Hunger Strike OKC Sicko

HUNGER FOR HEALTH CARE:
Mothers from Michael Moore’s movie SiCKO
plan hunger strike to push for children’s health care

(Oklahoma City, OK) – Three mothers who appeared in Michael Moore’s film “SiCKO” will begin a hunger strike for health care on November 1 unless Congress passes acceptable State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation and it is signed by President Bush.

Donna Smith of Colorado, Reggie Cervantes of Oklahoma and Adrian Campbell of Michigan all had their stories featured in “SiCKO” this summer, and they all continue to fight for health care reform in spite of their own personal struggles to access affordable health care for themselves and their families.

“If we cannot protect our children, then who are we? And if we are not willing to suffer and even to die to protect those we brought into this world, then what does motherhood really mean?” Smith, mother of six and grandmother of 13, wonders.

Beginning Thursday, November 1st, all three will spend each day fasting and visiting local offices of representatives, state capitols, hospitals and other locations to make their point.

Cervantes, mother of two, is a 9/11 rescue worker made ill by her exposure to toxins at ground zero. “My fellow responders continue to become terminally ill and many don’t have access to health care. Their children should not suffer because the parents don’t have sufficient income or access to benefits through employment,” Cervantes stated.

They are tired of waiting as some members of Congress and President Bush continue to ignore the wishes of the American people. The mothers are committed to seeing Congress pass appropriately funded SCHIP legislation.

Campbell, who is the mother of a four-year-old, added, “It is for our kids, our grandchildren, and for every single American who has been denied. My hunger is for you.”

Smith, Cervantes and Campbell, said they can no longer be complicit in President Bush’s failure to provide health care access to kids who really need it. They stress that the strikes will end only when their representatives are fully behind SCHIP or are themselves physically unable to fight.
Other American SiCKOs, including 9/11 first responder John Graham, of New Jersey will also join in the strike by fasting periodically in solidarity with the SiCKO mothers.

For more information please visit the Americans for Universal Health Care website:

http://www.apuhc.com/