Bradley Portnoy's Blog

Open Thread

Bradley Portnoy — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:18:36 EDT

(President Barack Obama chairs a meeting of the United Nations Security Council at the United Nations headquarters, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The Vice President Speaks to Seniors about Reform

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:58:09 EDT

Yesterday, Vice President Biden traveled to Leisure World, a senior center just outside Washington. He joined Maryland's seniors to tell them about President Obama's plan for reform, and he addressed some of the lies that have been circulating about reform head on:

"No one is going to sit down and tell your doctor anything about how to care for you...it's malarkey. Can you imagine? The guys that set up Medicare are settin' up death panels, right? That's a good deal. Come on."

The White House put together a video of the Vice President's remarks, with a special behind-the-scenes look at his visit. Check it out:

Letters to Congress from Ohioans

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:33:50 EDT

"My mother died because she didn't have the health insurance she needed. Please make sure that this does not happen to someone else..."

"I believe everyone should have health care. Even when they can't afford it."

"My seven-year old son passed away because my health care wouldn't pay for certain treatments that he needed and might have been alive today. I do oppose any attempt to weaken [the] health plan."

When 2,500 people gathered in Columbus, Ohio three weeks ago as part of our Health Insurance Reform Now Bus Tour, the bus wasn't the only attraction. A local group put up a display of letters, written by Ohioans and on their way to Congress, that spoke about why we need reform so badly.

Today, The Huffington Post has a selection of stories from those letters up, and they're definitely worth a read. They show exactly why the status quo is untenable, and put a face on the troubles of our health insurance system. Check them out here.

Reality Check: Medicare Benefits Won't Be Cut

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:50:52 EDT

A common lie being perpetrated about health insurance reform is that it will cut your medicare benefits. This simply isn't true. Reform will, however, eliminate unwarranted taxpayer subsidies to private insurers that do nothing to improve your quality of care, and cost all beneficiaries more. And these subsidies will only go up in the future! Mike Hash, from the White House Office of Health Reform, explains the reality in this video:

President Obama at the U.N. General Assembly: "Join us in building the future that our people deserve"

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:35:13 EDT

This morning, nine months after taking office, President Obama made his first address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He spoke to the world leaders gathered there about their skepticism regarding America's engagement with the international community, and reflected on how he has worked to change that in his first months as President of the United States.

I took office at a time when many around the world had come to view America with skepticism and distrust. Part of this was due to misperceptions and misinformation about my country. Part of this was due to opposition to specific policies, and a belief that on certain critical issues, America has acted unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others. This has fed an almost reflexive anti-Americanism, which too often has served as an excuse for our collective inaction.

Like all of you, my responsibility is to act in the interest of my nation and my people, and I will never apologize for defending those interests. But it is my deeply held belief that in the year 2009 – more than at any point in human history – the interests of nations and peoples are shared.

The religious convictions that we hold in our hearts can forge new bonds among people, or tear us apart. The technology we harness can light the path to peace, or forever darken it. The energy we use can sustain our planet, or destroy it. What happens to the hope of a single child – anywhere – can enrich our world, or impoverish it.

...This is what we have done. But this is just a beginning. Some of our actions have yielded progress. Some have laid the groundwork for progress in the future. But make no mistake: this cannot be solely America’s endeavor. Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world’s problems alone. We have sought – in word and deed – a new era of engagement with the world. Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.

The President then called on the nations of the world to engage in a new cooperative effort to secure international peace and prosperity. And he outlined four pillars that he believes essential to securing that prosperous future: non-proliferation and disarmament; the promotion of peace and security; the preservation of our planet; and a global economy that advances opportunity for all people.

This body was founded on the belief that the nations of the world could solve their problems together. Franklin Roosevelt, who died before he could see his vision for this institution become a reality, put it this way – and I quote: “The structure of world peace cannot be the work of one man, or one party, or one Nation…. It cannot be a peace of large nations – or of small nations. It must be a peace which rests on the cooperative effort of the whole world.”

The cooperative effort of the whole world. Those words ring even more true today, when it is not simply peace – but our very health and prosperity that we hold in common. Yet I also know that this body is made up of sovereign states. And sadly, but not surprisingly, this body has often become a forum for sowing discord instead of forging common ground; a venue for playing politics and exploiting grievances rather than solving problems. After all, it is easy to walk up to this podium and to point fingers and stoke division. Nothing is easier than blaming others for our troubles, and absolving ourselves of responsibility for our choices and our actions. Anyone can do that.

Responsibility and leadership in the 21st century demand more. In an era when our destiny is shared, power is no longer a zero sum game. No one nation can or should try to dominate another nation. No world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will succeed. No balance of power among nations will hold. The traditional division between nations of the south and north makes no sense in an interconnected world. Nor do alignments of nations rooted in the cleavages of a long gone Cold War.

Finally, he called on those assembled in the chamber to recommit to The United Nations as an institution, and to work together to build a strong future for all world peoples.

Now it falls to us – for this institution will be what we make of it. The United Nations does extraordinary good around the world in feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and mending places that have been broken. But it also struggles to enforce its will, and to live up to the ideals of its founding.

I believe that those imperfections are not a reason to walk away from this institution – they are a calling to redouble our efforts. The United Nations can either be a place where we bicker about outdated grievances, or forge common ground; a place where we focus on what drives us apart, or what brings us together; a place where we indulge tyranny, or a source of moral authority. In short, the United Nations can be an institution that is disconnected from what matters in the lives of our citizens, or it can be indispensable in advancing the interests of the people we serve.

We have reached a pivotal moment. The United States stands ready to begin a new chapter of international cooperation – one that recognizes the rights and responsibilities of all nations. With confidence in our cause, and with a commitment to our values, we call on all nations to join us in building the future that our people deserve.

Read the full remarks at WhiteHouse.gov.

Another OFA State Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:41:49 EDT

Last night in Raleigh, Organizing for America supporters from across North Carolina came together to celebrate the openining of their new state headquarters. With food available for snacking, they hit the phone banks to make hundreds of calls to other supporters in their neighborhood, and collected hundreds of pledges of support for President Obama's health insurance reform plan. Check out these photos from the event:

Vice President Biden at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners: "An unsustainable position"

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:36:23 EDT

Yesterday, Vice President Joe Biden addressed a meeting of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners at Maryland's National Harbor. He concentrated on the rapidly rising costs of health care in America, a factor in the debate known all too well to those charged with regulating our state insurance markets.

Vice President Biden also spoke about reform as a "moral issue," noting that no one can truly be secure in their insurance with our current system. Check out highlights from the speech below, or read the full remarks at WhiteHouse.gov.

You understand first-hand this crisis. You've seen the impact on families, and on businesses, of the skyrocketing insurance premiums. You've seen the pressure it places on hard-working Americans and on businesses, who in my view overwhelmingly want to do the right thing by their employees by providing health -- decent health coverage, but are put in a really difficult spot.

And you're working hard each and every day to combat these problems and to stop the unjustifiable increases in health care costs and insurance costs, I should say, in just as -- just look at what you've been up against. I know you know it, but it's important the public know it. A report released by the White House today finds that health insurance premiums in states have gone up between 90 and 150 percent in the last decade, far faster than wages and inflation.

...All around the country -- all around the country we're seeing these gaps widen. And all in all, there was a 5.5 percent rise in premiums for families just this past year. During this Great Recession, when inflation actually fell [point] 7 percent. Inflation fell [point] 7 percent, and premiums increased 5.5 percent.

So the soaring premiums are not only hurting families and killing small businesses, they're hurting our competitive position all around the world. But as the report points out, they're hurting -- they're hurting our whole free enterprise system. They're hurting our ability to compete -- the business -- of business competing internationally.

...To state the obvious, this is simply an unsustainable position. Families, businesses, state budgets, our national economy -- all demand a significant change. And you're stuck in the middle of it all. You're stuck in the middle of it all. You read the letters. You see the tears. The people -- if it's like my state of Delaware and a lot of small states, people actually importune you on the street. They know who you are. They know your job. They come up to you. I'll bet you if I went around the room of insurance commissioners here, and ask you just to give me 10 stories, 10 stories you know first-hand from people literally approaching you -- at your home, your neighborhood, the grocery store, the football game, church -- it would be a literal saga. Well, it's happening all across America.

...I want to restore stability in our health care system. And there are basic ground rules we need right now. One, no discrimination for preexisting conditions; no exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductible or copays; no cost sharing for preventive care; no dropping of coverage for the seriously ill; no gender discrimination; no annual lifetime caps on coverage -- (applause) -- extended coverage for young adults; guaranteed insurance renewal.

...And far from running insurance companies out of business, we will be building the best thing about today's -- building on the best things about today's system, with more competition, more choice for customers -- and for the insurance companies, more customers, paying customers.

So when our critics say -- the third argument I hear is they say, well, this is not a moral issue. And some of us say there is a moral component to this. Well, tell that to the father who is fighting cancer and is told that his insurance won't cover any more treatment, because he's reached the annual limits. Tell that to a little girl who is in a full body cast, requires speech and physical therapy to recover only to be denied coverage for that therapy because it's deemed "maintenance" rather than "recovery." I could go to you and you could give me 25 other stories about why this is and does have a moral component to it. Or the mother with a diabetic child who is trying to cover the cost of insulin her child needs just to stay alive.

...So there's got to be a solution. Now, I'm confident that the one we are proposing is just the solution we need. But let's face it. Let's face it, there's a dire need to make this work. According to a stark report issued last week at Harvard University, as many as 45,000 people per year die owing to a lack of health insurance -- 45,000 individuals, according to a Harvard study. How is that possible?

...If we do nothing, in 10 years one in every $5 Americans earn will be spent on health care; in 30 years, one out of every $3 will be spent on health care if we do not bend the cost curve. Spending by the federal government on Medicare and Medicaid alone will be 15 percent of GDP by 2040 -- it's now about 5 percent. Right now about 46 percent of health care is government funded through Medicare and Medicaid.

...You support reform. You've said it in your health care reform principles. You said we need to protect consumers and increase the affordability and access to insurance. You all get it. You know better than almost anyone about the inefficiencies, the cost shifting -- the bad practices that presently corrode our health care system. You know these reforms will only serve to strengthen the vital work that you do each and every day. You're the best equipped to educate consumers. You are the best equipped to field complaints. You're the best equipped to serve as a critical line of defense against the abuse and fraud that had crushed families, crushed businesses, and crushed the dreams of millions of Americans. And you'll remain so.

Folks, the problem is real. The need for reform is acute, and the time is now. The poet Virgil once said the greatest wealth is health. The greatest wealth is health. Well, we're here to improve America's health, and in the process not incidentally secure and maintain America's wealth. They are not separable.

Young Adults: What's In Health Insurance Reform for You?

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:43:34 EDT

When you're young, it's easy to feel on top of the world, as if the health problems that plague Americans only affect the old. That's one of the reasons that people between the ages of 19 and 29 have the lowest rate of health insurance of any age group - a full one third carry no coverage. Because many young adults don't need as much medical care as older age groups, they're often unaware of the benefits that health insurance reform will bring to them.

The President's Plan ensures that young Americans will have coverage when they need it most, and makes that coverage easier to obtain and more affordable. Here's how President Obama's Plan will affect health insurance for young adults:

Extended coverage under your parents' plans. Currently, most young adults are forced from their parents' health plans when their turn 19 or leave education full time (usually around 22). President Obama's Plan will allow young adults to stay on family insurance plans until they're 26, giving them crucial time to transition into stable, full-time employment.

No gender discrimination. Young women have it particularly tough: in most states, insurance companies are allowed to charge as much as 1.5 times more for women than for men. Under the President's Plan, any form of gender discrimination in health insurance would be illegal.

Two-thirds of young adults who don't have health insurance say that it's becuase insurance has become too expensive. Young people often need less care than older Americans, but when they do need care, the bills quickly pile up. With President Obama's Plan, out-of-pocket expenses will be capped, so that young people aren't driven into debt becuase they're sick. And to encourage money-saving care that keeps young adults healthy, all preventive care will be required to be covered at no cost to the recipient.

Finally, becuase young people often have jobs that don't offer benefits or work for companies too small to afford coverage, the President's Plan for reform will create an exchange that lets individuals and small businesses always have access to quality, affordable care, even if they change jobs, get sick, or have a job without benefits.

"No nation...can escape the impact of climate change"

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:33:37 EDT

Amid this week's meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon has designated today as a conference on climate change. This morning, President Obama addressed over 100 assembled representatives of the world's nations, emphasizing that although the challenge ahead of us is great, we hold the solutions to this global crisis.

This conference is an important step forward in developing the strategy that nations will discuss during the United Nations Climate Change Conference this December in Copenhagen. Read highlights from the President's remarks below, or the full text after the jump.

No nation, however large or small, wealthy or poor, can escape the impact of climate change. Rising sea levels threaten every coastline. More powerful storms and floods threaten every continent. More frequent droughts and crop failures breed hunger and conflict in places where hunger and conflict already thrive. On shrinking islands, families are already being forced to flee their homes as climate refugees. The security and stability of each nation and all peoples -- our prosperity, our health, and our safety -- are in jeopardy. And the time we have to reverse this tide is running out.

And yet, we can reverse it. John F. Kennedy once observed that "Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man." It is true that for too many years, mankind has been slow to respond or even recognize the magnitude of the climate threat. It is true of my own country, as well. We recognize that. But this is a new day. It is a new era. And I am proud to say that the United States has done more to promote clean energy and reduce carbon pollution in the last eight months than at any other time in our history...

We've proposed the very first national policy aimed at both increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks -- a standard that will also save consumers money and our nation oil. We're moving forward with our nation's first offshore wind energy projects. We're investing billions to capture carbon pollution so that we can clean up our coal plants. And just this week, we announced that for the first time ever, we'll begin tracking how much greenhouse gas pollution is being emitted throughout the country...

But though many of our nations have taken bold action and share in this determination, we did not come here to celebrate progress today. We came because there's so much more progress to be made. We came because there's so much more work to be done.

It is work that will not be easy. As we head towards Copenhagen, there should be no illusions that the hardest part of our journey is in front of us. We seek sweeping but necessary change in the midst of a global recession, where every nation's most immediate priority is reviving their economy and putting their people back to work. And so all of us will face doubts and difficulties in our own capitals as we try to reach a lasting solution to the climate challenge...

We also cannot allow the old divisions that have characterized the climate debate for so many years to block our progress. Yes, the developed nations that caused much of the damage to our climate over the last century still have a responsibility to lead -- and that includes the United States. And we will continue to do so -- by investing in renewable energy and promoting greater efficiency and slashing our emissions to reach the targets we set for 2020 and our long-term goal for 2050.

