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Friday, January 28, 2022

Health Insurance Reform Now! Anchorage Event.

There are just days remaining before Congress returns to Washington D.C. to tackle health insurance reform.  Thousands of events are being scheduled across the country to show local support for health insurance reform.  Anchorage’s Event is sure to be a good one.

If you’re tired of Teabaggers speaking for you, and framing this debate, come make your presence known and hear from local leaders who will discuss the need for reform.

Click HERE to RSVP or just grab your family and friends and show up.

Health care reform is the issue of our day.  Show up and be a voice for those who can’t.

What: Health Insurance Reform Now Event

Where: Romig Middle School
2500 Minnesota Dr.
Anchorage, AK 99503

When:

Thursday, September 3rd
6:00 p.m.

Comments

comments

Comments
35 Responses to “Health Insurance Reform Now! Anchorage Event.”
  1. Mike says:

    If you watch cable news at all, you’ve seen the ads for â��health care reformâ��, now being called â��health insurance reformâ��. â��It is an interesting subtle switch in languageâ��. Mike Oliphant runs a small Utah health insurance website http://www.BenefitsManager.net and http://www.dentalinsuranceutah.net whom deals with people day to day struggling to find affordable coverage. â��I think itâ��s important to not understate the huge difference in meaning between â��health insurance reformâ�� and â��health care reformâ��. Letâ��s not lose focus on the need to reform a broken health care system which includes not only health insurance carriers but also billing practices of medical providers. Why isnâ��t TORT reform part of the national discussion? Studies show that alone could lower costs by 15% for both the medical professionals and health insurance carriers (Humana). Perhaps the federal government should take notice of what Utah has accomplished with first step of health insurance reform and promises for reform in the medical provider arena. Several interesting changes took place with the passage of H.B. 188. House Speaker Clark has championed the need for change while recognizing the experience of the private health insurance sector. To see more about this visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/utah_health_insurance/health_care_reform/prweb2614544.htm

  2. BlueinPG says:

    I attended Rep. Steny Hoyer’s Healthcare Town Hall meeting held in a school gymnasium in Waldorf, MD on Sept. 1. It was packed. The floor of the gymnasium was filled with chairs and the bleachers in the back were packed. Everything about the management of the town hall meeting was very well done. Outside, law enforcement officers directed vehicles to available parking and people with signs were directed to a sectioned off area to drop off their signs. Inside, people who wanted to ask questions were directed to an area to pick up a red ticket. Before the town hall meeting started, rules for the meeting were read. Anyone not seated would be removed from the gymnasium, the numbers on the red tickets would be selected in random order (in groups of 5) for people to line up in the front to ask their questions, and the law enforcement officers had a strong presence in the gymnasium to maintain order.

    Rep. Hoyer gave a very informative presentation on the healthcare reform issues. It was very obvious that there was a relatively small contingent of people who opposed the healthcare reform, especially when they stood up with their noisy opposition. Compared to the total attendance at the meeting, they were in the minority. The supporters were very prominant in their applause to show their support. There was a panel of four people who had some involvement in healthcare. The opposition people were very disrespectful. They did not want to hear them. They wanted to hear the questions. In spite of that, the panel members did speak. Surprisingly, the questions that were asked by the people with red tickets were very thoughtful. That section of the meeting went well, even though some of the questions were from people who do not support “the government control of healthcare”. That was their interpretation of the healthcare reform initiative.

    I was in the “nose bleed” section of the bleachers and had a bird’s eye view of the event. The interesting observation to me was the action of the media. They were lined up with their cameras along one side of the audience and across the back between the seats on the floor and the bleachers. People in the opposition group who arrived early sat in chairs on the floor in the section closest to the media. When they started their noisy outbursts, the media along the side then moved and swarmed around the noisy part of that section. Some of the opposition even left early. The media interviewed some of them.

    When the town hall meeting ended, my assessent was that there was more support than opposition. People with open minds received good information to help them understand the problem and what was being considered. People, who were supportive of the public option and asked questions, presented examples of why the public option is needed. One man had a son who finished college and has a job that does not provide healthcare. He pays $500 or $600 (I don’t remember the exact amount) per month, with a $5,000 deductible. A woman talked about healthcare providers (like nurses) who take care of the health of others but can not afford healthcare for themselves.

    I apologize for making this comment so long; however, it is to make a point. A friend who went to the town hall meeting with me got feedback from her family about the coverage on the local TV station. Surprisingly, it was negative. It focused on the small opposition contingent and the booing by them. Anyone looking at the TV coverage would come away thinking that Rep. Hoyer’s town hall meeting demonstrated the lack of support for the healthcare reform.

    Today, there is an interesting article on the Washington Post website, “The Real Town Hall Story”

    It talks about how the media has been biased in reporting on the town hall meetings. One Congress person who held a town hall meeting was even told by a stringer, for the media, that his instructions were to cover the boistrous activities at these events. Therefore, town hall meetings that were civil got no coverage.

