However, they account for 34 of all coronavirus deaths. In chicago, black residents account for 52 of the total coronavirus deaths despite comprising 30 of the citys population. Madam president , recently a survey of latinos in illinois who make up 17 of the population surpassed confirmed cases of the coronavirus and now they account for 23 of the confirmed cases in the state. The most of any race or ethnicity. On par with the Health Centers last week i learned the 34,000 africanamericans who have been testedoi in illinois, 36 were positive for coronavirus and 24,000 latinos tested, 62 tested positive. 62 . Compare that to the 73,000 white illinoisans tested or 18 tested positive. Latino and black patients in an illinois and across the nation are bearing the brunt of the pandemic as we continue to hit new grim milestones in this crisis, these disparities are a sobering reminderin that they inequities. Nationwide black and latino americanblack and latinoamericao have chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, Heart Disease and less likely to have Health Insurance than white americans. Its the result of historic and structural inequality including exposure to trauma, racism, stigma and in this pandemic it magnifies the need to immediately address them. Black and latino americans also are more likely to hold frontline jobs deemed essential. And the food retail and Service Industries that increases their risk of contracting the virus while reporting for work. Ive spoken with Many Community organizations such as the initiative as well as the community Health Centers that have stepped up to help find solutions to these challenges. But we cant just talk about the problem. We need to put solutions on the table. Congress needs to step up. Im working with the congressional delegation to improve the Data Collection efforts so that we can better understandri and address these disparities. Its unacceptable not all states are currently reporting the incidents and deaths by race. We need these statistics to help the federal government as well as state and local governments to develop plans to protect the most vulnerable populations. A few moments ago the republican leader, the senator from kentucky kind of warned us about the next stages of debate when it comes to this virus. He warned that those of us on this side of the aisle not to see this crisis as the basis for fundamentally transforming the country. I want to say to my colleague from kentucky to the others if we dont learn from this crisis, the weaknesses of this great nation when it comes to health care, if we dont understand the inequities of this great nation when it comes to healthcare and if we dont resolve to do something about it, shame on us. If at the end of the crisis we breathed a sigh of relief and go back to business as usual, Health Disparities are accepted in the country, shame on the senate. I want to see or read through this crisis with the fewest number of infections and deaths and to protect america and restore the economy. Thats when its over if we dont step back and take a look at what we have learned from this crisis and vowed to make america stronger, fairer and more just when it comes to healthcare in this country, shame on us and there are those who voted against every aspect of the Affordable Care act, socalled obamacare. Ten years ago i remember it well. Not a single senator from the other side of the aisle would support the efforts to reduce the number of uninsured people in america. We barely passed it by one vote with senator harry reid as the majority leader of the time without any help, without any voice from the other side of the aisle and what happened in my state the number of uninsured was cut in half by the socalled obamacare Affordable Care act. Since then, the other side of the aisle has been resolute in its determination to repeal it, not to replace it. They dont even have a replacement, but to repeal it and give up on the quest to make sure every american has the peace of mind of the protection of Health Insurance. I affordable, quality Health Insurance. So at the end of this whole crisis, are we still going to hear the other side of the aisle argue that we should have dedicated ourselves to reducing the number of uninsured . I hope they will take the time as i have to talk to administrators at hospitals about whats happening in their Emergency Rooms and in their surgical suites and other places where theyve had to address this crisis firsthand. One Major Hospital in chicag cho said half the people in that hospital who died from coronavirus related disease had no Health Insurance. Coincidence, no. To ensure the Financial Relief makes it to minority and women ends all businesses and i work with my colleagues to ensure theur vaccine drug trials include diverse patient populations widely available and affordable. Ive t cosponsored the Disparity Task force act this important piece of legislation will create a task force comprised of healthcare and economic leaders with the recommendations how to best allocate resources to address Racial Disparities in Healthcare System when the senator from kentucky comes to the floor and says dont use the Health Care Crisis as the excuse to transform america is that the racial inequality we see in her system that warns us not to address it . I hope not they hope we can have a m bipartisan approach to make this system fairer and