But those rapidly growing developing nations that will produce nearly all the growth in global carbon emissions in the decades ahead must do their part, as well. Some of these nations have already made great strides with the development and deployment of clean energy. Still, they need to commit to strong measures at home and agree to stand behind those commitments just as the developed nations must stand behind their own. We cannot meet this challenge unless all the largest emitters of greenhouse gas pollution act together. There's no other way...

But the journey is long and the journey is hard. And we don't have much time left to make that journey. It's a journey that will require each of us to persevere through setbacks, and fight for every inch of progress, even when it comes in fits and starts. So let us begin. For if we are flexible and pragmatic, if we can resolve to work tirelessly in common effort, then we will achieve our common purpose: a world that is safer, cleaner, and healthier than the one we found; and a future that is worthy of our children.

"We can't wait any longer for health care reform in this nation"

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:43:51 EDT

The Health Insurance Reform Now Bus continued its cross-country journey today in Omaha, Nebraska, where a crowd turned out to hear health care stories and learn how they can get involved. They heard first from Kieran McCarney, who tends bar at a local watering hole and spent most of his childhood without health insurance.

As a volunteer for Organizing for America, Kieran was pleased to deliver signatures in support of the President's plan to his elected officials last week.

Last Wednesday, we delivered the names of over 6,000 Nebraska residents to Senator Nelson...who came out and publicly showed their support for the President's three core principals surrounding health care reform.

Kieran called on those assembled to not rest on their laurels, because "there is much work to be done" in order to secure insurance reform. As he told the crowd, "The cost of inaction is still too high."

He was followed by Camille Johnson Arthur, who spoke about her trials in obtaining insurance for her family and her children. She noticed that as soon as her monthly costs were more than her premiums, she was cut off:

Time and time again, we got bumped. Our policy got bumped. So it left me with a child who needed $300 a month in ADHD medication, and a daughter who was in the process of being diagnosed with asthma even though she was less than a year old. And I had no coverage for prescription meds.

Camille was eventually able to get care for her children, but not for herself or her husband. And to her, that means something's wrong with the system.

If my children can be healthy, but their parents can't, have we really solved the problem? I want my children to be healthy, but I want their parents to be healthy as well...

So I ask you to continue to stand together for insurance reform. There are a whole lot more of Camille Johnson Arthurs out there who are waiting and hoping and pleading and begging that reform happens now.

Finally, Omaha heard from State Senator Brenda Council. Even though she's a practicing lawyer, she couldn't afford her COBRA coverage. She told the crowd that "We can't wait any longer for health care reform in this nation."

The bus spent the day in Salt Lake City today, and will be in Las Vegas tomorrow. Nevadans: we hope to see you there!

"Nobody should go broke just because they got sick"

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:59:12 EDT

Earlier today, the President traveled to Pittsburgh, PA for the annual AFL-CIO convention. He addressed the gather union members, thanking them for their support and laying out his priorities. He spoke about the Recovery Act, his priorities for rebuilding a new, greener economy, and how health insurance reform will help all Americans achieve security and stability when it comes to their medical care.

Here are some excerpts from the speech:

For over half a century, the success of America has been built on the success of our middle class. It was the creation of the middle class that lifted this nation up in the wake of a Great Depression. It was the expansion of the middle class that opened the doors of opportunity to millions more. It was a strong middle class that powered American industries and propelled America's economy and made the 20th century the American century....

Because of the Recovery Act, we're keeping a promise I made to give all of you -- 95 percent of working Americans -- a tax cut -- a tax cut that will benefit nearly 5 million families in Pennsylvania. We increased and extended unemployment insurance to 12 million Americans -- including hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. We made sure that they could get health insurance if they were looking for a job, because COBRA was too expensive; reduced the cost of it by 65 percent. So a lot of families out there were able to hang onto their health care even during the downturn.

We're putting Americans to work across this country rebuilding crumbling roads and bridges and waterways with the largest investment in our infrastructure since Eisenhower created the Interstate Highway System in the 1950s. (Applause.) All in all, many middle-class families will see their incomes go up by about $3,000 because of the Recovery Act, helping them get back much of what they've lost due to this recession.

And, yes, we'll grow our middle class by finally providing quality, affordable health insurance in this country. Health care can't wait. (Applause.) It can't wait. Few have fought -- few have fought for this cause harder, few have championed it longer than you, our brothers and sisters in organized labor. You're making phone calls, knocking on doors, showing up at rallies -- because you know why this is so important. You know this isn't just about the millions of Americans who don't have health insurance, it's about the hundreds of millions more who do; Americans who worry that they'll lose their insurance if they lose their job; who fear their coverage will be denied because of a preexisting condition; who know that one accident or illness could mean financial ruin.

In fact, a new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation was released today showing that family premiums rose more than 130 percent over the last 10 years -- three times faster than wages. They now average over $13,000 a year, the highest amount on record, which is why when you go in to negotiate, you can't even think about negotiating for a salary -- a wage increase because the whole negotiation is about trying to keep the benefits you already have...

The plan I announced will offer more security and more stability to Americans who have insurance. It will offer insurance to Americans who don't. And it will slow the growth of health care costs for our families, our businesses, and our government.

If you already have health insurance through your job -- and because many of you are members of unions, you do -- nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change your coverage or your doctor. Let me repeat: Nothing in this plan will require you to change your coverage or your doctor.

What this plan will do is make your insurance work better for you. It'll be against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage because of a preexisting condition. (Applause.) It will be against the law for insurance companies to drop your coverage when you get sick, or water it down when you need it the most. (Applause.) They won't be able to place some arbitrary cap on how much coverage you can receive in a given year or a given lifetime. (Applause.) We'll place a limit on how much you can be charged for out-of-pocket expenses -- because in the United States of America, nobody should go broke just because they got sick. (Applause...)

And because there will be one big group, these uninsured Americans, they have leverage and they can drive down the cost of care and get a better deal than they're getting right now. That's how large companies and government employees get affordable insurance. It's how everybody in Congress -- including those who are always critical of government -- get their insurance. (Applause.) It's time to give every opportunity to Americans that members of Congress give to themselves. (Applause.)

I've also said that one of the options in this exchange should be a public option. (Applause.) Now, let me be clear. Let me be clear, because there's been a lot of misinformation out here about this. This would just be an option. Nobody would be forced to choose it. No one with insurance would be affected. But what it would do is offer Americans more choices, and promote real competition, and put pressure on private insurers to make their policies affordable and treat their customers better. (Applause.)

Check out the full speech at WhiteHouse.gov.

New Orleans Rallies for Reform

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:19:11 EDT

When we woke up yesterday, we weren't sure that the New Orleans event was going to happen. The sky had opened up and a torrential downpour filled the city's storm drains and turned our planned site into a swampland. We thought that no one would turn out with that much rain, especially during a Saints game.

New Orleans sure proved us wrong. We moved the event, and even though it wasn't ideal and the rain didn't let up until an hour before the start, hundreds of people turned out to rally for health insurance reform. Let me tell you: New Orleans sure knows how to get fired up.

The crowd heard from members of their own community who have been hurt by the current state of health care in America, including a particularly touching story told by Rosalind Davis. Rosalind spoke to the crowd about she is unable to buy insurance because she has Crohn's disease, which is considered a pre-existing condition. She lived with Crohn's and without health insurance for thirteen years, until she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007.

I had no insurance and couldn't get any insurance, because I had the pre-existing condition of Crohn's disease. I was dealing with what I called the Battle of Three Cs: Crohn's, cancer, and chemo at the same time. With no health insurance!

Rosalind was able to get free care for her cancer, but it wasn't a great experience. "It's a scary thing going through chemo and radiation under free care," she said, "because half the time your doctor doesn't even know your name. You're just a number."

Rosalind finished by urging everyone to talk to their friends, neighbors, and fellow churchgoers. She was followed by OFA National Director Mitch Stewart, who commended the crowd for adding over 12,000 signatures to the nationwide tally of those in support of the President's plan.

Today, the bus was in Dallas. Tomorrow, Omaha. We hope to see you out there.

"There is not any time to waste"

Bradley Portnoy — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:50:00 EDT

Driving from Orlando to Tampa yesterday, we expected we'd arrive to find a tiny, rain-soaked crowd. The forecast predicted rain all day long, but just as the bus arrived in Tampa, the sun peeked through the clouds. By the time we arrived at the event site, the only thing falling from the sky was the sun, and an overflow crowd had packed their way into the venue to hear from the assembled speakers.

Terry Watson, an OFA volunteer and cancer survivor, explained to the crowd that there were two options for his cancer treatment: one so risky that a major cancer hospital turned him down, and one that was available in every major industrialized nation -- except the United States. Terry was forced to go to Tokyo, Japan for his treatment, where his total out-of-pocket expense was $10,000, including four days in the hospital. Terry was fortunate to be able to travel for care and be able to afford it, but he called on those gathered to see the humanitarian issue at stake in health insurance reform, and to live up to our nation's founding ideals:

I want to see us live up to our ideals. And if we're going to live up to our ideals, we have to have something to make sure that every American is covered by health care. And if we're going to do that, after we leave here, we need to go out and knock on doors, we need to call our friends and neighbors, we need to get on Facebook, we need to write letters to our congressman, letters to the editor. There is not any time to waste.

Terry was followed by Alison Morano, a small business owner:

I realized a long time ago that health insurance was a luxury that was always going to be a hardship for myself and others who are also self-employed. It's hard enough these days to keep a business going...to find customers, and build a stable company that you can be proud of. Worrying about healthcare costs should not be a factor in achieving the American dream.

After Alison, we heard Kristen Bell's heartbreaking story -- she's 22, a student of American History, and because she was dropped from her parents' plan when she turned 22, she's now uninsured. Her mother would buy her coverage, but it's just too expensive. And on the very day of our rally, another of Kristen's friends lost her coverage.

My best friend's birthday is today, she's 22. She's celebrating her birthday, but at the same time, she knows that today she was dropped from her parents' insurance. And that scares her, just like it scares all of us. We need health insurance. We need it now...because I'm uninsured, and there are many other college students who are uninsured, and we're going out into the world without insurance.

Under President Obama's plan, Kristen and others like her would be covered until their 26th birthday -- plenty of time for them to make their first steps into the world and find insurance on their own.

OFA Executive Director Mitch Stewart then took the podium. Mitch got the crowd so fired up that they began the old campaign rallying cry, "Fired Up - Ready to Go!" without any prompting from him. Finishing with a rousing "Yes we can!," we boarded the bus and watched the crowd disperse just as the thunderclouds rolled in and the first raindrops began to fall.

Today we have an event at 4:00 p.m. in New Orleans, and then the bus will continue on to Dallas, Texas. We hope to see you there.

Health Insurance Reform Now Bus Tour: Orlando Stop

Bradley Portnoy — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:19:51 EDT

This morning, over 600 people turned out in hot and rainy weather to meet the Health Insurance Reform Bus and get fired up for reform. Congressman Alan Grayson joined OFA National Director Mitch Stewart and several everyday Floridians to greet the crowd and share his message of why reform is necessary. By the time Congressman Grayson was done, the crowd was chanting "I want health care, and I want it now!"

Patty Duffy, a small business owner, stepped up to the podium and told the story of how her health care costs $8,000 a month, just for herself -- and she's concerned that she'll have to pay more in the future, just because she used her insurance this year.

The cost of my care should not be determined by the size of my business! And in the current system, I'm frustrated that my premiums as a female are double those of my male business partner.

Patty explained that under President Obama's plan, she wouldn't be able to be denied coverage because of a preexisting condition, her coverage would be less expensive because she could join with other small business owners in an exchange, and she wouldn't be able to be discriminated against because of her gender. Finally, she exhorted the crowd to get involved:

Talk to your neighbors, your family, your friends, your employers. Call your representatives, push back against the lies and get the truth out there. Mobilize and let's work together. Change will not come without effort. It's time to get in the game and stop being spectators.

Finally, Mitch Stewart stepped up to the podium to energize the crowd. He called on them to continue the same support for the President that they showed during the election.

The President needs you to do this. Because if you don't, you've seen what will happen. The special interests will pour in million of dollars, the people will start believing what's said on certain cable news channels. But with your help, that will all change. And at the end of the day, as great as we all felt when Barack Obama got elected president, you'll be able to look back and say that you led the charge to make sure that tens and tens of millions of folks who didn't have health insurance got health insurance. You'll also be able to look at the hundreds of millions that have insurance...and say that I was at the front lines to make sure that you have security and stability in your health insurance.

The bus moved on later to Tampa where we had a great event -- watch this space for updates later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Watching the President's Address in Atlanta

Bradley Portnoy — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:47:51 EDT

On Wednesday, the second leg of the Health Insurance Reform Now bus tour kicked off in Atlanta, Georgia. The bus is taking the day off today in observance of September 11th, but here's a report from the Wednesday night event:

Over 750 eager Organizing for America supporters gathered in Atlanta for the kickoff of the second leg of the Health Insurance Reform Now Bus Tour. Just steps away from the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, home to the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., they listened as speakers shared their personal stories of struggling with a broken health care system.

Candice Walker told the story of how her son had been repeatedly misdiagnosed because her insurance company wouldn't pay for him to see a specialist. She believes that if he had been able to go to a special clinic, which her coverage repeatedly denied, they would have discovered a congenital heart defect before his death at age 17.

Dr. Deneta Sells then took the stage, explaining that she had broken her ankle during a post-medical school trip to Mexico. For a recent graduate, the bills for the needed treatment and testing were huge, even after she negotiated a professional discount and payment plans.

Later, State Senator Nan Orrock, a member of the White House Working Group on Health Reform, fired up the crowd with tales of her struggle in the civil rights movement, saying that there's still discrimination in America: between the insured and the uninsured. She harshly criticized insurers who deny coverage just when it's most needed:

We need health insurance that you can use when you're sick, not just pay premiums when you're well.

When 8:00 P.M. rolled around, the big screen tuned in to the President's address to a joint session of Congress. As he laid out his plan, they cheered for more options and affordability. As he criticized the status quo, they murmured in agreement. As he called out those who seek to divide and debate with falsehoods, they cheered and raised their fists in the air. The atmosphere was electric: this is the true face of the American people, that great silent majority who support reform. But on this night, they were no longer silent.

You join them in making your voice heard. Sign a letter of support for President Obama's plan for health reform, and tell your members of Congress that we need health insurance reform now.

Next up, the bus travels on to Tallahassee for a press conference on the grounds of the State Capitol. Then we'll move on to Orlando. We can't wait to see the next crowd when we get there.