  3. karen marie says:

    The media doesn’t want to cover the people who favor public option or — *gasp* — single-payer health care because it would mean conveying actually useful information to their viewers. Too wonky. It’s melodrama they want, not tragedy. Besides, you save a ton of cash on fact checkers when you rely heavily on people describing their fears and fantasies. And also, too, the 24/7 news cycle leaves them no time at all to follow up on the accuracy of the report that someone said one plus one is three. I mean, maybe one plus one is two today, but it could have been three yesterday and it might be three tomorrow. News people aren’t scientists, don’t hold them responsible for the confusion.

  4. sauerkraut says:

    What if Senatorial candidates hold a Town Hall debate but do not invite the incumbent to participate?

    That is what occurred in pennsyltucky last night as wingnut Pat Toomey and Democratic upstart Joe Sestak squared off in Allentown. Toomey was boo’ed for stating that Medicaid had “high rates of infant mortality.”

  5. Ethan says:

    I hope all goes well!

  6. strangelet says:

    I have sent Sen Begich an email, but it would likely have more impact if Alaskans do it.

    The concept of a “public option” has nothing to do with how it is paid for. It is simply a government-administered insurance company. It will be paid for by premiums paid by its subscribers, It is likely that some of those subscribers will receive subsidies from the government. It is equally likely that some of the subscribers of private insurance plans will receive subsidies from the government.

    Subsidies are one part of health care reform, aimed at making universal coverage possible. The public option is a different part of health care reform, aimed at reducing the overall costs of health care by providing a model of efficient insurance.

    Conflating the two, as by saying “[U]ntil Senator Begich sees how a public option is proposed to be paid for in the final bill that comes before the Senate, he is not committing to supporting a public option” indicates either intellectual incapacity, or a willful intent to obstruct meaningful reform.

    Thank you.

  7. Elizabeth says:

    I just got back from the vigil sponsored by Move-on at the Bellingham (WA) city hall. It was a good group, but I was hoping for more. Tomorrow evening we are meeting outside the office of our member of Congress to present a petition for a good public option. Many of us are really supporters of single payer, but will support a good (health insurance companies NOT involved) public option as a first step.

  8. anadventurer says:

    I would love to do for many reasons but I can not. A) getting over the flu, B) Wife and older son’s birthday.

    WIN TEAM REASON!

  9. jojobo1 says:

    I actually sent Mark a n e-mail thanking him for supporting the public option now I find out he is still walking a tight rope and hopes he won’t fall off.Guess I should rescind my thank you and say I had hoped he would support the public option as most op0f his constituents wanted it.

  10. jojobo1 says:

    true patriot is actually a traitor IMO at any rate

  11. debinOH says:

    I am going to our local health care meeting tomorrow night. My son is going with me. When I signed up there were 44 people listed as attending & when I went back today to check something out there were over 250. Hopefully there will even be more.

    I refuse to let these other “people” ruin our country so I am going to do everything possible to get this reform/public option passed. Somehow I doubt that it will be on the networks. The teabaggers are just so ridiculous and that is why they get the camera. What a shame………

  12. Writing from Alaska says:

    I am so there.

  13. InJuneau says:

    judi–I like that, a lot!

  14. judi says:

    Public option NOT Optional!

  15. InJuneau says:

    All I Saw–chill; the spam filter sometimes traps things that it shouldn’t and then AKM releases them when she checks it. Send her an e-mail (address up there in the FAQ tab) if you want to see if something needs to be released.

  16. All l Saw says:

    So apparently just because I think these forums are a sham, (i.e. extended campaign season) then my post doesn’t get posted. nice.

    btw i voted for obama for healthcare reform, single payer healthcare actually.

  17. John says:

    We don’t need a new Public Option, just let everyone sign on to the health care plan that our Congressional leaders have.

  18. aview999 says:

    A bit late….sorry

    “We Can’t Afford to Wait” vigil in Tacoma Wa
    When: Wednesday, September 2, 7:30 PM
    Where: 6th Ave. Biz District (between State & Trafton)
    2207 6th Avenue

  19. Gramiam says:

    Anybody else sick of the Tales from Palin and the Repugnant Whack a Moles. I’m in the tree house getting my sanity back!

  20. Gramiam says:

    http://pol.moveon.org/vv/?id=17115-8064101-zxzXzmx&t=6

    Repost of virtual candlelite vigil.

  21. All l Saw says:

    Didn’t I show up to the polls last November?

    I mean… shit, I didn’t vote for Obama because he’s black and I have some hidden “white guilt”.

    I voted for him believing that I would no longer be in danger of losing my house over healthcare costs. I believed him when he said the failure of our economy was tied to healthcare costs. I’m even willing to continue paying $1000 a month for catastrophic health insurance that only pays once each and every family member pays out $5000 – I can hang in for a little while, but not much longer. I would have to pay out of pocket $32,000 before insurance would pay anything. This is HALF my salary.

    I’m paying to protect my HOUSE not my family’s healthcare!

    Single payer. Period.

    These meetings are just dog and pony shows meant to air on TV.

