HARTFORD, Conn. - A cross section of Connecticut residents jammed into the Hartford train station Wednesday, April 27, to demand that the governor and state legislature "get on board" for SustiNet, the state health care program with a public option. Medical professionals, small business owners, union members, clergy and community groups from every part of the state were among the 1,000 participants. They marched from the station to the State Capitol blowing train whistles and chanting, "What do we want? Health care! When do we want it? Now!"
"We are here tonight to boldly raise our voices. We want to let the governor and the legislative leaders of our state know that we want them to keep SustiNet moving forward," said Juan A. Figueroa, president of the Universal Health Care Foundation, which initiated the effort in 2009.
In reply to media pundits who claim it is not possible to implement the plan this year, Figueroa asked the crowd, "Is SustiNet dead?" as roars of "No" filled the hall.
While Democratic Gov. Danell Malloy emphasized support for SustiNet in his election campaign, once in office he suggested that the process be slowed down. In every one of 17 town hall meetings held by Malloy around Connecticut to discuss the state budget, supporters of SustiNet came wearing their signature red t-shirts for visibility, and telling their health care stories from the floor.
"What you did made a difference," Figueroa told the rally. "There is now a compromise underway, and we are at the table."
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