ast night, about 1,000 persons attended a health care action rally organized by the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, backed more than 65 churches, synagogues, temples and other organizations. The rally was held at Temple Israel in Boston and was noteworthy for many reasons, high among them the extraordinary energy, commitment, and diversity on display. Two state senators (Jarrett Barrios and Dianne Wilkerson) and six reps (Jim Marzilli, Ruth Balser, Debbie Blumer, Gloria Fox, Brian Wallace, Carl Sciortino) joined the event. Earlier yesterday, GBIO got a front page story in the Boston Globe on their work.
One of many highlights — each of the 65 participating congregations surveyed their own members on health insurance problems. In rapid succession, each of the 65 took the microphone to announce their community’s presence and tell a brief story about their own members’ difficulties with health care access. Also, Rev. Ray Hammond — JP’s Bethel AME Zion Church — blew the roof off the place with his stirring speech — “There can be no Commonwealth without common health — and their can be no common health without common wealth.” He gets it.
GBIO is a leading partner in the ACT! Coalition (Affordable Care Today) this is supporting the Health Access and Affordability Act sponsored by Sen. Richard Moore and Rep. Blumer along with more than 70 other legislators. The legislative hearing on this will be held on Wednesday June 8th at the State House — activities begin at 9am and the hearing starts at 10am. Check out the ACT! page for more information.
