Showing posts with label action opportunity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label action opportunity. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Hey, Judd Gregg! How 'bout a public health insurance option?
August 20, 2009: Over three dozen supporters took a stand for real health insurance reform outside of Judd Gregg's health care forum at the Red Hook Brewery. A lone counter-protester showed up to oppose President Obama's plan, but spent the entire time texting on his phone. Below: After our visibility we dropped by Senator Gregg's Portsmouth office to deliver our prescriptions for real health care reform.More than three dozen volunteers and advocates gathered at the Red Hook Brewery in Portsmouth on Thursday to stand up for health care reform during Senator Judd Gregg's meeting with members of the Portsmouth Rotary Club (August 20). Although he endorses President Obama's goal to bring skyrocketing health care costs under control, Senator Gregg is strongly opposed to creating a government-administered non-profit plan to provide fair competition for the private insurance industry and expand affordable options for working families and the uninsured.
Although he debunked claims that proposed legislation authorizes the creation of "death panels" to pull the plug on grandma, in the past Senator Gregg has resorted to standard-issue GOP talking points to put the scare into Granite Staters who are likely to benefit from the President's plan for health insurance reform. (In a May 28 OpEd in the Concord Monitor, Gregg stated that "the proposals that have been put forward to move to a public plan, or essentially a nationalization of health care in this country, will lead to a Washington bureaucrat being inserted between you and your doctor, long delays in delivery of care and the likelihood of rationing." Or, you know, maybe not.)
At the Rotary Club meeting, Gregg pitched a policy solution that would limit legal recourse for medical malpractice, create incentives for disease prevention, and reward healthy lifestyles - without mentioning that a bi-partisan bill he cosponsored would require employers and individuals to pay into the private health insurance system. Our uneventful visibility was covered by WMUR-TV, the Portsmouth Herald, and the Concord Monitor. Oh yeah, there was one lone anti-Obama protester there, too.
After the visibility, a small group of volunteers paid a drop-in visit to Senator Gregg's Portsmouth office to deliver a "prescription pad" of 30 supporters' personal Rx for real health care reform (see photo) and a copy of a full-page newspaper advertisement featuring the names of 180 NH small business owners who support health insurance reform that includes a public plan option. The noon-time action was organized by Change That Works and the Seacoast for Change Grassroots Network.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
What Do We Want? Health Care Now!
Health care activists from around the country gathered near the U.S. Capitol for a June 25 rally.Our local campaign to win affordable, quality health care for all is still going strong. Last week, dozens of New Hampshire activists -- including many familiar faces from the Greater Seacoast area -- traveled to Washington DC for a national day of advocacy and action for real health care reform.
On Thursday, June 25, members of the NH delegation kicked off the big day with a breakfast meeting with Senator Jeanne Shaheen and senior policy staff from the offices of Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes. We learned that New Hampshire's Congressional Democrats are firm in their support for a public plan option as a key component of legislation to reduce skyrocketing health care costs and guarantee that every American has access to affordable, quality care when they need it.
After the morning meeting, we joined a Capitol Hill rally with thousands of fired-up health care voters from across the U.S., followed by a high-spirited march to the nearby offices of Republican National Senatorial Committee. In the afternoon, a small contingent of NH activists visited the DC office of Judd Gregg to deliver a message urging the Senator to listen to his constituents instead of well-paid lobbyists from big pharmaceutical companies and the private health insurance industry. In short, it was a fantastic, purposeful day, and Granite Staters who made the long bus ride were glad they came.
This summer, watch for a series of Seacoast region events and actions to support President Obama's priorities for health care reform. Seacoast for Change will be partnering with the NH for Health Care/Change That Works campaign and Organizing for America on a number of local actions in the coming weeks. Yes, we can make a difference -- and there are many ways to get involved:
- Join us for a health care house meeting or volunteer to help with a Change That Works/Seacoast for Change/Organizing for America event or action. Email seacoastforchange@gmail.com for more information.
- Have you sent a handwritten card or note to thank Jeanne Shaheen for supporting the public plan option? If not, please do it today -- it only takes five minutes. (Send USPS mail to any one of Senator Shaheen's NH offices for timely reading -- you can find the addresses here.)
