I have a feeling NYC jails might be more crowded today than usual. A group of protesters advocating a single-payer health care system planned a sit-in at an Aetna office in New York City this morning, with several other similar civil disobedience protests planned at insurer offices in Chicago, Los Angeles and other cities throughout October.
According to a press release I received this morning, the protesters were expected to assemble and walk into Aetna office at 10 a.m. Eastern. If they were denied entry, they intended to sit outside the door and demand “immediate approval of all doctor-requested care for lifesaving treatment.”
The sit-in is part of the Patients Not Profit campaign of the Mobilization for Health Care for All. The mobilization was launched by the organizations Prosperity Agenda, Healthcare-NOW!, and the Center for the Working Poor. Today’s action has been organized by Private Health Insurance Must Go!, a local New York coalition. The group “will not leave until their demands are met, or they are removed by law enforcement,” according to the release.
"Hundreds of people die each day because insurance companies deny them lifesaving care that they need," says Constancia Romily, a retired nurse and sit-in participant. "These insurance companies are the real death panels."
Oh dear.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m a hardline believer in the absoluteness of the First Amendment (I mean, I’m a journalist, for crying out loud). But I think it’s important to use that right responsibly. Whether I agree with these folks or not – and for the record, I’m not saying – I don’t think barging into an insurer’s office and proclaiming its employees hapless aides for the Grim Reaper is the way to move the health care reform debate in a positive direction.
I’m not sure how this protest will turn out. I do hope (perhaps in vain) that everyone involved on both sides remains safe and that whatever debate occurs can remain peaceful. I’ll keep you updated with details as I get them.
