Senators Reid, Harkin, Dodd, Casey, and Sherrod Brown join with Health Care Leaders from HCAN, SEIU, and Families USA to Promise to Bring the People's Voice to President's Health Care Summit

Washington, DC - On Wednesday, February 24th at 2pm EST, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) along with Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) will join with SEIU President Andy Stern, Families USA Executive Director Ron Pollack, Health Care for America Now National Campaign Manager Richard Kirsch, and several PA, VA, DC, and MD residents with stories of health insurance industry abuse to welcome walkers who will have traveled 135 miles on foot from Philadelphia to DC to highlight the urgent need for comprehensive health care reform. For more information on the march, see MelaniesMarch.com.

Hundreds of health care reform supporters will join those who have completed the "March to the Finish Line for Melanie" at Union Station in Washington, DC at 12:30pm EST. Together, they will proceed to the Dirksen Senate Office Building - Room 50 - where the indoor event will begin at 2pm. The March was named for Missouri resident Melanie Shouse who passed away January 30th after a long battle with breast cancer. Her insurance company had denied her critical treatment her doctor prescribed, and Melanie was a fierce advocate for comprehensive health care reform. Melanie's best friend Romona Williams and partner Steve Hart will open the program and introduce Majority Leader Reid.

WHO: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senator Tom Harkin, Senator Chris Dodd, Senator Bob Casey, Senator Sherrod Brown, SEIU President Andy Stern, Families USA Executive Director Ron Pollack, Health Care for America Now National Campaign Manager Richard Kirsch, and several speakers with stories of insurance industry abuse.

WHAT: Event to welcome Melanie's Marchers to DC and hear the people's voice in the run-up to the President's Health Care Summit.

WHERE: Dirksen Senate Office Building Room G50. March from Union Station begins at the half-circle in front of the station at 12:30pm. Hundreds will proceed up Delaware Avenue N.E. to C Street N.E. to the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Marchers will enter Dirksen at C and First Street N.E.

WHEN: Wednesday February 24, 2010 at 2pm EST. March from Union Station begins at 12:30pm.

For more info on the DC march, click here.

If you're outside of DC, take part by joining the Virtual March for Health Care Reform at http://action.seiu.org/march.

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