Health Care for America Now!

“Something is wrong in America when getting a gun is easier than getting an appointment with your doctor,” stated Anna Burger, International Secretary-Treasurer for the Service Employees International Union. She and several presenters spoke to an energized news conference gathered for the unveiling of a new major campaign ad from Health Care for America Now!, an organization pushing for quality, affordable health care for every American.

According to the president of the National Education Association Reg Weaver, 9 million children in America do not have health care. This inhibits their ability to perform well in school, setting them behind others when joining the workforce later in life. Marcia Greenberger of the National Women’s Law Center added that 1 in 4 US women say they cannot afford their health care bills, often choosing between prescription drugs or putting food on the table for their families.

Health Care for America Now, and all speakers stated the importance of health care reform for the new presidential administration in 2009. Gerald McEntee of the American Federaton of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) best summed up the sentiments from the conference. “No more political posturing. We’ve talked long enough. Now, we need action.”