Health care reform rally set for Tuesday

LYNN – Grassroots community org-anizations in Lynn plan to rally for health care reform Tuesday hoping to spotlight health insurance companies that make huge profits while fighting against change.”There is a growing outrage against health insurance companies that are blocking health care reform because they make huge profits in the way the current health care system is set up,” said Jeffrey Crosby, president of the Lynn-based North Shore Labor Council.According to Crosby, the rally at the Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development office, 10 Church St., from 6:30-8:30 p.m., will include a public conversation with U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney.”Congressman Tierney has been an ally on health care reform since he first ran for office. It’s the insurance companies that continue to profit, making health care into a business,” he said. “They’re the ones behind the resistance to health care reform.”Crosby said an open conversation with Tierney will focus on how to fix the nation’s broken health care system so that it benefits people, not companies.”In my conversations with Lynn residents, I know that many in our community currently have health insurance, but they cannot afford to use it,” said Maria Carrasco, a Lynn School Committee member. “We also have to think about the elders in our community who should be able to retire in dignity without worrying about the rising cost of medications.”Carrasco said the city is fortunate to have the Lynn Community Health Center, which offers a wide array of services to low-income residents. “I don’t know what we would do without them. Health care must cover everyone, without exception,” she said.Robert Reynolds, president of the faith-based Essex County Community Organization, said a new national health care policy is needed. “As a member of the faith community, I’m deeply troubled by our country’s health care system and the lack of access for those in need. We have the best health care in the world for the rich, but not for the rest of us,” he said. “We have a unique window of opportunity. If good public policy decisions are made in Washington we could help alleviate our health care crisis.”Suzanne Hodes, a member of Lynn United for Change, urged residents to speak out in favor of health care equity and to share their stories at the rally. “It’s really important to speak out right now because the legislation is being written right now,” she said. “This is an urgent opportunity to change our health care system that might not come along again for a very long time.”Tierney, a Salem Democrat, has supported health care reform, including the Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act, which would prohibit profitable companies that promised employees retirement coverage from curtailing or eliminating benefits under their retiree health plans after an employee retires.For more information or to reserve a seat at the rally, call the labor council at 781-595-2538 or e-mail [email protected]