With the health care debate sweeping the nation, four UNM graduate students have united to organize a rally in favor of a public option.
Justin Thompson, Erica Martinez, Amber Whiting, and Angelica Baca started organizing the event as part of a course, Thompson said. But the four soon went beyond the basic class requirements because they were so passionate about the topic of their project.
“We were able to make a coalition of student organizations, a sort of student front,” he said. “The fact that the issue impacted us so much that we took on a demonstration ourselves is a big deal, and people were glad to see us doing it.”
Martinez said the event will allow students to get information about the public option and get involved in the issue.
The group will have petitions to congress representatives and phone banks to call legislators, as well as notable speakers including doctors, UNM professors and Julie Heinrich, wife of Congressman Martin Heinrich.
Martinez said health care is one of the biggest issues in the country, and students need to know how it impacts them.
“The four of us came together and decided that this was important to us, and we also realized a lot of students don’t really know the ins and outs of a public health care reform,” she said. “They don’t even know what a public option really is, and we want to inform them because it is an important issue.”
Student Lyanette Martinez said she isn’t informed about the public option and is grateful for the students’ efforts.
“I think it’s great. They must be very motivated,” she said. “We need people like that because I know I couldn’t do it.”
Martinez said the group also aims to point out that health care reform is necessary to keep America healthy and thriving.
“A public option is going to be what makes health insurance companies honest because they will be forced to keep their rates low and won’t be able to deny coverage for ridiculous so-called pre-existing conditions, “ she said. “It’s also an affordability
issue because a lot of people can’t afford health insurance.”
Freshman Calvin Keller said he’s impressed with the work these four students have done.
“I think its great that students that aren’t obligated by an organization got together to do something for what they believe in,” he said. “I will definitely stop by and see how it all goes.”
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Thompson said grassroots movements like this are part of the role of college students in society.
“Students are the muscle behind movements. It’s what we do,” he said. “It’s our role as students to participate when we become passionate about things. It’s a historic role and I think it’s sacred.”
The road to making the event happen has not been easy, Thompson said, but in the end it was worth it.
“It’s been a rocky process because none of us have organized (an event) before,” he said. “It’s definitely been a great learning process for the four of us.”
*Students Unite for Health Care Reform
Today, noon to 2 p.m.
SUB Atrium
*
PULL QUOTE: “Students are the muscle behind movements, it’s what we do. It’s our role as students to participate when we become passionate about things. It’s a historic role and I think it’s sacred.”
Student Justin Thompson