    If they really want to find out what people really want, quit asking them to say so in front of their friends, neighbors and colleagues – most don’t want to admit publicly that what they really want is Single Payer, i.e. Medicare for ALL.

    If the insurance companies are rewarded with a massive government subsidies, i.e. Medicare Rx and “cooperatives” and some such bullshit – then I will never vote for another Democrat again, and I will know that once and for all The United States of America values its corporate citizens over its individual citizens.

  22. pvazwindy says:

    Hope the turnout is strong and supportive of health reform. The townhall in Fl, was a little disruptive. Mouth piece or facemask, might be in order. I’m talking about the senior who was punched and knocked to the ground. Stand your ground and let your voice be heard.

    Rich

    Hello Fawnskin, hope you folks are safe.

  23. Far From Fenway Fan says:

    My two older children are recent college grads and each is employed but without health insurance. These are productive, tax-paying Americans who cannot afford the cost of private insurance. They are not alone; most of their friends are in the same bind. They put off the routine annual exams one should have and just tough it out if they come down with something. I want a public option NOW. Congress needs to Just Do It! I’ll be at the mtg tomorrow night. WE need to be heard.

  24. Marnie says:

    6 Aussie Blue Sky Says:
    “[U]ntil Senator Begich sees how a public option is proposed to be paid for in the final bill that comes before the Senate, he is not committing to supporting a public option.”
    He takes my breath away … I keep asking: Who the he11 does he think voted him into office??

    Tell Senator Begich we pay for it by getting out of our three illegal, unwinable wars, or justify killing civilians by the 100K’s there justifies allowing people to die unhoused, unempolyed and untreated over here.

  25. Marnie says:

    Unfortunately, the news is extremely biased toward the RepoTaliban.
    For example:
    There has been much coverage of the anti-American, pro-cession, anti-healthcare, anti- anti- anti demonstration on the Capitol steps in Austin a few days ago, with its few hundred participants (and no Whorehouse Perry, who started it all).
    And absolutely no MSM coverage of the pro-health care meeting across the street in the First United Methodist Church with an over flow SRO (Standing Room Outside, and in other meeting areas besides a full church sanctuary. Estimated attendance was 2000. That’s 2000 for and 200 against both showing up at the same time in almost the same place.
    I have not doubt that similar meetings and stats exist all over the country.

    We are larger in numbers. We just have to make sure that our Reps and Sens know that we will support them if they support us.

  26. I will make every effort to go to the DC rally on Sept. 13.

  27. here_in_ak says:

    We’re there! And it’s so nice we can count on you to help get the word out!!

  28. GreatGranny2B says:

    Miami Herald has a story of Ben Nelson’s town hall – a 65 year old man was punched out by someone who stopped his truck and didn’t like what the old gent was saying in support of reform.

    One of the comments is this…….such bigotry!

    THATS RIGHT Robert NYC, THE REAL PROBLEM ISNT SOCAILISM AND HEALTH CARE, ITS THE OTHER DISEASE IN THIS COUNTRY. FIRST NOBAMA, THEN SOTOMAYOR, WHATS NEXT ? A NAVAHO FOR HEAD OF THE ATF?

    THE TRUETH IS , WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR THE A GREAT WHITE HOPE. IF YOU DONT BELEIVE ME , READ THE CONSTITUTION !

    Posted by: TruePatriot | September 02, 2009 at 03:50 PM

    …….so sad that we have come to this…….

  29. Irishgirl says:

    Let us know how you got on at the rallies.

  30. Aussie Blue Sky says:

    Mark Begich does NOT support a public option – so far. This is from Phil Munger at Progressive Alaska and confirms my unhappy suspicion that there was miscommunication between Begich and Shannyn during the phone interview on Saturday.

    It has been now reported at several blogs that Alaska Sen. Mark Begich came out on Saturday on the health care reform matter of the public option, as favoring it. Early this morning, I asked Sen. Begich’s office for a clarification, as many thought his statements on this issue to be ambiguous. Here is part of a statement I just received from Sen. Begich’s press office:

    “[U]ntil Senator Begich sees how a public option is proposed to be paid for in the final bill that comes before the Senate, he is not committing to supporting a public option.”

    He takes my breath away … I keep asking: Who the he11 does he think voted him into office??

  31. Susie Snowflake says:

    This event is tomorrow evening, and is sponsored by Organizing for America. There is also an event this evening at 7:30 downtown on 5th Avenue across from the Egan Center that is sponsored by MoveOn.org and promoted by other groups such as TrueMajority and AFL-CIO among others. I hope to see a lot of you there, even if we don’t recognized each other from here. 🙂

  32. mwThatOne.. says:

    …planning to be there!

  33. Colibrimoon says:

    AKM, I am attending a Healthcare Reform Rally in San Francisco this evening. My teenage daughter is attending with me. I am so happy that she wants to participate.

  34. Irishgirl says:

    Sorry fawnskin, it is I.
    However, I do agree that health insurance reform should be at the top of the agenda.

  35. fawnskin mudpuppy says:

    i would be there if i could
    (hello pzywindy)