LOGO: Truthdig: Drilling Beneath the Headlines. A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman. Winner 2013 Webby Awards for Best Political Website
May 18, 2013

 Choose a size
Text Size

Trending:     chris hedges     economy     elizabeth warren     politics     robert scheer
Most Read

The History That Birthed the Tsarnaev Boys

Jerry Brown: California's Mystery Man

'The Daily Show': Stewart Slams Hypocrites Cheney and Rumsfeld

This Is Water: Fishy Advice From David Foster Wallace

How the IRS' Nonprofit Division Got So Dysfunctional

Most Comments
Most Emailed

Reports
 * NEW! * Arctic Tundra ‘Will Turn to Forest’
How the IRS’ Nonprofit Division Got So Dysfunctional
Recurring Nightmares? Wake Up and Take Action

Ear to the Ground

A/V Booth

Arts & Culture
Act of Congress
Daily Rituals
The Girls of Atomic City

Digs

Truthdig Bazaar
Yogi Berra: Eternal Yankee

Yogi Berra: Eternal Yankee

By Allen Barra
$18.45

more items

 
Ear to the Ground

Going to Jail for Health Care

Email this item Email    Print this item Print    Share this item... Share

Posted on Oct 25, 2009
Democracy Now
democracynow.org

Sam Pullen, shown here on “Democracy Now!” after spending five days in jail, is the son of a woman denied coverage by Blue Cross.

Dissent is alive and well in Los Angeles, with actions like sit-ins against health insurance companies showing a growing disapproval of the sorry state of the health care debate. Some activists are choosing to stay in jail in protest of insurers’ denial-of-coverage policies and in support of universal health care. —JCL.

Mobilization for Health Care for All is a Los Angeles-based group that organizes protests in support of universal health care.

MobilizeforHealthcare.org:

Last Thursday, Sam Pullen joined dozens of courageous citizens who risked arrest in 9 cities across the country to challenge the insurance companies that are killing us and killing reform. Sam participated in the action to honor his mother’s own struggle to force Blue Cross to cover the bone marrow transplant that they originally denied and that ultimately extended her life for two years. He was arrested demanding that Blue Cross immediately approve all doctor-requested treatment for members with life-threatening conditions, and he committed to remain in police custody until they at least agreed to meet with him.

In the last 5 days, Sam’s sacrifice has inspired an outpouring of messages of support on Facebook and via email, attracted journalists to interview him in jail and spread his story, and moved supporters all over America to step up and help lead our campaign. Each day he stayed in jail, our movement grew stronger. Finally, on Monday evening, without even being taken before a judge, a sheriff released Sam from the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles with no bail and no charges.

Though Sam was forced to leave jail without his consent, it is a victory that the charges against him were dropped and the $5000 bail was removed. And even though Blue Cross never agreed to meet with Sam, his compelling story and courageous action helped expose their criminal practices and inspire many more Americans to join our fight to end them. And it confirmed again the great power of even just one person’s deep personal sacrifice for a just cause.

Read more

More Below the Ad

Advertisement


New and Improved Comments

If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.

Newsletter

sign up to get updates


 
 
 
 
Join the Liberal Blog Advertising Network
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman.
© 2013 Truthdig, LLC. All rights reserved.