No mo HMO

HEALTHCARE PROTEST: All we are saying is give comprehensive single-payer, universal coverage, including prescription, vision, dental and mental a chance.

Fifteen people gathered outside Blue Cross Blue Shield Georgia’s Buckhead quarters Thursday to protest for-profit health insurance.

“People are not getting the care they need,” says Margie Rece, a retired nurse who helped organize the protest. Because they now determine things like care procedures and which drugs to use, Rece says insurers have turned doctors and nurses in to little more than “record keepers.” She and her fellow protestors voiced support for HR 676, a bill in Congress that would extend Medicare coverage to all Americans.

After holding up signs for cars and handing out information to passersby, the protestors gathered on the steps and read aloud a multi-count indictment of all insurance companies (ex. “Count #3: That insurance companies drop people from coverage while they are sick, when they can longer work at the job from which they get their insurance or can no longer pay their premiums).

An amusing side note: I almost missed the protest because of a run-in I had with building security.

When I pulled into the headquarters building’s driveway, a security guard stopped me to ask which of the building’s tenants I was there to see.

I told her I’m a writer with Creative Loafing and I was there to talk to the protestors.

Oh, no, you can’t park here for that, she said.

“Isn’t this a pay lot? Can’t I just pay to park?” I asked, gesturing to the numerous unoccupied parking spots.

“No, you can’t park here,” she insisted.

“Alright, I’ll turn around,” I said, and rolled up my window.

Before I pulled away, however, she motioned to me to roll down my window again. She wanted to tell me something.

“Are there any administrative assistant jobs at Creative Loafing?”

(Photo by Collin C. Chappelle)