help more people here is what is behind the bill we all put up signs and her windows and yards across america thanking healthcare workers for risking their lives. We understand these doctors and nurses in Lab Technicians and people working in Nursing Homes who were taking care of elderly folks for all healthcare workers risking their lives to do their work. I think that we all should thank them day in and day out but what will be do about the work they have done to recognize . We should compensate them for a job. Well done there is legislation on that subject im happy to support but what about the Healthcare Workforce . Why in the United States of america have the best and a brightest if they get great grades in high school go through college taking the tough courses and getting good grades getting accepted to medicall, school then after four years they go through a residency which is a backbreaking exercise to learn the clinical practice of medicine and then just before we tell them they are licensed doctor reddy to practice in eberica we give them bad news that they must carry a debt to medical school a student debt between 200,240,000 on average. What are we thinking . These men and women are critical to our own health care. Why do we burden them with this awesome debt they have to Carry Forward to build their career around . So to look at this from another angle looking at medical students willing to practice in areas of greatest need and provide scholarships to defray the cost of medical school so they dont end up graduating with incredible financial burden this would help with doctors and nurses a mental healthti professionals and the communities that contribute to those Health Disparities. Small town america that to reflect those communities improve those health outcomes. So last week the cdc i urged it with that workforce capacity. And with the threat of coronavirus is it is unacceptable and sadly not surprising that then to learn the dangerous virus and i fight with my colleagues in the senate to open communities across the nation. With coronavirus legislation to pass the original cares act then with the dissenting votes and then to pass on the state Senate Passing 484 billion and more will obviously be noted on made but also Unemployment Insurance to make sure hospitals large and small can survive this crisis that we are certain that it will. We have to be prepared to do that the republican leader came forward and said hes drawing a redline with these original challenges and that was the issue of the liability. But what the senator from kentucky is proposing we havent seen it. And then to be trial lawyers. And then to see those covid19 lawsuits. And those that i think most americans would agree should be filed. And then someone profiteering. And those with that moment of opportunity and now one State Hospital talks about surgical gowns could cost 22 cents a peach now between 11. 20 a piece clearly that price gouging and profiteering shed we hold those responsible . I would say yes is that a covid19 lawsuit i think its related but the way the most americans would agree it should be. If there are scams of they should be held legally responsible for the lawsuit if necessary and to make those representations that they should be held accountable why of course is that a covid19 lawsuit . It could be but those who talk about the protection of workers they may be turning to Workers Compensation and with those covid19 lawsuits going toos far . And in those situations to have quality protective equipment and do we all with the senator from kentucky is suggesting thats an interesting situation in the learn a little bit more about some senators and then those working in the meatpacking plant in illinois i thought that was pretty good. And then Meat Processing today to be much different people stand and literally elbow to elbow shoulder to shoulder with hundreds and hundreds of pounds of meat and poultry to be acted on immediately. Its tough hard work in our nurns out we are learning those disproportionate numbers are coming down with a covid virus infection estimated 5040 reported infected. With those executive order to mandate these Companies Open for business i can say yes they should open but only if they dedicate themselves to the health and safety of the workforce as the highest priority lets make the workplace safe before we talk about a mandatory opening. My stay in illinois that have been affected and they are determined and they see them taking that approach and that workers on the job have necessary distancing and protective equipment thats the right approach but in the meantime they ignore that responsibility for the illnesses or injuries that results . Workers compensation is the senator from kentucky with the 19 lawsuit that could be related to covid19 for sure i certainly hope so. Looking at those challenges before c us that redline or legal liability fails to take into account the justice in america which we have turned to in good times and bad to make sure those that have no recourse to consider lawsuits that take this issue seriously and carefully and with that opportunity to protect people risking lives every day in essential workplaces that they too can be protected by our system of j justice. Let them president i yieldin the floor spirit after a few weeks to help flatten the curve back in washington to continue our coronavirus response