Local Democrats make a push for universal health care
Written by Judy Lee Sunday, 07 June 2009 15:36
Healthcare Insurance Kickoff June 6. 2009 Club Meeting
Local Democrats make a push for universal health care
By TONY HOLT June 07, 2009
Hernando Today
Democrats in Hernando County want to do their part to revamp the nation's health care system.
They met for their monthly party meeting and listened to several samples of speeches from President Obama, who called the current system "unsustainable."
The members of the Hernando County Democratic Club meet once per month. Most of the discussions during Saturday's meeting centered on the president's health care initiatives.
"We've determined we can't trust the insurance companies," said club member Steve Zeledon. "They can promise all they want, but we need legislation."
The meeting, which took place at the Southern Pines Community Center, helped kick off a series of grassroots meetings centered on health care reform. The next-closest events took place in Lake Wales and Orlando.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced thousands of such events nationwide as part of its Organization for America (OFA) program, a project designed to provide support to Obama's commitment to making health care more affordable to more citizens.
"Right now, we can't abandon it," Zeledon told the 25 or so members who showed up for the meeting. "The only thing we've got is our voices."
He held up a list of local Democratic women, ages 55 and older, who voted early in the 2008 election.
Those voters are crucial, said Zeledon, who called them the "Rock of Gibraltar" for the Democratic Party.
He encouraged club members to call and ask them to support Obama's plan.
"I always found these meetings to be very informative," said local Democrat Nanette Carter. "I'm 54. I have a physical injury that I don't have coverage for. My husband has a $500 per month policy, but there's a $1,500 deductible ... We're spending $8,000 a year in health care coverage we can't use."
Spring Hill resident Eli Frankel asked those in attendance to shift their focus more on specifics. Cheerleading alone wouldn't be enough.
"We need to start hashing out answers," he said.
When he asked where the money was going to come from, local Democrat Wayne Lee told him there was no reason to think a universal health care plan couldn't be funded.
"We didn't have money to go to war, but they did it anyway," he said. "When government wants to put together a program, they always seem to get the money from somewhere."
According to the DNC, 45 million Americans are without health insurance.
Obama outlined three principles that should be part of any health care reform legislation - reducing the rising cost of coverage for families and businesses, guaranteeing Americans a choice of their own coverage and doctor and ensuring affordable health care is available to everyone.
They met for their monthly party meeting and listened to several samples of speeches from President Obama, who called the current system "unsustainable."
The members of the Hernando County Democratic Club meet once per month. Most of the discussions during Saturday's meeting centered on the president's health care initiatives.
"We've determined we can't trust the insurance companies," said club member Steve Zeledon. "They can promise all they want, but we need legislation."
The meeting, which took place at the Southern Pines Community Center, helped kick off a series of grassroots meetings centered on health care reform. The next-closest events took place in Lake Wales and Orlando.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced thousands of such events nationwide as part of its Organization for America (OFA) program, a project designed to provide support to Obama's commitment to making health care more affordable to more citizens.
"Right now, we can't abandon it," Zeledon told the 25 or so members who showed up for the meeting. "The only thing we've got is our voices."
He held up a list of local Democratic women, ages 55 and older, who voted early in the 2008 election.
Those voters are crucial, said Zeledon, who called them the "Rock of Gibraltar" for the Democratic Party.
He encouraged club members to call and ask them to support Obama's plan.
"I always found these meetings to be very informative," said local Democrat Nanette Carter. "I'm 54. I have a physical injury that I don't have coverage for. My husband has a $500 per month policy, but there's a $1,500 deductible ... We're spending $8,000 a year in health care coverage we can't use."
Spring Hill resident Eli Frankel asked those in attendance to shift their focus more on specifics. Cheerleading alone wouldn't be enough.
"We need to start hashing out answers," he said.
When he asked where the money was going to come from, local Democrat Wayne Lee told him there was no reason to think a universal health care plan couldn't be funded.
"We didn't have money to go to war, but they did it anyway," he said. "When government wants to put together a program, they always seem to get the money from somewhere."
According to the DNC, 45 million Americans are without health insurance.
Obama outlined three principles that should be part of any health care reform legislation - reducing the rising cost of coverage for families and businesses, guaranteeing Americans a choice of their own coverage and doctor and ensuring affordable health care is available to everyone.