Hundreds Turn Out for Healthcare Reform Forum

By Jim Burress

Atlanta, GA – At Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church more than 300 gathered to hear more about the proposal. When Congressman Lewis took the podium, he drew parallels between healthcare reform and civil rights.

"Forty-six years ago, when I spoke at the March on Washington, I said They tell us to wait. They tell us to be patient.' We cannot wait and we cannot be patient."

Joined by panelists representing everything from labor to retirees, Lewis's Legislative Director, Michaeleen Crowell told the crowd the bill would take an employee-sponsored plan:

" and make it better through what we call insurance market reforms. Basically what that means is we're going to fix the things you hate most about your insurance."

Crowell said the plan bars insurers from increasing premiums because someone gets sick. And, it guarantees coverage for all. When the floor opened for public comment, a stampede of more than 50 gathered. First to speak was Kathy McClure, whose children suffer from epilepsy and diabetes.

"Insurance companies in Georgia are allowed to up-rate our police by a multiple of 67% of the premium they would charge a healthy group. Well you know what, that's unfair, and this legislation cannot come too soon."

Not everyone favored the bill, as voiced by Judy Crawford who said a public plan would've killed her husband.

"...however, because of MD Anderson and other places we could go by choice, we were able to extend this man's life the father of this child up here who's now 16 32 beautiful months."

Lewis said he will take the concerns back to Washington. When asked about the likelihood of the Senate passing the House version of the bill, he said he couldn't speak for the other side.