New Report, Documentary Debunk Myth; Show that Heartland favors Health Care Reform
Source: Center for Community Change

Today, rural Americans cleared the air about their position on health care reform at the “Rural Issues in Health Care Reform” congressional briefing hosted by Reps. Tom Perriello (D-Va.) and Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.). Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) spoke at the briefing. The antics of extremist tea baggers gave birth to the misconception that rural Americans were against health care reform when in fact the stories and findings of the new report and mini-documentary released at the briefing show otherwise.

“Rural communities have always been the geographic and moral heart of America,” said Sally Kohn, senior campaign strategist at the Center for Community Change. “What’s odd is that while members of Congress from rural states are wielding disproportionate power in the health care reform debate, rural voters have been largely invisible and ignored or portrayed as against reform. Not only do most rural Americans want health care reform, they need it even more than urban folks.”

According to the eye-opening report, “Sweet the Bitter Drought: Why Rural America Needs Health Care Reform,” rural Americans are more likely to be underinsured, less likely to have choices in insurance coverage, travel greater distances and often face shortages in health care providers, medical services and technology.

The briefing also included the release of a five minute documentary, “Health Care for the Heartland,” filmed at county fairs across the country this summer. Jean Chaud from Belgrade, Maine was among several rural community leaders to share her story with members of Congress. Jean talked about working at a small business in rural Maine, and trying to cover the costs for individual private insurance with two chronic medical conditions.

+ Full Report (PDF: 4.6 MB)

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 1:30 am and is filed under Government and politics, Health and healthcare, Social and cultural issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.