Creating Change in Charleston SC
Health Care Reform
Information
Members: 6
Latest Activity: Nov 10
Take ACTION: declare support for Obama's health care reform
Hello,
Monday morning, an unlikely gathering of health care industry and union leaders emerged from the White House, announcing a historic agreement to lower medical costs and save the average family up to $2,500. This kind of broad coalition would have been unthinkable in the past, when the old politics of division and short-term self interest held sway. But this is a new day.
Yesterday afternoon, President Obama announced the three bedrock principles that any comprehensive health care reform must achieve: (1) reduce costs, (2) guarantee choice, and (3) ensure all Americans have quality, affordable health care. And he set a hard goal for getting it done by the end of this year.
For those determined to oppose reform, the President's announcement means lobbyists are already scrambling across D.C. For the rest of us, it means there's no time to lose. As we speak, Congress is negotiating the details for health care reform, so the first step is showing where the American people stand.
Please click below to sign a declaration of support urging Congress to follow President Obama's three core principles for health care reform -- and to enact them before the end of this year:
Watch the President's remarks and sign the declaration
(The more signatures we have, the more powerful our message will be, so please add your name and then forward this note on to family and friends.)
The health care crisis is not new, but it's getting worse. For decades, real health care reform has been blocked by special interest lobbying and political point-scoring. We simply cannot go any further down this dangerous road of delay and denial. But we don't have to.
Yesterday's agreement marks only the beginning of the broad coalition we need. The most important reason this round of health care reform will be different is you. Last fall millions of regular people came together and did the impossible. Now, we've got to roll up our sleeves, join hands with those new to our movement, and do it again.
Congress is already hammering out the details of the health care package, and it could still go any number of ways. Our representatives need to understand that when the President lays out these three bedrock principles, Americans of every stripe are standing with him. Yesterday's diverse gathering was a powerful start -- and now it's up to us.
It's time to stand up. Please sign the declaration of support today:
http://my.barackobama.com/OrganizingforHealthcare
Reducing costs, guaranteeing choice, and ensuring care for all are ambitious goals, but they are nothing less than what the American people deserve. And passing real health care reform this year is nothing less than what the American people need.
Thank you,
Mitch
Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
P.S. -- Here are some excerpts from the President's announcement yesterday that lay out the three principles for health care reform and why we need it this year. Please forward this note to people who want to know where the President stands.
###
In the coming weeks and months, Congress will be engaged in the difficult issue of how best to reform health care in America. I'm committed to building a transparent process where all views are welcome. But I'm also committed to ensuring that whatever plan we design upholds three basic principles: First, the rising cost of health care must be brought down; second, Americans must have the freedom to keep whatever doctor and health care plan they have, or to choose a new doctor or health care plan if they want it; and third, all Americans must have quality, affordable health care.
These are principles that I expect to see upheld in any comprehensive health care reform bill that's sent to my desk -- I mentioned it to the groups that were here today. It's reform that is an imperative for America's economic future, and reform that is a pillar of the new foundation we seek to build for our economy; reform that we can, must, and will achieve by the end of this year.
Ultimately, the debate about reducing costs -- and the larger debate about health care reform itself -- is not just about numbers; it's not just about forms or systems; it's about our own lives and the lives of our loved ones. And I understand that. As I've mentioned before during the course of the campaign, my mother passed away from ovarian cancer a little over a decade ago. And in the last weeks of her life, when she was coming to grips with her own mortality and showing extraordinary courage just to get through each day, she was spending too much time worrying about whether her health insurance would cover her bills. So I know what it's like to see a loved one who is suffering, but also having to deal with a broken health care system. I know that pain is shared by millions of Americans all across this country.
And that's why I was committed to health care reform as a presidential candidate; that's why health care reform is a key priority to this presidency; that's why I will not rest until the dream of health care reform is finally achieved in the United States of America.
Monday morning, an unlikely gathering of health care industry and union leaders emerged from the White House, announcing a historic agreement to lower medical costs and save the average family up to $2,500. This kind of broad coalition would have been unthinkable in the past, when the old politics of division and short-term self interest held sway. But this is a new day.
Yesterday afternoon, President Obama announced the three bedrock principles that any comprehensive health care reform must achieve: (1) reduce costs, (2) guarantee choice, and (3) ensure all Americans have quality, affordable health care. And he set a hard goal for getting it done by the end of this year.
