Health Care For America Now

Melanie's March - the 135 mile, 8 day trek health insurance company survivors are taking from Philadelphia to Washington, DC in honor of Melanie Shouse, a health care activist who died because she didn't have affordable health care - continues, with the marchers moving through Delaware and into Maryland.

Of course, along the way they're holding rallies, meeting people, and spreading the word that we need to get health reform done and get it done right.

Starting in Wilmington, DE, they walked through the entire state, arriving in Newark for a rally. They were greeted by the crowd:

We were greeted at the Newark Shopping Center by Darlene Battle of Delawareans for Social and Economic Justice and State Representative John Kowalko, both of whom spoke at a brief rally. Richard Field a local health care activists spoke as well and then three of our marchers–Iwonka, Bill, and Amy–told their stories. Local residents presented us with carnations and then we were on our way through the lovely city of Newark.

Here is an excerpt from Representative Kowalko’s remarks:
“I want to welcome all of you here today and thank each and every one of you for having the courage of your convictions and putting that into this wonderful effort to demand that the American pubic be heard…

And I want to acknowledge and thank those entities for the impeccable timing of the message they are sending which coincides with your march to Washington.

Who are those entities? Well they are the Anthems and Blue Crosses in California, Maine and other place, greedy out of touch profiteers who have decided to announce huge premium increases following record-break profits last year…Their willingness to break the back of American Working Families…will surely be seen by all those public servants in Washington as a message that cannot be misunderstood or ignored and that is

HEALTH CARE REFORM NOW, RECONCILIATION VOTE TODAY, PUBLIC OPTION NOW!”

These marchers, I'll remind you, are walking their 135 miles over land that just recently received record-breaking snowfalls. It's not easy, but they perservere:

What’s more exciting to marchers than a fabulous home-cooked breakfast?  Or warm bath? Clear Sidewalks!

We had cleared 3.5 miles easy before any of us realized we’d been walking.  Exchanging stories, jokes and anecdotes along the way, time just flew.

It was the kind of day we’d been hoping for, the kind we had earned.  But, as the mid-morning approached so, too, did the difficult and dangerous terrain.  The road ahead, Route 2, was very busy and had plenty of curves for cars to whip around at 50+ mph.  The sidewalks were completely impassable and the shoulder nonexistent.  There was, however, a wide median and we saw that as our only option.

Then, the median got smaller and angled so our footing grew sketchier.  During our lunch we began to discuss how we as a team would meet the challenges ahead.

What came next was just an incredible demonstration of  teamwork and perseverance.  When we had to trudge threw snow we did it single file and those with the best shoes went first to pat down the snow and ice.  Without being asked, the marchers bringing up the rear would step up and take over for the leaders.   Scouts would run ahead and report on the terrain to come so we could figure out how to approach it.  Jim, the SEIU RV driver we couldn’t live without, called me more than once to warn of impassable bridges ahead.  Dave secured us reflective gear and Amy kept our spirits up w/lots of chants and cheer. One marcher would fall, two would help them up and three would say “you’re doing great.”

But they keep walking, because health care is too important. And they've made it to Maryland!

As they march, people join them, like Dr. Angeles Gonzales:

SEIU cut together some great video to give you a feeling of what it's like to march 135 miles for health reform:

Their energy and spirit are winning them attention and solidarity along their route. Only a few more days until they arrive in DC, where we'll be holding a gigantic rally for them and to make sure Congress hears their message. If you live in the DC area, please join us on February 24th! Click here for details.

And if you don't, we're working with MoveOn.org to send 1 million messages to Congress on February 24th to have these marchers' backs in a serious way. Click here to sign up to participate!

Meanwhile, around the country, hundreds are rallying to make sure Congress understands that we must finish health reform and finish it right.

In Colorado, hundreds gathered to send that message:

In Delaware, a group met the marchers as they walked through:

In Orlando, people rallied:

In Louisiana, Congressman Cassidy was targeted:

In Missouri, people remembered Melanie Shouse:

In Virginia, people rallied for health reform and against cuts in state health care:

And in New York City, hundreds hit the streets and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge for health reform:

Now it's time for you to join us with our virtual march on Washington on February 24th. Can we count on you to help us call on Congress 1 million times in one day to pass health reform and pass it right?