Afternoon News

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:06:08 EDT

From the Washington Post:

Justice Sonia Sotomayor officially took her seat as the Supreme Court's 111th member Tuesday in a tradition-filled ceremony witnessed by President Obama, Vice President Biden, and scores of lawmakers, judges, family members and friends.

Sotomayor took her judicial oath and joined the court on Aug. 8, soon after her Senate confirmation. But Tuesday's investiture ceremony was the first time she joined her eight colleagues in the court's historic chambers, with its marble columns and burgundy draperies.

She sat in the early-19th-century black leather chair once used by Chief Justice John Marshall, the court leader who established the court's authority as the final say on constitutional matters. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. administered the judicial oath, and she swore to "do equal right to the poor and to the rich" with her hand on a Bible signed by every justice who has served in the past 100 years.

Clerk of the Court William K. Suter read the antique language of the president's commission: "Know ye that reposing special trust and confidence in the Wisdom, Uprightness and Learning of Sonia Sotomayor of New York, I have nominated and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate do appoint her an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States."

From CNN:

...Organizing for America is announcing Tuesday the extension of its "Health Insurance Reform Now: Lets Get It Done" bus tour.

...The group says the next leg of their tour to promote getting health insurance reform done this year will kick off Wednesday night, with hundreds of watch parties across the county during the president's prime time speech on health care to a joint session of Congress. Following the watch parties, OFA says the bus tour head will head from Atlanta to Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Utah and will end in Las Vegas.

Their events look like a flashback to the Obama presidential campaign. Except for one thing — no Obama. Instead of a candidate to sell, there's a message of health insurance reform now is scrawled on the side of their bus.

OFA says the first leg of their bus tour, which ran from August 26 through September 3, hit ten cities and attracted 12,000 supporters. This next leg follows a two-week period where OFA held over 2,000 events in support of reform.

From the Palm Beach Post:

President Obama’s grassroots group, Organizing for America, announced today it will bring its “Health Insurance Reform Now” bus tour to Florida.

The bus has made 10 stops between Pheonix and Raliegh since Aug. 26 and claims to have made contact with more than 12,000 supporters.

The bus is scheduled to stop Wednesday in Atlanta before Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress. Following the event, the bus will stop in Tallahassee, Orlando and Tampa during the next couple weeks.

From the Spring Grove Herald:

"I think health care is a very important issue. If it doesn't get dealt with soon, it could do some harm to the country," said Thomas Trehus of Spring Grove.

Trehus volunteered to host a canvass for health care reform last Monday, Aug. 31, sponsored by Organizing for America, which is a project of the Democratic National Committee.

Trehus explained that volunteers from the area met in Spring Grove to knock on doors and ask residents to sign a petition if they were concerned about reducing health care costs, being guaranteed health care choices and having assurance of quality, affordable health care for all people...

"Our main goal is to get signatures," said Trehus. In addition to signing the petition, residents were offered pamphlets about the issue and were asked to contact their legislators or write letters to the editor about health care reform.

After collecting signatures, Trehus explained that the petitions would be given to Minnesota Congressman Tim Walz, and Sen. Al Franken and Sen. Amy Klobuchar to take back to Washington, D.C., to show that residents in Spring Grove are concerned about the issue of health care.

Said Trehus, "We hope to be able to show our elected officials that people care about and are generally in favor of reforming how our health care and insurance systems function."

Health Insurance Reform Rally on Boston Common

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:43:14 EDT

Yesterday, thousands of supporters of health insurance reform gathered on Boston Common to listen to listen to their elected officials and to make their voices heard. Even though the Congressional recess is over, we're not done organizing events around the country to push for the reform Americans need. Tomorrow, the Health Insurance Reform Now Bus Tour will kick off again following the President's address to Congress, and events are still going on in your neighborhood. Check out On The Ground for the most up to date real story about what Americans think about insurance reform, and check out these photos of the Boston rally:

Afternoon News

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:36:28 EDT

From the Politico:

Organizing for America today announces the next phase of OFA's “Health Insurance Reform Now: Let's Get It Done” bus tour. The first leg of the tour ran from 8/26 thru 9/3, hit 10 cities and attracted over 12,000 supporters....
The next leg kicks off on the night of the President's speech following a watch party in Atlanta, heads to Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Utah and ends in Vegas. This next leg follows a two week period where OFA held over 2,000 events in support of reform. In addition to the bus tour, over a thousand watch parties are being held tomorrow, followed by a strategy session conference call with David Plouffe.

From the Lehigh Valley Times:

When Janice Swack rallies here Sunday to promote President Barack Obama's proposed health care reform, she will not be alone.

Besides the local showing she is hoping for, the Democrat from Independence Township will be joined by similar rallies around the country, including a march in Washington, D.C., that is expected to draw between 6,000 and 10,000 people, according to organizers.

Additional rallies are planned around the Lehigh Valley in the coming weeks.

"My husband and I have it all," said Swack, 80, crediting government programs with helping her and her World War II veteran husband, Myron, on their way. "I look at other people and they don't even have health care. It's just not fair..."

"These rallies are going to be held around the United States," said organizer Julie Paulsen, 59, of Sioux City, Iowa. "It's not just going to be in Washington, D.C.; it's going to be in Chicago; it's going to be in Pennsylvania. It's going to be everywhere."

Other demonstrations in the Lehigh Valley are planned, if not scheduled, said Marie Rodgers, who is in charge of the health care action team for the Bethlehem chapter of Organizing for America...

From the Dubuque Telegraph Herald:

At one time, when she had "good" health care, Megan Ruiz said the monthly premium for her health insurance was $700.

She and her employer paid the monthly tab to cover Ruiz, her husband and their son. The annual deductible for the three of them was $6,000.

"You wonder what's the point when you're paying that much per month" in premiums, Ruiz said.

Ruiz and her 2-year-old son, Brandon, gathered with a crowd of about 60 people Wednesday marching through downtown Dubuque in support of health care reform.

The rally brought the policy debate that has dominated the national discussion in recent weeks to the doorstep of the Historic Federal Building...

A petition with 16,500 signatures from supporters around the state was presented at the office of Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

From the North Carolina News & Observer:

About 65 advocates of health-care legislation rallied Saturday morning for the last time before Congress returns to Washington.

Members of the crowd, many of whom hoisted signs that read "Health care reform now!" shared personal stories about expensive insurance premiums and the shortcomings of the current health-care system in front of the Sanford Federal Building on New Bern Avenue.

"This was a chance for people to be heard and to share why they desperately need reform," said Mike Gould, a volunteer organizer for Organizing for America -- a group that backs President Barack Obama's health-care reform efforts. "We need reform, and we need it now before Congress goes home in December."

201 Days of Recovery

Bradley Portnoy — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:14:24 EDT

When President Obama took office seven months ago, our economy was in a freefall and our financial markets were in a state of panic. Job losses grew larger every month, with an average of 700,000 jobs lost each month in the first quarter. Now, however, economists aren't talking about a second Great Depression - they're talking about the end of this recession.

Job losses in any amount are unacceptable, but the 216,000 jobs lost this month is hte lowest number since Lehman Brother collapsed one year ago, and far less than the astronomical job losses that President Obama inherited. There's still work to be done, but we're moving in the right direction. Yesterday marked 200 days of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and that investment is just starting to come to fruition.

Designed in three parts, the Recovery act started by providing tax cuts to 95% of American families. Another third increased assistance to families and to the states. And the final third, just beginning to hit its stride, is making critical investments that create jobs now and lay the groundwork for our future prosperity. As job losses continue to slow, manufacturing begins to expand, and new home sales finally rise again, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will continue to help expand our nation's prosperity.

To learn more about the Recovery Act, visit Recovery.gov, and make sure to check out Vice President Biden's remarks on the 200th day of the Act.

Fighting Special Interests

Bradley Portnoy — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:31:43 EDT

During the campaign, special interests spent millions of dollars trying to keep President Obama out of office. They didn't succeed, thanks to millions of supporters who showed them that when Americans come together, there's no stopping the change they can create. Now those same special interests are pouring millions more into advertisements and lobbying firms, trying to kill health insurance reform. Check this out from today's San Diego Union-Tribune:

Interest groups are unleashing a torrent of modern and old-fashioned lobbying tactics at members of Congress returning for the autumn battle over health care, from spending sky-high amounts on TV ads to staging rallies in the capital and perhaps outside insurance company offices...

The nation's television stations, which last month hosted more than $28 million in ads on the health overhaul, may see even heavier spending in September, according to Evan Tracey, president of the Campaign Media Analysis Group in Arlington, Va. Should the health battle spill into December, this year's total might hit $200 million – roughly the same as was spent in multiyear fights over tobacco regulation and the Medicare prescription drug program, said Tracey, whose company tracks political advertising...

With Obama planning to address Congress on the issue Wednesday, interest groups want to help shape opinions as Obama and members of Congress decide what August meant and what the legislation should look like.

"The next few weeks are critical," said David Certner, legislative policy director for AARP.

It's up to you again to make sure that special interests don't win the day. They've shown that they're prepared to do anything to kill reform, and we have to be ready to fight back - ready to set the record straight, ready to show Congress and the media that the pubic is behind reforming our broken system, and ready to take to the airwaves and defend against the insurance industry's admen. Their deep pocketbooks and army of lobbyists have killed reform in the past, and if you don't step up, they'll do it again.

That's why we need your help. Can you chip in $5 or more to help us fight back and pass real reform?

With the power of supporters like you, we'll be able to fight back against the special interests and pass real reform this year. Thank you.

Afternoon News

Bradley Portnoy — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:25:30 EDT

From WTVF:

Supporters of the President's plan to reform healthcare came out to have their voices heard. It was standing room only inside the Alan Chapel AME Church.

The rally did not have the back and forth of recent town hall meetings.

More than 400 people rallied for the very modern-day issue. People like small business owner Betty Link said she struggles to offer her employees health benefits.

"It's increasingly difficult with premiums going up 9 to 13 percent a year. It's hard for us to keep up with that. Our revenues aren't at that rate," said Link.

One by one people stood in front of the crowd and told their healthcare stories.

"I'm a college student and health insurance is just completely unattainable for somebody like me who works part-time," said college student Melissa Laster...

Everyone who came out for Thursday's rally at the Alan Chapel AME Church signed a declaration. They want to collect 15,000 signatures in Tennessee and send them on to Washington.

They hope the support will send a message to the state's congressman and senators when they return to work on Capitol Hill.

From KMBC:

A grass-roots Democratic organization headed to U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's office in Kansas City on Thursday to add its support for health care reform.

Lawmakers are preparing to head back to Washington, D.C. to take up the issue, and President Barack Obama is preparing to sell the public on his plan next week.

KMBC's Bev Chapman reported that Organizing for America (OFA), a project of the Democratic National Committee, delivered 4,900 signed health care declarations gathered from people in Missouri’s 5th District.

Among the group is a doctor who said his patients can't wait any longer, especially in this economy.

"As a health care provider, what I'm seeing is patients coming in with more severe illnesses. They won't come for follow-up visits. They'll put it off," Dr. Kelvin Walls said.

The declarations call for three things: A guarantee that all Americans have quality and affordable health care; reduced costs for families and small businesses buying insurance; and a guarantee of choice in plans, including a public insurance option.

From the San Bernardino Sun:

...more than 100 San Bernardino County residents lined the block around Rep. Joe Baca's office Thursday in downtown San Bernardino.

Voicing their concerns over current health insurance rules, rally-goers urged Congress to act quickly on a reform bill. Lawmakers were off for the month of August but will reconvene in Washington on Tuesday.

"Something's wrong with the fact that I have a hard time getting health insurance," said Debbie McAfee, a self-employed Pinon Hills resident who said she can't afford quality coverage and is afraid of losing the coverage she can afford. "If I were to get some major thing ... the insurance company could just cancel the policy at will. They could find some little thing and cancel it. That really bothers me."

...Regina Lindsay of Ontario said she attended Thursday's rally to show her support for Obama.

"All through the campaign, I was waiting for him to get elected," she said. "He said he wanted to help people get health insurance."

She wants health insurance companies to sell insurance regardless of a person's pre-existing medical conditions and to sell it at lower rates. She said she also wants a public option.

From KTUU:

The health care debate is approaching a critical turning point as President Barack Obama prepares for a major speech to Congress.

The Senate reconvenes Sept. 8, and while lawmakers have been home for the summer they've heard from very vocal opponents of the plan. On Thursday local supporters of Obama's health care reform plan sent their own message to Washington.

"I've been young and dumb before and just prayed I didn't get hurt or have to go to the hospital, and fortunately now I have insurance," said Jonathan Teeters with Organizing for America. "But I also know there are some 46 million Americans out there who are underinsured or have no insurance at all."

That is why he supports the health care reform plan and put together the rally at Romig Middle School so everyone can send a message to Alaska's congressional delegation.

Karla Utter also thinks changes need to be made.

"I believe as you look around the country and see people who don't get health care when they need health care -- it's a travesty of justice," she said...

Obama will address lawmakers next week in a joint session of Congress to talk about health care.

Organizing Across America: The Start of September

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:55:43 EDT

As we move into September and our fight for health insurance reform goes on, organizing in our neighborhoods is more important than ever. Volunteers around the country have kept up the pressure before Congress returns next week, attending town halls, delivering signatures on petitions in favor of reform, and calling their representatives and senators to ask them to support President Obama. Here are some photos taken across the country in the last few days:

Please join them and others - visit our On the Ground: Health Insurance Reform Now page for more photos and to get involved.

The real story of August

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:03:01 EDT

Mitch Stewart, Director of Organizing for America, just sent out this e-mail:

At the beginning of August, President Obama wrote to the OFA community to challenge us to work hard, break through the noise and give the American people a voice in the fight for health insurance reform.

It wasn't easy: With Congress back home, special interests and partisan attack groups went into overdrive spreading lies, and the media seemed to broadcast any story of conflict or division they could find.

But you accepted the President's challenge -- and delivered.

See it for yourself: Check out the latest photos and stories from around the country.

Our strategy for the month was simple: engage the millions of individuals who know we need change to fight the lies and tell the truth, build support for reform, and ensure that support is highly visible while members of Congress are home gauging public opinion. We continued our methodical, battle-tested approach of volunteers reaching out online and offline in every part of the country. We offered the facts, answered questions and engaged those who were ready to get involved.

And the results were extraordinary. OFA supporters like you came together in an unprecedented way over the past four weeks -- and it couldn't have happened without the individual volunteers who make it all possible:
Folks like Rebecca E. in Santa Fe, New Mexico, who voted for the first time last year -- and collected more than 1,800 health care declarations this summer. Across the country, we've collected more than 1 million signatures in support of the President's core principles for health insurance reform.

