What do we want? Healthcare! When do we want it? Now!

Shortly after posting this entry Saturday night, and trying to get a couple hours of sleep, I got up again to catch our 4:30 bus to Sacramento.

Sunday was an all-day training (sessions about health care reform, the life of a bill, framing our arguments, and lobbying) at the UC Davis School of Medicine.

Monday we congregated in our white coats at the Capitol. I think the crowd of students (medical, nursing, pre-med, plus some interns, faculty, and community members) was over 400 people by the time we rallied on the steps of the Capitol. A lot of schools were present, but there were notable absences (Stanford, I’m calling you out — what gives?).

That afternoon was our lobby visit. Charles Calderon is already in favor of SB 840, but noncommital on being a more active supporter by becoming a coauthor, especially if it’s not going to get signed by the Governor. Honest enough. I’ll be in touch.

It was just great to see more and more people interested in this and passionate about reform. Standing on the steps, chanting and cheering, and watching passersby on their lunch break join our crowd — I realized how much this has touched every member of our society, from the well-off to the poor.

If you’re not familiar with the debate or with single-payer plans, you should go to Graham’s Single Payer site and watch the animated summary.

Lobby Day is an annual event until we get single payer health care in California or in the United States.

Tags: California, Charles Calderon, Lobby Day, SB 840, single payer