- Write a Letter to the Editor on why NH businesses and families can't wait for real health care reform that includes the public health insurance option.
- Reach out to your friends and neighbors. If you're able to make calls to invite other health care supporters to upcoming events, we can provide call lists and scripts for you if you'd like to organize a phone bank or make calls from home.
We worked hard last year to get Barack Obama elected. We need to work just as hard this year to make the change we believe in a reality. We can't wait -- and we cannot afford to sit this one out and expect the right thing to happen. Please pick one health care action you can take today, tomorrow, or this week, and follow through.
Follow up on Hampton Democrats Health Care Forum:
On Thursday, June 18, Hampton Democrats sponsored a non-partisan community forum on health care reform featuring a panel of experts on health care administration, community health needs, and health care policy. From all accounts, it was an extremely well organized and informative event. Segments of the panel presentations and discussion can be viewed on YouTube; a report on the forum was also featured in a June 25 cover story for the Portsmouth Wire newspaper. The Health Care Forum was the second in an ongoing series of public policy forums organized by the Hampton Democratic Town Committee.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Health Care Summer: Call to Action
AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR ALL -- NOT JUST A PRIVILEGED FEW -- MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE OF OUR DAY.
ON ELECTION NIGHT, President Obama reminded the nation that his victory was not the change we seek -- only the opportunity to make that change. Right now, we have another chance to make historic progress, and a formidable challenge before us.
You've heard the grim facts: The United States spends more on health care than any other country in the world, yet 46 million Americans are uninsured and millions more are underinsured. In 2007, more than 4 in 10 working-age adults said they postponed or avoided filling a prescription or seeking needed medical care because they could not afford it. Disparities in health insurance coverage, health care access and outcomes, and life expectancy -- between the wealthy and working poor, whites and non-whites, men and women -- are pronounced and disturbing. In the entire U.S. population, a significant percentage of men, women, and children do not have access to the health care they need to grow well, learn well, work well, and have a decent quality of life. Whether insured or uninsured, millions of U.S. families are struggling with rising health care costs and medical debt.
There's work to be done on many fronts to ensure that all Americans have truly equal opportunities to thrive. But health care reform that works for everyone -- not just private insurance companies and a privileged few -- may be the most important civil rights issue of our day.
This summer, we have a real chance to make substantive progress on comprehensive health care reform. President Obama has made health care reform one of his top priorities, and the Democratic majority in Congress is favorable to passing legislation that guarantees every American has access to affordable, quality health care when they need it.
But opposition to meaningful change -- backed by big-money special interest groups with a reputation for ruthlessness -- is mounting. Anyone who hopes to see a more caring and equitable society in this lifetime cannot afford to wait this one out and expect the right thing to happen.
Congress may vote on health care reform before the end of July. That means the next eight weeks offer a critical window of opportunity to for strategic grassroots action.
The big battle will be over the creation of a public health insurance plan, and the battleground will be the U.S. Senate. The public plan option will establish a federally-funded, publicly-administered health insurance program to provide coverage to those who cannot afford private insurance and/or do not have employer-based coverage, and anyone else who prefers to enroll. It will establish a baseline standard of care delivery, and create healthy competition for private insurers to meet or exceed the level of cost savings and scope of care available through the non-profit public plan. It will also expand patient choice by offering a new option for comprehensive coverage that includes preventative, primary, and long-term care, and allow patients to keep or choose their own doctor. People who like the private plan they have now will be able to keep it.
The U.S. House of Representatives is poised to pass legislation that includes a public plan option, and NH representatives Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes are likely to support it. Senator Judd Gregg is the co-sponsor of a bill that seeks to control costs and mandate universal coverage by regulating the private insurance market and requiring individuals and employers to pay into a private, for-profit health insurance plan. Senator Jeanne Shaheen recently signed a resolution with 28 other U.S. Senators endorsing the creation of a public plan.
Since February 2009, Seacoast for Change has worked with organizers from the SEIU Change That Works/NH for Health Care campaign to engage members of the Seacoast community in a grassroots action campaign for health care reform. On June 6, Organizing for America -- the DNC's post-election online action center -- will kick-off a nationwide campaign to re-mobilize former Campaign for Change volunteers and build public support for President Obama's health care reform priorities.
