Remember the People Behind the Numbers and Health Care for All

REMEMBER THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE NUMBERS!

There were two back-to-back actions at the State Capitol today. There was a rally outside the State Capitol to stop Gov. Rell's cuts in services. It was followed by a press conference and march to the Governor's office supporting HEALTH CARE FOR ALL!

The first action was a rally coordinated by AARP and included representatives for over 30 community organizations. One of the main themes of the rally was "REMEMBER THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE NUMBERS!" People with severe physical and mental disabilities spoke passionately about their life struggles and how Gov. Rell's cuts in services will hurt them.

A singing group led by Elaine Kolb, a disablity rights activist, summerized the feelings of the group with their song.


"We want to LIVE, YES, WE WANT TO LIVE!
We want to live in FREEDOM NOW!
We want UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE!
We want to LOVE & WORK & PLAY!
We want CHOICES & CIVIL RIGHTS!
We want DIGNITY & JUSTICE!
We want EVERTHING THAT YOU WANT!"

HEALTH CARE FOR ALL!

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chris Donovan, the Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, Senate President Don Williams, other legislators and concerned citizens urged Gov. Rell to sign landmake healthcare reform today.

In a message to Gov. Rell, Speaker Donovan said, "We implore you not to allow Connecticut to fall behind in a healthcare reform movement that is right and decent and whose time is now. Sign the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership and SusitiNet bills and bring affordable healthcare to every Connecticut family."

A recent New York Times poll states that 85% of respondents supported government-backed healthcare as a competitive option. Speaker Donovan concluded his remarks by stating, "Let us not use the current recession as an excuse to neglect our responsibilities to the families of Connecticut. We, and they, can't afford to wait any longer."

After the press conference the group marched up to the Gov. office and presented the two bills to her representative for signing.

Legislators and Supporters Heading for the Governor's Office.

The presentation of the SustiNet and the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership legislation to the Governor's representative for her signing.

By Tom Connolly