The specter of an increased health tax has reappeared in Kansas City. Kansas City ranks 11th nationally in life expectancy but the city has just released a minority health report showing drastically lower life spans for black city residents. On average, white people live until 72, black residents die 10 years earlier. The city health department blames some of the reduced life expectancy on the lack of access to health education and health care. City Councilman Ed Ford questions whether race is the cause, or poverty.
