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Campaign Demands Affordable Treatment

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By SHERRI ACKERMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 9, 2008

TAMPA - TAMPA - It pains 13-year nursing veteran Roselily Story to tell patients she's doing everything she can when she knows their health insurance won't let her.

"These people are hard-working people who deserve the care," says Story, who works at St. Petersburg General Hospital. She spoke Tuesday in downtown Tampa at a news conference calling for affordable health care for everyone.

Health Care for America NOW! is a $40 million nationwide campaign being launched by a coalition of 95 national and local groups representing labor unions, medical workers, small businesses and community activists.

Here, the movement is led by Florida Consumer Action Network and members of Planned Parenthood, the Association for Community Organizations for Reform Now, the West Central Florida Federation of Labor, and Service Employees International Union.

The coalition bills itself as a nonpartisan effort that urges voters to make health care the No. 1 priority for lawmakers and the country's next president by writing to those leaders and demanding that legislation pass in 2009 that gives everyone access to quality coverage at an affordable price.

According to campaign organizers, 47 million Americans lack health insurance.

Tampa real estate and retail business owner Pat Sanchez said she got involved in the campaign because she was sick of complaining and ready to take action.

"Gas prices are up," Sanchez said. "Taxes are up. Health care premiums are out of this world. We cannot trust the health care industry to choose people over profits, especially in this economy."

The campaign started Tuesday in Tampa and 52 other cities nationwide. Organizers plan to get the word out by spending an initial $1.5 million on television, print and online advertising along with sending e-mail to 5 million people.

Workers hope their numbers will influence changes to the health care system by allowing everyone a choice in private or public plans, more focus on preventive care and equity in access to treatment, among other reforms.

"The will is there," said Story, the nurse who wants better options for her patients. "Unfortunately, the resources aren't."

For information about the local campaign, contact FCAN at (813) 877-6712 or go to www.fcan.org.

For information about the national Health Care for America NOW! campaign, go to www.healthcareforamerica now.org.

Reporter Sherri Ackerman can be reached at (813) 259-7144 or sackerman@tampatrib.com.

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