Supporters like Nita L. in Longmont, Colorado, who organized hundreds of supporters in her town to come with her to talk with their member of Congress about how much this fight means to them. They were among the more than 70,000 folks who showed up at 350 town halls -- where supporters of reform at times outnumbered opponents by 10-1 -- and volunteers who made 5,000 trips to local congressional offices.

It's the people who made more than 100,000 calls to Congress to thank representatives fighting for change -- like Nancy T. in Hendersonville, North Carolina, who hosted a health care phone booth because, after her heart transplant, she knows that no American should have to choose between financial ruin and getting the care they need.

It's the 1,500 supporters who filled a local recreation center in Kansas City, Missouri, at a town hall meeting with Senator Claire McCaskill, and the 2,500 people who jammed the streets to hear from Senator Sherrod Brown in Ohio -- just two of the more than 4,000 events where folks gathered to show their support across all 50 states in August.

All of these signatures, calls, office drop-bys, conversations, gatherings, and town hall meetings, all of the late nights, homemade signs, long hours in the sun, and tireless volunteers who make it happen -- totaling more than 1.5 million people who've taken part in this campaign for real reform -- it all adds up to one incredible movement for change.

Check out the latest photos and stories from the field to see this movement in action:

http://my.barackobama.com/ontheground

As Congress returns to D.C. and we roll up our sleeves for the final push toward reform, we know the hardest work may yet lie ahead. The special interests and those in Congress who have pledged to oppose the President no matter what will stoop even lower in the weeks ahead.

But you should never doubt that we face the coming challenges together, as part of something far larger than any of us alone -- and far stronger than the old broken politics that have preserved the status quo for long enough.

Our strategy is working. We are going to win this thing. Americans will finally get the health insurance reform we all need.

Thank you for making it possible,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

Afternoon News

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:34:38 EDT

From the Asheville Citizen-Times:

Activists calling for health care reform presented petitions and held protest vigils Wednesday across Western North Carolina.

Petitions signed by thousands of WNC residents who support health reform were presented to Rep. Heath Shuler's office in Asheville. The group, Organizing for America, a grassroots project of the Democratic National Committee, met for a conference at Tomato Jam Café on Biltmore Avenue in the shadow of the Mission Hospital complex.

Carrying signs calling for health insurance reform, members of the group then marched across the street to Shuler's office to deliver a stack of petition forms several inches thick.

...Chad Eaton, Shuler's director of public affairs, accepted the petitions and promised to give them to the congressman, who was away from his office.

The petitions were signed by residents in Shuler's 11th Congressional District, Choi said.
...Truly Bracken, of Asheville, had to give up her job as an attorney after developing multiple sclerosis.

“After my COBRA benefits ended, I was uninsurable,” she said. “No one should find themselves in that situation...”

...The Asheville vigil featured speakers, including Leslie Boyd, who runs the nonprofit organization Life o' Mike. The group is named for her son, Mike Danforth, who died on April 1, 2008, because he was unable to get needed diagnostic tests until his colon cancer was too advanced.

“I'm one of 30,000 mothers who lost a child last year,” Boyd said. “It's immoral, and we have to stop it. We can't wait to get a perfect bill. We have to do this now. It's enough already.”

From the Dubuque Telegraph Herald:

About 60 people marched through downtown Dubuque over the lunch hour today in support of health care reform.

The group, part of the grassroots organization Organizing for America, marched from the Carnegie-Stout Public Library to the steps of the Historic Federal Building.

Members of the group, a successor to the Obama for America campaign organization, carried signs calling for health care reform and saying “Thank You.”

A petition with 16,000-some signatures from around the state was presented at Sen. Tom Harkin’s office.

“We want to let Sen. Harkin know we really feel strongly about it,” said Jonathan Cheatham, one of the marchers. “Everyone needs health care. I think all Americans should have it.”

From MILive.com:

At first glance, it looked like a scene repeated around the country this summer: people waving signs and shouting President Obama's name -- but this time, the demonstrators were there to support health care reform, not trash it.

About three dozen health care reform supporters marched from the old Windmill Place parking lot to Congressman Dale Kildee's office in downtown Flint at noon on Wednesday, to deliver 3,500 signed declarations. It's part an ongoing series of public events planned this fall by Organizing for America, a Democratic National Committee project.

"It's important to show our congressman that people support his efforts on health care reform, and to keep our message strong," said Christine Jaranowski of Organizing for America.

Organizing Across America: The End of August

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:35:44 EDT

As our Health Insurance Reform Now bus tour has traveled from Phoenix to North Carolina, Organizing for America activists in every corner of our nation have been getting out into their communities to organize for Health Insurance Reform. They've visited their elected officials and asked them to support the President's plan, they've organized their neighbors to sign petitions and call their members of Congress, and they've stood on street corners talking to passers-by about what health insurance reform will mean for them.

This organizing goes to the heart of what OFA is -- people coming together to create real change. We still have a long way to go, but the last few weeks have seen activity on the ground like never before between elections. In the end, it was this effort and this outpouring of support that was the real story of August.

Power.

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:03:35 EDT

Mitch Stewart, Director of Organizing for America, just sent out this message:

Opponents of health insurance reform have power. Some reap huge profits from the status quo. Others take large campaign contributions from those who profit.

So they'll do anything to keep the current system in place. When fact-based arguments don't work, they attack President Obama with outlandish lies about a government takeover and euthanizing the elderly. And once that doesn't work, they'll go even further.

We don't know what they'll do next. What we do know is that we'll have to be prepared for anything -- ready to set the record straight, ready to make sure the media and Congress see the overwhelming support for reform, and ready to pass real reform this year.

But we'll need the resources to do it -- to pay for rapid-response ads in key districts and states, organizers to put together large rallies and grassroots events = throughout the country, and the best technology available to empower volunteers -- all at a moment's notice. Can you chip in $25 or more to help us pass real reform, this year?
This was never going to be easy. As candidate Obama said just three days before the election: "Don't think for a moment that power will concede without a fight." Now, we're seeing how true that really is.

These same well-financed forces have killed reform in the past, and they're aiming to do it again.

But here's why this time can be different: There are folks like you, all around the country, who are ready to go toe-to-toe with the special interests, even when they're not fighting fair.

And we'll keep at it, because we know that the work we're doing together right now can make the lives of hundreds of millions better for decades to come.

But we need your help to keep it up. Can you donate $25 or more to beat the special interests?

https://donate.barackobama.com/power

There's too much at stake for any of us to sit this one out. Please chip in.

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

More Scenes from Across America

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:52:28 EDT

As our Health Insurance Reform Now events continue, we're receiving photos from refrom events across the country. These are everyday Americans who are joining with their friends and neighbors to demand the insurance reforms that we so badly need:

There's only one weekend left before members of Congress return to Washington -- sign up to attend a Health Insurance Reform Now event near you.

In the News: Health Insurance Reform Now Bus Tour Rolls On

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:59:11 EDT

Our Health Insurance Reform Now bus tour has been getting people fired up across the country. Check out this video of local news coverage of some of the events so far:

Afternoon News

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:53:44 EDT

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

The state director for Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., will head to Capitol Hill with a box of petitions signed by Virginians in support of President Barack Obama's health care principles.

Several hundred health care reform supporters gathered at the Bell Tower on the grounds of the state Capitol this evening to express their support of Obama's efforts. The event was coordinated by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee.

The group said it presented Warner's state director, Eva Teig Hardy, with about 42,000 declarations of support for Obama's three health care reform principles -- reduced cost, guaranteed choice and quality care for all.

OFA is in the process of presenting these declarations to other members of Virginia's Congressional delegation, said Brandyn Keating, OFA's state director.

From the Dayton Daily News:

David Hill, who has suffered two strokes, was among 100 people who rallied Tuesday, Sept. 1, in support of President Barack Obama’s push for health insurance reform.

The 60-year-old Dayton man spoke at the event in the parking lot of the Dayton Miami Valley AFL-CIO Regional Labor Council headquarters that was organized by Organizing for America, a grassroots project of the Democratic National Committee.

Hill, who worked 31 years for General Motors Corp. and has legal custody of his 10-year-old granddaughter, believes national health care reform would make insurance more affordable for people like him.

“I really and truly can’t afford it on a fixed income,” he said.

Organizing for America representatives have been crossing the country on a large blue bus trying to rally grassroots support as members of Congress get ready to return to the nation’s capital.

There were no protesters at Tuesday’s rally.

From WWAY-TV:

Health insurance reform supporters rallied in Wilmington for their cause Tuesday afternoon.

Members of the grassroots group Organizing for America held a news conference at Central Missionary Baptist Church. They spoke about a need for and support of change when it comes to health insurance in North Carolina. They say they also aim to dispel myths about the topic.

The group walked to Congressman Mike McIntyre's office to hand over stacks of signatures supporting reform.

"I have dedicated myself to seeing this cause succeed. Healthcare in my mind is a right, not a privilege," said Angela Everett.

From the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer:

Evelyn Roebuck already paid $451 each month in health care premiums and had a $2,600 deductible.

Then, about two weeks before attending Tuesday’s rally in support of health care reform, she opened a letter and discovered that premium was rising by more than $50.

“I want to do everything I can to help,” said Roebuck, one of more than 50 people who stood outside Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop’s Ninth Street office around noon. “I think there’s so much misinformation. If people knew the facts, they wouldn’t be against it...”

Some people at the gathering held homemade signs in favor of health care reform. One read “I refuse to live in fear/I’m a Democrat.” Another read “Public option fights insurance industry greed.”

State Rep. Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus, said health care costs take up a greater part of Georgia’s budget each year. Hugley reminded people that it was only a few years ago when PeachCare for Kids, free or low-cost health insurance for Georgia children, was in need of funds. She said children were turned away from health care.

“I know you hear a lot of voices crying out in opposition,” Hugley said. “They’re asking you to do the same thing. I ask you to lift your voices to the health care debate.”

Afternoon News

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:36:04 EDT

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Kelly Fraasch started working for the Obama campaign eight months after it won.

The 34-year-old mother of two was interested in reforming the health care system, a passion of hers since her daughter was born eight years ago, more than three months prematurely. The family has struggled to stay insured and pay more than $500,000 in medical bills since then.

A group called Organizing for America billed a meeting near her Mt. Lebanon home as a chance to get involved in the debate. She started checking it out after attending the meeting.

"It was definitely in line with our personal story," Fraasch said. She joined, and with other volunteers began speaking to friends, neighbors and representatives on behalf of Democrats' plans to overhaul health care.

The group is a reincarnation of President Obama's campaign. Its transition — from a one-time insurgent campaign named Obama for America to an arm of the Democratic National Committee named Organizing for America — is an unprecedented effort to keep a presidential campaign intact and active, and use it to pressure Congress to enact the president's agenda.

..."After the election, people were hungry for a way to stay together," said Ellen Viakley, 58, a former lawyer whose volunteerism for Obama carried over to Organizing for America.

They turned to social networking Web sites to stay in touch and discuss ways to lobby elected leaders on issues from health care to energy legislation.

"It's not electioneering. It's new. It's not (Obama's) campaign. It's issues advocacy, which is to me pretty remarkable stuff," Viakley said. "I feel even more committed to this than I was during the campaign. I think that's true of a lot of people I work with."

..."It's been the traditional view (among volunteers after an election) that, OK, we did our job. Now it's your job," Viakley said. "All the election does is present the opportunity for change. The real work starts now. That's something people aren't accustomed to."

From the Lebanon Daily News:

The health-care-reform debate returned briefly to HACC's Lebanon Campus last week week in the form of a petition drive spearheaded by three local men.

... [Dennis] Balbac, a member of the Lebanon County Democratic Committee, said he was circulating the petition because he thinks that proponents of health-care reform need to be more vocal and revert to the grassroots campaigning that helped get President Barack Obama elected.

"We're just trying to increase the support or at least make the support known for health-care reform," said Balbac, a retired Army helicopter pilot who raises alpacas on his farm near Fredericksburg. "I just think that we need to try to do some of the same things that got Obama elected, and that is go out and pick up grassroots support from people who aren't necessarily wanting to go to rallies."
...Many in the busy lunchtime crowd didn't have time to stop, said Balbac. But of those who did, he estimated that 60 to 70 percent supported health-care reform.

You can also check out this video from Fox 6 Milwaukee, with a report on the Health Insurance Reform Now bus tour stop in Wisconsin.

Health Insurance Reform Now: From the Netroots

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:49:57 EDT

One of the best parts of the Health Insurance Reform Now bus tour is the opportunity to connect with local bloggers. At every opportunity, they've been brought on board the bus, and we love hearing what they think of the rallies. Missouri blog Show Me Progress was at our St. Louis rally, and they had a lot to say about it. From the University of Missouri at St. Louis bloggers:

Wow what a rally! The The Organizing for America team worked up a wonderful "Health Insurance Reform Now" rally on Hampton and Elizabeth near I-44 this Sunday eve at the St. Louis IBEW Hall. The President of the Board of Alderman Lewis Reed, our County Executive Charlie Dooley, Labor Council President Bob Soutier and Rep. Russ Carnahan spoke at the event. It was so exciting and inspiring to see SO many people on the only moral side of this issue stand together and let their voices be heard!!

And from Show Me Progress's Clark:

Somewhere between 1500 to 2000 people showed up to express their support for health care reform. Not a bad crowd when you consider that no program was announced ahead of time. I had no idea who would speak, if anyone. The lineup was pretty strong, actually, with St. Louis Labor Council Pres. Bob Soutier, St. Louis Board of Alderman Pres. Lewis Reed, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, and Congressman Russ Carnahan as the headliners. All of the speakers were extremely passionate and articulate speakers..

They shared the stage with a woman who is fighting to pay for her son's epilepsy and leukemia treatments, even with insurance, an OFA volunteer who has been organizing for the past several months in the St. Louis area, and OFA Deputy Director Jeremy Bird, who reminded us that we've come farther in the fight for universal health care in the last six weeks than the previous sixty years.

The rally wasn't the endpoint of what Organizing for America is doing for health care reform in the area. Every speaker emphasized the importance of talking to friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family. And OFA is formally organizing rallygoers and OFA contacts to help out with events like phone banks.

They also have several videos of the rally, including an interview with OFA Deputy Director Jeremy Bird, on their site. Looking for a Health Insurance Reform Now event near you? Visit our page and type in your zipcode.

What's in Health Insurance Reform for you?

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:45:19 EDT

For many Americans who are happy with their health care, a central question about insurance reform is "What's in it for me?" No matter your age, employment status, or current insurance, there's something in insurance reform that will give you more options and make health care more affordable.

