Can one person be the catalyst for solving Minnesota's health care crisis? Windom resident and Machinists union member Sue Eichstadt hopes so.

Starting Saturday, Oct. 29, she plans to walk the 154 miles from her home to the state Capitol in St. Paul to call attention to the thousands of Minnesotans who don't have health care insurance ? or can't afford the coverage they have. "The Great Health Care Walk" will span seven days and involve town meetings along the way.

The goal, Eichstadt said, is to seek passage of a state constitutional amendment making health care a right.

"I don't have a solution to the health care crisis," she said. "But if we have an amendment, that forces the Democrats and Republicans to do something about this."

Sue Eichstadt will walk 154 miles from Windom to the state Capitol in St. Paul. Photo provided by Sue Eichstadt

Seeing her parents grapple with high prescription drug costs really brought the issue home to her, Eichstadt said. "My dad went back to work out of retirement so they could afford to get my mother's prescriptions."

An offhand comment about her parent's situation led to the idea for the Great Health Care Walk. "I told a friend, 'I have half a mind to walk to St. Paul and tell them (lawmakers) what I think.' Then I thought, 'This could work!'"

The Great Health Care Walk starts in Windom, goes through St. James, Mankato, St. Peter, Belle Plaine and Burnsville, ending at the state Capitol at 10 a.m. on Nov. 4. At town meetings, Eichstadt hopes to hear from other people concerned about the health care crisis. She will create "storyboards" with their stories to be presented to legislators.

She also will ask people to sign a petition supporting the health care amendment and send postcards to lawmakers.

"This walk is nonpartisan," she noted, "because health care affects everybody."

Eichstadt, who has worked at the Toro Co. for the past 20 years, is a member of International Association of Machinists Local 1956. Her co-workers will join her at the start of the walk and she hopes other people will participate along the route. She especially invites people to join her for the final leg to the Capitol. Participants will meet at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at the corner of Smith Ave. and Dodd Road in West St. Paul.

Eichstadt, who walks regularly, is training for the seven-day trek by doing an extra 15 miles a day ? after work. She'll use vacation time for the walk, as will her friend, Laurel Pfeiffer, who will be driving a support van with "lots of water and protein bars." Pfeiffer also is helping to coordinate the events along the route.

"Laurel's had more work ? all I have to do is walk," said Eichstadt. "I don't know where I'd be without her."

Eichstadt's husband and four children are backing her effort and her 10-year-old daughter Tanisha will join her for the last leg, she said. Machinists Local 1956 also has been very supportive, as have the staff at the Minnesota State Patrol, whom she contacted when planning the walk.

"Just about everybody, when I tell them why I'm doing this, says 'It's about time!'" Eichstadt said.

A fund has been created to pay for the meeting halls, lodging expenses and other costs of the walk. Contributions, payable to "The Great Health Care Walk," may be sent to:

The Great Health Care Walk
500 W. Hatting Street
LuVerne, MN 56156

For more information
Read more about Sue's walk in the Workday Minnesota special section, The Great Health Care Walk