A lively crowd waved signs and chanted for quality affordable health care, and scores of motorists honked in response, as the Emergency Drive for Montana's Middle Class came to Billings as part of our 11-day, 22-town tour.
The tour is put on my Montana Change That Works, a project of the Service Employees International Union. In Montana, SEIU's members are long-term care workers and nurse assistants.
Some people came because health care is a huge source of anxiety. "I'm afraid for what happens when I'm no longer covered by my parents' insurance," says 14-year-old Michelle Portra, who attended the rally with her mother Kass. Michelle has a chronic liver disease. Her mother is afraid that, without health insurance reform, her daughter will have to choose a career based on insurance -- not her dreams.
Others came because they feel strongly that we in America can do a better job taking care of each other and ourselves. "It's so refreshing to have a president who's willing to do something about the deplorable state of healthcare," said Billings resident Nell Eby, who is a member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine-Sioux Tribes.
Marcy Brown also came out to support health care reform and President Barack Obama.
"I support him in everything he does," Brown said, who gets great insurance through her husband's union job at the Conoco plant in town.
Jan Spicer, a retired professor from Montana State University-Billings, also said she feels lucky to have strong retiree benefits from being part of a union.
John Bull Shows, a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the Crow Tribe, said he wants to see full funding for the Indian Health Service and better benefits for veterans.
