It’s Time to Deliver on Health Care Reform
CIR Regional Vice President Dr. Michael Jolley participated in a “roaming rally”
for health insurance reform as part of a National Day of Action on October 20.
On October 20, 2009, the phone lines in every Congressional office lit up, as CIR and many other organizations contributed to an estimated 317,000 calls to tell Congress it was “time to deliver” on health care reform. On that same day, resident physicians amplified the message by appearing at Town Hall meetings, rallies, and media events across the country.
The national day of action, coordinated by SEIU, Health Care for America Now!, Organizing for America, Doctors for America, and other organizations, came at a crucial moment, just days after the Senate Finance Committee passed their bill out of committee, and right before the House of Representatives released its final bill.
In addition to the phone calls, CIR doctors helped spark media coverage for the day of action, describing the challenges their patients face every day.
In Southern California, CIR Vice President Dr. Mike Jolley was part of a roving “Time to Deliver Health Care Reform” Rally that made five stops and included an interview with Fox 11 News outside LAC+USC. Additionally, a teach-in on health reform that evening featured Dr.Linda Sharp, a resident at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
In Albuquerque, Dr. Yadria Caraveo, a CIR leader at UNM, was interviewed by KRGE-TV in an early morning segment about the day of action. CIR and Health Care for America NOW! had planned to host a “Don’t Get Sick Rally” later that day, but it was postponed due to bad weather. At the rescheduled rally October 27, CIR leader Dr. Anthony Fleg, gave a satirical sermon quoting from “the Book of Aetna.” Dr. Caraveo ended the rally with a serious speech highlighting the reasons why her patients need health care reform now.
In New Jersey, CIR and HCAN delivered a petition to the office of Rep. John Adler, a crucial swing vote, asking him to support the House reform bill.
New York was also a flurry of activity on October 20. Dr. Katrina John, a resident at Maimonides Hospital, spoke at a Town Hall in Staten Island hosted by Rep. Mike McMahon. Dr.John, who was raised in England but is now married to an American citizen, compared health care in the UK and the US, and stressed the need for universal coverage.
That evening, CIR members and staff joined nearly 200 activists at a rally outside the Hammerstein Ballroom, where President Obama was scheduled to speak. Chanting and waving signs, they made sure the president also heard the message that it was time to deliver on health care.