John Laesch held a healthcare forum yesterday. I, unfortunately, was not able to personally attend, as I had to work. I was going to gather reports from those who had attended. Then I got this beautiful write up from Al, one of our volunteers on the communications team, and with a little editing to make it bloggable, I decided to simply use his write-up. So, follow me below the fold for the full report from Al.
Candidates who have the courage to say, "HR 676, single payer, Medicare for All" are few and far between, as the number of health care tragedies is only rising.
But John Laesch is no ordinary candidate and health care is too critical an issue.
Last night in Elgin Dr. Quentin Young, State Sen. Mike Noland (IL-22), and John spoke at an early evening forum hosted by the campaign.
Dr. Quentin Young, a tireless fighter for health care parity and justice, spoke first. For those who have only heard his show on public radio, in person he has an energy anyone half his age would envy. Early on he cited the $2.3 trillion spent on health care in this country last year, and our dismal rankings world wide when it comes to infant mortality and life expectancy. Twice as much per person spent in the U.S. than in Germany, France or Switzerland. Dr. Young spoke of our stellar health care work force, how for-profit medicine works against our health care professionals, and how Medicare is a wonderful precedent for a universal system. Dr. Young also spoke of the impact of passing a health care bill like John Conyers’ HR 676, and how it has the potential to affect our whole social framework, "bringing us to sanity".
Following Dr. Young, attendees were invited to relate their health care stories. One of my co-workers and co-volunteers, Heidi, emceed the event, and before she invited others up, she related her own compelling story following the recent loss of her husband.
She spoke simply and honestly about the fear, even in the midst of her grief, that her two boys weren’t covered following her husband’s death. When I asked her before the event if she was comfortable relating her story publicly, she told me how important it was to her that people understand how our health care system can fail anyone, at any time.
Personally, I was inspired by her courage.
John then offered a detailed presentation on the ins and outs of HR 676, and how it has been mischaracterized. He took the time to explain how Medicare for All will work, how it will provide true choice of physicians, will cover all medically necessary procedures never denying treatment, and will always keep treatment decisions between you and your physician. John Laesch spoke of under-funded veteran’s budget, and the horrific effects of PTSD, with eight soldiers taking their own lives each day after returning home. And he spoke of the amazing amount of special interest money flowing into Washington that impedes the fight for health care parity and justice.
One of John’s first acts in Congress will be to sign on as a co-sponsor of HR 676.
Illinois State Senator Mike Noland spoke after John’s presentation, detailing the ongoing work done in Springfield, and speaking to the ways single payer has been smeared, with "socialized medicine" being the most prominent. Sen. Noland spoke of health care costs as the leading cause of bankruptcy, and even suggested that a state legislator is not immune from potential denial of care.
John opened the floor to questions and what ensued was a fascinating discussion between John and at least three physicians in attendance, including Dr. Anne Scheetz of the PHNP. Topics discussed included malpractice costs, medical record technology and privacy concerns. Mary Schneider, Democratic candidate for Illinois Representative in the 50th district was also in attendance, and related her story about her son’s miraculous recovery with stem cells therapy, and the issues of cord blood banking.
These kinds of events are one of the many reasons why I volunteer for the campaign.
I recently had the opportunity to talk to a reporter from one of the local papers, while he was covering Lt. Gov. Quinn’s endorsement of John.
We spoke about what moved us into becoming more active in politics, each in our own field.
For me, more than anything, it was health care, and I’m thrilled to volunteer for a candidate who has the courage to lead on this issue.