Thousands Protest Health Insurance LobbyistsBen Malleybyline‚ Jun. 20‚ 2008The fight for a single-payer universal healthcare system continued yesterday outside of Moscone Center. Inside was the conference of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), a lobbying group of more than 1,300 private health insurance companies. In 2006, the organization spent more than $7 million on lobbying efforts. Outside, more than 1,000 people voiced support of State Senator Sheila Kuehl’s SB 840 and Congressman John Conyers’ HR 676, both of which would establish single-payer healthcare. Also inside was Terry McAuliffe. The former Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair and most recently former campaign manager for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential run, spoke between 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. His topic: Decision 2008: The Politics of Healthcare. |