MoveOn.org Political Action
MEDIA ADVISORY FOR September 2nd, 2009
CONTACT: Anton Konev (518) 330-5269 or Joe Seeman: (518) 583-4326

*** Series of Events this Wed., September 2nd, 2009:Begins at Central Ave. & Wolf Road in Colonie at 5 PM,
then at 7pm at Broadway & Church, Saratoga Springs & also Warren & 7th, Hudson, ***

Capital Area Residents Hold Vigils for People Suffering Under Current Health Care System
Events Demonstrate Dire Need for Public Health Insurance Option,
Will Include Memorials to Senator Edward Kennedy

As Congress wraps up its August recess, on Wednesday, September 2nd, local residents will hold a rallies in Albany (Colonie), Saratoga Springs & Hudson, to honor those who are suffering under the current health care system and show that New York State cannot afford to wait for health care reform with a real public health insurance option. The vigils are organized by members of MoveOn.org Political Action, along with the Center for Community Change, Democracy for America, Doctors for America, Health Care for American Now, and TrueMajority. Health care reform with a strong public health insurance option will help lower skyrocketing health care costs and expand coverage to millions of Americans. Hundreds of vigils will be held nationwide on the same day. The vigils will include a memorial to Senator Edward Kennedy, who viewed fighting for universal health care as the “cause of his life.”

Vigil participants will light candles, hold pictures, and share the names and stories of those suffering under the current health care system to show the desperate need for a real public health insurance option- a R.E.A.L. public health insurance option must be: Ready right away, part of a plan to cover Everyone, Accountable to the public and Large enough to contain costs.

“As the names and stories shared here today show, New York State cannot afford to wait for a real public health insurance option. Everyday that we wait to pass health care reform with a public option, more New York State residents are denied life-saving medical treatment, dropped from their insurance coverage, or buried under medical bills,” said Al Ormsby of Saratoga Springs, an activist with Citizen Action and MoveOn. “We’re calling on Congress to pass the health care reform we need as soon as they return to Washington. The longer we wait, the more people suffer.” Jeff Sterling, a Hudson Valley Community College student from New Baltimore, added: "We are calling on Congressman Murphy to pass a public option. This will help end the suffering that has been caused under a for-profit system."

WHAT: Vigil to support a Public Health Insurance Option
WHO: members of MoveOn & other groups supporting HealthCare reform - Citizen Action of NY, Organizing for America, and others
WHEN: Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
RALLY: 5pm: Wolf Road & Central Ave, Albany/Colonie
VIGIL 1: 7pm: Broadway & Church St, Saratoga Springs (outside Rep. Murphy’s office)
VIGIL 2: 7pm: Warren St & 7th St, Hudson (outside Rep. Murphy’s office)
More info available & all are encouraged to sign up at pol.moveon.org/event/publicoptionnow
These events are the culmination of a five-week “Real Voices of Change” campaign, which has included over 500 local events nationwide. These events include organizing attendance at Congressional town halls and forums, as well as MoveOn organized parallel events, such as rallies and letter-to-the editor deliveries.

MoveOn.org Political Action is a political action committee powered by 5 million progressive Americans. We believe in the power of small donors and grassroots action to elect progressive leaders to office and to advance a progressive agenda. We do not accept any donations over $5,000, and the average donation to MoveOn.org Political Action is under $100.
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