Voices Blogs Beacon Backroom MoveOn holds candlelight vigil in Tower Grove Park in favor expanding health care coverage | MoveOn holds candlelight vigil in Tower Grove Park in favor expanding health care coverage |
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| By Jo Mannies, Beacon Political Reporter | |
| Posted 11:31 pm Wed., 09.02.09 | |
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Cavin's husband recently lost his job as a painter with a local religious institution. The couple still has insurance under COBRA but, in part because of her diabetes, their per-month premium will jump in six months to almost $1,400. With no job, that means they'll have to drop their coverage, she said. And because of her health problems, Cavin added, no other insurance will be available. If there was a public option, Cavin says, she and her husband -- and others in the same boat -- could purchase affordable insurance. Cavin was among several speakers who offered similar stories of lost coverage or rationing by insurance companies. With candles flickering, the audience frequently broke into chants -- "What do we want? Healthcare! When do we want it? Now!" -- at the event, among 300 organized nationwide Wednesday by MoveOn, a progressive group active in the 2008 presidential campaign on behalf of now-President Barack Obama. Organizers and various attendees said they are worried about reports that Obama and Democrats in Congress may back away from what they see as a campaign pledge to expand health care coverage and reduce its costs. Leslie Wallace, Moveon's council coordinator for St. Louis, said, "We're just really hoping and praying that President Obama stands firm." Said Cavin: "I believe this is a civil rights issue. Don't forget us, President Obama." The event began with a moment of silence for the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who died Aug. 25. Wallace noted that universal health care coverage was Kennedy's "life long mission'' and called for MoveOn supporters to continue his effort.
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, 52, offered up a familiar story about her endangered health insurance Wednesday night to several hundred local supporters of a public option gathered in Tower Grove Park for a candlelight vigil organized by MoveOn.org.
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