If you want health care reform that works for working families and everyone else, the time to act is now. Both NH for Health Care/Change That Works and OFA are organizing house meetings to get the word out and bring new supporters into the fold. Hosting a health care house meeting is easy, and it's one of the most effective things you can do to spread the word about the urgent need for health care reform and set the stage for a successful citizen action campaign.
If you support the public plan choice -- and if you care about reducing health care costs, improving health care delivery and outcomes, and ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, quality health care, you probably do -- please take 10-15 minutes this week to write a hand written card or note to Senator Shaheen to let her know you stand behind her decision to support the public health insurance plan option. Mail your thank you note to one of Senator Shaheen's NH offices for timely reading -- you'll find those addresses here.
On June 25, New Hampshire will send a delegation of activists to Washington DC for a national day of action for health care reform. Group transportation is being coordinated by the NH Citizen's Action Alliance as part of the NH Health Care for America Now campaign -- click here for more information and to reserve a seat on the bus.
If you can't host a house meeting or participate in the DC day of action, there are plenty of other opportunities make a meaningful difference. For more information about supporting the NH for Health Care/Change That Works campaign, contact SEIU's Seacoast Region field organizer, Israel Pierre. If you're interested in supporting Organizing for America's health care action campaign, visit barackobama.com for more information or to find an event. If you want more information or want to get more involved through the Seacoast for Change Grassroots Network, please contact me.
Judy Stadtman
Organizer, Seacoast for Change Grassroots Network
Portsmouth NH
603.479.7217 | seacoastforchange@gmail.com
ON ELECTION NIGHT, President Obama reminded the nation that his victory was not the change we seek -- only the opportunity to make that change. Right now, we have another chance to make historic progress, and a formidable challenge before us.
You've heard the grim facts: The United States spends more on health care than any other country in the world, yet 46 million Americans are uninsured and millions more are underinsured. In 2007, more than 4 in 10 working-age adults said they postponed or avoided filling a prescription or seeking needed medical care because they could not afford it. Disparities in health insurance coverage, health care access and outcomes, and life expectancy -- between the wealthy and working poor, whites and non-whites, men and women -- are pronounced and disturbing. In the entire U.S. population, a significant percentage of men, women, and children do not have access to the health care they need to grow well, learn well, work well, and have a decent quality of life. Whether insured or uninsured, millions of U.S. families are struggling with rising health care costs and medical debt.
There's work to be done on many fronts to ensure that all Americans have truly equal opportunities to thrive. But health care reform that works for everyone -- not just private insurance companies and a privileged few -- may be the most important civil rights issue of our day.
This summer, we have a real chance to make substantive progress on comprehensive health care reform. President Obama has made health care reform one of his top priorities, and the Democratic majority in Congress is favorable to passing legislation that guarantees every American has access to affordable, quality health care when they need it.
But opposition to meaningful change -- backed by big-money special interest groups with a reputation for ruthlessness -- is mounting. Anyone who hopes to see a more caring and equitable society in this lifetime cannot afford to wait this one out and expect the right thing to happen.
Congress may vote on health care reform before the end of July. That means the next eight weeks offer a critical window of opportunity to for strategic grassroots action.
The big battle will be over the creation of a public health insurance plan, and the battleground will be the U.S. Senate. The public plan option will establish a federally-funded, publicly-administered health insurance program to provide coverage to those who cannot afford private insurance and/or do not have employer-based coverage, and anyone else who prefers to enroll. It will establish a baseline standard of care delivery, and create healthy competition for private insurers to meet or exceed the level of cost savings and scope of care available through the non-profit public plan. It will also expand patient choice by offering a new option for comprehensive coverage that includes preventative, primary, and long-term care, and allow patients to keep or choose their own doctor. People who like the private plan they have now will be able to keep it.
The U.S. House of Representatives is poised to pass legislation that includes a public plan option, and NH representatives Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes are likely to support it. Senator Judd Gregg is the co-sponsor of a bill that seeks to control costs and mandate universal coverage by regulating the private insurance market and requiring individuals and employers to pay into a private, for-profit health insurance plan. Senator Jeanne Shaheen recently signed a resolution with 28 other U.S. Senators endorsing the creation of a public plan.
