By Christin Nance Lazerus
Post-Tribune staff writer
November 13, 2007
MERRILLVILLE -- Health- care activists are taking their show on the road.
Healthcare-NOW!, a group that advocates a national, guaranteed health care system, launched its "Sicko"-Cure Road Show on Sunday in Chicago.
On Monday, members of the group met with staff from Rep. Peter Visclosky's Merrill-ville office and hosted a free screening of the health-care documentary "Sicko" in Gary.
The month-long tour will continue on through Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Healthcare-NOW! national coordinator Marilyn Clement said the tour's intent is to build support behind House Resolution 676, which establishes a national, single-payer health care system.
"Take the framework of Medicare and make it available to everyone," Clement said.
Clement said 86 U.S. representatives have signed on to co-sponsor the bill; the group hopes to have 100 commitments by the end of the tour.
Visclosky's District Director Mark Lopez said the congressman hasn't committed to the resolution, but he is empathetic to the health-care crisis in America.
Valparaiso resident Steve Skvara joined the group soon after his attention-grabbing appearance at the August Democratic Presidential Debate at Soldier Field. Skvara, a retired steelworker, said he and his wife have had paying for their medical needs.
He planned on joining the tour, but health problems prevented the trip.
"Something has to be done about the health-care situation. Ask anybody on Medicare; they wouldn't trade it for anything," Skvara said.
"Even doctors are on board. My cardiologist told me that he is paying more for billing than for malpractice insurance."
Contact Christin Nance Lazerus at 648-3086 or cnance@post-trib.com
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