National health care effort starts N.H. campaign

New Hampshire for Health Care chapter announcedCONCORD- A coalition of groups promoting "quality, affordable health care for all" has begun operating in the Granite State.

Health Care for America Now, a national effort led by groups such as the SEIU, AFSCME, MoveOn.org and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, announced at a press conference that they are forming a New Hampshire campaign, New Hampshire for Health Care, aimed at reaching voters throughout the state.

"We'll be working with partner organizations to talk to voters across the state and educate voters on health care issues," said John Thyng, State Director of NH for Health Care, on the steps of the State House. "We're committed to contacting all candidates on this issue and asking ‘are you with us?"

Travis Harker, a health care provider who trains doctors in a community health center, called the current health care system "broken."

"I love what I do, but our system is broken," he said. "More band-aids are not going to help the problem, we need a national solution."

Speakers also included Cathy Silber of NH Citizens Alliance, Alejandro Urrutia, a small business owner who is organizing fellow business owners with the Granite State Organizing Project, Rich Burke of AFSMCE and Lillye Ramos Spooner of the Greater Manchester AIDS Project.