Single-payer health care justice week
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CHICAGO--Protesters gathered outside for-profit health insurance corporation Humana in downtown Chicago, as part of national Single-Payer Health Care Justice Week called by Healthcare-Now.
Health Care Justice Week recognizes those who have experienced loss of health or life because insurance companies have denied their claims for treatment. Insurance companies admit that they deny one out of seven claims.
The rally was sponsored by a diverse group of organizations, including the Chicago Single-Payer Action Network (CSPAN), American Patients United, American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Physicians for a National Health Program, Islamic Network of Clinicians and University Students, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National Nurses Organizing Committee, International Socialist Organization, Progressive Democrats of America, ADAPT, Move to Better Healthcare and Illinois Single-Payer Coalition.
Some 65 people protested, with curious people leaving their workplaces stopping to watch and join the protest. A favorite chant, undoubtedly due to the recent Wall Street bailout talks, was "Money for health care, not corporate welfare!"
Several activists spoke passionately about why we need a not-for-profit national system that provides care for everyone. Retired steelworker Steve Skvara, who lost his health insurance benefits after surviving an injury, spoke to the crowd about HR 676, the Improved and Expanded Medicare for All bill.
Julie Santos from LULAC told the story of Omar Castillo's battle for a life-saving kidney transplant with University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Hospital. Because Castillo is 18 and the son of parents without documentation, the hospital refused to give him the transplant through the All Kids insurance program. After protests outside of UIC hospital, Omar was finally given the transplant.
Castillo shyly told Humana protesters, translated from Spanish to English by Santos, that he was grateful that he was able to receive treatment and that everyone deserves the medical treatment they need.
AMSA member Jeffery Larson explained to the gathering that HR 676 would cover everything deemed medically necessary by your doctor rather than by insurance company employees, and your age, employment and residency status would never be used as exclusions to care.
CSPAN meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in Chicago, and all are welcome to attend. Go to www.chispan.org for more information.
