Tubby Smith pushes health insurance reform

By BOB VON STERNBERG, Star Tribune

Last update: September 22, 2009 - 2:56 PM

Minnesota's Democratic U.S. senators and the Obama administration enlisted University of Minnesota basketball coach Tubby Smith today to push for overhaul of the nation's health care system.

Smith appeared at a midday rally in Washington, D.C., with Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Al Franken and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.

According to one of the sponsors, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the rally was intended "to emphasize that comprehensive health care reform giving all Americans access to adequate, affordable health care must be passed NOW, not later."

Smith was one of five NCAA Division I basketball coaches to attend, representing a group called Coaches vs. Cancer. That group of more than 500 college basketball coaches has raised nearly $50 million to finance cancer research.

Sebelius released a new report that she said details how health insurance reform will directly benefit Americans living with cancer.

And Franken tied Smith's work on cancer research to the battle over health care currently waging on Capitol Hill.

In prepared remarks, he said of Smith, "he's made us even more proud with his tireless efforts to end cancer. The most important thing we must do for cancer patients right now is to pass national health reform. Today, there are thousands of cancer patients who are going without the care they need."