Posted on 07/28/2009 1:54:03 AM PDT by Onerom99
Some 30 people took to the streets Monday, calling on U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock, to back legislation bringing health insurance to more Americans.
They stood with signs outside Carney's Williamsport office on Pine Street with words that stated, "Health Care for America Now," and "Health Care Can't Wait," before peacefully entering his office to deliver citizens' letters.
Members and supporters of Health Care for America Now specifically are urging the congressman to support House Bill 3200, which they say will add coverage for 23 million people by 2013 and 37 million by 2019.
They included people such as Kelly Amos, 35, of Williamsport who spoke briefly of her own struggles trying to afford health insurance for herself and her family.
"People are dying while he (Carney) is delaying on this," she said.
The House is expected to act on the legislation as early as this week.
While Carney has not committed to either voting for or against it, he indicated late last week that he could not support something that requires small- and medium-size businesses to provide health care for workers or face penalties.
Carney, who counts himself among a coalition of Blue Dog Democrats who favor various fiscal restraints, said such a plan would place an additional burden on health care costs at a time when the nation is becoming less competitive in the global marketplace.
He also questioned the plan's impact on rural areas and small hospitals.
Carney was not at his Lycoming County office to speak with people from the rally.
He later said all voices should be heard on such a critical issue.
"That is why we should proceed with deliberate intent but not rush at the expense of getting the reform we need to bring costs under control, improve health care and make our economy more competitive," he said.
"I understand the desire to address the problem quickly, but we only get one opportunity to do this correctly and we need to make certain that the plan actually achieves our goals, no matter how long it takes. Any acceptable reform plan must protect the individual's right to keep their own insurance and their own doctor if that is what they choose and it must not be paid for on the backs of our small businesses and/or hard working middle class families."
Amos said if more people were insured or relieved of expensive coverage, fewer would have to access government assistance programs.
"We are here to send a message to Carney," said Antoinette Kraus, Pennsylvania Eastern Organizer for Philadelphia Unemployment Project, who led the rally. "The Blue Dog Coalition has slowed the process."
Under the legislation, she said, 65,000 uninsured people would receive health care and more than 11,000 seniors would avoid the so-called "donut hole" enabling them to receive Medicare.
Other aspects of the plan would mean tax credits for small businesses for providing coverage and virtual elimination of uncompensated care by hospitals.
The more than $1 trillion plan would be paid for through a surtax on the wealthiest wage earners, cost cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, and penalties paid by businesses not providing the coverage.
Alison Hirsch of Williamsport said one of the big myths about the plan is that it will take away people's Medicare benefits.
Rather, it will mean less money from Medicare going to insurance companies, she added.
Hirsch said change in the health care system is needed.
"Everybody is hurting. They are afraid of what will happen," she said.
Iwanka Kultschyckyj recalled the nightmare of being uninsured after she became seriously ill while juggling four summer jobs to finance her college education.
Dr. Arno Vosk of Williamsport, a retired emergency room physician, noted how health care changed from a bloated, high cost bureaucracy since the time he started in medicine.
His early years, he recalled, meant longer hospital stays for patients and fewer administrators overseeing health care.
"The health care system has become tremendously top heavy," he said.
Vosk said while he supports the legislation, the best plan would amount to a single payer system.
Diana Dornblaser, 65, of Williamsport called the bill a start and a means of bringing the government into health coverage.
"It will force private insurers to be honest," she explained.
Lawrence Funk of Lebanon, a member of the Service Employees International Union, urged everyone to call members of Congress about supporting the bill.
"We can make this work," he said.
Kraus said she feels that Carney may be swayed to vote for the legislation.
"We feel if he keeps hearing from his constituents he might waver," she said.
“Antoinette Kraus, Pennsylvania Eastern Organizer for Philadelphia Unemployment Project, who led the rally”
Wow, they have a project for unemployment. You would think that they would be working to get people jobs.
Stepping over all those bodies in the ER is such a bitch...
Ever since they opened up a drug rehab in Williamsport (in the 1980’s, IIRC), Williamsport is a distant suburb of Philth-adelphia.
“Ever since they opened up a drug rehab in Williamsport (in the 1980’s, IIRC), Williamsport is a distant suburb of Philth-adelphia.”
Ahhh, that explains it. :( What a shame. We go up that way a couple of times a year on the way to see the grandchildren, but I only let hubby stop at the Grizzly factory once in awhile. :)
Yep. Nicely crafted signage and all.
I’ll defend the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. They do cover the tea-parties and their editorial is generally conservative.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.