Many others joined Joan in taking their stand today, and rallied at health insurance offices around the country. The nationwide direct action campaign was led by HCAN, and assisted by other coalition members like US Action. Five were arrested at the Philadelphia event.

The Philadelphia event was also attended by Stacie Ritter, the mother of twin girls stricken with cancer and denied necessary treatment by Cigna.

The Penn Action press release:

Health care activists protest at CIGNA headquarters in Philadelphia;

Five people arrested in civil disobedience action protestors October 6, 2009 (Philadelphia) - Health Care for America Now! in Pennsylvania held a "Crime Scene" action today outside CIGNA headquarters in Philadelphia which drew more than 100 protesters and featured a nonviolent blockade of the insurance giant's doorways which resulted in five arrests. There was a significant turn-out from the news media, including the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Metro, KYW 1060 Newsradio, and Fox 29 News. The action began at 11:30 a.m. at 16th & Chestnut Streets in downtown Philadelphia with enthusiastic chants of "CIGNA, Shame! Health care NOW!" and "Healthcare for America NOW!" After several minutes, HCAN PA Director Marc Stier introduced the 4 people who were prepared to join him in blocking the doorways to CIGNA's offices and explained the rationale for escalating the campaign against the insurance industry. Each of these individuals spoke briefly about why they were taking this step, often sharing very personal stories about how their families have been affected by insurance company greed. Stacie Ritter, whose twin daughters were denied vital care by CIGNA, also spoke. Following the speeches, the people participating in the blockade walked over and sat down in front of the 2 revolving doors that lead into CIGNA's wing of the high-rise office building. The rest of the crowd cheered them on and continued with the chants as the people risking arrest were given 4 orders to disperse. Arrests began at 12:15. As the last of the protesters were loaded into the police vehicles, the crowd started chanting, "We'll be back, we'll be back!!" The people arrested were Marc Stier of HCAN PA, Dennis Short of SEIU, Michael Ladson, Joan Kosloff, and Ray Torres. They were taken to the 9th District Police Station at 21st St & Pennsylvania Av where they are being charged with "failure to disperse" and "conspiracy", both misdemeanors. It is expected that they will be processed and released some time after 10:00 p.m. tonight. - Jeff Garis, Penn Action

Six were arrested at another event in Minneapolis.

We've all been very busy doing what we can to get real health care reform. We've heated up the phones making sure our representatives know how we feel. And we've put our money where our mouths are by donating to those progressives who've stood up for a strong public option. We've been a part of the biggest push back from the Left in some time.

But there are many of us who've decided we must do something more:

Even if the best case scenario public option becomes a reality, we will still have a long fight ahead of us before we break the power of the health insurance industry and achieve true universal care.

Will calling, e-mailing and writing letters be enough?

Health care may be a right, but no one has ever won their rights without demanding them. If you'd like to get involved in a direct action campaign or if you'd simply like to support this important effort, please go to HCAN or US Action and do what you can.