HCAN asks Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell, “Which side are you on?”
07/25/08 | Comment (0)
Yesterday, dozens of citizens, union members, and Health Care for America Now supporters rallied in downtown Hartford to ask Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, "Which side are you on, the side of quality affordable health care for all, or the side of the insurance companies?"
Trestman spoke from the steps of the Capitol on Thursday as part of a demonstration calling on Rell and the business community, in the form of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, to cut the cost and broaden the accessibility of health insurance during the 2009 legislative session.
"In 2009, we will either have a guarantee of quality, affordable health care we all can count on or we will continue to be at the mercy of the private health insurance industry that is charging us more, giving us less and putting company profits before our health," Phil Sherwood, deputy director of Connecticut Citizen Action Group, said in a release.
Governor Rell pledged to take up the issue again in the 2009 legislative session, but fell short of signing our pledge declaring which side she's on. We're not satisfied. America spends 16% of its GDP on health care, far more than the rest of the world. At a time when our economy is in recession and Americans are finding they have less money for transportation, food, and leisure, a publicly funded health care solution would do wonders to ease the strain. And it would eliminate the waste and abuse that currently siphons off billions every year towards private industry profits, administrative costs, and advertising.
Today, HCAN supporters in Richmond, VA will be rallying outside of private insurer Anthem's Richmond headquarters and releasing a report on the private insurance industry entitled, "Insuring Health or Ensuring Profit? — A Snapshot of the Health Insurance Industry in the United States."
If you're in the area, please come out and show your support! Here are the details.
