Healthcare Option
Submitted by tom_parson on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 10:54pm
Healthcare Option
The hottest issue of the moment is reform of our healthcare system. General agreement that the system is badly dysfunctional, and that now is the time for reform. Multiple options are available for your involvement. This listing is an attempt to outline and provide links for you to get further informed and involved in this critical issue.
Below are: Events; Contact info/links for various groups working this issue; Resource info; and Contact info for your Senators and Representative, who need to hear your opinion and experiences. This posting will be updated as additional information and activities become available: to suggest additions, contact Tom (303) 777-8951 typetom@aol.com
Organizing for America
This is a project of the Democratic National Committee in support of President Obama on various issues, beginning with healthcare reform. OFA is working out of the Colorado Democratic Party office at 8th and Santa Fe, with grassroots organizing, canvassing, phonebanks, and service events focusing on healthcare reform.
Colorado Democratic Party: 303-623-4762, www.coloradodemocrats.net
Saturday, June 27, Healthcare Day of Service:
To find or organize an event: http://denverdemocrats.net/node/3517
Daily phonebank volunteers needed!
Statewide Canvassing being planned for Wednesday, July 1, 5-8 pm, at the Colorado Dems.
The organizer for HD2 and west Denver is Robert Bernstein.
(916) 221-1300
Robertbernstein66@gmail.com
HD2 Hopemongers Healthcare Organizing: Contact Michelle Foster michelle.joy@comcast.net
Health Care for All Colorado
HCAC has focused efforts in support of a Single Payer system, with organizing and lobbying for HB1273 which was sponsored by Rep Kefalas in the last session. They continue work on the state level for legislation next year. They are building an email list, speakers, research, and grassroots organizing in each House District.
www.HealthcareforAllColorado.org (303) 618-3855
Healthcare Action, with Senator Michael Bennet
Thursday, July 2, 6:30 pm
at Montview Presbyterian, 1980 Dahlia Street
An opportunity to question Senator Bennet about healthcare reform.
Sponsored by Metropolitan Organizations for People, www.mopdenver.com
Colorado Progressive Coalition
Healthcare Canvass
Saturday, June 27, 10 am - 3 pm
1029 Santa Fe Drive
Democracy for America
To support Howard Dean and the Public Option!
Health Care for America Now
National coalition, with Denver Chapter.
http://healthcareforamericanow.org
http://blog.healthcareforamericanow.org/hcan-co/
Single Payer Petition to Congress
To support Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders' Single Payer health care reform bill:
http://sanders.senate.gov/petitions/index.cfm?uid=7fd59f2e-88e1-477a-8eaf-762a5b050809
To read the full text of S.703, the “American Health Security Act of 2009”, click here.
Others involved in working for health care reform:
Colorado Progressive Action, SEIU and AFLCIO unions, Planned Parenthood....
Your Senators and Representatives need to hear from you!
Senator Mark Udall
202-224-5941 (Washington office)
303-650-7820 (Denver office)
Senate Hart Office Building SH-317
Washington DC 20510
Senator Michael Bennet
202-224-5852 (Washington office)
303-455-7600 (Denver office)
702 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Representative Diana DeGette
202-225-4431 (Washington office)
2335 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
What you can do:
get informed
tell your own story
call and write your Senators and other representatives with your story and your opinion
letters to the editor
calls to talk radio
use your own social networks
help others get involved: phonebanks, cavassing, house parties, events
Reading suggestions from MoveOn, 6/25/09, (www.moveon.com) regarding the public option and regional coops as a proposed alternative:
"Health Care Showdown," by Paul Krugman, Nobel prize-winning economist and New York Times columnist:
"For the record, neither regional health cooperatives nor state-level public plans, both of which have been proposed as alternatives [to the public option], would have the financial stability and bargaining power needed to bring down health care costs."
"Un-Cooperative: The Trouble with Conrad's Compromise," by Jacob Hacker, author of Health Care for America and U.C. Berkeley political scientist:
"[The co-op plan is]...not going to have the ability to be a cost-control backstop, much less a benchmark for private plans, because they are not going to have the reach or authority to implement innovative delivery and payment reforms."
"Why We Need a Public Health-Care Plan," by Robert B. Reich, former secretary of labor and professor at the University of California:
"...cooperatives would lack the scale and authority to negotiate lower rates with drug companies and other providers, collect wide data on outcomes, or effect major change in the system."
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