Media Coverage
Metro Group Prepares for Health Care Battle in U.S. Senate
November 8, 2009 | NBC Action News | Link to article
KANSAS CITY, Mo.- Health care reform supporters are celebrating Saturday night’s victory in the U.S. House of Representatives, but now the planning begins to win another victory in the U.S. Senate.
The Rev. Wallace Hartsfield, Sr., longtime Kansas City, Mo. minister, traveled to Washington with the organization, Communities Creating Opportunities.
The organization works to support nation health care reform.
In the Kansas City metro, CCO leaders are scheduling strategy meetings for the next health care push.
“Right now, we’re gathering to try to share with the Senate who put forth our concern before the Senate in regards to this matter,” Hartsfield said.
If Saturday’s protest in front of Shawnee City Hall is any indication, the fight to win health care reform in the Senate will be a hard-fought battle.
At that protest, protesters chanted, “What do they want? Our money. When do they want it? Now.”
The anti-reform group opposes the public option in the health care measure, calling it a trillion dollar measure that will bankrupt the country and put future generations in debt.
Health insurance companies are also spending more than $1 million per day, telling consumers the health care bill will cut $100 billion from the Medicare Advantage program, potentially forcing out many seniors.
Rev. Rayfield Burns, CCO board member, admits there are challenges and it will be an uphill battle.
But it’s a battle he believes is winnable.
“If we lean toward what the House has done, we’re going to be fine,” said Burns. “We’re going to roll-up our sleeves and go back to work making a few more trips to Washington up on the hill to talk to our Senators and Representatives there.”
