Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 2, 1994 TAG: 9408020110
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
About 200 people lined a street in front of a Richmond church to wait for the Health Security Express. Reform opponents appeared to outnumber supporters by at least a 3-to-1 margin.
The ``reform riders'' arrived more than an hour late for their lunch stop en route to Washington, allowing plenty of time for group and individual shouting matches.
Similar confrontations have taken place along the reform campaign trail since last week. Caravans from five regions are converging on Washington to lobby for the Clinton plan, which would guarantee medical coverage for all Americans.
Len Albert of Richmond said having no health care is better than government-run health care.
``Keeping taxes down and keeping government out of our lives as much as possible is more important,'' said Albert, who has had two bouts with cancer and is now self-employed and uninsured.
Other reform opponents agreed, warning in one chant that Clinton's plan would lead to ``post office service, Pentagon prices.''
Reform supporters countered by repeatedly shouting, ``Health care for all.''
Patrick Burchart, a Democratic Party activist from Chesterfield County, was among those wearing signs urging Congress to pass the Clinton plan.
``I think it's very important that we get universal coverage,'' he said. ``I hope they hammer out their differences and come out with a plan that will make everyone happy.''
Workers from the Philip Morris cigarette plant in Richmond made it clear that they will fight any plan that significantly increases cigarette taxes. Several dozen employees, sporting red and white caps bearing the message ``No tax increase,'' joined in the protest.
Clinton's plan includes a cigarette tax increase of 75 cents per pack.
``The excise tax is singling out one industry,'' said Sharon Parker, a Philip Morris worker who was on her lunch hour. ``It's just not fair.''
She said she fears for her job if cigarettes are taxed too heavily.
``If the customers can't afford to buy the product, there will be fewer of us needed to produce the product,'' she said.
Some of the reform supporters, however, said they have suffered under the current health care system.
Larry and Michelle Allen of Richmond, who joined the caravan for the final leg of the trip to Washington, said they are facing financial ruin. Two of their three children have sickle cell anemia, and their health insurance and Medicaid have left mountains of bills unpaid.
``It has devastated this family,'' Michelle Allen said.
Larry Allen, an equipment operator for the Richmond public schools, said he has been told his family would be better off on welfare. But he wants to work.
``You've heard of living the American dream? My wife says we're living the American nightmare,'' he said.
Steve Meunier of Orlando, Fla., one of the approximately 100 bus riders, said he cannot get health insurance because he has HIV and is too ill to work.
Meunier said reform opponents who fear skyrocketing taxes, a decline in quality care and the demise of individual choice are misinformed.
``Unfortunately, the public has been deceived and lied to so many times by politicians that they fail to understand the president is offering the greatest benefit since Social Security,'' Meunier said.
by CNB