Organizing for America, the grass-roots organization set up by the Democratic National Committee and President Barack Obama, called on Congress yesterday to pass a comprehensive health-care bill.
At the Fan Free Clinic in Richmond, Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond, said too many people either lack health insurance or pay too much for it.
She joined thousands of volunteers and Obama supporters across the country in beginning a nationwide, weeklong, grass-roots push for congressional action.
Joined by two residents who said they are ill-served by the current health-care system, McClellan said about 4.8 million Virginians get health insurance through their employers but they are paying an average of $13,302 a year for the insurance. She said family premiums have gone up 99 percent since 2000.
McClellan said that "health-care reform will not work unless you find a way to control costs."
She said Obama's focus on improving medical technology might bring costs down.
Lisa Kelly of Chester, who has multiple sclerosis, said her health-care costs were so high that her husband's employer dropped health insurance for his small business.
Her husband now works for another company, which once paid 100 percent of its employees' health-insurance premiums but now requires employees to pay for 20 percent, she said.
In the meantime, her husband hasn't had a pay raise in two years, she said.
Danny Musses of Richmond is a diabetic who can't afford health insurance. He said he relies on the Fan Free Clinic, a free medical clinic staffed by volunteers.
The clinic serves at least 3,000 people annually, said John Baumann, executive director.
Also yesterday, the Virginia Organizing Project along with Health Care for America, both of which are supporting Obama's push for overhaul, said non-whites suffer at the hands of America's "broken health-care system."
They live shorter lives and suffer poorer health, a higher number lack insurance and the infant mortality rate is higher, said Julie Blunt, a spokeswoman for the groups.
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.
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