Sunday, August 02, 2009

Al Franken visits Duluth, speaks about health care reform

The media met with Al Franken at the Greysolon Plaza just before the Progressive Roundtable. Here Jay Cole shakes hands with Franken. (Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff)

Al Franken is in Duluth for the Progressive Roundtable.

He was the featured speaker Sunday night along with Kysten Sinema, representative, Arizona State legislature. Barry Kendall, executive director of the Commonweal Institute.




Franken said his number one concern is health care reform. He stated that two-thirds of bankruptcies are caused by medical bills. "People are worried that they are one health care crisis away from bankruptcy," he said. Many people are scared to change jobs or to start new businesses because of preexisting conditions.

Franken said he heard from a woman in Fergus Falls who is a diabetic, her son is also diabetic but doesn't have insurance, so she shares here insulin with her son.

Franken the United States has a wider gap in income than other developed countries which have been health care for everyone. The wide gap causes difficulties in people having access to clean air and water as well as exercise and safe neighborhoods. The gap between the rich and poor is huge, he said.

Franken also talked about the importance of Net Neutrality.



I don't know how to just get one Youtube in this.

The roundtable was sponsored by the A.H. Zeppa Family Foundation and the Commonweal Institute