Healthcare forum stirs emotions

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Bridget Kane was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2000. After receiving treatments she was unable to work and lost her health insurance. She spent the next 18 nerve-wracking months uninsured.
“I didn’t have any coverage at all. I was supposed to see my doctor every 3 months, I didn’t do that. I only went to the doctor when I absolutely had to,” says Kane.
It’s a story she shared with audience members at the forum, and her passion was evident, because, she never thought it could happen in her own backyard.
“If you told me it’s happening in some third world country, I’d say yea, but it’s happening here and it shouldn’t be.”
An aide of Congressman Michael Arcuri also participated in the forum, and audience members made sure he’d bring back a strong message to his boss.

Healthcare forum stirs emotions

As leaders in Washington continue to work toward a solution to the health care situation in America, some in the Southern Tier are growing frustrated. The Health Care for America Now coalition held a public forum at Broome Community College. As our Rob Wu tells us, most audience members say reform can’t be delayed anymore, and the longer nothing changes, the more likely it never will.

“The only way our local officials can know the depth of our feelings of these issues is for us to express that. I think the people here tried to do it in a very respectful and gracious way,” says Bainbridge resident Gary Doupe.
And at times a very critical way. Some criticized Congressman Arcuri for wanting to wait until after the August recess before voting on a health care bill. Arcuri’s aide insists the congressman is not trying to delay healthcare reform, but simply needs more time to read the bill and make sure the reform is done right.

Thursday is the 44th anniversary of medicare, and coincidentally it’s our 44th president that has many in the audience optimistic.
“I’m glad to see we finally have a president that cares about health care reform,” said Charles Reavis, a Castle Creek resident who is awaiting a kidney transplant.

“I think he can carry it through. If he doesn’t back down, I think we will be in very good shape,” says Binghamton resident Tom Hobbes.
They all agree, it has to happen now, and each passing day where the status-quo remains the same, will only dim their optimism. Democrats in Washington say the full House won’t vote on health care legislation until September.