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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Iowans Rally for Health Care Reform:
We Voted for Change. Get It Done!

Iowa Citzen Action Network, Health Care for America Now, SEIU, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, The Farmers Union, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Every Child Matters, Iowa Caregivers Association, Working Families Win, Iowa Health Care Working Group, Progressive Action for the Common Good, Alliance of Retired Americans and Main Street Alliance

Des Moines, Iowa Feb. 17, 2010 -- Hundreds of Iowans from all walks of life arrived at the State Capitol with one thing in common; their Demand for Health Care Reforms Now! The American Cancer Society and Primary Care Associations filled the Rotunda displaying their information as they lobbied State Legislators for Health Care Reforms. Citizen groups from Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Iowa City converged on the State Capitol to act and stand in solidarity.

Fourteen Iowa Organizations and 30 of their members met with Senator Jack Hatch and Senator Tom Harkin's representative, Ron Barron. There were stories of health insurance industry abuse from Small Business Owner, Chris Petersen. Senator Jack Hatch spoke of Iowans urgent need for the Expansion of the Iowa Cares Program for Health Care Reforms Iowans. He called for Bipartisan efforts in Des Moines and Rob Barron delivered Senator Harkin's statement called for the same in Washington DC.

Betty Ahrens, Executive Director of the Iowa Citizen Action Network said, "We are very near the end, but we're not there yet. Let's finish the job in Washington!" From Senator Hatch we heard, "It could not be more clear that we need reform than this; Today Wellmark increased Health Insurance Premiums 18% on 80,000 Iowans. Without reform our Health Care System will collapse."

Congress has been debating health care reform for more than a year now. Meanwhile, everyday people are still at the mercy of insurance companies' soaring premiums, denied claims, and inflated profits. Today we say, No More. No more politics. No more stalling. No more business-as-usual in Washington. We need good health care we can afford, and we need it now.

Health care reform advocates were joined by progressive organizers and supporters to emphasize the pressing need to rein in corporate greed, regulate Wall Street, create more jobs, shore up our economy, address global warming, protect workers' rights, and finally achieve quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

Wednesday's Rally was part of a week-long nationwide push insisting Congress act now on health care reform and listen to everyday Americans, not the insurance lobbyists who are spending millions to block health care reform and protect their profits. Health Care for America Now and its partners are holding nearly 40 events in 32 states between the 16th and the 24th with turnout expected in the tens of thousands.

The flagship event of the week is the "March to the Finish Line for Melanie" - an eight day walk which started in Philadelphia, PA on Wednesday and will end in Washington, DC on Wednesday the 24th - the day before President Obama's Health Care Summit. The march is named for Melanie Shouse, a health care advocate who just lost her long battle with breast cancer after missing out on treatment because she did not have access to good, affordable health insurance. Supporters can follow the "March to the Finish Line for Melanie" online at http://melaniesmarch.com/

Contact:

Mary McCann
(319) 354-8116 x104

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