Monterey, CA, March 21, 2010: The Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats made history with today's health care reform legislation. They did it with the help of thousands upon thousands of volunteer organizers across the country. Many of the most active and committed of those volunteers are in Monterey County, working from the Centers for Change in Monterey and Salinas in partnership with Organizing For America.
As they finally began to see the fruits of a year of very hard work, local volunteers reflected on what the historic victory means to them.
"I am ecstatic that the Democrats came together to accomplish something so important for the American people," said volunteer Liz Ward. "I am self-employed and would not be able to afford insurance at all if not for my husband's work. Even with that, our rates went up 40% last year and another 30% this year - all for a high-deductible plan with $12,000 a year of out-of-pocket costs! I also have a sister who is a student and can't afford any insurance, and another sister with total kidney failure who is on Medicare and Medicaid. We will all benefit from this bill, as will most working and disabled Americans."
