Thank You Melanie Shouse

Healthcare activist Melanie Shouse, of St. Louis Missouri, passed away from cancer at the young age of 41 on January 30, 2009.  Today, President Obama spoke of her request to be buried in an Obama t-shirt.  The Shouse family has confirmed she was in fact cremated with an Obama shirt on. 

This brave political activist fought her 4 year battle with cancer without health insurance because it was unaffordable.

Regardless of the recent healthcare bill debacle, one thing all Americans agree upon is that it would be ideal if everyone one of us had access to affordable healthcare.

Hopefully Congress will put forth a healthcare bill that really does reduce costs and increase care.  A bill with tort reform amongst other options.  Hopefully both Republicans and Democrats can find a way to work together to propose changes that benefit both patients and doctors.

A bill that would have helped Melanie Shouse.

Thank you Melanie.  We at iPolitics have immense respect for you.  You are a true activist.  Your politics matter not.  Doesn't matter whether some people agreed with each of your positions and others did not.  What matters is that you led by example.  You were not complacent.  You pushed for what you thought was right.  You were a great American.

Thank you for fighting for all of us. 

Thank you for setting an example. 

Thank you for leaving behind an enduring reminder that we as a nation can do better.  Your work lives on.