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Press Release |
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| For Immediate Release | Contact | Phone | |
| Wednesday, February 17, 2010 | Adam Sherman |
732-246-4772 | adam@njcitizenaction.org |
| Eve Weissman |
732-246-4772 | eve@njcitizenaction.org | |
New Jersey Voters Tell Congress: We Want National Health Reform NOW
Hundreds Take Action at Work and Community Sites across the Garden State
Highland Park, NJ — Today, Wednesday, February 17, 2010, as part of a national day of action for health care reform now, hundreds of New Jersey voters armed with banners, signs, and stories of health insurance industry abuses rallied at worksites, hospitals, college campuses, health centers, and social service agencies across the State, sending a clear message to Congress: "Finish Health Care Reform Now and Finish It Right!"
"New Jerseyans are joining forces to say they've had enough of insurance companies' denied claims, inflated profits, and soaring premiums. Today we are sending a loud and clear message to Congress: No more excuses. No more politics. We need good health care we can count on and we need it now," said Marcia Marley, President of BlueWave NJ.
"Congress has been debating health care reform for more than a year now. Meanwhile, everyday Americans are still at the mercy of insurance companies. Last year, private insurers enjoyed record profits while dropping coverage for thousands of people. It's time to stop the partisan bickering and business-as-usual in Washington. We voted for change in 2008 and we demand health reform now," said Ev Liebman, NJ Citizen Action Director of Organizing and Advocacy.
"This health care legislation represents the first leg of a long and difficult trek, but we cannot reach our destination unless Congress takes the first step. Small businesses like mine cannot afford to wait. Literally, our health care policy has jumped 124% in the last few weeks. How many other businesses must face this same reality, before Congress is convinced it is time to move?" said Kelly Conklin, owner of Foley-Waite Associates in Bloomfield, NJ.
Today's actions are 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. There are nearly 40 major events taking place in 32 states between February 16 and 24 with turnout expected in the tens of thousands.
Today hundreds of New Jersey voters were joined by thousands of people across the country 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.
"New Jersey's elected officials heard our voice today. At rallies across the State ordinary voters took out their cell phones and called their Members of Congress with one message: 'Finish Health Care Reform Now and Finish It Right!'" said Adam Sherman, Central NJ Organizer for NJ Citizen Action.
See below for a list of Rally Locations. All events took place between 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Rally at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair1 Bay Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042 |
Rally on Main Street in Highland Park75 Raritan Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904 |
Central JerseyHispanic Directors Association of NJ Weissman and Mintz, LLC Rutgers AAUP-AFT National Association of Social Workers NJ American Federation of Teachers Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry of NJ |
North JerseyNJ Citizen Action Newark Office NJ Public Health Institute Christ Hospital Bayonne Hospital Terra Tea Salon & Fair Trade |
South JerseySpanish American Social Cultural Association PICO New Jersey Democracia Ahora College Democrats at Rider University Cooper University Hospital NJ Citizen Action Camden Office |
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NJ For Health Care is made up of a broad-based alliance of health care, consumer, senior, student, disability, women's, labor, faith-based, civil rights and social justice organizations working to bring guaranteed, high quality, affordable health care to all New Jersey residents.
NJ Citizen Action is the State's largest, independent citizen watchdog organization representing over 60,000 families and over 100 organizations across the State. NJ Citizen Action works to improve the lives of all New Jersey residents through organizing campaigns that promote economic, racial, social, and political justice. For its entire organization history NJ Citizen Action has worked to ensure that all New Jerseyans have access to high quality and affordable health care.
