Last week’s CNN Republican presidential primary debate, where several members of the audience cheered the death of a hypothetical uninsured 30-year-old man, elicited an angry and heartbreaking essay from a woman, Susan Grigsby, whose brother lost his battle with cancer because he didn’t have health insurance. Grigsby’s story went viral, and was shared by thousands of people on social networking sites. This outpouring of support even prompted the liberal activist group, MoveOn.org, to make a video featuring Grigsby. The suffering and death of Grigsby’s brother puts a real world face on the horrible consequences of a healthcare system that places profits above people.

Sylvia@californiaonecare.org