The Daily Campus

Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Dana Lovallo

Holding signs and chanting "people over profits" and "women's health matters," roughly 80 UConn students gathered at Fairfield Way Wednesday for a pro-health care reform rally.

The health care rally was part of the National Day of Action and marked the one-year anniversary of President Barack Obama's election. This was called "Y.I. (Still) Want Change" and was one event out of over 40 in more than 20 states calling out for health care reform by youth.

At the rally students were also offered the opportunity to sign a photo petition in favor of health care reform to be sent to Sen. Joe Lieberman.

The rally was organized by a coalition of groups both on and off UConn's campus including Campus Progress, Idealists United, UConn College Democrats, ConnPIRG, the Creative Community Building Department, UConn ACLU, the Women's Center's Reproductive Rights Committee, the women's studies honor society Triota and Planned Parenthood.

The first speaker at the rally was Dan Doyle, a retired pastor.

"We are all human beings, we all have a right to have the best health care our country can provide," said Doyle.

After Doyle, Gretchen Raffa took the podium. Raffa, who is from Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, spoke about why the health care reform is vital for women's health.

"Women cannot be worse off after the reform," Raffa said. "We're at a critical point in the debate as women fight for health care they want and need."

Raffa stated that women of childbearing age spend 68 percent more out-of-pocket money on health care than men.

"We must stop gender-rating once and for all and prevent [Insurance Companies] from charging women more than men," Raffa said.

Other speakers included Matt Brokman from American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Jason Ortiz, a 6th-semester creative community building major and activist and Arturo Ramos, an activist for the racial inequalities in health care.

The rally then went mobile as the group marched throughout campus demanding the health care reform.

Brittany Florio, a 9th-semester agriculture and natural resources major, was one of the key planners of the event.

"The organizers of this event are a group of students who care about the future of this nation and want to ensure every American has access to the medical treatment they need," Florio said. "I believe our community needs to take action locally to solve this national problem and that starts by educating yourself and then others."

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