Conyers Announces Teach-ins and Citizen Hearings on Universal Health Care

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. announced a coordinated effort to gain momentum for H.R. 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act.

"On June 7, 2006," said Conyers, "people across the country will gather for teach-ins and citizen hearings about our nation's urgent need for a single-payer health care system and H.R. 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act.

Over the last two years, there has been a groundswell of support for national health insurance from labor, grassroots activists, nurses, physicians and editorial pages across the country, including The New York Times. Health care activists nationwide have chosen 6/7/06 as 'National Health Insurance Day' to raise awareness for the legislation I introduced, H.R. 676.

During these teach-ins and citizen hearings, participants will have opportunities to share their experiences with the for-profit health care system and to learn more about single-payer health care. From Maine to Michigan to California and everywhere in-between, citizens will engage in a cross-country discourse on this critical issue. More than 45 million Americans, including over 8 million children, are uninsured. It is my hope that these events will help point the way toward a system that offers accessible, quality health care for all Americans.

Universal health care is within reach and National Health Insurance Day will go a long way toward building momentum to reach our goal of health care for all."

###5-26-2006###