Alabamians rally for Medicaid expansion

The Capitol Steps brimmed with people Saturday who rallied together, carrying signs and slogans in hopes that Governor Robert Bentley would expand Medicaid in Alabama.

Their goal was to present more than 10,000 signatures from people across the state who fall in what they call "The Gap," people who are unable to get affordable healthcare or Medicaid.

Save OurSelves: A Movement for Justice and Demoncracy, or SOS, made up of 40 organizations and faith-based ministries, presented more than 13,653 signatures to the Capitol doorstep in a coffin carried by six pallbearers.

The symbolism was not lost on Callie Greer from Montgomery, who lost her daughter to breast cancer after they both attended last year's rally together.

"I'm supporting my daughter, Venus Colley-Mims. My daughter didn't have a job and didn't have health insurance. She went to the Baptist health center emergency room for two years complaining about a lump in her breast and after two years of visits, her breast was literally rotten," Greer said.

When Greer's daughter was finally sent to the cancer center for surgery and chemo, her cancer was already stage four and had spread throughout her body, Greer said. Mims died shortly after.

Greer spoke at the rally on behalf of her daughter in hopes that no other parent would lose a son or daughter the way she did.

Organizer, Sophia Bracy-Harris said the goal of the rally was not political, but rather to give the 300,000, in Alabama without health insurance a face, such as Greer's daughter.

"It's really not about Republican or Democrat, it's not about Washington D.C.," Harris said. "The people who are here today are putting a face on who the 300,000 people are. They're people, they are our neighbors, they are our family, and working people in this state."

Harris said the Governor Bentley would not be there at the rally to accept the signatures.

"That's Ok … we'll continue to make our voice head and that's what this rally is about," Harris said.

SOS Health Committee Chair Barbara Howard said the campaign to get signatures started a few months ago as well as raising awareness among state residents.

"We've exceeded that goal, and they are still coming in. The number of signatures we've collected in such a short period of time tells me there are many Alabamians who are ready to move past rhetoric to protect the health of their fellow citizens, which helps us all," Howard said.

For more information, visit www.SOSMovement.net under "Expand Medicaid in Alabama."