In an eye-opening episode of Fat Joe Talks, the iconic rapper sits down with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to shine a spotlight on the critical importance of healthcare. Released on Tuesday (Oct. 29), the trailer features Fat Joe addressing the alarming health issues affecting the community, citing the recent losses of beloved musicians like Frankie Beverly, Batman, Fat Man Scoop, and Rich Homie Quan. “We really got to take care of our health,” he emphasizes, underlining the impact of these losses.
Jeffries adds that many health challenges stem from urban communities’ lack of access to nutritious food and quality healthcare. “More people are dying from lack of access to healthy food and healthcare than from gun violence,” he points out, highlighting the urgent need to tackle diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions that lead to premature deaths.
Fat Joe also notes the struggles of artists like Rich Homie Quan, who have faced serious health issues. “It’s a wake-up call for all of us,” he says, stressing that health concerns are far too common in the music community and beyond.
Healthcare price transparency is a key focus for Fat Joe, who has been vocal about fighting against price gouging by pharmaceutical companies. He previously advocated for the Healthcare Accountability & Consumer Protection Act in New York and is now a spokesperson for Power to the Patients, rallying support from unions and workers for a new PSA aimed at ending price gouging.
Jeffries commends Fat Joe for his impactful work in the healthcare space, stating, “You have people getting access to the affordable and high-quality healthcare that they need.” He shares a powerful sentiment, saying, “In urban America, more people die from drive-throughs than drive-bys.”
Catch the full episode of Fat Joe Talks premiering on Starz this Friday at midnight ET, featuring a special appearance by Babyface next week for an exclusive chat with the Bronx native. Don’t miss this important conversation on healthcare reform!