The insurance companies are spending millions to confuse and scare the public in order to keep their grip on our health and our money. The insurance industry trade lobby, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) released a report that claims the Senate Finance Committee’s version of health care reform legislation would raise average family premiums to $21,300. They want us to fear any change so they can continue paying millions of dollars to their CEOs while they routinely deny care and raise premiums.
Meanwhile, each year more than 45,000 people die because they can’t get the care they need. That’s more than 120 deaths every day.
Yesterday, in nine cities across the country, people staged sit-ins at health insurance offices to call for real reform that addresses the real cause of the health care crisis. The actions were a part of a national day of action coordinated by the group Mobilization for Health Care for All.
Add your voice to theirs! Demand that insurance giant United Health Group publicly commit to approve all doctor-recommended treatment for people with life-threatening conditions.
In Newton, Massachusetts JwJ helped organize a crowd of 75+ protestors to turn out to the offices of the CIGNA insurance office. Activists picketed in front of the building and staged a “die-in” to represent the people who have died after being denied coverage by CIGNA. Eleven people were arrested in Newton.
In Portland, JwJ coordinated a crowd of 100+ at the offices of Regence Blue Cross. A delegation that tried to meet with CEO Mark Ganz was turned away, and the building was locked down. Protesters then sat at all the doors and driveways, attempting to get Mr Ganz to meet them and agree with the demands. Eleven were arrested in Portland.
“We believe that private insurance companies which put profit ahead of care are the problem,” said protester Peter Shapiro with the Portland Jobs with Justice Health Care Committee. “We are demanding that Regence immediately authorize any doctor-ordered treatment for life threatening conditions and that Regence stop spending ratepayer money on lobbying efforts.”
“We support improved and expanded Medicare for all as the solution to our broken health care system” said protester and registered nurse Betsy Zucker. “It’s the only solution that will control costs while covering everyone.”
