Guaranteed Healthcare

For a 17 years, both as an insured and uninsured I have been an advocate for reforms to our healthcare system that will allow citizens access they can afford to the healthcare they need. Affordable Healthcare is a Right. For the last 4 years I have been writing songs in concern for the healthcare crisis. So far, mostly playing locally in the open mic, and getting few gigs also locally.

Nov 17, 2006 my 9 year employer downsized and I got layed off. Able to keep COBRA till Feb 28 with parents' help, till went to a permanent lay-off. I have been a concerned citizen already for 17 years; not needing to be taught a lesson about why we need a different way of funding our healthcare system. My wife has an artificial heart valve; you don't go without insurance if it can be helped. In March, I started another job with Sears, lost 6 months later after hoping I would get back on BCBS.

I fear I not only lost my jobs in spite of the need for keeping insurance in force;; I lost job BECAUSE of the need to keep insurance in force. Employers can't afford to provide the insurance or pay enough to go out and buy the insurance; to do it they have to charge more for their products. Because of this, customers are going to overseas vendors and manufacturers where the work force is not saddled by the need for healthcare coverage. Here is a verse and chorus of one of my best songs.

"There are many factories moved oversea; still one remains hope long it will be; it's the charger plant, the brave white knight; good going friends, keep up the good fight; (chorus) A-for-da-ble health' will save our economy; it is in the best interest of everybody; if every job moves out of the country; than, tell me, whose gonna pay the medical fee?" The Charger Plant is my former employer of 9 years, written during my career there.

I am all for a single-payer, like HR 676, or that of Sheila Kuehl in California. I understand Schwarzenegger vetoed it; I would like to pass on a message "Sheila, Please Keep Up The Good Work, We need it in California, Nebraska, and the rest of the nation."

I give on page with caution; healthmusic@windstream.net. People wanting to write me are welcome. I would like to contact other activists. I would really like to contact others local to eastern Nebraska wanting to form a coalition; like Healthcare for ALL Nebraska. I also use the titles, "The Healthcare for ALL Music Guru" and "That Crazy Musician who believes Affordable Healthcare is a RIGHT!"