Byline: Tracee M. Herbaugh, Rocky Mountain News
Groups representing doctors, nurses and organized labor are among those gathering today at the state Capitol to press for national health care reform.
'We're talking about giving people choices,' said Francoise Mbabazi, health care program director for Colorado Progressive Coalition. 'We're looking at how we can stand together in solidarity and cover the 47 million uninsured across the country.'
The Colorado coalition, part of a national campaign, will hold a news conference on the west steps at noon.
Similar events are planned in 40 states.
The coalition wants a health care plan that would not deny coverage to people who have a pre-existing condition or raise rates for those who get sick.
The coalition will provide online and community forums to discern what people want and need in a health care plan.
'We are going to really be listening carefully to the communities that we hope to serve, and those are people without health insurance or people that are under- insured,' said Jason McKain, co-executive director of Colorado Progressive Action.
In Colorado, the 14 member groups include Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Education Association, Sisters of Color United for Education and National Physicians Alliance.
The coalition works with two national organizations, US Action and Center for Community Change.
The nationwide effort has raised $40 million to cover education and organizational costs and a national media campaign, McKain said.
About 1,000 house parties in all 40 states are planned to generate interest in health care at the local level.
