Campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience to end insurance abuse

Citizens and health care providers who are fed up with the state of our health care system will risk arrest at a New York Aetna health insurance office on Tuesday morning. The sit-in is the first action in part of a larger mobilization to end insurance abuse and build support for real reform – Medicare for All, a single payer plan. The mobilization involves civil disobedience at insurance company offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, and other cities throughout October.

What: Sit-in at an insurance company office to launch campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience to end insurance abuse and win health care for all

When: 10:00 AM, Tuesday, 09/29/2009

Where: Aetna office, 99 Park Ave (@ 40th), New York, NY

Who: Citizens and health care providers who are fed up with insurance company greed and are calling for real reform, Medicare for All, a single payer plan

Participants in the sit-in are expected to peacefully assemble and walk into the office, where employees are reviewing health insurance claims, and denying claims for care that doesn’t make them money. If they are not allowed entry to the office, they will sit outside the door. Participants in the action will demand immediate approval of all doctor-requested care for lifesaving treatment. They will not leave until their demands are met, or they are removed by law enforcement.

“Hundreds of people die each day because insurance companies deny them lifesaving care that they need,” said Constancia ‘Dinky’ Romily, 68, who is a retired nurse and resident of East Village, New York who is participating in the civil disobedience. “I’m willing to put myself on the line for them. We need Medicare for All, the real public option.”