***CALL TOMORROW 2/22 WITH MICHAEL MOORE, SICKO PATIENTS***

***CALL TOMORROW 2/22 WITH MICHAEL MOORE, SICKO PATIENTS***

Michael Moore's SiCKO Nominated for Oscar on Sunday, but 9/11 Rescue Workers

Profiled in Film Face Health Care Cuts

Eight months after the release of Michael Moore's SiCKO, things have gone from bad to worse for some of the SiCKO patients profiled in the documentary. SiCKO is nominated for an Oscar at this Sunday's Academy Awards. Yet the day-to-day struggles of many of the people whose stories were told on the big screen have not gotten any easier.

The truth of this hit home in New York, where SiCKO patient Reggie Cervantes, a 9/11 first responder, recently learned that the federal government has cut 77 percent of the funding for health care for 9/11 workers. These workers are organizing a protest rally to draw attention to the cuts in Washington, DC next Tuesday (February 26).

WHAT: Conference Call with Michael Moore, SiCKO patients on eve of Oscars

CALL IN INFO: 1-800-895-4790, Conference ID: 7SICKO

WHEN: TOMORROW -- February 22 at 11 am PST / 2pm ET

WHO: Michael Moore, Oscar-award winning documentary filmmaker
Rose Ann DeMoro, Executive Director, CNA/NNOC
Reggie Cervantes, 9/11 New York rescue worker profiled in SiCKO
Donna Smith, CNA/NNOC Communications Specialist, SiCKO patient
Julie Pierce, SiCKO patient

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Below please find profiles of the SiCKO patients participating in the call:

Reggie Cervantes (9/11 rescue worker from New York). Reggie has ongoing medical problems and went to the emergency room in December for testing due to a decreased breathing capacity (it has gotten worse since the time of the film's release). Reggie and her fellow 9/11 first responders are planning an emergency rally at the Capitol in Washington, DC on Tuesday, February 26 to protest a 77 percent cut in health funding for 9/11 workers. The two other 9/11 workers profiled, Billy Maher and John Graham are in similar situations still struggling to get desperately needed medical care.

Julie Pierce (Missouri mother and wife whose husband died when insurance companies refused to cover treatment). Her son Tracy Jr. had to undergo tests to see if he was carrying the genetic gene of the illness that killed his father. Julie has had to fight with her insurer who didn't want to pay for it and needed help paying for the test.

Donna and Larry Smith (Colorado couple forced to move into their daughter's basement). Of all the SiCKO patients, Donna's story is the one with a happy ending. While she has suffered from serious financial problems due to her medical bills, she has decided to dedicate her life working for guaranteed health care for all. She has joined the California Nurses Association (CNA)/National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC) Chicago office as a communications specialist. Donna will be traveling across the country telling her story and advocating for health care reform through an improved Medicare for all system.

Contact: Paco Fabian, 202-822-5200 (Washington, DC)
Donna Smith, 773-617-4493 (Chicago)
Shum Preston, 510 273 2276 (Oakland)

PRNewswire -- Feb. 21
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: California Nurses Association

Web site:

http://www.calnurses.org/

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Profile: intent