A rally was held in Austin, Texas to protest against Rick Perry’s refusal of $13 billion in federal money that could expand Medicaid for 2.3 million low-income, disabled, and elderly Texans. The refusal to add more Texans to Medicaid is in place to reduce state spending overall and give private healthcare providers more opportunity to make profits from their services. Now, instead of receiving Medicaid benefits, those most in need will receive a voucher of a mere $500, entirely insufficient for most medical costs.
The Texas Organizing Project organized buses from all over Texas to come to Austin and protest against Perry’s draconian legislation. There were bus-loads of working people and activists from Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston, as well as dozens of activists from the local Austin metropolitan area. The unions and organizations involved included, the Texas Communist Party (the Houston and the Austin branch), Texas Organizing Project, Service Employees International United, the AFL-CIO, and Good Jobs=Great Houston. The people who filled the buses were low-income, working class people who would be most affected by Perry’s decision. Quite a few of the participants were in wheel chairs and many would directly benefit from the additional Medicaid funding.
Participants on the bus rides shared their own personal stories. Maria Phillipe spoke of her 14 year-old daughter who suffers from Lupus. The cost of the medication and treatment to address her illness per month dramatically exceeds the family’s income after rent, food, and other basic necessities. Without Medicaid, “my daughter will no longer receive treatment and will die.” Many others had unfortunate stories like this as well.
The march started at the State capitol building. Approximately, 800 activists entered the capitol building and filled up all the floors. Their signs read “keep your hands off my healthcare!” and they chanted “What do we want? Healthcare! When do we want it? Now!” After rallying in the main section of the capitol building, the activists marched upstairs to Rick Perry’s to deliver a signed petition to repeal Perry’s legislation . Neither Perry, nor any representative from his office opened the door or offered to accept the petition and hear any of the concerns from the protesters. In fact, as the activists attempted to slide the petition under his door, the police said it was illegal and the activists had to leave.
After rallying inside the capitol building, the activists marched to the University of Texas, for Perry was supposed to be speaking there. The union leaders and their allies had hoped to again deliver the petition to Perry himself. However, Perry was nowhere to be found as he nor his representatives were not interested in listening to the demands of average working people and have no interests in how their legislation will affect the working class in Texas.
All of the protesters should rightfully be satisfied with their highly courageous efforts. It is important to remember that whether a certain objective is immediately achieved or not, enormous credit is due for the initiative, strength, and effort put forth. The activists and their union allies will not give up the struggle to keep health care for over 1,200,000 Texans. Until Rick Perry and his puppeteers decide to listen to the demands of the working people in Texas, TOP, SEIU, the AFL-CIO, and their allies will continue to organize for health care. In the coming months, there will be many more marches, rallies, protests, and electoral struggles until we have victory. Although the real battle will be in the next Texas elections for governor, the struggle must continue on the ground until then.
--Jane Kakutani and Fabian Sneevliet
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