Groups try to Rally Georgians behind Health Reform

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – As momentum builds behind revamping health care in the U.S., several groups are trying to drum up support among Georgians. On the same day that a key U.S. Senate committee passed a plan, a health care advocacy group reported that thousands of Georgians could lose their insurance if Congress doesn't move quickly.

WABE's Odette Yousef reports.

Families USA, a Washington-based non-profit, estimates that between Jan. 2008 and the end of the current congressional term, nearly 250 thousand more Georgians could become uninsured. For calendar year 2009

POLLACK: That's almost 6,900 people every month. On a weekly basis, almost 1,600 Georgians will be losing health care coverage.

Ron Pollack heads Families USA.

Georgia's own Senator Johnny Isakson sits on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and voted against the plan. He said it will put the federal government in an unfair competition with private providers.

Georgia's Democratic Party hopes to turn up the heat on Isakson, Senator Saxby Chambliss, and the state's congressmen. They're recruiting volunteers to start a phone bank this weekend, to encourage Georgians to call the lawmakers, to support the plan.

Odette Yousef, WABE News.