Update: new video added. Watch it here

Today's hip-hop "Healthcare Remix" panel discussion at SEIU's headquarters in Washington, DC shed a bright light on the need for healthcare reform that does more than just expand insurance coverage--and why it is imperative that every community has a voice at the decision-making table. The event was held in honor of J Dilla, an influential hip-hop MC and producer whose rising star was cut short by complications stemming from his battle with Lupus.

Panelists spoke on the tremendous need for the hip-hop and artist community to advocate publicly on the need for healthcare reform, both in their communities and on Capitol Hill. "Hip-hop understood the power of being organized and the power of collaboration and diversity in organizing before it became the [more mainstream] term it is today. Unions understand this too," said panel moderator CIR/SEIU Healthcare president Dr. L Toni Lewis. "What you have is your voice to let Congress know what needs to done for healthcare equality today."

"Our people--poor people--are dying in America today because they don't have a card<," said Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr., the president and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus of the millions of people whose suffering might have been prevented if they had been able to afford to receive the life-saving care they needed. Watch Rev. Yearwood speak about the biggest battle facing our generation in the 21st century:

Check out photos from the Healthcare Remix discussion here.

Our broken health care system touches every one, and J Dilla's story is no exception.

Who was J Dilla? James Yancey (aka J Dilla, aka Jay Dee) was an influential hip-hop MC and producer whose rising star was cut short by complications stemming from his battle with Lupus. Dilla emerged from the mid-1990s underground hip-hop scene in Detroit, Michigan, and was widely respected throughout the hip-hop community as a "producer's producer." Artists took notice of his fearless crafting of hip-hop, soul and electronic music into his own unique embodiment of sound. He was a founding member of the rap group Slum Village and very highly regarded by mainstream artists and producers such as Common, De La Soul, Kanye West, A Tribe Called Quest, ?uestlove, Busta Rhymes and Pharrell Williams. Although Jay Dee chose to remain relatively underground and out of the limelight while he was alive, his many influences and distinct impact and many influences his music has had on the world of hip-hop and R&B will live on. As Busta Rhymes put it best in 2007: "[J Dilla] wasn't just a producer, he was the best producer."

In 2002, Dilla was diagnosed with Lupus, an often-debilitating autoimmune disease that afflicts 1.5 million Americans. After he lost his insurance coverage, the costs associated with his care and hospitalizations reached six-digit levels. In his last days, his mother and the rest of his family caring for him faced prescriptions with $4,000 co-pays. In the U.S., 60 percent of uninsured Americans are self-employed or employed by a small business that does not offer health benefits.

Today, hip-hop artists are joining workers and a major disease research foundation at the "Healthcare Remix" in DC today at SEIU's headquarters to discuss healthcare reform and why it is so important that Congress gets it done this year. More details on the roundtable here.

TONIGHT: J Dilla Tribute and Fundraiser
Three years after Dilla's death, DC is still rightfully paying homage to the accomplished beatmaker who brought us everything from Pharcyde's "Runnin'?" to Janet Jackson's "Got 'Til It's Gone." SEIU is co-sponsoring the 4th Annual J Dilla Tribute & Fundraiser show at Liv Niteclub in Washington, DC. Doors open at 9pm. This is a free event, but donations are encouraged. A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Maureen Yancey Fund and the Lupus Foundation GWDC. To RSVP, visit http://dilladc09.eventbrite.com/

The show at Liv will be hosted by Phife (A Tribe Called Quest) & Grap Luva, and includes special guests Dilla's mother "Ma Dukes" Yancey and little brother Illa Jay. DJs will celebrate Dilla's life by spinning some of his finest compositions and there will be live performances by an impressive line-up to include Phife, Wayna, Kev Brown, Oddisee + Diamond District and Alison Carney.

This Wednesday, SEIU is hosting a discussion at our headquarters on how health care reform can prevent the kind of financial stress and hardship J Dilla's loved ones--the Yancey family--has endured due to the high cost of medical treatment.

WHO: Mr. Malik "Phife Dawg" Taylor, member of A Tribe Called Quest & Diabetes patient; Ms. Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, J Dilla's mother; Dr. L Toni Lewis, President of Committee of Interns & Residents/SEIU; Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Hip Hop Caucus; Casey-Rae Hunter, Future of Music Coalition

WHAT: Roundtable discussion about health care reform and its implications for individuals in the arts and beyond.

WHERE: SEIU International Headquarters
1800 Massachusetts Ave
Washington, DC 20036

WHEN: Wednesday, July 8th 1 - 2 PM

If you're interested in attending, please contact healthcareremix@gmail.com

Presented by SEIU, LFAGW & Hedrush Entertainment, the 4th Annual J Dilla Tribute & Fundraiser will take place that same night at Liv Niteclub in Washington, DC at 9pm. This is a free event, but donations are encouraged. To RSVP, visit http://dilladc09.eventbrite.com/.