RIO GRANDE REPORT: Life in the “Donut Hole.”

I saw one of the most real, powerful and heart-wrenching films earlier this week. I took the Trax up to the University of Utah, and, after wandering around the old building for 15 minutes (Doh!), entered the new Quinney Law School Building. Impressive. I joined a large crowd in the moot court room.

The film is entitled, Donut Hole: Life in the Medicaid Coverage Gap. It’s the work of two U of U medical students, Spencer Merrick and John Sanchez.

I had the pleasure of speaking with the film makers, who did this for a class project with their own funds. I got to meet some of the brave people who told their stories of frustration and loss.

Thanks to Reps. Brian King and Rebecca Chavez-Houck, for accepting the invitation to view the film, which was sent to all Utah legislators. Thanks to all legislators and others who have fought for basic health care for the most vulnerable Utahans.

Thank you, Spencer and John for your excellent work. Thanks to all of you with the courage to tell your story, and put a human face to the healthcare problem in Utah. That can't be easy.

Thanks to two fine organizations that are full of tireless, dedicated people who believe in health care for all, and helped make this documentary possible: Utah Health Policy Project and Alliance for a Better Utah.

People are dying while our legislature and Governor thumb their noses at the federal government & the president, and pass up $50 million a month of our Utah tax dollars that could be returned to fund healthcare expansion.

Your inaction has caused the death of many fine people, Gov. Herbert and friends. There is blood on your hands. Every day more Utahans, and Americans all over the country, die waiting for basic healthcare. This is something that citizens of every other industrialized nation in the world provides for all of its citizens.

SHAME ON GOV. HERBERT! SHAME ON THE UTAH LEGISLATURE!

A solution is needed now, or actually, yesterday, and for some, as we saw in this film, it is too late.

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