Students search for health care solutions

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By Caroline Peterson

With 27 million Americans uninsured and millions more struggling to keep their current plans, something must be done to fix America’s health care problem, said organizers of a Wednesday event.

An event for AARP’s national “Divided We Fail” campaign will be in the Cats Den from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with free food and drinks and the opportunity to learn more about the health care campaign.

The event is being co-hosted by AARP, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, UK College Democrats and College Republicans.

Jayne Powell, a UK graduate, said she has been working since her internship last spring to bring the campaign to UK’s campus. This is the first time UK has had any affiliation with “Divided We Fail” or AARP.

“It’s interesting to open others’ eyes,” Powell said. “In a college setting, you have to force people to look at the future and see how they will afford health care.”

During the event, people will have the opportunity to learn about the campaign and sign a pledge stating they will elect officials who will find a way for all Americans to have affordable health care and lifelong economic security.

Following the information session, there will be general discussion in which students will be encouraged to share their stories or ask questions.

“It should be an interesting discussion,” said Kentuckians for the Commonwealth President John Ghaelian. “I think we’ll see varying views from these groups.”

Joe Gallenstein, president of the UK College Democrats, said he hopes people on campus will become more aware after this event.

“This is an issue that affects everyone in the country and we hope to see health care on voters’ minds as they go to the polls on Election Day,” Gallenstein said.

While most college students are still under their parents’ coverage, some still view health care as an important issue, said Jacob Sims, president of the College Republicans.

“I hope we can find some common ground on the issue,”  Sims said. “I hope to get both sides out there and come up with a general idea of how our sides view health care.”