Since February 2009, Seacoast for Change has worked with organizers from the SEIU Change That Works/NH for Health Care campaign to engage members of the Seacoast community in a grassroots action campaign for health care reform. On June 6, Organizing for America -- the DNC's post-election online action center -- will kick-off a nationwide campaign to re-mobilize former Campaign for Change volunteers and build public support for President Obama's health care reform priorities.
If you want health care reform that works for working families and everyone else, the time to act is now. Both NH for Health Care/Change That Works and OFA are organizing house meetings to get the word out and bring new supporters into the fold. Hosting a health care house meeting is easy, and it's one of the most effective things you can do to spread the word about the urgent need for health care reform and set the stage for a successful citizen action campaign.
If you support the public plan choice -- and if you care about reducing health care costs, improving health care delivery and outcomes, and ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, quality health care, you probably do -- please take 10-15 minutes this week to write a hand written card or note to Senator Shaheen to let her know you stand behind her decision to support the public health insurance plan option. Mail your thank you note to one of Senator Shaheen's NH offices for timely reading -- you'll find those addresses here.
On June 25, New Hampshire will send a delegation of activists to Washington DC for a national day of action for health care reform. Group transportation is being coordinated by the NH Citizen's Action Alliance as part of the NH Health Care for America Now campaign -- click here for more information and to reserve a seat on the bus.
If you can't host a house meeting or participate in the DC day of action, there are plenty of other opportunities make a meaningful difference. For more information about supporting the NH for Health Care/Change That Works campaign, contact SEIU's Seacoast Region field organizer, Israel Pierre. If you're interested in supporting Organizing for America's health care action campaign, visit barackobama.com for more information or to find an event. If you want more information or want to get more involved through the Seacoast for Change Grassroots Network, please contact me.
Judy Stadtman
Organizer, Seacoast for Change Grassroots Network
Portsmouth NH
603.479.7217 | seacoastforchange@gmail.com
Friday, May 15, 2009
Taking Action for Health Care Reform: Change That Works
Seacoast for Change organizers and volunteers recently collaborated with organizers from the NH for Health Care/Change That Works campaign on two local events. On Friday, May 8, mothers and grandmothers from the Seacoast area delivered cards and flowers to the Dover Dover Portsmouth
Seacoast for Change and Seacoast Local also participated in organizing a roundtable event on health care reform for Seacoast area small business owners on Tuesday, May 12, at the Portsmouth Public Library. The roundtable discussion was the local launch of an effort to bring the voices of NH small business owners into the national health care policy debate.
Plans are in the works for more local and national events and actions to support affordable, quality health care for all. Contact Judy Stadtman at yeswecan.nh@gmail.com for more information about how you can get involved.
Seacoast for Change and Seacoast Local also participated in organizing a roundtable event on health care reform for Seacoast area small business owners on Tuesday, May 12, at the Portsmouth Public Library. The roundtable discussion was the local launch of an effort to bring the voices of NH small business owners into the national health care policy debate.
Plans are in the works for more local and national events and actions to support affordable, quality health care for all. Contact Judy Stadtman at yeswecan.nh@gmail.com for more information about how you can get involved.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Save Our Bridges! Campaign Gearing Up for April 28 Rally
Back in December 2008, Seacoast for Change volunteers met to discuss what sort of causes and actions our grassroots network should prioritize going forward, and a number of supporters expressed an interest in working on local issues. In response to those comments, I've made an effort to reach out to other community-directed organizations that share our commitment to progress. One of the top concerns raised by the forward-thinking leaders of Seacoast Local was the precarious state of the Memorial Bridge
Seacoast for Change has joined an ad hoc coalition of Greater Seacoast non-profit and business groups seeking to raise public support for repair and rehabilitation, rather than replacement, of the Memorial Bridge and its upstream neighbor, the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. Both spans are in urgent need of attention -- the Memorial Bridge, which is ranked No. 1 on the NH Department of Transportation's "red list," is estimated to have a remaining lifespan of 5 years or less. Permanently removing either bridge from service would have a significant impact on the Seacoast area economy, with small businesses in Kittery taking the hardest hit. The Memorial Bridge also has historical, cultural, and recreational value for members of the surrounding community, and is a scenic attraction for local residents and out-of-town visitors.
