CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller was honored as a "Champion for Real Health Reform" by local organizations at a Tuesday gathering at the old Daniel Boone Hotel in downtown Charleston.

The groups included: West Virginians for Affordable Health Care, SEIU-1199, West Virginia Nurses Association, the state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, Organizing for America and West Virginia Citizen Action Group.

"Rockefeller has repeatedly taken the side of the public over 'Big Insurance' and is fighting for a new public insurance option for those who have been shut out of the private market," the groups said in a statement.

Gary Zuckett, executive director of WV-CAG, said, "Our senator has had a longstanding commitment to fighting for citizen's access to health care and is now recognized as a national champion going up against big insurance."

Rockefeller was attending Senate Finance Committee meetings about health reform and could not attend.

"People across West Virginia believe deeply in the need for health care reform," the senator said in a statement. "Those representing Health Care for America Now in our state are among those who stand up and fight for it. I thank them for everything they do to realize a health-care system that truly works for West Virginia families."

After the meeting, several participants marched down Washington Street to Charleston Area Medical Center/General on the corner of Brooks Street. They set up a mock "crime scene" with yellow tape to criticize insurance executives.

"It's a crime when faceless insurance bureaucrats deny doctor's recommended treatments. In many cases it's a matter of life and death," Zuckett said. "If the insurance companies win, we lose."

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller was honored as a "Champion for Real Health Reform" by local organizations at a Tuesday gathering at the old Daniel Boone Hotel in downtown Charleston.

The groups included: West Virginians for Affordable Health Care, SEIU-1199, West Virginia Nurses Association, the state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, Organizing for America and West Virginia Citizen Action Group.

"Rockefeller has repeatedly taken the side of the public over 'Big Insurance' and is fighting for a new public insurance option for those who have been shut out of the private market," the groups said in a statement.

Gary Zuckett, executive director of WV-CAG, said, "Our senator has had a longstanding commitment to fighting for citizen's access to health care and is now recognized as a national champion going up against big insurance."

Rockefeller was attending Senate Finance Committee meetings about health reform and could not attend.

"People across West Virginia believe deeply in the need for health care reform," the senator said in a statement. "Those representing Health Care for America Now in our state are among those who stand up and fight for it. I thank them for everything they do to realize a health-care system that truly works for West Virginia families."

After the meeting, several participants marched down Washington Street to Charleston Area Medical Center/General on the corner of Brooks Street. They set up a mock "crime scene" with yellow tape to criticize insurance executives.

"It's a crime when faceless insurance bureaucrats deny doctor's recommended treatments. In many cases it's a matter of life and death," Zuckett said. "If the insurance companies win, we lose."