Vigil demonstrates urgent need for health reform
What starts as a candlelight vigil might become a public debate about health care.
On Thursday, Democrats from the Albuquerque area are gathering at Nob Hill to honor Americans who have passed away because they didn’t have health care. The event will begin at 6 p.m. on the corner of Carlisle and Central Avenues.
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The event, hosted by Democrats for Change, will bring light to the issue of health care reform, said Arman Salehian, president of UNM College Democrats.
“The goal of this event is to raise awareness for health care reform … but we are not taking sides on the debate,” he said.
Salehian said the vigil will encourage thought about the health care issue instead of anger.
However, Eric McInteer, College Republicans spokesman, said the vigil will likely spark an argument despite its amicable intentions.
“Health care has become a political lightning rod in this country,” McInteer said. “I have been at different rallies for various issues and they always get nasty, unfortunately.”
McInteer said he acknowledged that Democrats for Change are hosting the vigil with noble purposes, but they are failing to address other issues at hand.
“They should also give thought to the fact that what they are pushing could bankrupt this country,” he said. “It could also cause more harm than good.”
Salehian said the event should remain peaceful, though it will draw scrutiny from the media and public.
“With health care there are such strong opinions on both sides of the aisle,” he said. “If there are arguments we will try to make sure it doesn’t misconstrue the meaning of the event.”
Salehian said the event provides room for civil debate and that everyone’s voice will be heard if they choose to discuss the issue. He said that attendees will be able to honor the dead in the vigil, and he is working with College Democrats to host similar events concerning the issue.
“We will be sending members (to the event) to show them we believe in the cause and show our support,” Salehian said. “But one of the things we do want to do at UNM campus is a health care forum. We would like to hold this media event next semester.”
Salehian said that plans are being made with College Republicans concerning these forums and that political candidates will be invited.
*Health Care Candlelight Vigil
Hosted by Democrats for Change
5:30 p.m.
Carlisle and Central Avenues*
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by thomas
I would be very interested in having anyone show me one instence where medical care was not administered because they could not afford it. Hospitals across the country face finacial crisis because of of all the FREE care administered by them to the poor.
The debate before congress is not health care reform, it’s heath INSURANCE reform. Do not kid youself, there is nothing in the current debate that is designed to help even one person. It is all about giving away what they do not have to those that have not earned.
by chayal
Aw, this is just typical loony-liberal feel-goodism. No facts, just show for whoever is paying attention, which is usually only those who “feel” as they do. Nonsense.
The bill being considered won’t take effect until 2013, won’t cover everybody currently without it, exempts all senators, congressmen and their staff and will increase teh national debt to further historical levels. In short it is just a ploy for the dnc to have cement political power and dominance for years to come.
the club, demos for change are shills and useful idiots for the dnc. Loosers.
by TJ
If you’ve never heard of anyone dying for lack of medical care, know that there are people who do not have the funds to pay for that “next” round of chemotherapy or people who have had to wait so long for a pre-authorization for a high priced drug that they die before getting the pre-auth.
Perhaps those that fear health care reform have always been healthy, or have never been poor without insurance. I don’t know. I’m truly baffled by the antagonism towards reforming a system that’s needed reform for at least 20 years.
by Phillip Howell
TJ I thought you were talking about the health care system in Canada, Britain, Germany, France and all of the countries that have government controlled health delivery systems. The Canadian government was sued by breast cancer victims who were flat out denied a very expensive med that is routinely paid for by insurance companies in this country. Their Supreme Court ordered the government to make that drug available. The millions of dollars spent for that treatment meant other patients were denied because they did not have the money.
My friend recently died of cancer; NOT for the lack of treatment, but because many cancers ultimately win. His 5 years of care was paid through Medicare, the taxpayer system. In the above noted countries his treatment would have been declared “futile” 18-24 months ago and stopped. He spent time at UNMMC and Presbyterian where he received excellent care.
Just ‘google’ canadian government health care and read their reports of wait times. Why do you think many Canadians come to the states for health care? Az, FL are full of snow birds who get immediate care here. In Canada the will would be read before the scheduled date of the surgery or chemo.
by Hoity Toity
It is hard to imagine anyone with a functioning brain and the facts defening our current ‘health care’ system.
We don’t have one. Unless you are muy rico.