| By Dave Harding, ProgressOhio - Apr 24th, 2009 at 9:30 am EDT |
Senator Sherrod Brown and health care advocates from Ohio Health Care for America Now (HCAN) led a community forum in Cleveland Heights last Friday to stress the urgent need for quality, affordable health care for all in 2009. The event at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church was one of 94 events being held in 44 states across the country during the April Congressional recess, and hundreds of Ohioans gathered to tell Congress when they get back to DC, they should get to work on guaranteeing quality, affordable health care for all in 2009.
“We can no longer afford to wait to fix health care in our country. Too many families, too many businesses, too many of you are struggling to make ends meet, and no one should have to choose between seeing a doctor when they're sick and putting food on the table or paying rent,” said Senator Brown. “It's a travesty we've waited this long, and now that we have a President who's made it a priority to achieve quality, affordable health care for all this year, I expect my colleagues in Congress to step up and do the right thing for the people they represent.”
The first step to achieving real health care reform in 2009 is passing a budget resolution that not only mirrors the President's own financial commitment to change but also guarantees a minority of obstructionist Members can't derail reform even if a majority support it.
“We know Washington politics are at play right now, and we need Congress to pay attention to what we here in Ohio and what people across the country are demanding – fix health care and fix it now. It's going to take a substantial upfront investment to make the kind of serious change we need, but we know it will be more than worth it down the line. Congress has stalled long enough. The time for bold action is now", said Brian Rothenberg, Executive Director ProgressOhio and a coordinator of Ohio HCAN
"We have an opportunity to solve one of the last great social injustices in America -- lack of access to affordable health care. Senator Brown is leading the movement to fix it now and have a public option that will give all Americans coverage and a choice of insurers. Ohioans understand that this is our moment and this is the time to get this done", Rothenberg said.
The community forum, entitled “The Fight For Health Care,” was held last Friday April 17th at the Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, 3031 Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Heights.
Health Care for America Now - the nation's largest health care campaign – is made up of more than 850 organizations representing more than 30 million people nationwide. President Obama and more than 190 Members of Congress support the campaign's principles for reform which include quality coverage you can afford with comprehensive benefits that meet your needs, the choice of private or public health insurance plans, and equal access to care in all communities. All across the country during the April Congressional recess, HCAN partners are sponsoring rallies, town halls, marches, and other events to stress the urgent need for health care reform in 2009 – reform that finally puts our health care needs before insurance company profits.
Below is the full video from this groundbreaking event.
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