Kucinich in St. Louis

[eridani]

http://www.kucinich.us/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1544
Four Day Health Care Blitz in St. Louis, Missouri


For the third year Missourians for Single Payer presented their Annual Health Care Weekend as part of their ongoing educational program for health care reform. This year the programs took the form of a four day blitz.

Beginning March 31 Mimi Signor and Julia Lamborn, joined for a short time by Congressman Dennis Kucinich, discussed health care issues and the single payer plan for an hour on NPR’s local affiliate, KWMU. “ St. Louis on the Air,” hosted by Steve Potter, devoted the entire hour to health care. This call in program still had callers waiting when the show was over. Calls were 10 to 1 in favor of health care for all. One caller who said he was against the concept of health care for all due to the fact that he considered it just another entitlement program, was so apologetic that one had to wonder as to the sincerity of his expressed belief.

Friday, April 1 (April Fool’s Day) found a roving band of troubadours singing and rhyming street theater skits for health care for all. The “Health Angels”, directed by local activist Jeannie Breeze, appeared at four locations throughout St. Louis County. The theme was: “You can’t fool us. We know health care for all is possible.” Leafleting accompanied the performances.

Saturday, April 2 Missourians for Single Payer in Conjunction with the Campaign for a National Health Program NOW, held the first in a series of nation-wide citizen/congressional hearings. Roger Signor, Program Chair for MoSP, secured nine legislators to serve on a panel to hear citizens opinions and problems with health care access, affordability, and quality. The panel consisted of: US Representatives Lacy Clay and Russell Carnahan joined by Missouri Senators Maida Coleman, Joan Bray, Patrick Dougherty; and Missouri Representatives Margaret Donnelly, Barbara Fraser, Jeanette Mott Oxford, and Rachel Storch. The hearing was held in Richmond Heights, MO. Mayor Betty Humphrey opened the hearing with a proclamation declaring April 2 and 3 Health Care Weekend in Richmond Heights, MO. She was then joined by the Color Guard of Boy Scout Troop 740. Colors were presented and local vocal artist Eileen Pacino sang the National Anthem. John Carlton, Health Care Reporter for the St. Louis Post Dispatch, was the moderator for over 50 witnesses. Over 100 additional citizens came to listen and learn. People drove over five hours to attend and testify. The scheduled 3-hour hearing had to be extended to 4 hours so that all witnesses could testify. Heart-breaking and compelling health tragedies were told in personal witness, business interests testified as to affordability and quality, doctors and nurses, other health care providers and medical students told of problems within their own community. The religious community testified that free clinics for the poor is no way to provide health care for all. Witness after witness made the point that profit driven health care is the disease, not the cure!

Sunday, April 3 Congressman Dennis Kucinich was the guest speaker at the St. Louis Ethical Society. His topic, “Health Care Ethics,” was received by over 600 people. All available parking in a one mile radius was taken, and police had to turn guests away. Congressman Kucinich received three standing ovations and many outbursts of applause during his presentation. After the program, a reception was held and people waited for hours to greet the congressman and to talk about heath care.

Julia Lamborn-Gettinger, President of Missourians for Single Payer, reports that the local community is energized and re-committed to changing health care as we know it. Requests for educational programs are arriving daily. Now is the time for change!

Missourians for Single Payer, an all-volunteer grass roots organization, was joined by 152 organizations, businesses, and individuals to accomplish the 4-day health care blitz.

[Desertrose]

1. thanks for the news eridani..we sure don't get it anywhere else n/t