Adovcates continue to push for health reform

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 For Immediate Release

 Feb. 8, 2012

 Contact: Alice Straight 203-639-0550 ext. 309; 203-443-3415 (cell)

PRESS RELEASE

More than 100 residents from across Connecticut turned out in force today in Hartford to shine a spotlight on the unfinished business of health reform and to urge their elected leaders to take bold action this year on key health care policies.

“My faith is calling me to do this,” said Michele Mudrick, a congregational organizer at the Christian Activities Council, based in Hartford.  “Everyone deserves to have quality health care, and we’re sending out prayers that the governor will do the right thing.”

Mudrick’s group of about 40 church leaders from the Greater Hartford area were among the individuals and various other groups wearing the signature red T-shirts of  healthcare4every1, the statewide health reform advocacy effort which organized  the Visibility Day event.  Healthcare4every1 is coordinated by Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut responsible for the campaigns that led to the passage of building block reform legislation last session.

“This is a high-stakes year for consumers and small businesses in our state. It’s going to take bold leadership to make sure reforms are implemented right in 2012 to get us where we need to be in 2014,” said Juan A. Figueroa, president of the Foundation.

Foundation officials said that means, among other things, individual and small business consumers must be represented at key decision-making tables. “It’s  important the people of our state have nonprofit health plan alternatives to the private, for-profit companies that control insurance today,”  said Figueroa.

Many of the healthcare4every1 advocates said they wanted to make sure the needs of consumers and small businesses were not forgotten or overlooked. The  lobbyists for powerful vested interests  are here, they said.  “And  we are here for our families, our neighbors and our communities,” Mudrick said.

Health reform advocates said the three priorities they’re asking Gov. Malloy and legislators to take action on are:

• Adding consumers and small businesses  to the new Health Insurance Exchange Board
• Making sure there are nonprofit health plan alternatives to private, for-profit plans
• Setting up a Basic Health Program that will help residents get affordable coverage in 2014 and bring new federal dollars to the state to cover the program

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