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Alliance for Aging Research’s Statement in Support of Making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday

Published June 17, 2021

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2021 – Alliance for Aging Research President and CEO Sue Peschin, MHS, released the following statement in response to President Biden signing the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law:

“The Alliance for Aging Research (Alliance) praises the U.S. Congress and the Biden Administration for working together to make Juneteenth National Independence Day a federal holiday. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day that slaves in Galveston, Texas, finally learned that they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years before. All of us at the Alliance encourage policymakers to use this bipartisan moment of recognition as a starting point to make systemic changes needed in this country to address health disparities impacting communities of color. Policymakers must hold our healthcare system accountable for discrimination and its negative effects on access to care and health outcomes. As such, they must also reject any proposed healthcare policies that promote the use of discriminatory assessment methodologies, including the quality-adjusted life year, that would exacerbate inequities. Healthy aging for everyone is within our grasp as a nation if we choose to embrace policies that recognize each other’s infinite dignity and value. Lastly, we call on our many private partners to recognize the Juneteenth holiday with us and provide paid time off to their employees.”

Media Contact:
Janelle Germanos
Communications Manager
[email protected]
(202) 688-1209

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