That's why today, the White House released a new online tool that will help you find out exactly what's in insurance reform for you. After you answer a few simple questions, you'll be provided with a list of how the proposed reforms would affect you.

Vice President Biden himself introduced the tool in a video released earlier today:

If you haven't done so yet, take the "What's in Reform for You" quiz now, and then share it with your friends and family.

Afternoon News: Bus Tour Edition

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:24:54 EDT

Here's a look at some of the recent news coverage of the ongoing Health Insurance Reform Now bus tour:

From the Washington Post:

President Obama's supporters hope to recapture the energy of last year's triumphant election campaign in a bid to regain control of the health-care debate, planning more than 2,000 house parties, rallies and town hall meetings across the country over the next two weeks.

The initiative began Wednesday with a rally at a labor hall in Phoenix that featured the Obama sunrise logo and placards that became fixtures of the 2008 presidential campaign.

Organizing for America, a nationwide group of Obama supporters run by the Democratic National Committee, also brought along a colorful bus featuring the slogan, "Health Insurance Reform Now: Let's Get it Done." The vehicle is on an 11-city tour advocating for health-care reform.

"We think that change happens with neighbors talking to neighbors, and these rallies reflect that," said DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan. "That's how we won the campaign in the fall, with grass-roots organizing, and that's what we will see in these events going forward."

From the Denver Post:

President Barack Obama's Organizing for America team rolled its bright- blue bus into Denver on Friday evening and was greeted by about 1,500 supporters of health care reform at a rally at North High School.

"This is easily the biggest crowd we've seen," group organizer Mitch Stewart said as he stepped off the touring bus at the third of 10 stops across the country.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., had already warmed up the crowd.

"My daughter has epilepsy, and she's being discriminated against because of her prior condition," he told the cheering crowd. "We're not going to let her get pushed aside...

Michele Tyler, 61, of Evergreen said she came to the rally because her health policy with Humana won't cover a fourth surgery she needs for a badly broken ankle. In addition to the exclusion of her ankle, her policy has a $5,000 deductible, she said.

"My husband, who's self-employed, has ulcerative colitis, and Humana dropped him when he turned 60 in 2007," she said. "He's now covered by state insurance, Cover Colorado. We need to change this. This isn't right..."

The crowd in Denver was mostly older, with varying degrees of gray hair, with many minorities and children. The rally was organized by Obama staffers and Democratic Party workers who contacted supporters through e-mail, telephone banks, robo-calls and volunteers.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Supporters of President Barack Obama's health care plan rallied Saturday night outside the Summerfest grounds, chanting "Let's Get it Done" and presenting more than 24,000 "declarations of support" to Wisconsin's congressional delegation.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who died Tuesday and fought for health care reform for decades, was remembered with a moment of silence and a call to arms.

"He was a giant on whose shoulders we all stood," said Meagan Holman, a Milwaukeean who worked on Kennedy's staff for more than 10 years. In an emotional address, she said she didn't travel to Kennedy's funeral Saturday because she and her husband are still paying off bills from a high-risk pregnancy more than two years ago.

"Today, we buried our health care champion," said Bruce Coburn, director of the Service Employees International Union. "Tonight, we say, 'Don't mourn. It's time to organize.' This is the Super Bowl of that fight for change..."

The declarations of support were delivered to Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), as she and other members of Congress return to Washington.

Organizers told stories in support of better coverage.

Dream Gunther said she has good health insurance as a Milwaukee Public Schools teacher but remembers growing up with inadequate health insurance.

"We were the working poor," she said. "When we got sick, we didn't go to the doctor." She described how her twin sister, Keona, who also was at the rally, became ill and didn't want to tell their parents. "She said, 'What could they do if we tell them?' I felt what 47 million Americans feel every day."

Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton said it's time insurance companies changed. "Everyone else in the 20th century has had to evolve. Why can't the insurance industry?" she asked.

And from the Des Moines Register:

As the sun began to set, Miller and Mitch Stewart, director of Organizing for America, reflected on the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat., and called on members of Congress to take up Kennedy’s passion for working in a bipartisan manner on liberal issues, specifically health care reform.

Stewart read a statement from President Barack Obama that called Kennedy “the greatest United States senator of our time,” then urged the mostly democratic crowd for its support in passing health care reform.

“The status quo is no longer sustainable,” Stewart said. “This is serious, every one of us has something to lose here...”

Newsweek Sets the Record Straight

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:17:43 EDT

One of the biggest pushes here at OFA over the past few weeks has been trying to Set the Record Straight about health insurance reform. We want to make sure that you have the best information possible available to you when you talk to your friends and neighbors about reform, and that you can get it to them in an instant. Newsweek recently took the time to investigate some of the lies going around about reform, and produced a piece thoroughly debunking them. We recommend reading all of The Top 5 Lies About Obama's Health Care Reform, but if you don't have time, here are some highlights.

Lie 1: You'll have no choice in what health benefits you receive. This is one of the most common misconceptions about reform, and Newsweek points out that the bills under consideration will only create a health-care exchange. Although the government will regulate the exchange to some extent, there will be no limits on the types of benefits you can get: "The government will indeed require that participating plans not refuse people with preexisting conditions and offer at least minimum coverage, just as it does now with employer-provided insurance plans and part D. The requirements will be floors, not ceilings, however, in that the feds will have no say in how generous private insurance can be."

Lie 2: No chemo for older Medicare patients. Let's let Newsweek tackle this in its own words:

The threat that Medicare will give cancer patients over 70 only end-of-life counseling and not chemotherapy—as a nurse at a hospital told a roomful of chemo patients, including the uncle of a NEWSWEEK reporter—has zero basis in fact. It's just a vicious form of the rationing scare.

Lie 3: Illegal immigrants will get free health care. Newsweek writes that "the House bill doesn't give anyone free health care," and that "'individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States' will not be allowed to receive subsidies."

Lie 4: Death panels will decide who lives. We've already tackled the death panels lie, but Newsweek gives it a good kick out the door by explaining that the provision it's based on would actually expand your options and coverage:

This lie springs from a provision in the House bill to have Medicare cover optional counseling on end-of-life care for any senior who requests it. This means that any patient, terminally ill or not, can request a special consultation with his or her physician about ventilators, feeding tubes, and other measures. Thus the House bill expands Medicare coverage, but without forcing anyone into end-of-life counseling.

Lie 5: The government will set doctors' wages. Under health insurance reform, doctors "can refuse to accept" patients who have coverage under a public option, just as they can choose to not accept Medicare today. Amitabh Chandra, a professor of public policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, is quoted: "Nobody is saying we want doctros working for the government; that's completely false."

If you haven't yet, read the Newsweek article in its entirety, and then send it to your friends. We can only work effectively to pass health insurance reform if we're armed with the facts, and this article is a step in the right direction. For more facts about health insurance reform, visit the White House's Reality Check or our own Setting the Record Straight.

Health Insurance Reform Now: On the Bus

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:20:19 EDT

Last Wednesday, Organizing for America kicked off a ten city bus tour to help bring attention to the work that's been going on all month in the fight for health insurance reform. Since then the bus has traveled from Phoenix to Des Moines, and thousands of Americans have come out to demand insurance reform now. In Phoenix, people heard from Dr. Nicholas Vasquez and Linda Grady, who shared their own stories to demonstrate the need for reform:

The highlight of the evening was listening to personal testimony from two everyday folks, Linda Grady and Dr. Nicholas Vasquez. Dr Vasquez, an ER doctor, spoke about how he regularly would see patients who lack health insurance that needed some kind of treatment. He referenced one gentleman that came in six times within 10 days due to chronic migraines and no health insurance.

...Linda Grady was your average person that was suddenly afflicted with a herniated disk. She watched as the same injury happened to a professional baseball player in the same week. Linda followed his recovery very carefully and within two months he was back on the field while she was still bed ridden. When she tried to see the specialists her doctor suggested, her insurance company wouldn’t cover it, saying it wasn’t necessary. She was blessed to have a health care advocate in her family that took up her cause and got her the proper care. She ended her speech saying “God speed to this bus on its journey, because this bus is the real ‘Straight Talk Express’!”

The bus moved on to New Mexico, where a crowd overwhelmed the National Hispanic Cultural Center:

The heat in Phoenix yesterday gave way to a cool night here in Albuquerque, but the storm overhead didn't dampen anyone’s spirits. Before the bus arrived, the line at the entrance to National Hispanic Cultural Center was around the block; by the time the bus pulled out, the crowd unanimously agreed that this year, we will improve health care in America, rain or shine.

Along the way, the team on the bus has been tweeting continuously through their Twitter account, @OFAOnTheBus. They next stopped in Denver, for an event that was covered by the Denver Post:

"This is easily the biggest crowd we've seen," group organizer Mitch Stewart said as he stepped off the touring bus at the third of 10 stops across the country.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., had already warmed up the crowd.

"My daughter has epilepsy, and she's being discriminated against because of her prior condition," he told the cheering crowd. "We're not going to let her get pushed aside."

The bus pulled into Des Moines yesterday, where Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller reminded them that the health insurance reform fight wouldn't be easy. The people of Iowa, though, are up to the challenge:

Des Moines was a perfect example of this ethic: regular people coming together and organizing not because it’s easy, or because the odds were in their favor. The people in Des Moines—just like those in Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, Austin, New York, and cities all over the country this week—are here because they refuse to let the health care reform debate be dictated by talking heads on cable TV or political pundits in D.C. Iowans and others are organizing for change not because it is easy, but because the status quo is unacceptable.

Later, the bus stopped in St. Louis, and now they're rolling on to Indianapolis—you can follow their progress on our Health Insurance Reform Now: On the Ground page. In the slideshow below, you can see some of the great photos from the trip so far:

President Obama's Eulogy of Senator Edward Kennedy

Bradley Portnoy — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 13:01:19 EDT

The President just finished his eulogy of his dear friend and colleague, Senator Edward M. Kenendy. The full remarks are below.

Mrs. Kennedy, Kara, Edward, Patrick, Curran, Caroline, members of the Kennedy family, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:

Today we say goodbye to the youngest child of Rose and Joseph Kennedy. The world will long remember their son Edward as the heir to a weighty legacy; a champion for those who had none; the soul of the Democratic Party; and the lion of the U.S. Senate – a man whose name graces nearly one thousand laws, and who penned more than three hundred himself.

But those of us who loved him, and ache with his passing, know Ted Kennedy by the other titles he held: Father. Brother. Husband. Uncle Teddy, or as he was often known to his younger nieces and nephews, “The Grand Fromage,” or “The Big Cheese.” I, like so many others in the city where he worked for nearly half a century, knew him as a colleague, a mentor, and above all, a friend.

Ted Kennedy was the baby of the family who became its patriarch; the restless dreamer who became its rock. He was the sunny, joyful child, who bore the brunt of his brothers’ teasing, but learned quickly how to brush it off. When they tossed him off a boat because he didn’t know what a jib was, six-year-old Teddy got back in and learned to sail. When a photographer asked the newly-elected Bobby to step back at a press conference because he was casting a shadow on his younger brother, Teddy quipped, “It’ll be the same in Washington.”

This spirit of resilience and good humor would see Ted Kennedy through more pain and tragedy than most of us will ever know. He lost two siblings by the age of sixteen. He saw two more taken violently from the country that loved them. He said goodbye to his beloved sister, Eunice, in the final days of his own life. He narrowly survived a plane crash, watched two children struggle with cancer, buried three nephews, and experienced personal failings and setbacks in the most public way possible.

It is a string of events that would have broken a lesser man. And it would have been easy for Teddy to let himself become bitter and hardened; to surrender to self-pity and regret; to retreat from public life and live out his years in peaceful quiet. No one would have blamed him for that.

But that was not Ted Kennedy. As he told us, “…[I]ndividual faults and frailties are no excuse to give in – and no exemption from the common obligation to give of ourselves.” Indeed, Ted was the “Happy Warrior” that the poet William Wordsworth spoke of when he wrote:
As tempted more; more able to endure,
As more exposed to suffering and distress;
Thence, also, more alive to tenderness.

Through his own suffering, Ted Kennedy became more alive to the plight and suffering of others – the sick child who could not see a doctor; the young soldier sent to battle without armor; the citizen denied her rights because of what she looks like or who she loves or where she comes from. The landmark laws that he championed -- the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, immigration reform, children’s health care, the Family and Medical Leave Act –all have a running thread. Ted Kennedy’s life’s work was not to champion those with wealth or power or special connections. It was to give a voice to those who were not heard; to add a rung to the ladder of opportunity; to make real the dream of our founding. He was given the gift of time that his brothers were not, and he used that gift to touch as many lives and right as many wrongs as the years would allow.

We can still hear his voice bellowing through the Senate chamber, face reddened, fist pounding the podium, a veritable force of nature, in support of health care or workers’ rights or civil rights. And yet, while his causes became deeply personal, his disagreements never did. While he was seen by his fiercest critics as a partisan lightning rod, that is not the prism through which Ted Kennedy saw the world, nor was it the prism through which his colleagues saw him. He was a product of an age when the joy and nobility of politics prevented differences of party and philosophy from becoming barriers to cooperation and mutual respect – a time when adversaries still saw each other as patriots.

And that’s how Ted Kennedy became the greatest legislator of our time. He did it by hewing to principle, but also by seeking compromise and common cause – not through deal-making and horse-trading alone, but through friendship, and kindness, and humor. There was the time he courted Orrin Hatch’s support for the Children’s Health Insurance Program by having his Chief of Staff serenade the Senator with a song Orrin had written himself; the time he delivered shamrock cookies on a china plate to sweeten up a crusty Republican colleague; and the famous story of how he won the support of a Texas Committee Chairman on an immigration bill. Teddy walked into a meeting with a plain manila envelope, and showed only the Chairman that it was filled with the Texan’s favorite cigars. When the negotiations were going well, he would inch the envelope closer to the Chairman. When they weren’t, he would pull it back. Before long, the deal was done.

It was only a few years ago, on St. Patrick's Day, when Teddy buttonholed me on the floor of the Senate for my support on a certain piece of legislation that was coming up for vote. I gave him my pledge, but expressed my skepticism that it would pass. But when the roll call was over, the bill garnered the votes it needed, and then some. I looked at Teddy with astonishment and asked how he had pulled it off. He just patted me on the back, and said “Luck of the Irish!”

Of course, luck had little to do with Ted Kennedy’s legislative success, and he knew that. A few years ago, his father-in-law told him that he and Daniel Webster just might be the two greatest senators of all time. Without missing a beat, Teddy replied, “What did Webster do?”

