Local stats show great need for healthcare overhaul—22% of adults uninsured, 13% of adults unable to see a doctor due to cost

With the U.S. Supreme Court decision expected imminently on the fate of the 2010 healthcare law, nurses, physicians, and healthcare activists will begin a three-week tour of California cities Tuesday as a reminder that the healthcare crisis continues to worsen and genuine, comprehensive reform is still needed.

Beginning in San Diego on June 19 and ending on July 12 in Anaheim, the Medicare for All tour will crisscross the state with stops in nearly two dozen sites. It will feature basic health screenings and town hall meetings where community members will be invited to tell their healthcare stories.

The focus of the events is a call to step up the drive for guaranteed, universal, cost-effective health reform once and for all by expanding and updating Medicare to cover everyone regardless of age. The tour kicks off in San Diego on Tuesday June 19 and will run through July 12 in Anaheim.  The Medicare for All tour will crisscross the state with stops in nearly two dozen sites.

WHERE:    St. Paul’s Cathedral,    2728 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

WHEN:       Health Screenings        3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

                  Town Meeting               6:30p.m.-8:00 p.m.

VISUALS: Health screenings with physicians and RNs. Passionate stories about health care crisis at town hall meetings.

“Whether the Court strikes down all or part of the law, or upholds it, our healthcare crisis will be far from over, and we will still need real reform,” said Zenei Cortez, RN, co-president of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United. CNA is a cosponsor of the tour with Physicians for a National Health Program and Campaign for a Healthy California.

“Far too many Californians and Americans will continue to be uninsured, losing their employer-paid health insurance, facing bankruptcy due to medical bills, struggling to pay for health coverage while also enduring job loss or home foreclosure, skipping needed medical care because of cost, or battling with an insurer to authorize medical treatment or tests recommended by their doctor,” Cortez said.

“We have a proven solution with a model that works wonderfully well for 40 million Americans already,” said Cortez. “It’s called Medicare. No one should have to wait until they turn 65 to be assured they will be able to receive the healthcare they need.

Cities on the schedule include San Diego, June 19; Santa Ana, June 20; San Bernardino, June 21; Bakersfield, June 22; Fresno, June 25; Modesto, June 26; Stockton, June 27; Chico, June 28; San Rafael, June 29; San Jose, July 2; Oakland, July 3; San Francisco, July 4; Santa Cruz, July 5; San Luis Obispo, July 6; Los Angeles (Westwood), July 8; Glendale, July 9; Los Angeles (South Central), July 10; Santa Monica, July 11; and Anaheim, July 12. See the full schedule at http://www.nationalnursesunited.org/blog/entry/all-aboard-the-healthcare-express.

At almost every stop, nurses and doctors will provide basic medical screenings beginning at 3 p.m. to be followed by a public town hall meeting at 6:30 at which people will be encouraged to share their personal experiences. Discussion will also be held about what’s next on healthcare

Following the court ruling, why Medicare for All is the best solution to the national and statewide healthcare emergency, and how to move forward on Medicare for all in California.

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