By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Health care advocates across the country took part Thursday in a national show of unity for health care reforms.
The National Health Care Day of Action called for a protest by thousands of people across the country. The goal was to push for drastic reforms to what many call a crisis in health care. In downtown Buffalo, about a dozen workers and employers gathered to urge change.
The Workers Rights Board released a report, detailing the testimony of people affected locally. Terry Schelter, a registered nurse with Kaleida, says the current health care system is crippling everyone.
"I don't feel our patients are getting quality care," Schelter said. "Our health care workers are exhausted. No matter the job title you work in, we have under-staffing. It's not just Kaleida Health. All of our hospitals are struggling with costs. It's affecting workers. But most of all, it's affecting patients."
Both employees and employers offered testimony in December. They say skyrocketing health insurance costs are leaving them with little or no access to medical care and prescriptions. Employers say the high costs make it difficult for them to compete and are the main stumbling block in labor negotiations. And Buffalo Common Council Member Antoine Thompson says health care costs are costing the city more than just money.
"It impacts our ability to deliver services, whether it's street cleaners, police officers or firefighters," Thompson said.
The Workers Rights Board report outlines several recommendations, including access to cheaper drugs, keeping HMOs not-for profit and protection of Medicare. But topping the list is a call for a fully funded, universal health care system.