NJ health advocates ask Menendez to ‘keep the gloves on’

NJ Citizen Action, BlueWaveNJ, the NJ Main Street Alliance, Planned Parenthood NJ, Health Professionals & Allied Employees (HPAE), and the NJ Health Care for America Now (HCAN) Campaign delivered boxing gloves to Senator Robert Menendez at Bayonne City Hall to thank the senator for his strong support for real health care reform including a public health insurance option. Last week, Sept. 29, Senator Menendez voted for two key public option amendments in the Senate Finance Committee sponsored by Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Charles Schumer (D-NY). While the amendments did not pass, State advocates planned thank Menendez for his YES votes and ask him to “Keep the Gloves On” as he continues fighting for a strong health reform bill with a public option.
“While the amendments did not get the votes needed to pass the Finance Committee yesterday, we applaud Senator Menendez for standing strong for New Jersey’s families and businesses by voting yes on both the Schumer and Rockefeller public option amendments,” said James Woodson, Central Jersey Organizer for NJ Citizen Action. “A public health insurance plan is crucial to providing real choice and breaking the stranglehold that the health insurance industry has on our wallets and our lives. We commend Senator Menendez for taking our side and doing what’s best for the people, not the health insurance industry.”