MVOC Escalates Health Care Reform Efforts

MVOC Escalates Health Care Reform Efforts

“I was a member of the USWA for 38 years. Now I have no job and no health care. They threw me away like an old shoe. I’m gonna fight! It takes more than one person – it's me today. It could be you tomorrow,” said Hattie Wilkins, one of the 100 individuals who attended an August health care rally in front of U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan’s Warren office.

Wilkins is one of 46 million Americans that are now uninsured, as premiums have grown four times faster than wages, and half of all personal bankruptcies stem from medical expenses.

The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative (MVOC) works closely with the national Health Care for America Now Campaign to fight for health care reform that will ensure health coverage for all Americans, make that coverage affordable, and hold the health insurance industry accountable.

In the past year, MVOC has rallied residents throughout the Valley, across the state, and on Capitol Hill in support of health care reform. MVOC organized two public meetings this year with its state and national partners – in Ohio and Washington, D.C. – with over 500 people present at each event. Early this year, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown attended at a rally in Northeastern Ohio to listen to testimony of Mahoning Valley residents. Brown has continued his strong support for the creation of a public insurance plan that would force private insurance companies to lower their costs.

In August, MVOC brought a group of concerned clergy in favor of reform to U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson’s office. After joining hands with the group to pray for a bill that would deliver real change, Wilson stated that it was refreshing to see a local group in support of health care reform.

Area labor unions have also played a key role in pushing for reform. This summer, Tom Connelly, president of the Ohio Nurses Association/Youngstown General Duties Nurses Association, helped lead an MVOC march for reform. Connelly said, “I have insurance already, but I'm sick. I'm sick of seeing people in the ER and before we find out where they're bleeding, we have to find out what insurance they have.”

The Mahoning Valley is particularly impacted by health care reform with its increasing senior population. Carolyn Williams of Union Baptist Church, one of the Valley’s seniors, can be seen regularly at the MVOC office making phone calls to gain support for reform. Williams says that she is motivated by the pressures she sees on senior residents. “We are struggling to pay for prescriptions and are threatened with a decreased quality of life in what should be our golden years. We deserve better than this.”

The drive towards true national health care reform with a public option continues. If you are interested in participating in phone banking activities, attending a rally, or participating in an event, call Tammy Thomas at 330-743-1196 or email tammy@mvorganizing.org

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