In Charlotte, Vice President Kamala Harris speaks about medical debt

By Kenneth Lee Jr. | HERE News

As election season ramps up, Vice President Kamala Harris made another stop in North Carolina on Wednesday. She spoke at Johnson C. Smith University, an HBCU, as part of a nationwide tour highlighting economic opportunity.

Addressing Medical Debt

During a moderated panel with commentator and former South Carolina state Rep. Bakari Sellers and actor Michael Ealy, Harris highlighted the administration’s focus on investing in local communities, building wealth, and promoting equity. She mentioned a new proposal that would prohibit medical bills from being included in credit reports, emphasizing that this could be a game-changer for people burdened by debt.

“This is gonna be a game changer for so many people,” Harris said. “And, again, it’s about debt — it is not just about a financial number. It’s about how it weighs on people to keep them back when they’re working hard and want to move forward. And so I’m particularly proud of what we’ve done on medical debt.”

Importance of Home Ownership

With housing prices soaring, Harris also stressed the significance of owning a home as a means for American families to afford other needs. She highlighted how home ownership enables intergenerational wealth and provides families with the ability to support endeavors such as starting a business.

“If your child says I want to start a business, you can say, ‘Honey, I can take some equity out of the home and help you with some start-up capital.’ Home ownership is one of the best ways that we achieve intergenerational wealth,” Harris said.

Focus on North Carolina

Democrats are pushing to make North Carolina competitive in the upcoming election and hope to sway the state for Biden. The party has been actively engaging with Black voters, including the launch of a “Black Voters for Biden” group with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and other leaders. However, polling averages indicate that Democrats face a challenging battleground in North Carolina, with former President Trump leading by about 6 percentage points.

Additionally, Democrats are aiming to maintain control of key positions such as the governor’s mansion and the attorney general’s office.

Conclusion

Vice President Kamala Harris’s visit to Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, provided a platform for discussing crucial economic issues such as medical debt relief and the importance of home ownership. As the political landscape heats up in the state, Democrats are strategically working to secure support and make North Carolina a focal point in the upcoming election.

Stay tuned for more updates on the campaign trail and the latest developments in North Carolina.