Vigil draws attention to heath care reform needs

Published: December 9, 2009
By Mike Reuther
Sun-Gazetter, Williamsport, PA

Iwanka Kultschyckyj of Williamsport
holds a candle at the Candelight
health care reform vigil held in
front of the Federal Building
Tuesday night.

About a dozen people held a vigil in downtown Williamsport Tuesday night, braving the chill of a December night to speak out in favor of health care reform.

The local event in the 200 block of West Third across from the federal building was among 300 candlelight vigils held nationwide Tuesday.

Kelly Amos of Williamsport said a public option is the best solution for health care reform.
"We have to start somewhere," she said.

She urged those on hand to contact U.S. Sens. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, and Arlen Specter, D-Philadelphia, to demonstrate they should put the interests of families above those of insurance companies.

For her own part, Kelly, 35, said she works a 35-hour-a-week job that offers no health insurance.
Harry Nash of Williamsport said politicians are in the pockets of health insurers.
"We are the only industrialized nation without health insurance. The system itself is unbelievably corrupt."

Richard Saam said he gets upset when people spread lies about universal health care not working in nations such as Canada and England.

One city woman suffering from asthma and unable to afford health insurance on her meager earnings, now is in jeopardy of losing the public assistance she also receives to help her subsist.

"I'm working at minimum wage," she said.

Her health insurance problems began, she said, when she lost another job.

She said "good" health reform is needed.

Rob Cooley of Montoursville attended the vigil to talk about a couple who have come up against costly insurance problems.
The couple, he said, earned college degrees, raised a family together and lived the "American Dream."

But because the man suffered from health problems earlier in his life, he is faced with unaffordable insurance deductibles.
At one point, he was forced to make decisions about how he pay for his health care from a hospital bed.

"You shouldn't be penalized," he said.

Kelly noted that many people cannot afford to pay the cost of their medical bills and are forced into bankruptcy, while at least two people die every day in Pennsylvania from not having health coverage.

The event, sponsored by Move On, Health Care for America Now and The Pennsylvania Health Access Network, was used to shine the spotlight on the hardships of neighbors, friends and family members who are unable to speak for themselves.