Whatcom County residents march, rally for health-care reform

ZOE FRALEY - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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BELLINGHAM - Rebekah Snodgrass knows the flaws of current health care all too well.

The Bellingham resident feels blessed to have insurance now, but she hasn't always been so lucky. She has multiple sclerosis, and when a divorce left her without insurance, that pre-existing condition kept health care out of her reach.

"I'm a case in point," she said. "I'm not so sick I can get on disability, but working is difficult for me. I work part time, basically for the insurance. Without a job, I'm out in the cold."

Snodgrass was one of nearly 200 participants in a rally and march for health-care reform Saturday, Sept. 12 at Maritime Heritage Park. She works part time at Western Washington University, where her daughter will be starting college soon. She knows her daughter is at a higher risk for developing multiple sclerosis, and she hopes health-care reform will help save her from the stress of being uninsured. The rally was her first, and it was something she was glad to see in Bellingham.

"It's a very real need in this country," she said. "I think everybody should be served with health care."

The march and rally were put on by a coalition of local organizations, including the Whatcom County Democratic Party, United for National Healthcare, Whatcom Peace & Justice Center, Jobs with Justice and the local chapter of MoveOn.org.

"Our goal of course is to unite all of the people in the Whatcom County community who want meaningful health-care reform," said Aileen Satushek, a member of United for National Healthcare. "We realize that we all have a different view of how to accomplish health-care reform, but we all know we want reform to take place so people no longer die or go bankrupt because they don't have health-care insurance."

Speakers that included Bellingham City Councilman Terry Bornemann and Interfaith Community Health Center doctor Chris Covert-Bowlds rallied the crowd before a march through downtown.

"I see people every day suffering from lack of decent health coverage," Covert-Bowlds said to the crowd. "Everyone has the right to an attorney if accused of a crime. I think it's time everyone have the right to health care."

Though they skipped the march, Bellingham residents Phyllis and Phillip Jones were happy that the rally was a chance to refute the negativity that tended to dominate and distract from the health-care debate.

"I'm not sure of all the ins and outs, and I don't think anyone is, but I don't like to hear all the negativity coming out," Phyllis, 77, a retired nurse, said of talk about abortion, illegal immigrants and death panels. "You have to think about your very own self."