Posts Tagged ‘Health Care for America NOW!’

3 Things You Can Do To Fight For A Public Health Care Option

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Contact Your Representatives and Senators

The emergence of Blue Dog (fiscally conservative) Democrats is proving that we can’t simply sit back and let the Democratic Party work its magic. Conservative Democrats are joining Republicans in their attempt to block health care reform, so its up to us keep the pressure on our elected officials.

Visit Health Care For America Now! to let your Representatives and Senators know that we demand a Public Option!

Tell Your Story

Terms we hear in the media like “single payer” and “non-profit cooperatives” can sometimes draw away from the most important aspect of the battle for health care reform – its about people’s real life experiences with illness and the health insurance industry. 

People telling their stories makes an enormous impact, not only to legislators, but to other ordinary folks who need a reason to get involved. Blog about it. Vlog about it. Or visit the links below:

http://www.familiesusa.org/tell-us-your-story.html

http://www.healthreform.gov/communityreports/comments.html

Demonstrate

In June, over 10,000 people took to the streets in Washington, D.C. to demand comprehensive health care reform with a public option.

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Smaller actions are being held around the country – find out where! Visit HCAN for local updates and volunteer opportunities.

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The fight for universal health care in San Diego

Monday, May 4th, 2009

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Last weekend I went to a Health Care Town Hall Forum hosted by the Health Care For America NOW! campaign. Congress member Susan Davis was there to both hear from the audience and explain what she’s working on to secure universal health care before the end of this year. Here’s some of what i took away from the event:

THE FACTS

  • Over 1/4 of San Diegans in Susan Davis’ district are without health insurance, compared to 20% statewide and 17% nationwide. These statistics were taken before the recession.
  • 3 of every 5 Californians have health insurance through their job
  • Premiums are on the rise and more and more people are losing their jobs – things will only get worse without fundamentally changing the system.

ACCORDING TO SUSAN DAVIS

  • President Obama’s top priority is Health Care Reform this year 
  • 190 members of congress signed the core principles that everyone deserves quality and affordable health care.
  • The President is depending on [community members and activists] to make the case” for affordable, universal health coverage

 

ACCORDING TO DR. RICK KRONICK (PROF FROM UCSD)

  • Allies matter – we need as many communities and organizations working together as possible
  • Money always matters 
  • Focus on the bottom line – whats really important
    • at this point, getting everybody covered matters more than the type of program (single-payer vs. private-public options)

MY REFLECTIONS:

  • We will see massive changes to the health care system by the end of this year; the question is what kind of change and how 
  • Insurance companies are dominating the discussion
  • The fight for affordable, high quality health coverage for all Americans will not be won without community involvement and advocacy 

Americans have been desperate for quality health care for years. It was in 2003 that Immortal Technique, activist and hip hop artist, spit the words that characterized the US health care system:

“A generation of babies born without healthcare, families homeless; thrown the fuck of the welfare”

Six years later the story isn’t much different except for one thing–we have a real shot to turn things around. The question is will we deliver.

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