But though it is Ted Kennedy’s historic body of achievements we will remember, it is his giving heart that we will miss. It was the friend and colleague who was always the first to pick up the phone and say, “I’m sorry for your loss,” or “I hope you feel better,” or “What can I do to help?” It was the boss who was so adored by his staff that over five hundred spanning five decades showed up for his 75th birthday party. It was the man who sent birthday wishes and thank you notes and even his own paintings to so many who never imagined that a U.S. Senator would take the time to think about someone like them. I have one of those paintings in my private study – a Cape Cod seascape that was a gift to a freshman legislator who happened to admire it when Ted Kennedy welcomed him into his office the first week he arrived in Washington; by the way, that’s my second favorite gift from Teddy and Vicki after our dog Bo. And it seems like everyone has one of those stories – the ones that often start with “You wouldn’t believe who called me today.”

Ted Kennedy was the father who looked after not only his own three children, but John’s and Bobby’s as well. He took them camping and taught them to sail. He laughed and danced with them at birthdays and weddings; cried and mourned with them through hardship and tragedy; and passed on that same sense of service and selflessness that his parents had instilled in him. Shortly after Ted walked Caroline down the aisle and gave her away at the altar, he received a note from Jackie that read, “On you the carefree youngest brother fell a burden a hero would have begged to be spared. We are all going to make it because you were always there with your love.”

Not only did the Kennedy family make it because of Ted’s love – he made it because of theirs; and especially because of the love and the life he found in Vicki. After so much loss and so much sorrow, it could not have been easy for Ted Kennedy to risk his heart again. That he did is a testament to how deeply he loved this remarkable woman from Louisiana. And she didn’t just love him back. As Ted would often acknowledge, Vicki saved him. She gave him strength and purpose; joy and friendship; and stood by him always, especially in those last, hardest days.

We cannot know for certain how long we have here. We cannot foresee the trials or misfortunes that will test us along the way. We cannot know God’s plan for us.

What we can do is to live out our lives as best we can with purpose, and love, and joy. We can use each day to show those who are closest to us how much we care about them, and treat others with the kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. And we can strive at all costs to make a better world, so that someday, if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here, we can know that we spent it well; that we made a difference; that our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of other human beings.

This is how Ted Kennedy lived. This is his legacy. He once said of his brother Bobby that he need not be idealized or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life, and I imagine he would say the same about himself. The greatest expectations were placed upon Ted Kennedy’s shoulders because of who he was, but he surpassed them all because of who he became. We do not weep for him today because of the prestige attached to his name or his office. We weep because we loved this kind and tender hero who persevered through pain and tragedy – not for the sake of ambition or vanity; not for wealth or power; but only for the people and the country he loved.

In the days after September 11th, Teddy made it a point to personally call each one of the 177 families of this state who lost a loved one in the attack. But he didn’t stop there. He kept calling and checking up on them. He fought through red tape to get them assistance and grief counseling. He invited them sailing, played with their children, and would write each family a letter whenever the anniversary of that terrible day came along. To one widow, he wrote the following:

“As you know so well, the passage of time never really heals the tragic memory of such a great loss, but we carry on, because we have to, because our loved one would want us to, and because there is still light to guide us in the world from the love they gave us.”

We carry on.

Ted Kennedy has gone home now, guided by his faith and by the light of those he has loved and lost. At last he is with them once more, leaving those of us who grieve his passing with the memories he gave, the good he did, the dream he kept alive, and a single, enduring image – the image of a man on a boat; white mane tousled; smiling broadly as he sails into the wind, ready for what storms may come, carrying on toward some new and wondrous place just beyond the horizon. May God Bless Ted Kennedy, and may he rest in eternal peace.

You can find more information about Senator Kennedy's funeral arrangement, and leave your wishes and remembrances for the family, at TedKennedy.org.

"They're trying to scare seniors"

Bradley Portnoy — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:28:32 EDT

Connie, a senior and a volunteer with Organizing for America in Florida, sent out an email to fellow seniors yesterday to help set the record straight on some of the rumors and mistruths that have been circulating about health insurance reform:

Special interests and insurance companies are spreading lies and trying to scare seniors into opposing health reform that will help us -- just so they can protect their own profits. It's shameful.

My name is Connie, and I'm a senior and a volunteer with Organizing for America in Florida. I'm working to set the record straight, so I wanted to share with you a list of reasons reform will help seniors.

I've already emailed this to folks I know, and printed it out to hand around -- please do the same! We all need to get the truth out to as many friends and family as possible to fight these shameful lies.

President Obama's plan for health insurance reform is good for seniors, because reform...

... will STRENGTHEN Medicare. Reform will improve Medicare's quality of care by cutting down on paperwork, focusing on wellness and prevention, and rewarding doctors for the care they provide instead of how many procedures they do. This all adds up to more choices and better care.

... will NOT cut our Medicare benefits. President Obama has clearly said, "nobody is talking about cutting Medicare benefits." And AARP agrees that reform will simply eliminate billions in giveaways via the Medicare Advantage program that boost insurance company profits -- but don't help folks like us.

... will SAVE us money. Reform will close the doughnut hole in Medicare Part D that's costing people so much money for prescription drugs, and eliminate co-pays for preventative care like cancer screenings and immunizations.

... will SAVE Medicare in the long run. If we do nothing, costs will keep rising and the Medicare trust fund will be at risk of going bust within a decade. Reform will save Medicare from bankruptcy and ensure we get the care we need for years to come.

... will HELP our loved ones. I have three children with pre-existing conditions. I live in fear that I will have to mortgage everything to pay for their care if they lose their jobs, and can't get coverage. Reform will extend coverage for young people, stop insurance companies from charging women more or cutting care when you need it most. And most importantly to me, reform will make it illegal to deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

In so many ways, reform will help every American struggling with our health insurance system -- especially seniors.

But insurance companies that want to protect their profits and partisan attack groups that want to weaken President Obama at any cost are spreading rumors to scare folks like us into opposing the reform we need. It's outrageous.

Each of us probably knows at least one person who is uncertain about reform. So it's up to us to let our friends and neighbors know that reform will help them, not hurt them.

You can start by forwarding this email to everyone you know today! You can also click here to print out a fact sheet for seniors that you can give to friends and family.

It's so important to get the truth out about reform.

Thanks,

Connie L.

Florida Volunteer
Organizing for America

Afternoon News

Bradley Portnoy — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:08:24 EDT

From the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

[Brian] Conton didn’t expect to become a public advocate in the health care debate.

All the Conyers physical therapist wanted to do was vent his frustration with the current system.

But after writing a letter that appeared in two newspapers, Conton was contacted by Organizing for America, which is trying to build grass-roots support for President Barack Obama’s policy initiatives. It asked whether he would share his views about health care with others.

He recently helped organize a meeting at a home near Emory that included doctors, nurses, activists and educators...

Alise Marshall, a regional field director with OFA, said that during the election “volunteers worked so hard not just to elect a president but to change their communities.”

Now those volunteers are holding community discussions at their homes, attending public events, knocking on doors, contacting lawmakers and calling registered voters.

Earlier this month, retiree Beverly Reese invited a relative and several friends to her Stockbridge home to make calls for Organizing for America.

Before they started calling, the volunteers reviewed the core principles Obama says any legislation should contain — affordability, availability and choice.

Reese said she worries about family members who don’t have adequate insurance or any insurance at all.

Sue Rusche is chief executive officer of the nonprofit National Families in Action. She recently hosted the event for Conton. During the presidential campaign, Rusche, who is not a member of OFA, led a team of Obama volunteers who registered about 2,000 new voters. Now she’s focused on health care.

“I think so many members of Congress need to hear from us so it’s not so one-sided in their minds,” she said. “People [like her] didn’t disappear.”

From the Honolulu Advertiser:

Local organizers for President Obama yesterday delivered 6,000 signatures to the state's congressional delegation from people who declared their support for the president's health care reform plan.

The signature gathering was part of a national effort by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee, to build momentum for health care reform and counter some of the conservative opposition that has surfaced at town hall meetings.

State Sen. Josh Green, D-3rd (Kohala, Kona, Ka'u), a Big Island doctor who favors the reform plan, accused opponents of spreading fear at town hall meetings, including one hosted on Tuesday night by Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou, who is running in the Republican primary for Congress in urban Honolulu's 1st Congressional District.

"As a doctor I see people every day, in the emergency department, and they have real fear," Green said. "Fear that is not this phony town hall fear that's been generated. They have fear that they can't get care for their kids. They have a child with asthma, and they don't know whether they can afford to go to the emergency department.

"That's fear."

Reality Check: Congress is not exempt from health insurance reform

Bradley Portnoy — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:04:52 EDT

One of the myths about health insurance reform that's been going around is that Congress has voted to exempt itself from reform. In this video, Linda Douglass of the White House Office of Health of Health Reform explains that that's not the case, and that health insurance reform will simply provide Americans the same kind of choices that members of Congress have. Check it out:

Visit WhiteHouse.gov's Reality Check to get the real facts about more health insurance reform myths.

The Eight Guarantees: Preventive Care

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:58:47 EDT

Health insurance costs keep going up in America, in part because Americans keep getting sick. But a whole universe of preventive care is available that many people don't take advantage of due to cost. Preventive care can be as simple as a yearly physical, a vaccination, or cancer screening, but under most plans there's a co-payment involved that can make the cost prohibitive for struggling families.

Under the President's health insurance reform guarantees, however, there will be no cost-sharking for preventive care. Regular checkups and tests like mammograms would have to be covered entirely by your insurance. This will save everyone money, because if you can prevent someone from getting sick, you can prevent all the costs associated with illness. But perhaps more importantly, it will save lives. A recept report determined that 100,000 lives could be saved each year by increasing the use of five preventive services:

45,000 additional lives would be saved each year if we increased to 90 percent the portion of adults who take aspirin daily to prevent heart disease. Today, fewer than half of American adults take aspirin preventively.
42,000 additional lives would be saved each year if we increased to 90 percent the portion of smokers who are advised by a health professional to quit and are offered medication or other assistance. Today, only 28 percent of smokers receive such services.
14,000 additional lives would be saved each year if we increased to 90 percent the portion of adults age 50 and older who are up to date with any recommended screening for colorectal cancer. Today, fewer than 50 percent of adults are up to date with screening.
12,000 additional lives would be saved each year if we increased to 90 percent the portion of adults age 50 and older immunized against flu annually. Today, 37 percent of adults have had an annual flu vaccination.
3,700 additional lives would be saved each year if we increased to 90 percent the portion of women age 40 and older who have been screened for breast cancer in the past 2 years. Today, 67 percent of women have been screened in the past 2 years.
30,000 cases of pelvic inflammatory disease would be prevented annually if we increased to 90 percent the portion of sexually active young women who have been screened in the past year for chlamydial infection. Today, 40 percent of young women are being screened annually.

Many employers have realized the benefits of preventive care and cover their costs for employees; many go further than that and promote their employees' use of the gym, cessation of smoking, and other healthy lifestyle habits. Corporate America has realized the benefits to their bottom line of providing preventive care for their workers.

Imagine if everyone in America had the same, free access to preventive care. We would be healthier, health care would cost less, and our national productivity would get a boost. Preventive care is the right care for everyone, and under the President's eight guarantees, it's free.

The Eight Guarantees: Pre-Existing Conditions

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:58:18 EDT

Kristen and Adam from Minneapolis, MN are waiting to start their family. Not becuase their careers are getting in the way, or their finances are out of order. They're waiting because Kristen has a pre-existing condition, and that means they can't get health insurance.

A pre-existing condition is a past medical diagnosis that insurance companies can use to deny you coverage or care. It can be anything from polycystic kidneys (a genetic disorder, as in Kristen's case) to hay fever or pregnancy. And surveys have estimated that 12.6 million adults who applied for individual coverage were denied becuase of pre-existing conditions - that's a whopping 36% of applicants.

Under the President's Eight Guarantees for Health Insurance Reform, however, insurance companies would not be able to deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Period. That's why this fight is so important. If insurance companies can no longer deny you coverage simply because you need it, then Kristen and Adam will finally be able to start that family. Check out their story below, and visit WhiteHouse.gov to see the full list of the eight guarantees.

Setting the Record Straight: The RNC's Health Insurance "Survey"

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:22:35 EDT

You've really got to see the latest RNC smear about health insurance reform to believe it. In a mailing sent to their supporters, they included a survey full of misleading questions that have been characterized by some journalists as "push-poll-ish." One of them really stands out:

"It has been suggested that the government could use voter registration to determine a person's political affiliation, prompting fears that GOP voters might be discriminated against for medical treatment in a Democrat-imposed health care rationing system. Does this possibility concern you?"

We shouldn't even have to debunk this with a third party report, but here it is, from the Politico's Glenn Thrush: "Needless to say, Democrats haven't suggested using party registration as litmus for care -- so it's hard to figure out where the rumor is coming from..." And the citizens who receive these shameless messages? Luckily, they're not buying it either.

Raymond Denny, a retired insurance underwriter, characterized the question as akin to "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?"

"It's so blatantly lopsided," he said. "I called them up and said, 'This is ridiculous!' They just said, 'All right...'"

"I wrote insurance policies," Raymond Denny said. "I know how words can be used to make people do what you want them to do. The law allows a lot of latitude with politicians. That I understand. Some of these techniques are used by both parties. But this to me seems way over the edge of normal politics."

Need help debunking another flasehood you've heard about health insurance reform? Visit WhiteHouse.gov's Reality Check, or our own Setting the Record Straight.

Afternoon News

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:14:55 EDT

From Arizona Central:

A bus sporting the familiar red, white and blue logo of President Barack Obama's campaign debuted in central Phoenix on Wednesday evening on the vanguard of a Democratic counteroffensive in support of health-care reform.

Hundreds of supporters rallied at one of the earliest stops on the Democratic National Committee's "Health Insurance Reform Now: Let's Get it Done!" bus tour that is part of a campaign that the Democrats promise will include more than a thousand pro-reform events across the country before Congress returns to session in September.

Pat Flickner, a Phoenix Democrat, said she was willing to demonstrate on a hot August night because her daughter, a dog groomer, "works her tail off" but still can't afford health insurance.

From the Huffington Post:

It was 2008 all over again Wednesday night as Organizing for America (OFA), formerly Obama for America, launched their cross-country "Reform Health Care Now: Let's Get It Done Tour" from Arizona, a state that has becoming a focus of the Democratic Party.

The event had all of the trappings of a political campaign rally. Songs from Obama's 2008 presidential campaign blared from a PA system as more than a thousand Obama supporters filed in. Dozens of volunteers roved the crowd signing up new volunteers to phone bank, knock on doors, and do visibility in the street. The Obama logo and health care reform slogans were everywhere -- on the bus, on rally signs, on tee shirts, even on a dog sweater...

