Chuck D, frontman of Public Enemy, is pushing for legislators to pass a bipartisan bill to strengthen and expand requirements for healthcare price transparency.
On March 5, Chuck D along with Fat Joe, Valerie June and the Foo Fighters, attended the Power to the Patients Event in Washington D.C. The event was the latest in a series of efforts from the non profit group in partnership with musicians. Collectively the artists are pushing for legislators to pass a bipartisan bill—crafted by Senators Mike Braun (R-IN) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT)—that would strengthen and expand requirements for healthcare price transparency.
In addition to pushing for healthcare reform, the artists performed before an audience of lawmakers and government officials.
“The 18-year-olds find they’re now 35 and they might have to deal with hospitals for their parents and then here comes the hammer, like wow, who is going to pay for this? Where do we go?” Chuck D, 63, said before the concert. “Maybe the Travis Scotts and 21 Savages and Nicki Minajs can say something.”
Bronx native Fat Joe has been sounding the alarm about the continued lack of medical pricing transparency since 2021. The “Lean Back” rapper has witnessed ‘hard-working men who walk with a limp‘ because they aren’t afraid of the hospital fees.
In D.C, Fat Joe doubled-down on his fight by reiterating to lawmakers the urgency of healthcare price transparency. “People are afraid to go to the hospital because they don’t know what the cost is going to be,” said Fat Joe (aka Joe Cartagena). “We know what we’re paying for our rent, what we’re paying for our mortgage, but you need help for your health and you come out of (the hospital) with a bigger headache. We’re trying to be a voice for the voiceless and wake everybody up.”
Chuck D’s has always been one to take care of his health. During the heyday of Public Enemy, he was the frontman who didn’t drink or take drugs (he was always the designated driver), something he attributes to “ the pressure of holding your crew and your whole thing together”.
Chuck D and Fat Joe previously worked together in 2023 with the nonprofit for a public service announcement called “HIP HOP PSA: We Need Real Prices and Transparency in Healthcare.”