Persistence: Waiting 40 Min to Complete a Promise Meeting!
Abby Grosshuesch, a student at DePaul University and a JDRF advocate, shares her experience of attending a town hall meeting during the August 2009 congressional recess to complete a Promise Campaign meeting:
Ok, so it’s been a couple of months since I met with Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. but I wanted to share my experience with JDRF advocates. When I called the two numbers JDRF Government Relations provided to see if I could set some time aside to speak with the Congressman, both of his staff members informed me that they couldn't guarantee anything due to the expected volume of people attending this particular meeting, which was nationally televised.
When I arrived to the town hall meeting, I was able to write a question on a note card. Rep. Jackson would randomly select questions to answer. The Congressman only picked about 4 questions, none of them mine. However, there was an elderly woman with diabetes who was picked and asked a question regarding the quality of coverage for diabetics under the public health care option. Whether or not she has type one or type two diabetes, I am not sure.
After the meeting was over, I waited for an approximate 40 minutes while he was being interviewed by Fox News and then Larry King Live via satellite. One of Congressman Jackson’s staff members was nice enough to make sure he came out to speak with me before he was on his way to his third interview with CNN.
I spoke with him for approximately 5 minutes. I thanked him for being a supporter of the Special Diabetes Program and asked him questions about affordable coverage, quality of care and sufficient payment to endocrinologists. He told me that the price of coverage would be based on income. As far as quality of care goes, he said that the government won't have a say in what treatments I should have based on cost, and that those decisions would be decided between myself and my doctor, which was a relief to hear. He said under the public option, endocrinologists would be reimbursed a set fee for treating me, and that the AMA has already endorsed the HR3200 bill.
Shortly after, he was whisked away to do another interview but found the time to take a photo-op with me. Check it out!
Thanks,
Abigail K. Grosshuesch
About the Promise Campaign
The Promise Campaign is a coordinated effort to schedule and complete as many meetings as possible between representatives and senators and their constituents in their local districts. In addition to building relationships with federal lawmakers, it allows JDRF to continue the momentum and messaging established through our Children's Congress event.
More about the Promise to Remember Me Campaign.