Documentary and Discussion – “Power to Heal: Medicare and the Civil Rights Revolution”

The AARP will present a showing of the documentary film, Power to Heal and the Civil Rights Revolution, with a post-screening discussion, at OLLI, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville, from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22 in the Reuter Center, Manheimer Room. This event is free and open to everyone.

Power to Heal is an hour-long documentary, produced for public television about the struggle to secure equal and adequate access to healthcare for all Americans of every race.

AARP provides this description:

Before Medicare was introduced in 1965, fewer than 50% of the nation’s hospitals served black and white patients equally. In the South one in three hospitals would not admit African Americans even for emergencies. By using the carrot of Medicare dollars, the federal government virtually ended the practice of racially segregated health care. The powerful book and documentary, Power to Heal illustrates how civil rights leaders and grass-roots volunteers pressed and worked with the federal government to achieve justice and fairness for African Americans. The documentary will be followed by a community discussion with local leaders to explore these historical issues and reflect upon current day challenges. This program is sponsored by AARP in the Mountain Region. If you have questions, contact Rebecca Chaplin at 828.380.6242 or rchaplin@aarp.org