Wilkes told his son’s story to the crowd at the Capitol Friday. Though Wilkes hasn’t experienced the tragedy of losing a loved one because they couldn't pay for proper medical care, he issued a warning to the two dozen in attendance. “It’s a life and death struggle not just for those who are sick, but for all of us,” he said. “Who knows when you are going to need health care?”
The vigil was sponsored by Health Care for All Colorado, a group promoting a single-payer system as the state’s 208 Commission considers health care reform. HCAC’s Kristen Hannum organized the event; she became involved in the health care movement after her brother died from a burst appendix. He didn’t have health insurance, and was given antibiotics when he should have undergone life-saving surgery. She details his story on her Ave Cassandra blog.
“The profit motive in health care finance is literally killing millions of people,” said Wilkes at the vigil. “As we remember those whose lives were cut short, let’s remember we don’t have to live like this.”
-- Naomi Zeveloff