Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, Method Man, Chuck D, and French Montana have joined forces with Power to the Patients to call for healthcare price transparency. This groundbreaking collaboration comes ahead of the House of Representatives voting on a healthcare price transparency bill.
Taking A Stand
Rappers Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, Method Man, Chuck D, and French Montana have partnered with the national non-profit organization Power to the Patients in a public service announcement, calling for healthcare price transparency. In the PSA, rap artists criticize hospitals and insurance companies for hiding prices by posting estimated or average amounts instead of the actual costs.
Chuck D of Public Enemy describes the situation as “an American humanitarian crisis.” The rappers highlight the detrimental effects of obscured healthcare prices, including “stifling competition, overcharging, fear, debt, and devastation across the country.”
Starting September 22, the PSA will be aired in Washington, D.C., and select online markets nationwide. The goal is to push elected officials to commit to a healthcare system prioritizing transparency, ultimately providing honest and affordable healthcare for all Americans.
Rappers To Humanitarians
Fat Joe & Rick Ross’ Healthcare Efforts
This isn’t the first time Fat Joe has advocated for healthcare transparency. In June 2023, he joined forces with Power to the Patients and New York City Council to support the Healthcare Accountability and Consumer Protection Act.
This act established the nation’s first Office of Health Care Accountability in New York City, allowing residents to compare costs charged by different hospitals for the same services. The New York rapper’s dedication to healthcare reform even led him to visit the White House and meet with lawmakers to advocate for millions of patients, families, and communities affected by the flaws in the healthcare system.
It is important to note that medical debt remains the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in America, and only 36% of hospitals in the country are compliant with the current Federal Price Transparency Rule, according to Patient Rights Advocate.
Rick Ross has also used his platform to make a difference in healthcare. He donated over $30,000 to save the Fayette Care Clinic in Fayette County, Georgia, personally showing up to contribute and being interviewed by the local news network WSB-TV.
French Montana For Morroco
Another notable effort by one of the mentioned rappers is French Montana. The “Unforgettable” rapper created a promotional video in collaboration with Informed Immigrant, an online platform dedicated to raising awareness about resources available to immigrants.
French intended to provide information and inspiration to fellow immigrants, as he hails from Morocco. Additionally, French Montana extended his support to Moroccan citizens following a devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake in early September.
He partnered with Global Citizen and CARE.org, pledging $100,000 to assist Morocco during this challenging time.
Ice-T Partners With Sanofi For ‘The Season’ Campaign
Ice-T, known for his multifaceted career, also ventured into the health world to promote awareness. Collaborating with the global healthcare company Sanofi, he spearheaded the “The Season” campaign, designed to educate the public about the importance of the flu vaccine.