Report Back from Health Care Reform Lobby Day

Tara Kelley

Hundreds of New Jersey residents made the long voyage to Washington, DC on June 25 to rally for health care reform. We were greeted at Senate Park by thousands of other concerned citizens, physicians, nurses, union activists and community group members from across the nation who want members of congress to support expanded coverage for the uninsured and underinsured. The appearance of actress Edie Falco ( late of The Sopranos and now playing the title character in the series Nurse Jackie) added a bit of glamour to the rally’s simple message: “We need health care reform – and we need it now.”

Rally participants heard from real people who had been denied care by their insurance companies, often with disastrous results. Their stories, told within view of the capitol building, were heard by politicians actively working for the public health care option. Among the speakers at the rally were NJ Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez; New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representatives Charlie Rangel and Anthony Weiner; Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown; Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski; and Vermont Governor Dr. Howard Dean. All of them urged the crowd to continue to write letters and make phone calls supporting the public option, in which Americans can choose to retain their current coverage or opt to participate in a government plan.

Health care has an impact on everyone; most bankruptcies and home foreclosures happen to insured Americans who cannot meet the out-of-pocket costs associated with a catastrophic illness. Many Americans are, in fact, a job loss away from this kind of disaster. It is important to offer a strong public option as an alternative to inadequate insurance and out-of-control costs. The rally on June 25 was a step in an extended national “conversation” with our elected representatives. We need them to support real health care reform this year – for everyone.

Tara Kelley is an Administrative Assistant for the Center for Management Development on Livingston and a URA-AFT contract committee member.