On June 25, I took the DCA’s message to Washington, D.C.I went there with a group of Virginia activists who were urging our legislators to support health care reform now. There were about 200 of us in all, brought together by the Virginia Organizing Project. I rode up on a bus with 56 other people from Lynchburg and Charlottesville. (That’s me in front in the yellow shirt.)
After attending a rally in the morning, we spent the afternoon visiting our representatives in Congress. Congressman Tom Periello (D-5th) greeted us all very warmly. He was busy on the House floor with votes and only got to meet with us briefly, but his staff got to hear many sad and compelling stories about the need for health care reform.
Our goal was to support comprehensive health care reform that includes a public health insurance option, but I made sure to talk to everyone I met with about the DCA’s health care reform principles. I told them our country won’t be able to meet its long-term care needs – either in institutions or in the home, where virtually everyone would prefer to stay as long as possible – until we make the jobs of direct care workers a realistic choice thanks to fair wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Here we are in DC. That's Angel and Bob in the front row
Another highlight for me was getting to know Angel Saylor and Bob Stevens better, and seeing their enthusiasm for the upcoming Voices Institute National Leadership Program, which they’ll be attending in September. It was especially nice to spend an entire day working side by side with Bob and Angel outside of the usual day-to-day work setting, learning more about their stories, their families, and where they get all that energy to advocate for themselves and those in their care. What talented and enjoyable caregivers they both are! I love getting the chance to listen and talk directly with caregivers, not just about them or about their jobs.
Related materials
A VOP press release about the visits
The DCA’s direct care worker health care reform principles (PDF)
Getting interviewed by the media.
Direct Care Alliance
