Above photo: Leon Kunstenaar.
Activists deliver message that “health care is for people, not for profit.”
San Francisco, CA – One of the wealthiest gangsters, JP Morgan Chase Bank, convened into the posh Westin St. Francis hotel a gathering of fellow “investors” involved in the organized looting known as the “Health care” industry.
Sensing public anger inspired by the recent killing of a UnitedHealthcare executive, a heavy police presence surrounded the hotel and the adjoining streets.
The largest health “insurer” in the country is UnitedHealthcare. Its 2023 profit was $22 billion. Estimates of what a single payer health care system to care for every man, woman and child in the country are about $20 billion per year.
For additional perspective, the US has sent Israel $17.9 billion is weaponry to enable the slaughter and starvation of over 45,000 Palestinians so far.
By 4 pm the protesters were set up in Union Square across the street with artist-musician Andy Knight leading off the rally with a couple of songs.
Though police initially told organizers that sound amplification would not be permitted, as the rally wore on, the speakers hidden under clothing came out into the open with no one seeming to mind.
Starting with just a handful people organized by labor Activist Steve Zeltzer, the rally grew to over fifty people. Labor was there, represented by an ILWU member. Speakers railed about the crime that is Israel’s genocidal war against Palestine. There was considerable hostility expressed against the health insurance industry and some people were able to hold signs in the entrance to the hotel.
The overall message delivered by the action, and it was effectively delivered, was that health care can only be provided by the whole society as a single payer system and equally to all its members.
And above all, that health care cannot be a profit making enterprise.