[Nyclocal] Press Release - June 19th Healthcare Demo

[William Wharton]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katie Robbins  info at healthcare-now.org	      
    (330) 618-6379

NEW YORKERS PROTEST AGAINST HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES
Health Care Demonstration to Target the Offices of GHI
and United Health.

A coalition of health care rights and labor groups
will hold a demonstration in front of the Manhattan
office of GHI (441 9th Avenue) at 5:00 pm on Thursday
June 19th as part of a National Day of Protest Against
Health Insurance Companies.  A march will proceed from
the currently non-profit GHI to the offices of one of
the largest health care profiteers, United Health (One
Penn Plaza).  Demonstrators intend to highlight their
opposition to the proposed conversion of GHI & HIP to
a merged for-profit company and support of the
National Health Insurance Act (House Resolution 676).

The demonstration will be one of 18 held throughout
the nation to protest the convention of America’s
Health Insurance Plans, in San Francisco, California. 
A variety of the most egregious health care profiteers
will be targeted – including Cigna, UnitedHealth and
Aetna.  The actions of these companies are at the core
of a health care crisis which has left more than 47
million people without health insurance and 25 million
more under-insured.  Health care now constitutes the
highest percentage (16.6%) of disposable income
spending for households in the U.S. – larger than
food, rent or clothing!  

H.R. 676 would provide full medical coverage to
everyone in the U.S., guaranteeing cradle-to-grave
care.  Currently, 59% of physicians support a national
plan such as in HR 676, along with 65% of the American
people.  Many understand the right to guaranteed
health care as a part of the larger struggle for
social justice.  The demonstrations therefore, also
mark Juneteenth – a day commemorating the emancipation
of slaves in Texas (the last state in the United
States).  On June 19th, the message of the day will be
heard loud and clear: Health Care, YES! Private Health
Insurance, NO!

In NYC, support for the passage of H. R. 676 will be
combined with opposition to the proposed conversion of
GHI & HIP to a for-profit company.  More than 4
million New Yorker’s currently rely on GHI & HIP for
low-cost high-quality care.  Conversion would remove
important safeguards including a cap on administrative
costs, oversight on premium increases and restrictions
on accepting private financing.  Since April 2008, The
Coalition Against Privatization has organized a
determined campaign to pressure NY State
Superintendent of Insurance Eric Dinallo to reject the
GHI/HIP for-profit conversion application.
***
The NYC demonstration was initiated by Healthcare
NOW!, the Coalition Against Privatization, the Private
Health Insurance Must Go! Coalition and Physicians for
a National Health Program.  Supporters of this event
include: Teachers for a Just Contract (UFT),
Independent Community of Educators (UFT), the Take
Back Our Union Coalition (TWU Local 100), The Hunger
Action Network of NY State, Gangbox: The Construction
Worker’s News Service, UFT Retirees, D.C. 37
rank-and-file members, D.C. 37 retirees, Socialist
Party USA (NYC), & Socialist Action.  

For information contact:  Katie Robbins -
info at healthcare-now.org or (330) 618-6379