President Obama says he wants to move a comprehensive healthcare reform bill in 100 days. As part of that effort, on April 6th, SEIU UHW members from CHW participated in White House Regional Forums on Health Reform in Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, and Clovis which is just outside of Fresno. The event was led by Governor Schwarzenegger and President Obama's Domestic Policy Director, Melody Barnes.
--Virginia Hoover
Virginia Hoover, a Radiology and CT Tech from CHW St. John's Pleasant Valley discussed how her perspective on the healthcare system was forever changed last year after an accident left her financially devastated by medical bills.
"I was never a healthcare activist until I got into a nearly fatal sky-diving accident. I had to get treated at a hospital that didn't take my insurance, and then I spent months fighting my insurance company for more than $16,000 worth of bills," she said during the forum.
"I've always been healthy and paid my insurance premiums for 30 years, so I thought that it would be there for me when I needed it, but it wasn't. We need to make healthcare more about care than about profits. Everyone should have medical insurance--period. However, it needs to be quality coverage--not some plan that physicians won't even take. The only way that's going to happen is if there are more front-line providers like us participating in healthcare reform. We've got to stand up, get involved, and make sure our voices are heard," Hoover concluded.
--Bob Lewis
Bob Lewis, a transporter at CHW St. Mary's Hospital who attended the Oakland event commented on the number of politicians and hospital CEOs there saying, "Elected officials are like management--so far away from the bedside that they don't truly understand the problems."
"Lloyd Dean, CHW CEO, was at the forum because corporate interests are worried there's real momentum for reform now that Obama is in office. Front-line providers like us have to ensure that we have input and don't allow corporate interests to dictate healthcare reform."
Stan Lyles, an SEIU UHW member from CHW Northridge Hospital Medical Center who attended the San Diego forum noted, "We heard important stories today about why healthcare access and affordability will get fixed this year if we keep fighting alongside President Obama. Because we are united and strong in SEIU, we as healthcare workers have more than a ringside seat in this debate. We have a powerful voice in winning the reform we voted for, and the reform we need."
