SPAN OHIO's Summit County Coordinators collect over 600 Signatures in a two-week period for Healthcare for All Ohioans!
(By Jodie Smith - May 12, 2008)
SPAN of Summit County and PDAOhio were aggressive and successful in the ballot initiative signature drive for the Healthcare For All Ohioans Act during CoverTheUninsured Week that began April 26 and finished May 3rd. Over the week, 466 signatures were collected and volunteers from outside the organizations left Kmart in Tallmadge carrying petitions they planned to fill with the signatures of their friends, neighbors and co-workers.
SPAN and PDAOhio volunteers were overwhelmed with the stories they were told during their time at Kmart. Victims of cancer, heart disease and diabetes told heart-wrenching stories of divorce, lost jobs and poverty all traced to the medical bills they had amassed by having the misfortune to become sick in a country that allows and encourages profiteering from disease by the insurance and pharmaceutical industries. There were some bitter and angry citizens who signed the petition, urging SPAN and PDAOhio to persevere in the fight to gain affordable healthcare for all Ohioans and ultimately, all Americans.
SPAN and PDAOhio wish to thank Kmart for allowing the signature drive to be held at their storefront. Many of the 466 customers who signed in support of Single Payer Healthcare also expressed their appreciation to Kmart.
SPAN and PDA's Summit Chapter added to the numbers of petitions signees in the following week by obtaining 140 more signatures at Kent State May 4 Commemoration as well as the Cinco De Mayo fundraiser sponsored by the Tallmadge Democratic Club. This two-week effort produced over 600 petition signatures bringing Healthcare for all Ohioans closer to reality.
If you are interested in helping SPAN and PDAOhio's push to provide a single-payer health care system in our State please visit http://www.spanohio.org today!
