Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

MISSOULA - Missoula residents headed to the Missoula County Courthouse on Tuesday onight to celebrate the passing of the new health care reform bill.

A candlelight vigil was held there to honor the thousands of Americans who die each year from a lack of health insurance as a candle was lit every 12 minutes to signify how many people without health insurance die each day.

The vigil also provided Missoula residents with the chance to celebrate the recent passing of the new federal health care reform.

The event's speakers included faith and labor leaders as well as community members who have faced challenges with the old health care system.

"You know it's really sad that people can work that hard and, you know, care that much that they don't want to leave their families in debt so it's very important what does on here tonight" commented reform activist Maybel Weis.

The candlelight vigil was sponsored by the group Montana Change That Works.