Hoosiers took to the streets of Hammond and the halls of Congress -- one day after the Senate Finance Committee passed its proposed version of a health care reform bill -- to voice concern about the future of health care.
"It does scare me," said Kitty Brady, 57, of Gary, who is uninsured. "It didn't bother me until I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I think health care is a human right."
Brady was one of about 35 people rallying for health care reform along Hohman Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. The event was sponsored by the progressive group MoveOn.org. The crowd, which was promoting the public option, wanted to know what moderate Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh's stance was on reform, as the next step in the legislative process involves the Senate and House to combine all versions of their committees' bills before taking a floor vote.
"He's one of the last hold-outs," said Karen Kroczek, Lake County council coordinator for MoveOn.org.
"I applaud his fiscal responsibility, but it's time to announce his decision on health care reform."
Kroczek was dressed in blue sweats and fake dog ears, with whiskers painted on her face, calling attention to the so-called "blue dogs" -- the more conservative Democrats such as Sen. Bayh whom the group would like to see support a public insurance option.
During the evolution of the five individual Congressional committee bills, Bayh has kept an open mind regarding the public option, said Brian Weiss, press spokesman for the senator.
"As the Senate works to merge different versions of health care legislation, I will be looking for a fiscally responsible solution that does not increase the federal deficit, or grow our debt, or raise taxes in ways that will cost jobs or hurt our national economy," Bayh said in an e-mail statement.
"Reform must provide protection for people who currently have insurance and does away with pre-existing condition exclusions. I hope we can produce reform that achieves these goals."
Vicki Lehman, 53, of Elkhart, flew to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday as part of a rally by the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition. The special interest group and more than 150 physicians, radiologists and cancer survivors spoke to members of Congress and their aides about the current drafts and the negative effects that proposed Medicare cost-cutting measures would have in limiting access to diagnostic-imaging services.
"Imaging saved my live, it flat-out saved my life," said Lehman, who was diagnosed with colon cancer five years ago. "I'm hoping to live long enough to be on Medicare, and then what's going to happen to me? I'm not going to have the funds (to pay for imaging services)."
Lehman said she has gotten at least one colonoscopy each year for the last four years, when the average adult needs the diagnostic test only once every five years.
"It's cheaper in the long run," Lehman said. "Early detection is cheaper."
Brady agrees, saying she looks forward to the day she can receive preventive care.
"I could keep up with things instead of waiting for them to become disastrous," Brady said.
