Insurance Firms'Decisions Often Come At A Price

tti Mulkey wants to work and be a productive member of society. Unfortunately, she says, her health insurance doesn't cover all the extensive treatment she needs for her chronic kidney disease. She said her insurance plan keeps her alive, but it doesn't provide enough care that would let her go back to work.

"They make decisions without knowing how this affects everyone's lives," she said to a small but vocal group at a rally Tuesday for health care reform in front of Colorado Springs City Hall. "People who are ill don't want to be ill. They want to be working and well."

The "Rally Against Greed" attracted about 40 people carrying signs that read "Greed Sucks" and "Jesus Didn't Charge Premiums." The rally was organized by the group Change That Works, a liberal organization that endorses a public option for health care.

While protesters were vehement Tuesday, the rally wasn't close to the size of other local rallies against the proposed reforms. Instead of focusing on the cost of expanded health care, organizers blamed insurance companies for the high costs in relating the stories of people coping with illnesses.

Like Mulkey, many of the people who attended the rally said they had health insurance, but it didn't pay for their care. Pat Hill said that even with health insurance, she was paying $750 a month in medical bills stemming from complications from cancer treatments.

James Tucker, a local activist, said the people who reject the proposed reforms may regret it.

"If they don't get involved and join us, they will pay a price when they need the care," he said.

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GRAPHIC: Caption: MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE -Elaine Brush, of Colorado Springs, right, joined the Rally Against Greed Tuesday outside City Hall. About 40 proponents of health care reform participated. One, James Tucker, said inaction may mean people will pay a price when they need the care.