Live blogging from the Launch in DC
07/08/08 | Comment (2)
Richard Kirsch kicked off the event with a call for an American heath care solution now. “Americans know that we cannot trust the health insurance industry to fix the health care mess,” he stated. He premiered the national ad that will run all around the country. See the ad on our web site. Richard explained that Health Care for America Now will ask hundreds of members of congress which side they are on in the coming months: with us for quality, affordable health care for all, or leaving Americans on their own with the insurance industry.
Richard introduced the partner organizations’ spokespeople who represent thousands of working Americans, women and people of color, medical professionals and caregivers, and small businesses. Here are some of the highlights:
On the morality of the issue:
“Something is wrong in America, when war is given and health care is a question . . . but the reality is that “something” can change tomorrow.” Anna Berger, SEIU (Corrected)
On the significance of this campaign:
“This is the human rights movement of our time—together we will reach that goal.” Jeff Blum, USAction.
On the problem:
“Nine million children in this country have no health care at all. . . . America loses when its children can’t learn, and children can’t learn when they can’t get the health care they need.” Reg Weaver, NEA.
“Healthy children have a better chance of succeeding in life. Unfortunately too many children are not getting what they need. . . . This is unacceptable. We will never achieve full coverage for all children by simply expanding the current public and private programs.” Dr. David Taylor, Americcan Academy of Pediatrics.
David White, small business owner, “I am proud to pay for the platinum health care for my employees, but when prices doubled I had to make a decision.” Ultimately, they made cutbacks and eventually, laid one person off for 6 months.
“No one feels the brunt of our current health care crisis more than women.” Marcia Greenberger, National Women’s Law Center.
On the politics:
“We have certainly had gridlock on the solution in Congress, but there is a different consensus among the American people. . . . [Americans] want health care reform and they want it now.” Joe Hanson, UFCW.
On the urgency:
“We don’t have time to waste, we have work to do!” Gerry McEntee, AFSCME
It is inspiring to see so many organizations working together, and the breath and depth of the coalition is truly unprecedented.
Eli Pariser from MoveOn summed up the sentiment from around the nation:
I could tell you why [MoveOn joined the coalition], but one of our members, Alan D. from Norway, Maine, says it better:
"I have advanced pancreatic cancer," writes Alan, "diagnosed 6 months ago. The treatments effective against this particular manifestation of cancer are only available to those of us who can afford it ... It's tragic that Americans are dying every day from pancreatic cancer when the therapies that can help them to live, survive, and thrive are unavailable because medical insurers in this country won't cover the costs. There is something seriously wrong with a health care system that pits us as 'consumers' against HMOs as providers. Our overwhelming goal is to get well; theirs is to make a profit ... We ALL suffer the consequences, even those of us, like me, who can spend my children's future college money ... on the therapies that will help me beat this disease."
See our pictures on Flickr.
Levana Layendecker
Director of Online Campaigns
