Saturday, July 25, 2009

Stories from Maryland

Walk for Healthcare: Stories from Maryland

Shayla in Gaithersburg, Maryland


Shayla in Gaithersburg, Maryland
Originally uploaded by walk4healthcare

Shayla’s been newly enrolled in a PPO. Supposedly better than an HMO, she had high expectations. “But,” she told me, “I don’t understand why it’s so good.” “First, you pay more,” she explained, “and second, you still get a bill AFTER the co-pay.” And then she told me about the prescription plan, which requires you to mail away for the medications and it often takes 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. She shook her head. “That just doesn't make sense!”

Nuts & Bolts of the Walk

The Walk through Maryland - Photo map


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Press release for Sunday's Washington DC rally

July 24, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Coalition of the Uninsured to Hold Rally, July 26th, Urging Congress to Provide Universal Health Care for All

(Washington, DC) – An emerging national coalition of uninsured and under-insured patients; doctors, nurses, labor groups, health care advocates, community leaders and artists are holding a rally to urge Congress to provide universal health care for all Americans. The People’s Rally: Medicare For All NOW!!! takes place Sunday, July 26th, 2009 from 1pm to 4pm at Malcolm X Park (Meridian Hill Park) in NW, Washington, DC.

Donna Smith, a nurse and patient featured in the movie SICKO, will present alongside Rev. Graylan Hagler, Rev. Lenox Yearwood, Brother Bey, Dr. Carol Paris, Sonia Umanzor, Audri Scott Williams, Devin Walker, Jay Winter Nightwolf, and Gray Panthers of Metropolitan Washington. There will be musical performances provided by a variety of artists including The Makepeace Brothers, David James & Ndelible, Kuku, Luci Murphy & Friends, Yvette Benjamin, Nataska Hummingbird, Joel Segal, and Mikuak Rai. Dr. Ogan Gurel will be the last speaker. He is completing the 700 mille Walk for Healthcare (from Chicago to DC) in order to bring to Congress’ attention to the real hardships and suffering of Americans he has met on the way, due to the lack of health care. After he speaks, Dr. Gurel will then lead the rally to take the last steps of the Walk to the Lincoln Memorial; his next steps for reform will be meeting with members of Congress the following two days to deliver The People’s Voice.

This coalition of uninsured and under-insured citizens has been convened in light of the fact that recent polls show that over 60% of Americans favor a single-payer, government run, health care system; and yet, the voices of the uninsured, and advocates for Medicare For All legislation, have been sidelined in the health care debate. One-third of all Americans are either uninsured or under-insured; and, of the uninsured, over two-thirds are from communities of color.

Recently, Dr. Quentin Young, of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), cited that 62% of all bankruptcies have been caused by peoples’ inability to pay medical care costs. Now is the time for Congress to address these glaring disparities, and make a change that will benefit all Americans.

The People’s Rally: Medicare For All NOW!!! is supported by Labor Campaign for Single-Payer, Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO, Artists for Guaranteed Universal Health Care, Healthcare-Now, and Spirit of Truth Foundation. For more information, call (202) 276-3099 or email medicare4allnow@gmail.com.

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Rally & Walk - Washington DC - Sunday, July 26th

Washington DC Rally and Walk - Sunday, July 26th