'Sicko' star to address health care

September 08, 2008 02:56 pm

—

ONEONTA _ Donna Smith, who was featured in the Michael Moore movie ``Sicko,'' will speak at the Foothills Performing Arts Center on Market Street in Oneonta at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Smith is expected to talk about the need for national health insurance. Sponsors said she has been touring the country telling the story of how her family went bankrupt and lost their home because of medical expenses.

Smith's visit is sponsored by the Healthcare Work Group of the Coalition for Democracy.

Oneonta Mayor John Nader, State Senate candidate Don Barber, Oneonta family physician Ben Friedell and Tri-County Labor Council vice president Gary Robbins will make introductory remarks, sponsors said.

The event will be on the second floor at the Foothills Center, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free parking is across the street in the municipal parking garage.

Smith will have a media conference from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the FoxCare Center's Wellness Conference Room.

In addition, she will speak to students at Hartwick College.

Smith, a mother of six and grandmother of 14, has become a leading advocate for single-payer health care.