For those determined to oppose reform, the President's announcement means lobbyists are already scrambling across D.C. For the rest of us, it means there's no time to lose. As we speak, Congress is negotiating the details for health care reform, so the first step is showing where the American people stand.
Please click below to sign a declaration of support urging Congress to follow President Obama's three core principles for health care reform -- and to enact them before the end of this year:
Watch the President's remarks and sign the declaration
(The more signatures we have, the more powerful our message will be, so please add your name and then forward this note on to family and friends.)
The health care crisis is not new, but it's getting worse. For decades, real health care reform has been blocked by special interest lobbying and political point-scoring. We simply cannot go any further down this dangerous road of delay and denial. But we don't have to.
Yesterday's agreement marks only the beginning of the broad coalition we need. The most important reason this round of health care reform will be different is you. Last fall millions of regular people came together and did the impossible. Now, we've got to roll up our sleeves, join hands with those new to our movement, and do it again.
Congress is already hammering out the details of the health care package, and it could still go any number of ways. Our representatives need to understand that when the President lays out these three bedrock principles, Americans of every stripe are standing with him. Yesterday's diverse gathering was a powerful start -- and now it's up to us.
It's time to stand up. Please sign the declaration of support today:
http://my.barackobama.com/OrganizingforHealthcare
Reducing costs, guaranteeing choice, and ensuring care for all are ambitious goals, but they are nothing less than what the American people deserve. And passing real health care reform this year is nothing less than what the American people need.
Thank you,
Mitch
Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
P.S. -- Here are some excerpts from the President's announcement yesterday that lay out the three principles for health care reform and why we need it this year. Please forward this note to people who want to know where the President stands.
###
In the coming weeks and months, Congress will be engaged in the difficult issue of how best to reform health care in America. I'm committed to building a transparent process where all views are welcome. But I'm also committed to ensuring that whatever plan we design upholds three basic principles: First, the rising cost of health care must be brought down; second, Americans must have the freedom to keep whatever doctor and health care plan they have, or to choose a new doctor or health care plan if they want it; and third, all Americans must have quality, affordable health care.
These are principles that I expect to see upheld in any comprehensive health care reform bill that's sent to my desk -- I mentioned it to the groups that were here today. It's reform that is an imperative for America's economic future, and reform that is a pillar of the new foundation we seek to build for our economy; reform that we can, must, and will achieve by the end of this year.
Ultimately, the debate about reducing costs -- and the larger debate about health care reform itself -- is not just about numbers; it's not just about forms or systems; it's about our own lives and the lives of our loved ones. And I understand that. As I've mentioned before during the course of the campaign, my mother passed away from ovarian cancer a little over a decade ago. And in the last weeks of her life, when she was coming to grips with her own mortality and showing extraordinary courage just to get through each day, she was spending too much time worrying about whether her health insurance would cover her bills. So I know what it's like to see a loved one who is suffering, but also having to deal with a broken health care system. I know that pain is shared by millions of Americans all across this country.
And that's why I was committed to health care reform as a presidential candidate; that's why health care reform is a key priority to this presidency; that's why I will not rest until the dream of health care reform is finally achieved in the United States of America.
Discussion Forum
House passage on HR 3962
Started by Shea Onofrey Nov 10.
Gov Swine Flu Advisor on vaccine maker payroll
Started by Shea Onofrey Jul 27.
Dr Peter Kfoury responds to emails:
Started by Shea Onofrey Jul 14.
Comment Wall
Comment
-
Comment by Shea Onofrey on August 17, 2009 at 3:37pm - CHECK THIS OUT: I just added capaignsilo.firedoglake.com Health Care Reform event tracker to gctag blog: http://grassrootscalltoconsciousaction.blogspot.com
-
Comment by Shea Onofrey on July 8, 2009 at 3:49pm
- What are the details on Clyburn's visit Saturday?
-
Comment by David Redding on July 8, 2009 at 3:27pm - Right on - Will call my member of congress today. Congressman Clyburn is going to be in Charleston this Saturday for a public meeting. We should all go and express our views!
-
Comment by Shea Onofrey on July 8, 2009 at 2:37pm
-
Dear Shea,
Would you please take a moment TODAY to call your Senator or Member of Congress to urge their support for single-payer healthcare reform. We have made much progress in getting the attention of policy makers for the reform that works – an improved and expanded Medicare for All. Now we need to ensure that whatever reform Congress passes, it includes the option for states to establish their own reform based upon a single standard of care for all – what we call "single-payer." As we fight for a federal solution, we need to keep open the option for state reform.
