Medicare For All Backers Picket DeLauro

Around 25 people gathered Monday afternoon outside Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro’s office to pressure her into a vote — and send a message that they won’t support her reelection if she votes otherwise.

Coming from local chapters of Medicare For All, the Hamden Democratic Town Committee, Black Lives Matter New Haven and other activist groups, the protesters gathered around 4 p.m. outside DeLauro’s 59 Elm St. offices to ask for her ​“yes” vote on HR 676, a bill that would provide free health care to ​“all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories” by expanding Medicare. By 4:45, one organizer said that number had risen to 57 protesters. 

Initially proposed by U.S. Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the bill has picked up support in the House of Representatives. None of Connecticut’s five Congressional representatives — John Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, James Himes and Elizabeth Esty — has signed on to it, however.

In assembling Monday afternoon, organizers outside her office said they hope to change that number.

“We will no longer elect politicians” who do not stand for Medicare for all reform, said speaker Marc Moorash. ​“She can have the choice whether to stand in solidarity with us” and support HR 676.

“Our votes are not for sale,” he added. ​“Health care is a compassion, and it is something that every living, breathing person deserves.”

Amid cries of ​“Sellout!” and ​“Get her out!” that ricocheted around the crowd, organizer Diane Bullock spoke about her rising Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums, with which she’s dealt as a freelance writer and video editor. She questioned whether the healthcare industry’s political contributions are swaying Congressional votes against universal care.

Petition in hand, Bullock asked for constituents ​“from the district” to bring a petition inside the 59 Elm St. building, where DeLauro’s office is located. John Blankley, Sanderista Debra Cohen, and Hamden Democratic Town Committee member Dan Garrett volunteered right away as more signatories stepped up to the petition, pens in hand. Then, a small group headed inside.

They didn’t make it far. Holding up one hand, a security guard told them they’d have to sign in individually, each with IDs. Bullock asked if he could call up to the office and ask DeLauro to come down. She wasn’t in the district or even the state Monday, they learned. Office District Manager Jennifer Lamb was. As the group waited for Lamb in the lobby, Bullock motioned for members to squeeze in, a crowd forming by the time Lamb and an assistant emerged from the elevator.

“We know you can’t speak for Rosa, but HR 676 single healthcare payer for all Americans, it’s what we need,” Garrett told Lamb. ​“Why won’t Rosa, one of the most progressive voices…”

“She is, and she hears you,” Lamb cut in.

“Listen, I know that you’ve been to some of our town halls, you’ve been to some of our other events here [in Connecticut],” said Lamb, turning the pages of the petition in her hands as she spoke. ​“Obviously Rosa’s focus, and you’ve heard her say this, is to make sure that we keep fighting for the Affordable Care Act and everything that the Republicans are trying to to do to repeal it.”

“It’s not enough! It’s not!” Garrett retorted. ​“We need it for all! If Rosa can’t do it, can we find another representative who actually will be more progressive? There are primaries throughout the country … is she that secure in her position that she can’t sign on to healthcare for all Americans?”

“I don’t think it has anything to do with that,” said Lamb. ​“Rosa is … and I think you’ve seen where she’s been, over the last many years, fighting for affordable health care.”

“If I was in her position I would be supporting universal health care for all Americans,” said Garrett. ​“Why is Rosa better than me?”

“You know, she isn’t,” shot back Lamb. ​“This week we are focused on defeating the Senate bill, and that is where she is going today.”

“The entire delegation has said that Medicare for all is not going to pass, that we’re not going to get it,” cut in Bullock. ​“I think many of us here think: You’re right. But we’re the richest country in the world. Our representative is holding up the possibility of single-payer health care. There’s 30 million Americans … It’s just unacceptable.”

Lamb tried to respond, but Bullock wasn’t finished. ​“And we know she’s taken almost a million dollars from the health insurance industry.” She was referring to a $900,000 figure that the Center for Responsive Politics says DeLauro has received from the healthcare industry.

“That is not true,” said Lamb.

Lamb studied the petition, littered with names and zip codes but no email addresses. She handed Bullock her card. 

Before the protesters left the building to march to the New Haven Green, one of the protesters piped up for a final time.

“Medicare for all is going to happen,” he said. ​“She can be a leader on this.”