Rights forum to focus on healthcare needs Written By Michelle Monroe Thursday, November 06, 2008 Survey shows deepening insurance concerns ST. ALBANS — Healthcare is a human right. That’s the argument the Vermont Workers’ Center (VWC) will be bringing to St. Paul’s Methodist Church next Thursday.     VWC will be host for a human rights hearing where local people can discuss their experiences with the health care system. In addition to the hearings, VWC has collected more than 800 health care surveys and is compiling the results into a report to be issued in December.     Thus far, more than one out of every 10 respondents said that they have stayed in an abusive relationship in order to keep their health insurance. Two-thirds have foregone treatment or medications because they couldn’t afford it. More than half have avoided switching to a new job for fear of losing their health insurance.     The goal of the campaign is to “change what is politically possible” when it comes to healthcare, James Haslam, director of the Center said in an e-mail.     “A lot of people when you ask them, ‘Is health care a human right?’ stop and think about it,” said Janice Santiago, a St. Albans resident who is volunteering with the campaign. People have to stop and think about what healthcare means and what human rights are or should be, Santiago said.     “I think everyone would agree the system isn’t working on some level,” Santiago said.     “Vermont is taking steps … but there are still things that aren’t working,” Santiago said, citing the staff needed by health care providers just to deal with insurance forms, lack of insurance coverage for dentures and dentistry, and coverage for ambulance transport, among other issues.     Dentures can be a real issue for seniors, Santiago said. Vision care is also an issue, Santiago said, even plans that provide vision coverage often only cover one pair every two years. What if your child loses their glasses, she asked. How do you pay for a new pair?     If ambulance transport isn’t covered, does someone who may be having a heart attack or stroke drive himself or herself to the hospital or call for emergency transport, Santiago asked.     Loopholes for insurance coverage, such as those for pre-existing conditions are also an issue, according to Santiago, and can force people to stay in their current job rather than move on to a new one.     Dr. Linda Peeno testified before Congress in 1996 about insurance companies denying treatment to patients. Those employed by insurance companies to review treatment plans, like herself, received bonuses for denying coverage, Peeno revealed.     Until recently, Santiago herself had a good paying job with full benefits for herself and her children. Then she was laid off. She is currently working a full-time temp job during the week and a second job on the weekends. Her children are on Dr. Dinosaur, but Santiago said she cannot afford even the $50 a month it would cost to buy coverage for herself through the Vermont Health Access Program (VHAP).     “We think we have a long way to go to have the basic right to health care,” Haslam said. “We’re not going to slow down our efforts in Vermont waiting for something to happen nationally.”     Anyone is welcome to provide to contribute at the hearing next Thursday, which will be held at St. Paul’s Methodist Church on Church Street at 7:30 p.m. with refreshments served at 7 p.m. Child care will be provided, but VWC asks that anyone planning to bring children let them know in advance by calling Erika at (802)316-7827.     To fill out the survey, go to www.workerscenter.org/healthcare.

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