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Seattle 11-year-old health care advocate back home after D.C. trip

by DEBORAH FELDMAN / KING 5 News

KING5.com

Posted on March 12, 2010 at 8:31 AM

Updated Friday, Mar 12 at 8:34 AM

SEATTLE -- An 11-year-boy is back home in Seattle after a whirlwind trip to Washington, D.C. where he campaigned for health care reform.

Marcelas Owens took up the cause after his mother died. He spoke with KING 5 when he touched down at Sea-Tac Airport late last night.

Owens can be forgiven for being a little bit sleepy after the week he's had.His mother, Tiffany Owens, died of pulmonary hypertension three years ago. He shared her story with members of Congress this week.

"She lost her job and her healthcare with it, and she ended up passing away because she didn't have equal rights to healthcare," he told lawmakers.

Now safely back in Seattle, Marcelas brought some mementos back home with him, along with a deep sense of accomplishment.

"I think I changed a few of their minds," he said.

His grandmother, who was at his side, agrees.

"Magical. You know, I think there's a lot more support now," said Gina Owens, Marcelas' grandmother.

Marcelas has one more speaking engagement. Today he'll visit his old school to share his amazing experiences.

"But after that, no more. I have to sleep!" he said.
 

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 12 of 12

getrealppl said on March 15, 2010 at 10:38 AM

Poor little brainwashed boy.

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telman said on March 12, 2010 at 5:36 PM

If we are going to have a health care that this adim is proposing. We will have to really visit the idea of eugenics. How can we support the asocial people that refuse or can't work generation after generation. What about mandatory control of birth rates. They do it China we will head down that road. It will be inevitable to make this system work.

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bazwest said on March 12, 2010 at 12:31 PM

People live and people die, that is what we do. We don't live forever. A person's quality of life including good health is more often impacted by the way they choose to live their life than by their access to medical care. Very many people do not pay attention to their health until they are sick and then suddenly its an emergency. I do not believe the government has any business providing extraordinary care for people in any case, but especially when they choose to live like there is no tomorrow. We have all heard the phrase, "eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die". Now people want the taxpayer to ante up and keep them from facing the consequences of their choice. People should be allowed to choose a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle and they should have to face the consequences of their choice, good or bad. Government run healthcare is just one more insidious form of "redistribution of wealth" from productive people to non and it is not sustainable. Our country is at risk!

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javajoe said on March 12, 2010 at 12:08 PM

Sending a child to Washington to tell the President what he wants to hear. Now there's a tactic.........

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1beachperson said on March 12, 2010 at 11:38 AM

you know, this kid's story is sad, but who cares about an 11 year old going to Washington - or the bathroom? Too much of a big deal being made.

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daisydog said on March 12, 2010 at 11:34 AM

Perhaps it was the fact that the boy's mother was obese, and smoked that killed her at 27, not the lack of health care? This young boy's situation is no different than those that bring 5 year olds to an anti-abortion picket line, and hand them a sign to hold. Am I callous? NO. Do I think there is something wrong with our health care system? Yes. Eat well, sleep well, exercise, keep the vices to a minimum, and you usually make it past 27. Once again we are forced to experience an event which is bathed in "for the children". Is this young boy a True story of what is wrong with our health care system? Not by a long shot. Since I as a taxpayer am probably paying for his health care now, I want my money's worth. Let's start with some basic nutrition counseling. Lets get the kid on an exercise program. Let's do what we can to make sure he makes it past 27.....

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reimiraa said on March 12, 2010 at 11:22 AM

government is run best when controlled/run at the local level. when controlled nationally it becomes a big mess with too many people to keep track of. i had jury duty this week and saw how local (county) level government is run. and it realized what makes sense and what doesn't. national healthcare is not the answer. regulation at the local level is better than at the national level.

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anonymoususer said on March 12, 2010 at 10:09 AM

health care does need reformed - but not the way the narcissistic idiot is going about it.............. prostituting a young kid to get your way about it is criminal. The kid does not understand that this ill thought policy will bankrupt this once great country............. Next the liberals will want to be able to get car insurance after they have the accident they want covered.

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maltbymike said on March 12, 2010 at 9:59 AM

Wong is wrong again. Our health care system is the best in the world. If you don't like it you are more than welcome to return to China and let them stick needles in you. The kid is a shill and just shows how low the liberals will stoop to get their budget busting health care bill through. Patty Murray is a part of the problem but she will get hers in November along with all her democrat pals. Say goodbye to liberalism for awhile. Thank God.

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jackwong said on March 12, 2010 at 9:50 AM

You guys are mocking this boy just because he is the voice of a TRUE story of why our healthcare system is a failed system. Hopefully this will push the much-needed bill through.

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cedarsandfirs said on March 12, 2010 at 9:13 AM

I am just curious as to who financed this trip. Was it paid for by our tax dollars?

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kennovak67184564 said on March 12, 2010 at 8:40 AM

Out of the mouths of babes... When will the explotation of children for political gains be ended?

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