Published on Friday, October 9, 2009 by Associated Press

Police Arrest 7 Protesters in Sit-In Calling for Single-Payer Health Insurance in Chicago

CHICAGO - Police have arrested seven protesters during a sit-in for single-payer universal health insurance in Chicago.

Police spokesman Officer Robert Perez says the protesters were arrested Thursday on criminal trespassing charges at insurance giant Cigna Corp.'s Midwest sales office.

Perez says the detainees were among about two dozen demonstrators picketing with signs and chanting "Patients, not profits!"

Protest organizers including Healthcare-NOW! and the Center for the Working Poor are planning similar protests next week in other U.S. cities, including Philadelphia, where Cigna's corporate headquarters are located.

The major health reform proposals being worked out in Washington do not include a single-payer plan.

© 2009 Associated Press