Democrats Rally For Health Care Reform
By Kailani Koenig-Muenster8/27/08
This morning the Democratic Party's most prolific names gathered to proclaim their top priority for the coming year. Hillary Clinton was the star of the event called "Winning Health Care Reform in 2009." It was held at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
"When January of 2009 comes, our time will come," said Clinton. "And we will be ready to do whatever it takes to achieve quality affordable healthcare for every American."
The event was sponsored by the SEIU and Family's USA. Speakers called for immediate widespread change once the next president takes the oath of office. They praised the s-chip bill and ridiculed President Bush for his veto. They are asking for a sweeping affordable health care program that would be available to all Americans.
"I'm hoping that many of the leaders you saw here today will be working between now and January 20, 2009 to come up with a plan that will be the Democratic plan, and that we will be prepared and ready to work with President Obama and Vice President Biden to get that plan enacted," said Clinton.
Other speakers were Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, former South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, and Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell.
"I hope the Democrats in congress can reach a consensus," said Clinton. "Because it is easy to make speeches about health care reform, and believe me, it is a lot harder to translate those words into legislative language that will actually get the votes we need to be successful."
See part of Clinton's speech: