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‘Day of Action’ healthcare rallies held in Saranac Lake, Plattsburgh

People walk along River Street in Saranac Lake Sunday with the local organizations Voters for Change and Now What? to support saving the Affordable Care Act and strengthening Medicare and Medicaid. (Photo provided — Jim Abendroth)

SARANAC LAKE — More than 160 voters from New York’s Congressional District 21 protested in front of U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik’s office in Plattsburgh on Sunday and signed a petition to voice their concerns about Congress’s vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

The rally was a joint effort between progressive groups RESIST, a Keene and Keene Valley-based group, Now What? of Saranac Lake, 350 Plattsburgh, North Country RESPECT, New York Supporters for Bernie Sanders and Adirondack Progressives. The rally featured remarks and a march through downtown behind a hoisted American flag.

More than 150 people attended a similar “Health Care for All” march and rally held at Riverside Park in Saranac Lake, coordinated by Now What? and Voters For Change, where more than 130 people signed another petition addressed to Stefanik, who voted in favor of repealing the ACA Friday. The petition asked Stefanik to support the Affordable Care Act and to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid.

At the rally, Steve DeHond of Voters for Change and Peter Benson of Now What? recited facts about how many people in Congressional District 21 are provided health coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act and other data related to Medicare and Medicaid.

Abi Newton of Saranac Lake spoke of her struggles with childhood diabetes and trying to get health insurance for the past 12 years of her adult life. She said the Affordable Care Act provided her with professional help to guide her through obtaining insurance she said has been life-saving.

People gather with local organizations Voters for Change and Now What? in Riverside Park Sunday to support saving the Affordable Care Act and strengthening Medicare and Medicaid. (Photos provided — Jim Abendroth)

Chuck VanAnden, who has worked in healthcare for 30 years, spoke of the difficulties people with low incomes and pre-existing conditions have with the healthcare system.

Shamin Allen ended the rally by singing a rendition of “God Bless America.”

The rallies were a part of a national day of action called for by Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Stefanik voted Friday for a budget resolution she described in a statement as “a procedural step in a process that will lead to a package to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act in the coming weeks.”

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