enrollment.

"Now it's time for a strong jobs bill," said Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100324/ap_on_re_us/us_black_america_report

Interesting that Morial acknowledges that Obama is doing much but still says that he needs to do so much more. The job bill is great but needs to be bigger; the health care reform is great and "historic" but still needs more. Alot of black folks worked at those auto companies that Morial is dismayed received federal funds.

The "alternative public option" idea sounds very interesting. I do find it odd though; if a public option couldn't pass that affected all Americans, why does anyone think that one designed solely to help blacks would have any success? But I love the way these folks are thinking.