Indiana Rescuer Gets One on One Brief With Obama
As a firefighter/EMT, Travis Ulerick understands the importance of being prepared.
And, he was just that when he received a call that President Barack Obama wanted him at the White House this week for a forum addressing health care issues.
Instead of simply complaining about the nation's crippling health care issues, he decided to get involved. The member of the Dublin Volunteer Fire and Rescue in Indiana organized a town meeting for people to learn and discuss the problems faced by millions of Americans.
About 40 people turned out for the December meeting, including Tom Daschle and officials from Health and Human Services. A member of Obama's transition team who attended was impressed.
The woman came back to the station to ride along with him on a shift on the ambulance. Although they didn't get any calls that day, Ulerick said they had plenty of time to talk about his concerns about health care issues.
He said he's concerned that so many people can't afford or are prevented from getting insurance. "Pre-existing conditions often prevent people from getting insurance. That should not be the case..."
Ulerick said the HHH officials relayed his concerns to Obama, who didn't turn a deaf ear.
When he got the call to report to the White House, he told only his immediate family and a few close friends. "I'm not a person who wants a lot of recognition. I didn't tell a lot of people."
He was flown to Washington on Thursday, and the man who has no political aspirations was ushered into the green room of the White House.
The Indiana firefighter had a brief one on one with Obama. "He told me he understood health care is an issue that affects many people, and that he won't forget people in little towns. He said he will do what he can to improve things..."
From there, the two went into the East Room. It was time for him to introduce Obama. "I wrote down what I was going to say. But, I went off script for a little bit which made them a bit nervous," he said with a laugh.
The staff had reviewed his remarks.
After that, he participated in a breakout session on the issue attended by many members of Congress. "I sat next to Ted Kennedy, but I didn't get to shake his hand. I wanted to, but it didn't' happen."
After the meetings, they went back to the White House for closing ceremonies.
Ulerick said he is confident that this Administration and Congress will make changes to health care. "Some who didn't like what they saw in '93, now realize how important it is..."
He said it's still hard to describe -- speaking with Obama, spending four hours in the White House, sitting next to Kennedy.
"It was amazing. I was very humbled," the 25-year-old said in a telephone interview Friday, the day after his White House visit.
Ulerick said he had no idea when he organized that town meeting on health care in Dublin that it would lead to the East Room in the White House.
"Unbelievable, just unbelievable...It was such an honor to be involved."
Ulerick heads home to Indiana on Friday afternoon where he is hoping to learn he's been hired by the Indianapolis Fire Department.
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