Central Iowans joined together to thank Representative Leonard Boswell personally for his historic vote on health care reform

Spokespersons for small business owners, older adults, senior citizens and students gathered with other Iowans at Drake University Law School to celebrate this victory and explain how the new law affects them.

We had quite a few Drake students attend illustrating the strong interest among young people!

Individuals told their health care horror stories and underlining the impact of health care reform on their and others in similar circumstances lives. For example, a student, a small business owner, someone with a pre-existing condition, and a retired person all told their stories. Speakers included: Tanya Keith, Small Business Owner and member of the Iowa MSA, Don Brown, Alliance for Retired Americans, a Drake Law School Student, Devin Boerm, breast cancer survivor, State Senator Jack Hatch, Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, and Sue Dinsdale of The Iowa Citizen Action Network.

Congressman Boswell thanked ICAN and HCAN from the podium for all our work. The Congressman's DC press secretary Jane Slusarck attended and worked with ICAN to set up the event. The congressman’s office was very pleased.

In addition to the cosponsoring groups of Iowa Citizen Action Network, Iowa Mains Street Alliance, Organizing for America, Health care For America Now, and the Drake Law School Democrats, other groups in attendance were: AFSCME, Iowa Caregivers Association, Planned Parenthood, Cancer Society, Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa, and the Des Moines Healthcare Working Group.

Twelve small business owners joined Representative Boswell for a private round table on health care after the event. The group which included several members of the Iowa Main Street Alliance discussed the new law and how it will help small businesses.