Healthcare Crisis in Illinois — Episode 1

On CAN TV Chicago cable tv Channel 19:
Thurs., Oct. 15, 9:30 pm
Fri., Oct. 16, 4:30 pm
Thurs., Oct. 22, 9:30 pm
Fri., Oct. 29, 4:30 pm

On Evanston Cable Channel 6:
Mon., Oct. 26, 5:30 pm
Wed., Oct. 28, 9:00 pm
Sat., Oct. 31, 12:30 am
Mon., Nov. 12, 5:30 pm
Wed. Nov. 4, 9:00 pm
Sat., Nov. 7, 12:30 am

This video is the first in a series of reports on the many aspects of the healthcare crisis in Illinois, first looking at Teamsters on strike over a healthcare issue, and then at an important community sampling, including healthcare professionals, speaking out at a healthcare rally in Evanston.

The strike began when SK Handtools stopped medical coverage for their workers, and didn't even bother to tell them. The workers found out about it when they started getting medical bills they thought were covered by their job. The union, IBT Local 743, went on strike. David Biedrzycki, a 25-year employee and union steward, tells us "we need our healthcare for our families. People are in need right now." Danny, another 743 member on strike, says "I owe $20,000 in medical bills."

The crisis impacts many communities in Illinois. At a candlelight vigil for healthcare in Evanston on Sept. 2, Marcia Bernsten says: "We really need to be out in the streets signing petitions, calling our congressmen, whatever it takes to get meaningful healthcare reform passed, and passed in this Congress". Among several speakers covered, Margaree Figaro, a pediatrician, says "slowly over the last six months I've become extremely disturbed by the national epidemic involving layoffs of doctors, nurses and medical support staff in both public and private hospitals."

This video unveils a healthcare crisis that is growing into an social epidemic in Illinois, taking multiple forms as it affects many different sectors of the working class.

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