CIR Members Discuss Healthcare Reform During Congressional Recess

This April, thousands mobilized all across America to urge their members of Congress to pass quality, affordable healthcare for all in 2009. CIR members were front-and-center at in-district health care reform events during the congressional spring recess. Events took place in New Jersey, New York, New Mexico and Florida. 

In Montclair, NJ,  CIR Regional Vice President Dr. Snehal Bhatt and Dr. Michael Nagar, a pathology resident at Robert Wood Johnson, represented CIR at a Town Hall meeting attended by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and chair of the Subcommittee on Health. The forum included small business owners, workers, consumers and other leaders in the movement to reform health care. Attendees shared personal stories of the struggles they face in obtaining good quality, affordable health insurance for themselves, their families and their employees. Other attendees included Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and chair of the Subcommittee on Health, and SEIU New Jersey State Council Director David McCann. 

“I think because of these town hall meetings and the force of change and health care reform in America, we will have a new health care policy by the end of the year,” said Dr. Nagar. “That is exciting and something I am proud to be a part of.” In Florida,Dr.Akua Asare, a CIR delegate from Jackson Memorial Hospital, was a featured speaker at an event hosted by Health Care for America NOW!

“It makes us frustrated to see patients who suffer from something that began as a simple and inexpensive medical problem, but has metastasized into a life-threatening condition,” Dr. Asare told the crowd, as she laid out a vision for broad health care reform.”



In New York, members of CIR and sister SEIU locals 1199, 32BJ, and Doctors Council joined more than 20 other local and national organizations to discuss healthcare reform with Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) at a roundtable and pressconference. The discussion was moderated by Dr. L. Toni Lewis, CIR President, and concluded with the Senator pledging to support an affordable public health insurance option with comprehensive benefits, access for all—including immigrants—and adopting budget reconciliation rules to allow health care reform to pass in the Senate with a simple majority. Within a few weeks of the event, Congress officially adopted thosesame budget reconciliation rules for health care.


























In New Mexico on April 9, hundreds turned out for a rally and dance party in support of health care reform at Albuquerque's Tiguex Park. Dr. Toni Lewis and CIR Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Elizabeth Burpee both spoke at the event, "Salsa to Save Lives," and emphasized the need for health care reform from a doctor's perspective.  They also spoke of the need to end health care disparities, and the need for a public insurance option.”  Rally participants called members of Congress on their cell phones to support the public option and health care reform.



In Miami, CIR member Dr. Akua Asare, spoke at a Town Hall Forum that also included nurses, attending physicians, faith leaders, and patients. A staff member representing Congressman Kendrick Meek attended the forum.