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By Stan Lehr
7/8/2009
Congress is being urged to support health care reform. Petitions bearing more than 500 signatures were delivered today to the Indianapolis offices of Senators Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar.
Members of a group called Central Indiana Jobs With Justice gathered outside Bayh's office in the Market Tower building, 10 West Market Street. Their spokesperson, Community Organizer Allison Luthe, said, "We want to make sure that there's a public option that people can choose from."
A mother from Indianapolis, Peggy McDonald, told reporters he adult son didn't have that choice when he was stricken with cancer at the age of 20. To qualify for Medicaid, he had to quit working and spend his college savings.
McDonald says the family's future was altered forever.
The Citizens for Tax Justice and Health Care for America Now are calling for the Medicare tax to be applied to unearned income like capital gains and stock dividends--with a higher rate for the wealthy and a limited exemption for the elderly. They also want limits on itemized income tax deductions for those with higher incomes.