Marc Stier at Large

Coverage in the Wall St. Journal: Aetna Shareholder Meeting Halted By Protesters By Dinah Wisenberg Brin Of  DOW JONES NEWSWIRES PHILADELPHIA (Dow Jones)–Aetna Inc.’s (AET) annual shareholder meeting was halted temporarily when a group of protesters pushed through the doors to complain that the health insurance industry was trying to undermine the federal government’s health-care reform. The meeting resumed about 10 minutes later, and no arrests were made; however, the incident shows how the health-care overhaul approved last year by the federal government remains a heated issue. Aetna’s meeting had just gotten underway, and Chairman and Chief Executive Mark Bertolini was speaking to shareholders, when protesters shouting and carrying signs and bullhorns burst through the doors of the Le Meriden hotel meeting room. Aetna security whisked Bertolini out a side door, while other security people tried to restrain protesters. After the meeting, Bertolini said a protester had charged toward him.… Continue reading

As you know, in March, the Congressman fled from constituents standing the legally mandated distance from his office to celebrate the anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act.  Shortly after that, a story about his avoidance of us ran in the Bucks County Courier Times.  In response, his office placed a guest opinion attacking Penn Action and volunteer, Barbara Stakes.  Barb is a Bucks County resident and tireless advocate for health care justice.   She’s told her story countless times at events to educate the public about the Affordable Care Act.   She continues to fight to protect it from defunding at the hands of the new Congress.  Her response to the Congressman’s attack ran in the Courier on April 25.  You can read it here.  From Barb’s guest opinion: In October, I qualified for the PA Fair Care Highmark Blue Shield program made possible by the ACA’s… Continue reading

One of the most effective speakers of our citizen’s rally in Harrisburg was Barb Stakes of Bucks County. Look for her in the video. For years, she went without health insurance because of a pre-existing condition. The cheapest insurance offered to her would have cost $10,000 a year. Now, because of the ACA, she has good health insurance for $283 a month. The day after we were in Harrisburg,  our Program Director, Robin Stelly, along with Barb Stakes and other activists demonstrated outside the office of Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, who voted to repeal the ACA. Congressman Fitzpatrick, to our disappointment, saw us but got in his car and drove away. When a video of his doing so appeared on the website of the papers and on youtube, the Congressman, had his district director write an op-ed attacking Robin and Barb. Congressman Fitzpatrick attacked us for being funded by George Soros.… Continue reading