Tacomans fed up with the number of uninsured and underinsured Americans will come together for a rally and march May 30 to encourage politicians to take action.
The MICAH Project, America in Solidarity, Community Health Care and Health Care for All - Pierce County are uniting to sponsor the event, which coincides with rallies in 100 other cities and towns around the country. The event has received widespread support, from churches, labor organizations, health care groups and others - in total, more than 80 organizations have expressed their support for the cause.
“We hope we have a pretty big turnout and get people talking about the need for a fundamental change in health care in America,” said Todd Iverson of America in Solidarity. “If enough people turn out, it will give the politicians a reason to make a change.”
The event will begin with refreshments at 9 a.m. at First United Methodist Church. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. and will include speeches by Congressman Adam Smith, State Representatives Dawn Morrell and Larry Seaquist, Tacoma City Councilmember Marilyn Strickland, Rev. David Alger of Associated Ministries, and Patty Rose of the Pierce County Central Labor Council. The program will last about 45 minutes, and will be followed by a march to Peoples Park.
“The specific goal is to spur Congress to action, to figure out how to get us out of the health care mess we’re in right now,” said Mike Collier of the MICAH Project. “We’re one of the few industrial nations in the world that doesn’t have some health care that protects its citizens.”
The event organizers are not promoting any one solution to the health care situation, but Iverson suggested that solving the problems with the system would be a serious undertaking.
“Frankly, we need some radical change. We don’t need Band-Aids,” he said. “I think everyone sees the need for fundamental change in this because everyone jumped on board.”
Anyone interested in or concerned about affordable health care is invited to attend the event. First United Methodist Church is located at 621 Tacoma Ave. S. Parking is limited at the site, but attendees are invited to park in the lot across the street, at S. 7th and ‘G’ streets. The event will wrap up in time for participants to travel to Seattle for a similar rally at 1 p.m., if they desire to do so.
