Oct 31, 2008 5:29 pm US/Eastern
Patients, Doctors Rally For Healthcare Reform
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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As Americans head to the polls next week, healthcare continues to be a key issue. On Friday, Maryland patients, doctors and lawmakers rallied for reform.
As Americans head to the polls next week, healthcare continues to be a key issue.
Gigi Barnett reports Maryland patients, doctors and lawmakers rallied for reform Friday.
More than 42 million Americans don't have health insurance. They're closed off from prescriptions, doctor visits and, in some cases, emergency care.
Valerie Henry is one.
"When you work everyday and your income doesn't allow you to pay for rent and get your prescriptions filled or get your doctors' visits, we have a problem," said Henry.
It's why she joined other patients, doctors and a string of social agencies to ask Maryland lawmakers to support affordable healthcare nationwide.
"I don't have prescriptions or refills, and I don't have enough money to pay for my doctors' visits. I'm not just one person. There are thousands of us out here who need health insurance real bad," said Henry.
Maryland lawmakers responded by signing a promise by Healthcare for Americans Now, a non-profit organization, agreeing to support affordable healthcare.
"Healthcare should not be about luck. They can't afford to take time from work to get care. They can't afford to pay cash for their care," said Dr. Ari Silver-Isenstadt, National Physicians Alliance.
The issue continues to make top billing among voters who head to the polls Tuesday.
After the economy and Iraq, healthcare is number three on voters' lists of concerns.
"We can do better. This is the United State of America. We can do better," said Rep. Elijah Cummings.
About 17 percent of Americans don't have health insurance.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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