Apr. 8--CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Charleston resident Sandy Fisher got divorced a year ago and lost her private health insurance.
She told U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller that she has had to postpone medical tests and visits to physicians because she had such difficulty getting Medicare coverage.
Rockefeller, D-W.Va., visited Charleston on Tuesday as part of his two-week tour of West Virginia to listen to people talk about their health-care problems and other issues.
The senator also received a "Champion of Health Care Reform" award at the state AFL-CIO offices from West Virginians United for Social & Economic Justice, a coalition of progressive and labor organizations.
"This seems like the year when we can get it all done," Rockefeller said of health-care reform.
"I want to go bipartisan. But I have never seen many Republicans for health-care reform. ... If we have to pass a Senate bill with 51 votes, we will do it," he said. "Today, we are on a sacred journey to remake America."
Rockefeller mentioned health problems facing veterans, due to lack of health coverage and conditions they faced in war zones.
"Today, we not only have 47 million uninsured Americans. We also have 25 million who are underinsured -- 72 million people," he said.
He also noted that "50 percent of all bankruptcies in this state take place because of the lack of health-care coverage," and said lack of insurance had cost the state $8 billion over the past several years.
Gary Zuckett, executive director of West Virginia Citizen Action Group, gave Rockefeller the award, stating, "Throughout his long career, he has been an advocate for health-care reform" to help children, veterans, miners and their families and all West Virginians.
Rockefeller praised public service groups like the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, VISTA and Head Start, recalling his own start in West Virginia in 1964 as a VISTA volunteer in Emmons.
Rockefeller also met with a group of 25 senior citizens at Shoney's restaurant on Kanawha Boulevard.
"We've got about 40 years to turn everything around, our economy and our health-care system," Rockefeller told them. "We have let things slide. We let money and comfort overwhelm us."
The lack of health insurance, he said, not only hurts the direct victims but also state businesses.
"In 2003, lost work days and lower work productivity -- due to poor health and the lack of health care -- cost the state $8.1 billion," he said.
Rockefeller criticized insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies.
"Insurance companies are making you pay more and they pay less so they can make more money," he said.
Reach Paul J. Nyden at pjnyden@wvgazette.com
or 304-348-5164.
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