Rep. McGee Champions State Declaration Of Racism As Health Crisis

Press release from the House Democrats:

June 5, 2021

Representative Brandon McGee (D-Windsor/Hartford) has championed the declaration of Racism as a Public Health Crisis in Connecticut, and the creation of a commission to study racial health disparities in Connecticut. This declaration passed through the legislature as a component of S.B. 1, which will equalize comprehensive access to mental, behavioral and physical health care in response to the pandemic.

The Connecticut House voted 114 to 33 to pass this legislation with strong bipartisan support.

“The declaration of racism as a public health crisis is just the first step. This legislation will produce evidence-based policies to target the roots of systemic racism,” said Rep. McGee. “Racism is deeply embedded in our systems, policies, and culture, however, this bill displays Connecticut’s commitment to equity. The reform of current policy, and creation of new policy will uplift Black and Brown families in our state for generations to come. Many thanks to each of the tireless advocates who fought very hard for this passage of this legislation including CONECT, PowerUP CT, GHIA, Ministerial Health Fellowship, CT Black Women, Planned Parenthood, NARAL, YMCA, the Connecticut Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, and Health Equity Solutions.”

This bill will both declare Racism as a Public Health Crisis and establish anti-racism as the foundation of policymaking in Connecticut. S.B. 1 creates a commission that will analyze racism within the public health sector to develop evidence-based legislative proposals which focus on diminishing racial disparities.

Over 200 entities throughout the nation have declared racism as a public health crisis, including Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia, D.C, Nevada, and 21 municipalities in Connecticut.

Systemic racism is evident in Connecticut through several institutions including unequal access to health care, police brutality, unequal living conditions, higher rates of infant mortality, environmental injustices leading to increased cases of asthma and cancer, increased rates of trauma and unequal access to mental health resources. The pandemic has exacerbated these issues significantly due to over-representation within the essential workforce and over-representation in low-income housing.

This press release was produced by the House Democrats. The views expressed here are the author’s own.