Dear Georgians -- After months of negotiations, the entire House and Senate will soon start debating the final plans for health insurance reform. You've called your representatives, but we can't stop there -- if the American people are going to drown out the D.C. lobbyists, we need everyone who supports reform to weigh in. So here's the plan: On Tuesday, October 20th, OFA volunteers will gather at "Time to Deliver" Call Parties in living rooms like yours across the country. We'll call friendly voters whose voices matter in this debate, talk to them about the President's plan, and ask them to call on their representatives to support reform.Our goal? 100,000 calls to Congress placed or committed to in a single day. It's an ambitious goal, but the stakes couldn't be higher -- and if we hit it, we cannot be ignored. The whole plan begins by finding a place for OFA volunteers to gather -- in Atlanta and across the country. And that's why I'm turning to you.Can you host a Time to Deliver Call Party on Tuesday, October 20th? Hosting a call party is surprisingly easy. No special experience required, and we'll provide simple step-by-step instructions. If you can print out some call sheets and info about the President's plan -- and make sure volunteers have a comfortable place to sit -- you can host a successful Call Party. You can invite your friends, we'll invite other OFA supporters in your area, and together you'll have a great time while making a huge difference. If we can get 100,000 calls to Congress placed or committed to on a single day it will set a new OFA record -- and really shake up the debate in Washington. But it won't be easy. Everything hinges on finding volunteer leaders like you who are willing to open your doors and give supporters in your area a place to gather. Can we count on you? Please sign up to host a Time to Deliver Call Party on October 20th:http://my.barackobama.com/deliver Thanks for making it happen, Jeremy Jeremy Bird Deputy Director Organizing for America
A message from Jeff Ingram, the Georgia Field Director:
Dear Friend --Every Sunday in October, we're holding an Atlanta phone bank to help spread the word about the urgent need for health insurance reform.Organizing for America volunteers like you will be getting together to make calls, asking folks to sign on in support of the President's Plan for Health Insurance Reform and to make their voices heard in this debate.Will you join us in Atlanta? Here are the details:What: Atlanta Health Reform Phone BankWhere: Democratic Party of Georgia Headquarters1100 Spring St. NE Suite 406Atlanta, GA 30309When: Sunday, October 11th, October 18th, and October 25thShifts at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m each SundayNo prior experience is necessary. Organizing for America volunteers will be on hand to provide all the materials and guidance you'll need to be successful.Passing health reform won't be easy -- they've been talking about it in Washington for almost a century. But we know that when ordinary people who believe in change reach out, spread the facts, and help folks from all walks of life make their voices heard, we can make history.Click below to RSVP:http://ga.barackobama.com/PhoneBankAtlantaThanks for making it happen,JeffJeff IngramGeorgia Field DirectorOrganizing for America
For all these reasons, doctors joined President Obama at the White House yesterday morning to join the push for health insurance reform.
Over the past week, OFA has been organizing events for health insurance reform with doctors and nurses across the country. At a “Roundtable” event in Gainesville, FL, Dr. Rob Hatch said the health care status quo is unsustainable and unacceptable. Here’s his quote from an article in the Gainesville Sun:
"It's just inexcusable. It's absolutely inexcusable and we need to do something about it. One reason our health care is so bad is that we have so many uninsured people," Hatch said.
In Albany, Georgia, about half a dozen doctors are planning to make 40,000 calls for health insurance reform. They’re talking to locals about what reform will mean for them, answering questions, debunking rumors and asking them to call on their senators and representatives to support President Obama’s plan. Here’s an excerpt from the piece on WALB News:
"I was calling to discuss health care reform with you," said Dr. Tania Smith, of Prestige Pediatrics.Public opinion over health care reform remains divided and now these south Georgia health care professionals are weighing in. They joined forces with Organizing for America to push reform now."Right now people are looking for answers, they're looking for the truth about health care reform and doctors are a great place to start," said Ken King, Organizing for America.Pediatrician Tania Smith is on the front line of this debate. While critics worry the President's plan may take decisions away from doctors, she feels insurance companies are already doing that. "As the system is going now we have a lot of people who are medically ignorant making decisions and denying claims and making insurance populations where you don't have any wellness visits included in your plan," said Smith.
"I was calling to discuss health care reform with you," said Dr. Tania Smith, of Prestige Pediatrics.
Public opinion over health care reform remains divided and now these south Georgia health care professionals are weighing in. They joined forces with Organizing for America to push reform now.
"Right now people are looking for answers, they're looking for the truth about health care reform and doctors are a great place to start," said Ken King, Organizing for America.
Pediatrician Tania Smith is on the front line of this debate. While critics worry the President's plan may take decisions away from doctors, she feels insurance companies are already doing that. "As the system is going now we have a lot of people who are medically ignorant making decisions and denying claims and making insurance populations where you don't have any wellness visits included in your plan," said Smith.
As part of our multi-pronged work with doctors, we recently launched an effort asking doctors to write and send “Letters to the Editor” to their local papers to make the case for reform. Have you written a LTE to your hometown paper?
This post has been modified from the original version which appeared on the Organizing for America National Blog on Monday, October 5th, 2009 by Cloe Axelson.
