No More Empty Chairs: Real Reform By Christmas

Check out Georgeanne in the news as she continues to share her request for people to send her their holiday health care wish.

Also please become a fan of Gerogeanne on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/No-More-Empty-Chairs-Real-Reform-by-Christmas/187539914779?ref=nf.

WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh

Sister Recalls Brother's Death, Struggle Without Health Insurance
Billy Koehler Lost Job, Couldn't Afford New Heart Defibrillator Battery
December 5, 2009
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/21868354/detail.html

PITTSBURGH -- Billy Koehler's heart defibrillator was the one thing keeping him alive, but after being laid off, the $10,000 price tag for a new battery kept him from getting a new one.

While on his way home one March night, Koehler's heart gave out and he died.

"He died right here on this corner," said sister Georgeanne Koehler.

On Friday, Georgeanne Koehler returned to the intersection of 44th and Davison streets in Lawrenceville with Channel 4 Action News' Ashlie Hardway for the first time since her brother's death.

[Georgeanne Koehler holds a picture of her brother Billy while talking to Channel 4 Action News reporter Ashlie Hardway.]
Georgeanne Koehler holds a picture of her brother Billy while talking to Channel 4 Action News reporter Ashlie Hardway.

The last time was when she tried to save him.

"I was able to get him out of the car, got about one more breath out of him and that was about it," said Brian Narr, who performed CPR.

Billy Koehler, 57, had just finished his pizza delivery shift at a nearby Vocelli's pizza the night he died.

He took the job after being laid off as an electronics repairman in 2003.

He couldn't get insurance at work and earned too much to qualify for Medicaid.

His sister is now campaigning for health care reform.

"You see, with the public option, had we of had that in 2007, my brother would have been insured and we would not have an empty seat at our Christmas dinner table this year. It's time to stop the empty chairs," said Georgeanne Koehler.

In 2007, a cardiologist told Koehler his defibrillator would need a new battery or it would stop working and he would die.

With no insurance, he couldn't afford a new one.

"The good people in Lawrenceville got him out of his car, gave him CPR and cared for him so he would not die alone. Isn't it time in this country that doctors and the hospitals do their job?" said Georgeanne Koehler.

Georgeanne Koehler is asking everyone to send her a postcard with a personal story that she will hand deliver in Washington D.C. later this month.

Check out the picture below of seniors writting their health care holiday cards to Georgeanne. And please submit your holiday postcard by clicking here. http://www.pahealthaccess.org/share-your-holiday-health-care-wish. If you take no other action between now and Christmas, you must do this.