For Immediate Release: February 17, 2010
HEALTH CARE ACTIVISTS TRAVEL TO ALBANY TO CALL OUT INSURANCE COMPANY LIES
Demand Congress Listen to Voters, Not the Insurance Companies
Albany, NY – More than 100 health care activists from across New York, armed with banners, signs, and stories of health insurance industry abuse rallied at the Westminster Presbyterian Church today to show people across the country are demanding Congress deliver on the change people need by finishing comprehensive health care reform now and finishing it right. The group then marched to the headquarters of the New York Health Plan Association on State Street to call out insurance companies for shedding members while earning record breaking profits, and for spreading lies about reform, including the state-level reform of Insurance Department approval for rate increases.
“We need good health care we can afford with the choice of a strong national public health insurance option,” said Dr. Ron Stram , Emergency Room Physician and founder of the Center for Integrative Health and Healing. “The private health insurance companies have no real competition, and we as consumers have no real choice when it comes to buying coverage. We are paying more and getting less, and health care legislation that includes a solid public health insurance option would force big insurance to lower costs and treat us better. We stand here today saying it’s time to end the stranglehold, and Congress should force insurers to put people before profits.”
The event emphasized the pressing need to rein in corporate greed, regulate Wall Street, create more jobs, shore up our economy, address global warming, protect workers’ rights, and finally achieve quality, affordable health care for all Americans.
A recent study by Health Care for America Now showed that in 2009, the top five for-profit insurance companies broke records in profit, while cutting off coverage for their members.
“These companies should be focused on my well-being not how much money I can make them,” said Kristin Barron, one of three women sharing their health care stories at the event.
Advocates also reacted to a new study by Health Care for All New York, which showed that health insurance lobbyists in New York, including the New York State Health Plan Association, have been spreading false information regarding legislation currently before the New York State Legislature. The bill, commonly referred to as “prior approval,” would require insurance companies to receive approval from the state Insurance Department before they can increase rates for individual or small group health insurance policies.
“Health care is a moral imperative and these health insurance companies are profiting off of the deaths of Americans. 45,000 people die each year unnecessarily and the practices of these companies must stop,” said Reverend Fred Brooks.
“As a small business owner, I need to be able to provide my employees with health coverage. But, I simply can’t afford to,” said Lisa Scerbo, a small business owner from the Capital District. “The insurance companies must stop obstructing the process for reform, and Congress must listen to voters.”
Wednesday’s rally was part of a week-long nationwide push insisting Congress act now on health care reform and listen to everyday Americans, not the insurance lobbyists who are spending millions to block health care reform and protect their profits. Health Care for America Now and its partners are holding nearly 40 events in 32 states between the 16th and the 24th with turnout expected in the tens of thousands.
The flagship event of the week is the “March to the Finish Line for Melanie” – an eight day walk which started in Philadelphia, PA on Wednesday and will end in Washington, DC on Wednesday the 24th – the day before President Obama’s Health Care Summit. The march is named for Melanie Shouse, a health care advocate who just lost her long battle with breast cancer after missing out on treatment because she did not have access to good, affordable health insurance. Supporters can follow the “March to the Finish Line for Melanie” online at http://melaniesmarch.com/.
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