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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Christina Gosack 651-296-5524
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154-Mile Walk Brings Attention to Health Care Crisis
On a windy, gray morning in November, Sue Eichstadt stood on the corner of Smith Ave. and Dodd Rd. on St. Paul's West Side. Sue, a factory worker at the Toro Company plant in Windom, Minnesota, was about to complete the final leg of her 154 mile walk to the State Capitol to bring attention to a proposed constitutional amendment to make health care a right for every Minnesotan. Starting out in the district I represent, I joined Sue for that final five-mile walk.
Sue was inspired to walk by the struggles of her elderly parents to afford prescription drugs. We all have friends or family members who have been pushed to the edge by high medical bills or lack of coverage. In Sue's town hall meetings along her route in Windom, St. James, Mankato, St. Peter, Belle Plaine, Apple Valley and St. Paul residents gathered to share their stories and sound out their growing worries over the rising cost of health care.
As I pushed my 18-month-old son Evan in his stroller on the five-mile walk, we picked up more and more supporters, ending at the Capitol with a crowd of nearly 100 people.
Sue has reminded legislators that health care is the number one concern of the average Minnesotan. Our goal for the 2006 session is to advance solutions that bring all Minnesotans quality, affordable health coverage.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative, District 39A
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