Please make the call TODAY! Thank you.
TELL SENATORS ~ SAMPLE SCRIPT:
HELLO, The Senate HELP Committee will be marking up its Health Care Legislation this week and Senator Sanders will put forward an amendment that allows states to opt to enact a single payer system without federal barriers and with financial assistance from the federal government.
We urge you to act in concert with Senator Sanders in order to see his amendment become part of the legislation as adopted by the Committee.
Please let me know of your actions in this regard.
Thank you.
SENATORS & PHONE NUMBERS:
*
Kennedy, Edward M. - Ph: 202-224-4543
*
Dodd, Christopher J. - Ph: 202-224-2823
*
Harkin, Tom - Ph: 202-224-3254
*
Mikulski, Barbara A. - Ph: 202-224-4654
*
Bingaman, Jeff - Ph: 202-224-5521
*
Murray, Patty - Ph: 202-224-2621
*
Reed, Jack - Ph: 202-224-4642
*
Sanders, Bernard - Ph: 202-224-5141
*
Brown, Sherrod - Ph: 202-224-2315
*
Casey, Robert P. - Ph: 202-224-6324
*
Hagan, Kay R. - Ph: 202-224-6342
*
Merkley, Jeff - Ph: 202-224-3753
TELL REPRESENTATIVES ~ SAMPLE SCRIPT:
HELLO, The House HELP Committee will be marking up its Health Care Legislation next week and Congressman Kucinich will put forward and amendment that allows states to opt to enact a single payer system without federal barriers and with financial assistance from the federal government.
Please let me know of your actions in this regard.
Thank you.
REPRESENTATIVES & PHONE NUMBERS:
*
Andrews, Robert E. - Ph: 202-225-6501
*
Wu, David - Ph: 202-225-0855
*
Hare, Phil - Ph: 202-225-5905
*
Tierney, John F. - Ph: 202-225-8020
*
Kucinich, Dennis J. - Ph: 202-225-5871
*
Fudge, Marcia L. - Ph: 202-225-7032
*
Kildee, Dale E. - Ph: 202-225-3611
*
McCarthy, Carolyn - Ph: 202-225-5516
*
Holt, Rush D. - Ph: 202-225-5801
*
Sestak, Joe - Ph: 202-225-2011
*
Loebsack, Dave - Ph: 202-225-6576
*
Clarke, Yvette Ph: 202-225-6231
*
Courtney, Joseph - Ph: 202-225-2076
If your Senator or Representative is NOT listed above, please call the Committee Chairs:
*
Sen. Chris Dodd - Ph: 202-224-2823
*
Rep. George Miller - Ph: 202-225-3032
Healthcare Justice!
California Nurses Association
National Nurses Organizing Committee
2000 Franklin Street
Oakland, CA 94612
-
Comment by Shea Onofrey on June 25, 2009 at 12:43pm
-
Sample letter to Editor:
To Editor:
As President Obama is moves forward on health care legislation, it is important to question whether it will be the comprehensive change our country deserves. We do need reform. The United States currently lags behind other industrialized countries in measures of public health, yet we spend 17% of our Gross Domestic Product on health care costs. While pursuing health care reform that covers the uninsured is a worthy goal, there are still questions of cost containment and providing true universal coverage.
That’s why single-payer health care deserves a closer look. Single-payer health care would expand Medicare to cover everyone. It is not socialized medicine. Medical providers would contract with the government; the government would reimburse them but not run the system. Patients would have a choice of doctors and all but unproven or cosmetic services would be covered.
The great advantage of single-payer health care is that it contains costs while providing the most access. Pres. Obama’s plan does not go far enough to be highly effective. Endorsed by the Institute of Medicine, the single-payer plan will do away with confusing multiple billing of insurance companies that causes most doctors to retain a medical billing expert on staff. Medical billing hassles are forcing some doctors into cash-based practices and others completely out of the profession.
Not surprisingly, prescription drug makers and insurance companies are lobbying fiercely against this idea. As citizens, we cannot afford to leave decisions about our health insurance to well-connected lobbyists and a handful of powerful politicians. Grassroots citizen involvement is vital to ensure we truly get the best system. To learn more about single-payer health care and to get involved: visit http://johnconyers.com/healthcare or contact grassrootscalltoaction@gmail.com.
About
© 2009 Created by Ian Downie on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
You need to be a member of Health Care Reform to add comments!