Pasadena Patriots Speak Out on Health Care Reform

[Updated: Wednesday, July 22, 2009| 1:02 p.m..] About 70 activists rallied and marched in front of the office of Pasadena’s congressional representative on July today to protest against a proposed federal bill aiming to create a single-payer national health care system.

Members of the Pasadena Tea Party Patriots congregated in front of  Congressman Adam Schiff’s (D-Pasadena) office this morning, urging the representative to fully consider the legislation before voting on it. Modeled after the Tax Day “Tea” Parties, a group of citizens have initiated a campaign against the recently proposed legislation. Known as the Nationwide Rally Against Socialize Healthcare, today’s rally at Schiff’s office was organized by Pasadena Patriots founder Jonathan Wilson and Monrovia school board member and local attorney Clare Chelsey.

“Our specific goal … is to let Congressman Schiff know that we strongly oppose the government takeover of our healthcare,” she said about House Resolution 676, a new bill proposing a single-payer health care system that is expected to come up for a vote as early as Tuesday. “We believe the $1 trillion-plus government takeover of health care being considered by Congress is too expensive.”

Contacted by Pasadena Now, Congressman Schiff, who was in Washington, D.C. during today’s protest, said in an email that America’s Affordable Health Choices Act “takes important steps to extend health care to the millions of Americans who lack health insurance, but much more needs to be done to reduce the costs of health care to all Americans. As health care costs go up four times faster than wages, the current level of spending is unsustainable, and I am working to include further cost containment measures in the legislation.”

The America’s Affordable Health Choices Act calls for a public option and not a single payer plan like the Conyers/Kucinich bill, which constitutes a significant difference between the two.

Proponents of the proposed legislation say Medicare would be augmented and expanded to provide, among other things, coverage for all American citizens from birth. Also referred to as “Enhanced and Improved Medicare for All,” the bill was sponsored by Representatives Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and John Conyers (D-Michigan).

With a similar bill in the Senate (S. 703), the new legislation, if passed, would cover most basic health care needs, including bills for doctor visits, standard hospital care and all prescription drugs. Also included would be vision and dental care, as well as psychiatric treatment and long-term medical assistance. The legislations would also do away with deductibles and co-pays.

However, Mike Alexander, an active member of the Pasadena Patriots, expressed concern over the bill as too cumbersome and harmful to the future of the country.

“We are protesting (Schiff’s) failure to represent us and honor his oath. This is about the right to control your own body,” he said. “These are decisions individuals should be making with their physicians and families, not government bureaucrats. We believe the system is impractical and unworkable.”

In his statement to Pasadena Now, Congressman Schiff said that he believes “it is a moral and economic imperative that everyone have access to affordable health insurance — regardless of employment, income, age, or health status.  Any comprehensive health care reform bill must do three things: reduce cost, expand access, and ensure quality.”

“I also believe that a public option should be part of the health reform as a means of expanding access and forcing competition with the private plans to reduce costs,” Schiff’s statement concluded.