Cypress residents met on a Saturday morning to learn how they can advocate for the healthcare changes that can improve their healthcare and help businesses compete in the world economy. The event was organized by Rose Ann Howard, the local Organizing for America (OFA) coordinator http://www.barackobama.com/index.php .
Dr. Bill Honigman, a local emergency room physician, was the keynote speaker. Dr. Honigman is a state coordinator for Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) http://pdamerica.org/statecaucus.php?s=CA . He spoke about the need for reform that will put more money into patient care and less money into overhead. At one point, he pulled out a prop dollar bill and tore off a third, held up the torn section and said, "One third of every dollar goes to overhead, advertising, and doesn't get used for patients. If we get that number down to single digits, even 5% , there is already enough money in the system to pay for education and preventive care. "
Cypress residents discussed healthcare issues that impact their lives.
- How to get more young adults insured? One woman spoke about her son, who has a family. He doesn't have health insurance because he can't afford it. He works an hourly job and the coverage offered would take most of his take-home pay and not leave enough money to live on.
- How to get more young adults pushing for health care reform?
- How can America be able to compete in the world if our businesses pay health care costs which are much higher than other countries. This puts a burden on our businesses and makes the prices they can charge for goods and services too high to compete on a global market.
Meetings, rallies, and other events are planned to push for healthcare reform. Cypress residents left the meeting armed with information to give their families, neighbors and friends to educate them how to advocate for healthcare reform.
Comments