The opening speaker told her own personal health care story. She was injured the same day as a professional athlete. She followed his progress in the news over the next couple of months as he received treatment, had surgery, and recovered. Although she had the same injury, she says she was forced to go without treatment for a few months because her health insurance company denied her claim. Just as paralysis was beginning to set in, a relative who works for a law firm that practices medical malpractice intervened, and she was able to have the surgery and treatment she needed.

Several local public officials also spoke, and the National Director of OFA, Mitch Stewart also addressed the crowd. Democratic Arizona Representative Kyrsten Sinema, who is a member of Obama's Special Task Force on Health Reform, told the crowd that most Americans want health reform but that many have been frightened by misinformation circulating around the issue.

"We need your voice!" Sinema told the crowd, "The people with the misinformation and the lies are the ones in front of the microphone, and they're making people afraid of what they want, what we all need."

From the Washington Post:

The federal government's month-long "Cash for Clunkers" program ended after having spent almost the entire $3 billion allotted and putting 690,114 new, more fuel-efficient cars on the road, the Transportation Department said Wednesday...

One auto analyst called the program a success, if only because his research showed that it was responsible for saving 39,000 jobs that otherwise would have been eliminated.

"It's really more substantial than we had thought in terms of stimulus," said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research. "This is companies putting people back to work."

General Motors announced last week that it will reinstate 1,350 workers and add overtime for about 10,000 at three plants, as the automaker replenishes inventory sold during the government program...

"Moribund showrooms were brought back to life and consumers bought fuel-efficient cars that will save them money and improve the environment," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement Wednesday.

Insurance Reform Will Stop Rationing - Not Increase It

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:28:41 EDT

Kavita Patel is a physician by training, but these days she works in the White House Office of Public Engagement. She took some time out of her schedule recently to debunk a frequent criticism of health insurance reform: in this video, she explains that reform will actually stop rationing - not increase it. Check it out:

Visit Reality Check for more videos.

From the White House: Viral E-mails Mislead Citizens about Health Insurance Reform

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:17:42 EDT

In this video, White House Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParie debunks some of the claims that have been going around in viral e-mails about health insurance reform:

For more information on these viral e-mails that mislead citizens about health insurance reform, and to pass word along to your friends and relatives, visit Setting the Record Straight.

Health Insurance Reform Now Events Kick Off Across the Country

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:09:39 EDT

On Wednesday, Organizing for America will kick off an ten-city bus tour that will, along with over 2,000 other events planned across the nation, send our members of Congress back to Washington with one clear message: we must reform health insurance now.

The Health Insurance Reform Now Bus is scheduled to make stops in Albuquerque, Denver, Des Moines, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, and Raleigh.

The kick-off follows President Obama's Organizing for America Health Insurance Forum last week, in which he urged Americans to turn out in support of reform, and to spread the truth about health insurance reform to their friends and neighbors:

What we're going to have to do is to cut through the noise and the misinformation, and the best ambassadors for true information, factual information, is all of you. You have more credibility than anybody on television when it comes to your family members and your friends and your neighbors. And that's why you being involved is so important.

This bus tour is just one part of that advocacy. At thousands of events across the country, supporters will gather to demonstrate their support, organize in their neighborhoods, and spread the message that we need health insurance reform now. This is our last chance before the end of the summer recess to send a clear message to Congress: Let's get it done.

Setting the Record Straight: Chain E-mail

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:43:56 EDT

E-mail is an incredible invention - with it, we can be in instant contact with our friends and family, no matter where in the world we go. And e-mail has changed the way we work forever. In recent months, however, another kind of e-mail has been going around: a chain e-mail that's filled with lies about health insurance reform.

Nonpartisan fackchecking website Politifact calls it "the longest chain e-mail we've ever received," but notes that "most of what the e-mail says is wrong." In fact, they call it a "clearinghouse of bad information circulating around the Web about proposed health care changes."

The message claims that it provides a page-by-page analysis of a House healthcare bill, so Politifact enlisted an independent health care analyst at the Kaiser Family Foundation to go over the e-mail. Her conclusion? "It's awful. It's flat-out, blatant lies. It's unbelieveable to me how they can claim to reference the legislation and then make claims that are blatantly false."

Did you receive this e-mail, or one like it, from someone you know? Point them to Setting the Record Straight, so they can get the real facts on health insurance reform.

Setting the Record Straight: Special Interest Groups

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:53:20 EDT

If there is any doubt that President Barack Obama’s plan to overhaul U.S. health care is the hottest topic in Congress, just ask the 3,300 lobbyists who have lined up to work on the issue. That’s six lobbyists for each of the 535 members of the House and Senate, according to Senate records, and three times the number of people registered to lobby on defense. - Bloomberg News, 8/14/09

Even more distrubing than the outright lies being spread in the health insurance reform debate is who's doing the spreading: special interest groups have launched a misinformation campaign that's based on scare tactics and information that's just plain wrong.

President Obama has called for a debate on the merits and facts of health insurance reform, but some groups choose to rely on rhetoric instead of reality. A group calling itself "Patients United Now" claims that "Washinton wants to bring Canadian-style health care to the U.S." FactCheck.org, a nonpartisan factchecking website, discovered that the group can only back up that claim with an opinion piece that is "riddled with errors." Another group has said in advertisements that the reform bills will require the government to pay for abortions. According to FackCheck, "none of the health overhaul measures that ahve made it through the committee level in Congress say that abortion will be covered, and one of them explicitly says that no public funds will be used to finance the procedure."

One group has been particularly egregious in its false statements: "Conservatives for Patients' Rights." This group has said that "new rules could hike your health insurance premiums 95 percent." Nonpartisan observers say that premiums would actually go down under the leading proposals in Congress. They've also resorted to bald-faced scare tactics regarding the kind of choices you'll gain under health insurance reform:

A new ad from Conservatives for Patients’ Rights says that a public health insurance plan now being proposed in Congress ‘could crush all your other choices, driving them out of existence, resulting in 119 million off their current insurance coverage.’ That's misleading. The 119 million figure comes from an analysis of a plan that would mirror Medicare and be open to every individual and business that wanted it. But that's not the type of public plan President Obama has proposed. Nor is such a plan gaining acceptance on Capitol Hill. - FactCheck.org, 6/11/09

Now that you have the real facts about these well-funded special interest groups, share them with your friends. Visit Setting the Record Straight and spread the word.

Organizing for America Launches Stimulus and Health Insurance Radio Ads

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:16:33 EDT

On Tuesday, Organizing for America launched a campaign of radio ads commending Democratic members of the House of Representatives for their tireless work on health insurance reform and economic recovery. These members of Congress are on the front lines of bringing the change we need to America, whether through voting to ensure million of children as part of the Children's Health Insurance Program, or creating needed jobs as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Below are examples of two of the ads; the rest can be found under the jump.

Ad praising Rep. Marion Berry (AR-1) for his vote to stimulate our economy.

Ad praising Rep. Mike Ross (AR-4) for his vote to provide health insurance for millions of underprivileged children.

Click here for more.

Setting the Record Straight: Special Interest-Led Disruptions

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:21:01 EDT

One of the primary ways that opponents have health insurance reform have been spreading false information is through disrupting public events where civic-minded citizens are trying to conduct real debate. They try to create the impression that the debates are spontaneous, but they are in fact orchestrated by the same people who "Swiftboated" Sen. John Kerry in 2004.

Talking points prepared by these right-wing groups specifically instruct people to "yell out" at members of Congress as they speak and to "rock-the boat early in the Rep's presentation." They even specify that the disruptions should occur even before the floor is opened for discussion. What we need in this country is a real debate about health insurance, on the issues, with fair time for everyone - we're not a nation of hecklers. These protestors aren't trying to have their voices heard. They're trying to shut down debate and intimidate those around them.

Even worse, these disingenuous disruptions have been praised by House Miniorty Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and his fellow Congressional Republicans.

Do you know someone who's been intimidated by a heckler at a public event? Visit Setting the Record Straight to fill them in on the real story behind special interest-led disruptions.

Health Insurance Reform WIll Not Adversely Affect Veterans

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:42:00 EDT

Recently, rumors have circulated that health insurance reform will change the way our veterans receive their care, or that they will be penalized for not having individual health care. As Matt Flavin, Director or Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy at the White House, explains, health insurance reform will not affect veterans' access to health care.

Organizing Across the Country

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:06:29 EDT

For weeks now, volunteers have joined Organizing for America staff at events all across the country to organize for health insurance reform. They've knocked on doors, made calls, and put out the message that reform is the only way to ensure that all Americans have quality, affordable healthcare. They've also fought the lies and distortions that are being spread about reform, helping to set the record straight with their friends and neighbors. Check out some of the photos from recent OFA events:

Afternoon News: "It's time for reform"

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:00:35 EDT

From the Politico:

Reform supporters are planning to hold more than 500 events between Wednesday and when lawmakers return to Washington Sept. 8, ranging from neighborhood organized phone banks to professionally staffed rallies with hundreds of people.

...“In these last few weeks of recess we want to demonstrate the energy, passion and commitment that the American people have to health insurance reform so that when members return after Labor Day they know that they can turn their attention to getting this done because they have the backing of the American people,” said DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse.

... Democrats and their allies insist that the majority of Americans still support reform and have organized the grassroots campaign to buck up lawmakers as they get ready to head back to Washington.

A health-insurance-reform-now bus will travel the country starting Wednesday and anchor events in 11 cities: Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, Des Moines, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Charlotte, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio.

From WABI:

A group supporting President Obama's healthcare reform may be coming to a living room near you. A grassroots project called Organizing For America has been setting up roundtable discussion groups in private homes. Today they held a discussion in Bangor at the home of Molly Goode. Goode's son, Adam, represents District 15 of Bangor in the House of Representatives.

State Senator Joe Perry was a part of the panel along with residents who shared their stories regarding healthcare and also discussed, what they say, is an urgent need for healthcare reform. "It's on the front burner," says Senator Perry, "it's a serious problem that we're facing, you know, healthcare costs and I came here because I want to hear the stories and I know this is a federal issue but it certainly affects every Mainer."

Director of the project, Julian Federle, says they're trying to get the facts about healthcare reform out there, as well as provide a civilized forum for debate. "The fact is I think Mainers are very interested in this debate," says Federle, "they're more interested in sitting down and having a discussion like this one then they are about screaming and shouting."

From the Shreveport Times:

Supporters of health care reforms, including a public health insurance option, rolled through Shreveport Monday to U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu's office at the federal courthouse in downtown Shreveport.

Kim Brabham, of Bossier City, was among 15 people participating in the consciousness-raising caravan. She's a volunteer with Organizing for America, a group that supports President Barack Obama's vision for health care reform.

Congress will take up the plans again in September after failing to reach agreement on a single proposal before leaving for its August vacation.

Landrieu was not in the office. The group spoke to the senator's staffers.

"...we made our voices heard," Brabham said. "We want to see our costs reduced. We want freedom of choice for our health care plan and our doctor, and we want coverage for everybody."

Brabham said because she's self-employed it's "either pay through the nose or get nothing or have nothing at all" when it comes to health insurance. She drove her sign-decorated van through her neighborhood after leaving Monday's event to get out her message to more people.

From the Ashland Daily Tidings:

Local Democrats are rallying for health care reform as the national debate heats up.

Representatives from Health Care for America NOW, Organizing for America and Oregon Action, and concerned residents met Saturday to discuss health care reform with state Sen. Alan Bates.

A private practice doctor of three years, Bates serves on the Oregon Senate Health Care and Veterans' Affairs Committee. He says change in the health industry is coming.

"I've been fighting for health care reform for 25 years," he told a crowd of dozens at the Rogue Valley Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland. "We have never been so close."

President Barack Obama's pledge to pass a health care reform law by the end of 2009 has come under fire from Republicans and some Democrats, who oppose expanding the role of government in the health care industry. Bates argued on Saturday that the American people cannot afford to wait beyond this year.

"The number of people with insurance has been dropping," he said. "It's time for reform."

Organized by the advocacy group Health Care for America NOW, Saturday's meeting was meant to bring supporters of reform together. A large-scale canvassing movement is underway, with volunteers knocking on doors around Ashland to sign petitions, urging their representatives to pass a health care bill...
Following the discussion, volunteers spread throughout Ashland neighborhoods to gather signatures. Future rallies for health care reform will take place in Medford and Central Point the first week of September.

Town Halls: "Supporters Clearly Outnumbered Skeptics"

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:52:55 EDT

In the past week, there's been a sea-change in the health insurance reform debate, and supporters of reform are now far outnumbering opponents at town halls nationwide. In meetings with their senators and representatives, Americans are turning out to show their support for a health insurance reform proposal that will guarantee quality, affordable health care for everyone - and to tell them that we need to get it done now. Check out this article from the Kansas City Star:

Supporters clearly outnumbered skeptics among the 1,300 people who attended a health care town hall meeting in Kansas City — a first for session organizer Sen. Claire McCaskill.

“It's certainly the most vociferous support I've seen for attempts to reform health care so far,” the Missouri Democrat said. “No question about it...”

Democrats said the pro-reform turnout was a sign their party is finally mobilizing just as Congress prepares to return from its August recess and take up health care reform.

“Supporters of insurance reform got caught flat-footed at first,” conceded longtime Democratic operative Steve Glorioso, who helped McCaskill's staff decide on a room for the forum.

Church and labor groups helped organize some of the pro-reform turnout at Monday's session, but McCaskill said that shouldn't make any difference...

“I liked that she said something about the myths that are going around, and debunked some of those,” said Jennie Walters of Kansas City.

Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. hosted a meeting that saw over 1,000 of his constituents in attendance:

Pallone's staff, taken by surprise at attendance they estimated was at least 500 more than normal for previous town hall meetings, said the room would be cleared once an hour to allow some of the overflow crowd a chance at the podium.

The congressman said he would stay "as long as necessary," but because hearing the entire crowd at groups of 150 per hour would take at least six hours, plus the time needed to empty the room after each group, it was unclear at press time how long he would last.

At both sites, volunteers from President Obama's Organizing for America handed out posters that read: "Thank You. Standing Together for Health Insurance."

It's incredibly important that we show our representatives in Congress just how badly we need health insurance reform. Many more events will be held across the country in the next two weeks: sign up to attend an event, and make sure you go armed with the real facts about the President's health care plan.

Peter Rothberg at The Nation has a post up about the town halls, and he sums up our task for the next two weeks:

The single best thing you can do is to (politely) communicate with your elected representatives about healthcare. Tell them your personal stories. Make them understand why you support reform and why you think the stakes are so high. They need to hear from their constituents, and the people who make the effort to talk to them in person will be heard most loudly.

