Fair healthcare cost focus of prayer vigil

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., Aug. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., says measures under consideration in the Congress do not go far enough to achieve universal healthcare.

The Orange County (Calif.) Register said Sanchez was the guest of honor at Sunday's St. Callistus Catholic Church prayer vigil in Garden Grove, Calif., where nearly 300 people prayed for affordable healthcare.

Sanchez said the national healthcare reform package currently before Congress does not fully represent an attempt to make healthcare available to all U.S. residents.

Sanchez said the current reform package instead focuses on varying federal subsidies to help families' with health insurance premiums.

"We are also trying to cut down the increases in the cost of healthcare, which are averaging 15 to 20 percent a year," Sanchez said. "That is the real reason we need to reform our healthcare system."

The Register said Sunday's vigil was organized by the Orange County Congregation Community Organization.