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June 2nd, 2009

5 Actions To Take on Health Care

Posted by Eugenia

Cross-posted from APA for Progress - thanks, NaomiRo!

The next two months are a critical time for the health care movement. In fact, this summer may be the most important moment in a generation. For the first time in years, we have a President committed to reform - with enough popularity to pull it off -  a Democratic Congress - and the political will of the American people.
 
But there are huge hurdles ahead - and President Obama has admitted that if reform doesn’t happen this year, he doesn’t see it happening during his presidency. So it’s now or never. Here’s a cheat sheet of exactly what’s happening - and why it matters, specifically, for AAPI communities.

What’s happening now? Congress is starting to hold hearings on health care reform. Three House committees with joint jurisdiction over health care reform legislation are working on a uniform bill this month, and Sen. Ted Kennedy is working to complete a Senate health care reform bill by June 25th. A plan of some form is going to be passed by October 15th.

What’s the plan that Obama and other progressives are hoping for? The most important element for reform is the public plan - an affordable, not for profit option of health insurance. Here’s the NYT’s take on what this would be like. And here’s the latest from Politico: Barack Obama’s health plan takes shape
 
Wait, is this government-run health care? No. It’s a combination of public and private plans. Americans would have a choice between a high quality affordable public plan or to keep the private insurance they have. 

How does this effect our community? Legal immigrants may not be covered by this reform - which directly affects our families. Reach out to your Congressman and say, “I support the public plan. And I think legal immigrants should be covered under it.”
 
What can I do to help? 
We have no time to lose. Legislation will be written as early as July 4th. Tell your Senators that you support the public option.  Educate your family and friends.  Make your voice heard NOW.
Specifically:
 
1) If you can take the day off on Thursday, June 25th, come attend the largest rally for health care in history in Washington, D.C. The rally will start at 11 AM and a town hall meeting for each state will be at 2 PM.
 
*If you live in New York City, there will be free buses leaving at 6 AM and returning at 9 PM - with lunch provided! Two thousand New Yorkers expected to attend. Please email Naomi.Rothwell@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
 
2) Call your Congressman here: 1-888-436-8427. Give them your zip code and you will be connected to the right representative from your district. Tell them you support the public plan.
 
3) Join (or start) a postcard writing campaign in your city. This weekend in NYC, we will be asking voters to share their personal health care stories on postcards to Congress in support of the public plan option. Every voice counts! Find the location nearest you.
 
4) Find a local group working on reform. Check out a complete listing at Health Care for America Now (a coalition of such groups - scroll to the bottom of the page to find your state).
5) Host or attend a Health Care houseparty this Saturday, June 6th, though Organizing for America. Sign up here.

Health care reform won’t happen without us!

Thanks for all that you do.

Naomi Rothwell
Health Care Liaison, APA for Progress (New York)

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Posted in Action, Asian Americans and Politics, friends |

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