Health care advocacy group backs Hall in Tuesday's Congressional primary

BEACON - The Citizens for Universal Healthcare, an advocacy group based in the Mid-Hudson Valley, has announced its full endorsement of Congressional candidate John Hall in the upcoming primary and general elections. Citizens for Universal Healthcare co-chairs Art Richter and Max Finestone said in a released statement: “John Hall has demonstrated his commitment to the public good by his leadership, legislative experience and civic participation in education. John’s values, experience and enthusiasm make him the right person to help reform our health care system. “The present 19th Congressional District Representative, Sue Kelly, actively supports the interest of the insurance and finance industries, and their contributions to her campaign reward that support. Her support for these industries is detrimental to the best interests for all who live in the 19th CD, and in the United States of America. We need John Hall in the 19th CD, and urge all democrats to support his candidacy in September, and for all voters to support him in November.” Citizens for Universal Healthcare seeks to reform the health care delivery system in the Unites States, which, it says, is presently too costly, inefficient and unfair. Hall remarked today that he was “honored” by the Citizens for Universal Healthcare endorsement, and vowed “to fight tirelessly for a comprehensive plan that gives all Americans access to quality health care and prescription drugs at affordable costs.” In the past few weeks John Hall has received endorsements from Rep. Maurice Hinchey, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., United Healthcare Workers’ union 1199 SEIU and other area political leaders. Hall noted that the Bush administration said last week it is planning major cuts in Medicare payments to hospitals, which a coalition of patient organizations said would have a “devastating” impact on the treatment of seriously ill patients. “The policies of the Bush administration, which Sue Kelly has loyally rubber-stamped for six years, need to be reversed or Americans will continue to be adversely affected,” said Hall. “We need a strong voice for change in Washington right now, one that values people over profits.”