Several recent stories and editorials in the Portsmouth Herald address the uncertain fate ofthe two lower Piscataqua spans ( links to new and past articles on the bridge debate are archived on the New Hampshire Gazette web site -- you can find them here). Plans to repair the Memorial Bridge for long-term use have been completed, and federal dollars to cover nearly all of the cost of rehabilitating both bridges are available through President Obama's economic stimulus package. These projects are shovel-ready -- work can begin as soon as state officials on both sides of the river authorize funding. NH DOT has signed off on the proposed repairs. Officials at ME DOT remain favorable to replacing the older bridges with a single, high-span structure to be built at an unspecified location between the existing spans. The older bridges would not necessarily be demolished, but would be closed to all cross-river traffic.
While particpating in the Save Our Bridges! campaign may seem unrelated to our usual efforts to organize in support of President Obama's policy priorities, I feel this project is entirely consistent with the spirit of his vision to rebuild and renewAmerica
The Seacoast Save Our Bridges! campaign will formally kick-off with a lunch-hour rally on Tuesday, April 28. Visibilities are planned inPortsmouth and Kittery
Seacoast for Change has joined an ad hoc coalition of Greater Seacoast non-profit and business groups seeking to raise public support for repair and rehabilitation, rather than replacement, of the Memorial Bridge and its upstream neighbor, the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. Both spans are in urgent need of attention -- the Memorial Bridge, which is ranked No. 1 on the NH Department of Transportation's "red list," is estimated to have a remaining lifespan of 5 years or less. Permanently removing either bridge from service would have a significant impact on the Seacoast area economy, with small businesses in Kittery taking the hardest hit. The Memorial Bridge also has historical, cultural, and recreational value for members of the surrounding community, and is a scenic attraction for local residents and out-of-town visitors.
Several recent stories and editorials in the Portsmouth Herald address the uncertain fate of
While particpating in the Save Our Bridges! campaign may seem unrelated to our usual efforts to organize in support of President Obama's policy priorities, I feel this project is entirely consistent with the spirit of his vision to rebuild and renew
The Seacoast Save Our Bridges! campaign will formally kick-off with a lunch-hour rally on Tuesday, April 28. Visibilities are planned in
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Another Milestone: Legislative Action Opportunities
In year of many milestones, we're hitting another one. For the first time since we started organizing as a grassroots volunteer network (that would be January, 2008), Seacoast for Change is offering information about specific state and federal legislation that you may, or may not, choose to actively support. The bills described here are consistent with President Obama's agenda to restore vitality to our nation's troubled economy, provide affordable health care for all, create more good jobs with living wages, invest in clean energy, strengthen our schools and communities, promote civic responsibility, and foster inclusion by creating a government that works for everyone, including those who are most vulnerable to hardship.
We are also providing information about how you can support this legislation if -- and only if -- you wish to do so. Information about opportunities for legislative activism will only be published once -- we're not going to track the response, and there will be no follow up calls or emails reminding you to take action. If you want to make a phone call or write a letter in support of these policies or other legislation going forward, we love you. If that's not your thing, we still love you. If you have feedback or suggestions about the introduction of legislative issues into the mix of Seacoast for Change actions, we welcome your comments (email yeswecan.nh@gmail.com).
In solidarity,
Judy
Judy Stadtman
Organizer, Seacoast for Change Grassroots Network
Portsmouth, NH
603.479.7217
yeswecan.nh@gmail.com
We are also providing information about how you can support this legislation if -- and only if -- you wish to do so. Information about opportunities for legislative activism will only be published once -- we're not going to track the response, and there will be no follow up calls or emails reminding you to take action. If you want to make a phone call or write a letter in support of these policies or other legislation going forward, we love you. If that's not your thing, we still love you. If you have feedback or suggestions about the introduction of legislative issues into the mix of Seacoast for Change actions, we welcome your comments (email yeswecan.nh@gmail.com).
In solidarity,
Judy
Judy Stadtman
Organizer, Seacoast for Change Grassroots Network
Portsmouth, NH
603.479.7217
yeswecan.nh@gmail.com
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