On Saturday, January 28, 2017 more than 60 citizens met at the UFWC – Local 655 Hall to discuss the importance of the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act and for individuals to share their personal stories and how they were positively impacted by the PPACA. Amazingly individual stories were relayed for nearly 2 hours.
There were those that referenced the health situations of their children, grandchildren, personal impacts, etc. One such story was from a young man who before passage of the PPACA was unable to afford health insurance. He had an infection which kept spreading, and found himself in the hospital with a resulting bill of $20,000+. Another compelling story was from a young woman, who works in a public school with pre-kindergarten children, as she clarified the educational importance of good health care for these children. 
At the end of the gathering, everyone wrote a letter regarding their story to be personally delivered to Missouri’s US Senators and Congresspersons in Washington, D.C. this week. Last everyone walked down to the corner of Weidman and Manchester and rallied through the lunch hour with appropriate signage.
This event was organized by Jobs with Justice, Missouri Health Care for All, National Nurses United – SLU, SEIU and attended by many from other organizations. I identified 3 attendees as West County Democrats members. Richard von Glahn of JWJ, as moderator of the event, mentioned that he had never before met or seen 80% of those present. This is a very telling indication of the importance of the PPACA in the lives of many many citizens.
It is my opinion that speaking and acting in support of the ACA is critically important right now, and in fact is one issue where our resistance is making a difference as we speak out, show up, call up and meet up. Many elected officials (Republicans) in Washington are becoming very anxious with the out-pouring of support that is ‘in their face’ with our collective stories, official visits, rallies, etc.
Submitted by Judith Parker, WCD Member