Pennsylvanians Gather on Capitol Steps for Daylong Reading of Health Reform Bill

Healthcare

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October 14, 2009

Supporters of national healthcare reform rallied outside the State Capitol today calling for passage of legislation that would give America a healthcare system to be proud of.

The rally was part of a daylong "Reading of the Bill" on the State Capitol steps. Between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., more than 60 local residents volunteered to take turns reading America's Affordable Health Choices Act (HR 3200) in its entirety. That bill has passed three committees of the U.S. House of Representatives and now awaits action by the full membership later this month.

"We believe this is a statement of democracy and a statement of what we the people of Pennsylvania think should happen with health care in this country," said Eileen Connelly, State Director of the SEIU Pennsylvania State Council, who emceed the noon rally.

Several speakers addressed the urgency and necessity of reform efforts so that every American will have access to affordable, quality health care.

"It is immoral for a nation as rich in resources as the United States of North America to not provide multiple ways for its citizens to have care for their health," the Rev. Susan Minasian, Chaplain at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, told the crowd gathered for the noon rally. "It is immoral for the government of the people, by the people and supposedly for the people to withhold what they have for themselves."

John Meyerson, Director of Legislation for the United Food and Commercial Workers 1776, discussed the importance of a healthcare reform plan including a mandate on employers to provide health insurance and a public health insurance option for the uninsured.

Estella Hyde, President of AARP Pennsylvania, said that the legislation must also do away with laws allowing insurers to deny coverage for preexisting conditions and to base premiums on age.

Several speakers emphasized the urgency of enacting healthcare reform now. "Today's the day we start to fight for what we have to do on healthcare," said Bill George, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. "If you want a better quality of life for your children, your grandparents and yourself, you need to pick up that phone and give that Congressperson a call and say you want health care reform today!"

Speakers also voiced optimism about the passage of health care reform.

"We are hoping that by the end of this year indeed there will be true health care reform that we all can support," Hyde said.

Berry Friesen, Public Affairs Manager of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, said that Wednesday's event was intended to "amplify the voice of the people and encourage everyday folks to get involved. Healthcare is personal and it affects all of us. We've got to get it right."

A candlelit vigil will be held along with the reading beginning this evening at 7 p.m.

The reading is being sponsored by Health Care for America Now (HCAN), the Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN), SEIU, and partnering groups. PBPC is a member of PHAN. For more information call Diane Topakian, SEIU, at 717-232-1270 or Alison Hirsch, PHAN, at 570-974-3101.

Harrisburg Democratic Mayoral Candidate and City Council President Linda Thompson took a turn at the podium, reading the health care legislation.