Citizens discuss bills that would provide adequate insurance less than the county now pays ... Oakland forum focuses on crisis

"It's not about the policy, it's about the politics," he said. "This is a political movement. ... We need power with our truth to give us justice."

Closing the health care cap requires addressing housing, education, employment, transportation and other issues, Iton added. "If we don't address inequities across that entire spectrum, we will always have health care disparities."

Lee spoke about bills, such as HR 676 by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., that would provide comprehensive health insurance coverage for all U.S. residents through a publicly funded, privately delivered system based on an expansion and improvement of Medicare. With 68 co-sponsors, including Lee and other Bay Area lawmakers, it's pending before several House health subcommittees.

Rosie Kreidler, 61, said a traffic accident two years ago not only shattered her body but left her with a mountain of health care debt that forced her out onto the street. She now lives in a homeless shelter on San Pablo Avenue in Oakland.

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