PHAN Helps Organize Health Reform Rallies

The Pennsylvania Health Access Network played a role in organizing rallies this week that called on Congress to act on health care reform. Check out the following reports from WITF Radio and The News Item in Shamokin, Pa.

Midstaters rally in support of health care changes

By Melanie Herschorn, WITF
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Activists staged more than 150 rallies nationwide to garner support for President Obama's proposed health care legislation. Two of yesterday's gatherings aimed to mobilize midstate residents. Moveon.org, a national political action group, held so-called "Emergency Rallies for Democratic Backbone" in communities across the U.S. John Herr, a council coordinator in Lancaster organized one such rally at Penn Square. He says there's a definite need for a health care overhaul and it's both an ethical and economic issue. "Health care costs are a big drag on our economy," he says, "and I think it's just plain wrong to have citizens who aren't covered by health insurance." Meantime, a rally outside Congressman Chris Carney's Shamokin office was organized by Alison Hirsch who's with the Pennsylvania Health Access Network. She says Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown's election to the senate should not deter the rest of the country from wanting a health care overhaul. "What we're fighting for is the same thing that President Obama wants," she says, "which is access for all Americans to affordable health care and reform that holds the insurance companies accountable." She fears if the current legislation isn't passed, the issue could be back-burnered for another 15 years.

Protestors: It's time for health-care reform

By Mark Gilger, The News Item
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

SHAMOKIN - Approximately 10 peaceful protestors seeking health-care reform held a 30-minute "Rally for Real Change" Tuesday afternoon in Shamokin.

The rally, during which concerned citizens held signs demanding immediate health-care reform, began around 2:30 p.m. in front of Democratic Congressman Chris Carney's office, 521 N. Franklin St., next to the city police station. It then moved to Independence and Rock streets, in front of the new Knights of Columbus building.

The rally called on Democrats to immediately pass a strong health-care reform bill that hasn't been scaled back.

Alison Hirsch, of Williamsport, who organized the rally, said, "We are here to give people a chance to express themselves about health care throughout the country."

Hirsch continued, "We want to make sure Congress doesn't lie down and give up on this vital issue. We also want to hold the insurance companies more accountable and hopefully persuade the House of Representatives to pass the current Senate bill that we believe will meet the approval of President Obama."

Hirsch said the rally started in front of Carney's office, but protestors agreed to move to the more heavily traveled downtown district. She said protestors received positive reactions from motorists passing through the busy intersection at Independence and Rock streets.

Among the protestors joining the rally were members of PA Health Access Network, Health Care for America Now and MoveOn.

Lana Gulden, 66, of Northumberland, said, "We're here today to tell Democrats in Washington that it is time to deliver the bold change they promised. If they decide to back off real health-care reform now, they will have learned the absolutely wrong message from the defeat in Massachusetts. Democrats need to stand up for American families rather than caving to big insurance, Wall Street and other corporate interests."

Gulden said she receives "socialized medicine," and believes universal health care should be established.

John Yuknavage, of Pottsville, said, "Our health-care system is broken. We pay more than any other country in the world for health care. The old, sick and bankrupt can't afford health care and the current health care system is concerned about profit rather than people's health. The status quo got to go."

Amy Johnson, of Milton, who came to the rally with her small children, said she and her husband are both employed, but uninsured, because they can't afford to pay for health insurance.

"It would be nice to afford insurance that covers everybody. Many people are one accident or illness away from financial ruin, but it doesn't need to be that way," Johnson said.

Ellie E. Fogarty, of Sunbury, who has attended similar rallies for health-care reform, including a candlelight protest in October in Sunbury, said, "People from other countries are appalled about the lack of health care in the United States. We all need health-care reform, but it is a necessity for minorities and poor people in our country."

Roie Spieller, a caseworker at Carney's Shamokin office, said Hirsch presented her with paperwork outlining the protestors' message that will be sent to Carney's office in Washington, D.C. She said Carney will then respond via letter to each health-care reform protestor who attended the peaceful rally.

Demonstrations similar to the one in Shamokin were also conducted in Williamsport and Pottsville.

According a press release issued by Hirsch prior to the rally, a Research 2000 poll reveals the following about voters:

- 95 percent of voters said the economy was "important" or "very important" when it came to deciding their vote.

- 53 percent of President Barack Obama's voters who voted for Republican Scott Brown in last week's election in Massachusetts, and 56 percent of Obama voters who did not vote in the election, said that Democrats enacting tighter restrictions on Wall Street would make them more likely to vote Democratic in the 2010 elections.

- 51 percent of voters who voted for Obama in 2008, and Brown in 2010, said that Democratic policies were doing more to help Wall Street than Main Street.

- Nearly half (49 percent) of Obama voters who voted for Brown support the Senate health care bill or think it does not go far enough. Only 11 percent think the legislation goes too far.

Hirsch said Democrats need to start fighting for working families and to stand up to big corporate interests to get the economy working for Main Street, not Wall Street, and invest in job creation to put Americans back to work.

Hirsch pointed out that even a so-called weaker Senate bill would provide health insurance for 31 million uninsured Americans, offer full health coverage for a family of three making $27,500 for $105 per month, provide Medicaid coverage to all people making up to 133 percent of poverty ($24,350/family of three), and outlaw pre-existing condition exclusions and lifetime coverage limits by insurance companies.

Hirsch said more information about fighting for health-care reform can be obtained by calling 1-877-264-4226, or by e-mailing aford@philaup.org.