BCAC on National TV’s NewsHour with Jim Lehrer! 

February 11th 

Focus on Health Care

Based on BCAC's growing national reputation, BCAC’s Assistant Director Barbara Edinberg received a call from a producer at National Public Broadcasting Service's NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.  The producer asked if we could find four parents who would agree to be interviewed on television about the impact of losing their jobs and their health insurance.  BCAC seized the opportunity to bring attention to the critical issue of health care.    

NewsHour was in Bridgeport on Monday and Tuesday, February 2nd and 3rd.  Dee Brassell, Marta Calderon, Sefket "Donny" Djurkovic and Rosita Velez opened their homes to the camera crew who filmed them going about their daily lives.  Then, the NewsHour camera crew came to BCAC and turned the 2^nd floor conference room into a mini-television studio, complete with cameras, microphones and lights. 

Through the gentle but probing questions of moderator Betty Ann Bowser, each parent spoke about their experiences losing their jobs after many years of work.  They described losing their health insurance and their fear of getting sick.  They talked about how hard it is to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table without a paycheck.

Being featured on the NewsHour was a great opportunity for BCAC and Bridgeport. The very real struggles of parents who have lost their health insurance are brought into the public debate on the national response to the health care crisis in America.

BCAC is mentioned in the beginning of the segment.  It aired February 11^th.