So let's take advatage of these few weeks when we have the ear of our elected officials - let's get it done now. Sign up to attend a health insurance reform event near you.

Reality Check: We Can Afford Reform

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:55:51 EDT

Check out this new video from the White House, with Vice President Biden's Chief Economist, Jared Bernstein:

In the video, he explains that health insurance reform won't bust our national budget, and will help bring costs under control which should reduce our deficits in the long run. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck to learn more about the truth behind health insurance reform.

Let's get it done!

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:24:10 EDT

Jeremy Bird, Deputy Director of Organizing for America, just sent out this message:

On Thursday, an astounding 280,000 Organizing for America supporters gathered online to huddle with the President at our National Health Care Forum. With Congress about to return to Washington to make historic decisions on health insurance reform, the President chose this critical moment to speak directly to the OFA community. He reminded us of how far we've come and what we can accomplish together:

Remember one thing: Nothing is more powerful than millions of voices calling for change. That's how we won this election. You know this, and that's why since OFA launched its health reform campaign in June you've hosted 11,000 events in more than 2,500 towns in every single state and every single congressional district...I am absolutely confident that we can get this done, but I want everybody to remember, this has never been easy....We are not going to give up now. We are going to get this done.

Now it's up to us to take the next step. This week, we need to make sure every member of Congress heads back to Washington hearing overwhelming support for change. Lies and fear must not have the last word about the health reform America so desperately needs. So here's what you can do: Host or attend a "Let's Get It Done: Health Insurance Reform Now" event near you.

There are many different kinds of events, from forums to rallies to "Health Care Phone Booths," where local folks can get the facts and call Congress. And if there isn't yet one near you, you can easily host your own. Wherever you live, you can help show Congress, the media, and your neighbors that the American people have one clear message about health reform: Let's get it done.

Thursday, the President made the stakes of reform crystal clear. He talked about how, with health care costs rising three times faster than wages, the cost of inaction is simply too high.

He explained how reform will guarantee competition and choice. He described the Insurance Guarantees that will protect every American from discrimination against pre-existing conditions, exorbitant charges, and arbitrary denials or reductions in coverage just when we need it most.

And he made plain his stance on the public option: "So let me just be clear: I continue to support a public option, I think it is important, and I think it will help drive down costs and give consumers choices."

But even the best plan only matters if it passes, and that's where we all have a critical role to play. As the President said:

And that's why what all of you do is so important, because people trust you -- your neighbors, your friends, fellow community members -- they trust you. They know you. And if you are presenting the facts clearly and fairly, I'm absolutely confident that we're going to win this debate. But we're going to have a lot of work to do and I'm grateful that you're willing to do it. Let's go get 'em.

Answer the President's call -- host or attend an event near you:

http://my.barackobama.com/reformnow

Let's get it done,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America

P.S. -- Couldn't join us on Thursday? You can still see the President's message to you. Click here to see highlights of the President's remarks or the full video of the National Health Care Forum.

The Eight Health Insurance Reform Guarantees: No Dropped Coverage

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:34:53 EDT

Of the President's eight health insurance reform guarantees, particularly important is the ban on insurance comapnies dropping coverage for the seriously ill. Under this reform, insurance comapnies would be unable to water down or end coverage when citizens need it most. A cost-cutting measure from the point of the insurance industry, this practice hurts thousands of Americans every year. Recently, Public Radio International's This American Life reported on what the industry calls "recision:"

Rescission happens when an insurance company cancels a client's policy because they believe the client lied when they applied for the policy -- the client pretended that they were healthier than they really were, the client concealed a serious and expensive illness, or the client simply made a mistake and omitted something about his or her health that the insurance company wanted to know.

The problem, according to the House subcommittee's investigation, is the amount of people who were rescinded who weren't trying to deceive the insurance companies at all. They found that when a client became ill -- especially with an expensive illness -- the insurance companies looked for a way to cancel their policy.

The subcommittee found a man in Virginia who lost his coverage because the insurance agent who sold him the policy incorrectly wrote down his weight on the form. There was also a patient in Utah who needed surgery, but lost their insurance because of an omission on their spouse's application...

"The Friday before I was to have my double mastectomy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield called me by telephone and told me my chart was red-flagged," said Batin.

[Congresswoman Jan] Schakowsky explained what the insurance company found, "There was something on her chart earlier about a dermatitis that they took to mean pre-cancerous, and even though the dermatologist called and said 'please, this is acne, do not deny her the breast cancer treatment,' they said no.

"It took months for her to finally get the surgery that she needed, by which time the tumor had doubled," said Schakowsky.

Congressional investigators recently found that three insurance companies canceled 20,000 policies over a five-year period, resulting in $300 million in savings for their bototm line -- and 20,000 families without health care. And the trouble doesn't stop at individuals. Small businesses are also at risk:

[The former head of corporate communications for Cigna] also charged that the companies “dump the sick,” through rescissions and by purging small businesses whose employees’ claims exceed what underwriters expected. They are often hit with huge rate increases intended to force them to drop coverage.

This is a perfect example of how the status quo is untenable for America. Even those who have adequate health insurance and pay their premiums on time for years can find that their coverage evaporates at the exact moment that they need it. The insurance industry shouldn't be able to rescind the policies of hardworking, honest Americans just because they get sick - and under the President's health insurance reform guarantees, they won't.

Today's News

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:52:00 EDT

From the San Mateo Daily Journal:

More than 300 supporters and opponents of controversial health care reform bill showed up to voice questions and opinions at a relatively peaceful Sunday town hall meeting in Montara’s Farallone View Elementary School, hosted by U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough.

The congresswoman restated her support for health care reform, saying in her 12th District 46,000 uninsured individuals would be eligible for a public option provider, and that without the bill 580 families would go bankrupt because of health care fees...

An audience member asked a question about “death panels,” alleged committees of doctors who would decide whether or not to keep elderly and terminal patients on life support in order to cut treatment costs. In response, Speier said the section of the bill about “end of life counseling” states pre-arranged agreements on the use of life support would have to be initiated by the patient, not the doctor. She described a situation where her mother was placed on life support against her own wishes as an example for why the counseling service is in the bill.

From the Yakima Herald:

While a crowd of protesters denounced health care reform proposals in downtown Yakima on Saturday morning, a small band of reformers fanned out across the city and rang several hundred doorbells to try to win support from people who might be sitting on the fence.

The two events -- one loud and boisterous, the other quiet and tactical -- provided contrasting images of the battle over health care that has come to define the domestic agenda of President Barack Obama...

Michael Green of Yakima, a retired teacher, was one of 11 volunteers who showed up at Carpenter's Hall to collect a map and a list of names from a representative of Organizing for America, the successor organization to Obama's presidential campaign.

"I'm tired of all the evil misinformation and I have to do something to counter it," Green said.

Organizing for America sent 250 people to 14 cities across the state to talk to registered voters who identified themselves as independent or undecided in voter data banks assembled by the organization.

"We wanted to talk to people we haven't talked to before," said Dustin Lambro, state director for Organizing for America. He described the response as "overwhelmingly positive" for health care reform.

In Yakima, volunteers hit 228 doorbells, making contact with 84 people. Of those, 61 signed a petition in support of reform.

"We are really happy with that," said Sandi Conrad of Yakima, an organizer and member of a Service Employees International Union local for child-care workers.

It was slow going at first for Jay Boyle, a nurse from Prosser, and Irene Stewart of Yakima, an employee of the Service Employees International Union.

"Everybody seems to be out and about this morning," Stewart said as they started their route.

They were assigned several blocks between South Seventh and 10th avenues, around Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center. But about 40 minutes into their three-and-a-half hour effort, Boyle and Stewart found people ready to talk about health care.

Mica Brown, a debt collector for a local agency, was eager to sign a petition that will be sent to members of Congress urging them to adhere to Obama's three objectives for reform: lower health-care costs, increased choices for coverage and affordable plans for everybody.

Brown, who is in her 50s, said she's waiting to hear if her insurance will cover a $900 allergy test. Even if it does, she'll still have to come up with $300.

"In my job, I hear every day about people not getting adequate coverage from their health plan," Brown said. "They are told they're going to be covered and then they find out they aren't. It's really bad."

From the Southern Oregon Mail Tribune:

When late-night heart palpitations sent Joseph Long to the emergency room, the uninsured Medford man ended up with a $4,000 medical bill that he and his wife, Melissa, are struggling to pay.

When Oregon Action organizer Rich Rohde knocked on the Longs' door Saturday as part of a statewide effort to collect support for President Barack Obama's health care reform plans, the Longs were ready to listen.

"We've got to do something about this," Joseph Long said.

His employer, Medford Plating, used to provide health insurance for its workers and their families, he said. As costs rose, employees had to pick up ever larger shares of the cost. As times got tough and the number of employees dwindled, the company eventually stopped offering health insurance.

"We have to go to the emergency room now," Melissa Long said. "We wait til we're about dying before we go."

Still, she said, the couple and their 11-year-old son end up at the hospital about once a year, desperate for treatment.

An affordable way to get the routine care they need is always on her mind, she said.

But she's not sure the current national debate on health care is helping.

"There's so much rhetoric," she said. "Everyone is on TV yelling."

Rhode gave the Longs a list of the president's promises in reforming health insurance — coverage for pre-existing conditions and the seriously ill, limiting out-of-pocket costs, paying for preventive care, eliminating caps on coverage, extending family coverage to young adults, and equalizing costs between men and women.

He also encouraged them to sign their son up for a state plan that provides health care for kids, and asked them to sign a statement of support of Obama's health care reform principles.

The Longs signed, as did several of their neighbors on Almond Street.

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

In recent weeks, those opposed to President Barack Obama's health care reform plan have marched, rallied and -- on occasion -- screamed about their dislike for the proposal, claiming it will "socialize" patient care in America.

Those in favor of the president's reform plan used calmer tactics on Saturday, walking through Salt Lake City neighborhoods, knocking on doors and asking residents to sign "declarations of support" for Obama's plan.

"The people against reform are well-organized and seem to yell the loudest," said Bernie Hart, of Holladay, one of more than 60 volunteers who participated in the door-to-door campaign. "But I'm here to show there is another voice."

Organizing for America (OFA), which sponsored the grass-roots event, hoped the signatures would convince Utah's congressional delegation -- specifically Utah Rep. Jim Matheson, a Democrat -- to support Obama's health care legislation. Nikki Norton, with the OFA in Utah, said Obama has called for health care reform that "reduces costs, guarantees choice and ensures quality care for all."

Both young and old volunteered to walk neighborhoods, after meeting Saturday morning at Liberty Park. Volunteers included 85-year-old Aileen Dow -- proudly wearing "Momma for Obama" campaign buttons -- her two daughters, Cindy De Roda and Kristy Withers, and a 19-year-old grandson, Steven Thomas.

Dow said she feels "lucky" because she is on Medicare and doesn't worry about health care costs. But she knows her children and grandchildren don't have the same luxury.

As they walked down Lake Street near Liberty Park, Dow and her family encountered mostly positive responses, garnering signatures from residents such as Robert Glick and Scott Guymon.

The Eight Health Insurance Reform Guarantees

Bradley Portnoy — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:47:41 EDT

So my point is, whether or not you have health insurance right now, the reforms we seek will bring stability and security that you don't have today -- reforms that will become more urgent and more urgent with each passing year. - President Barack Obama

When it comes to health insurance reform, it's clear that the status quo is untenable - Americans need reform now. What shape that reform takes has yet to be determined, but President Obama has identified eight essential guarantees that any reform bill must have. Over the next few weeks, we'll feature each guarantee, highlighting how it will improve health care access and quality.

As the President said in his health insurance reform forum last Thursday, it's up to us to make sure that our friends and neighbors have the best possible information about what health insurance reform is, and what it will and won't do. There will be even more information up soon on Setting the Record Straight, but for now, here are the President's eight guarantees:

No Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
No Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
No Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests taht help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
No Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
No Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more becuase of your gender.
No Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance comapnies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
Extended Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
Guaranteed Insurance Renewal: Insurance comapnies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.

Today's News

Bradley Portnoy — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:01:28 EDT

From USA Today:

The message from a feisty President Obama today on health care is that he's not backing down. After taking questions earlier today from listeners of conservative talk show host Michael Smerconish's program, the president met with some of his most devoted fans -- former campaign volunteers -- at the Democratic National Committee's headquarters on Capitol Hill.

"Don't lose heart as we enter into probably our toughest fight," Obama told the volunteers in a question-and-answer session that was webcast over the Internet...

Today, Obama said the resulting media speculation about the administration backing off the public option had been "manufactured."

"Let me just be clear: I continue to support a public option," he told the crowd.

He also said he's prepared to push through health care legislation whether or not he's got Republican support. "We're going to get this done one way or another," he said.

Obama flashed some irritation with the media focus on the opposition to his health care plan. "You could have 20 really civil town hall meetings but if there's one where there's somebody screaming you know which one is going to get on television," he said.

From MSNBC:

After weeks of struggling to break through the chanting throngs of health-care overhaul opponents at town halls across the country and to correct inaccurate information about his proposals, President Obama finally seemed to hit his stride Thursday when it came to explaining his goals in plain, brief, to-the-point language...

The president's town halls last week in New Hampshire, Montana, and Colorado were part of an effort to explain to the American people how they would be helped by a revamped system, but it was during an interview today at the White House with talk radio host Michael Smerconish that Obama gave perhaps his strongest, clearest defense to date of his health-care plan. He continued his push with a Q&A session at which he sought to rally a group of Organizing for American volunteers.

"We all know this has been an emotional debate," he told supporters assembled at the Democratic National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill. "We've seen tempers flare, accusations have been hurled, and sometimes it seems like one loud voice can drown out all the civil, sensible voices out there. But remember one thing: Nothing's more powerful than millions of voices calling for change. That's how we won this election. You know this."

Yesterday, the president called on religious leaders to help him "spread the facts" about his proposals and fight the "deceptive attacks" of opponents. Today at the DNC, Obama slammed the media for not correcting -- and even spreading -- the kind of misinformation that has riled up critics, such as promoting the idea of rationed care, death panels, and benefits for illegal immigrants.

"We know where these lies are coming from," he said to laughter. "I don't think it's any secret. You know, if you just flick channels you'll -- and then stop on certain ones of them then you'll see, you know, you'll see who's propagating this stuff and so all we can do is just keep on pushing the truth."

But it was in his radio interview with Smerconish -- where the president tended toward simple and concise language rather than long, professorial discourse -- where he seemed most effective in laying out a clear case for his proposed health-care exchange, a key element of his plan.

When asked whether he would urge members of Congress to force federal employees to join a public plan, Obama explained that the large number of people in the federal workforce meant they could get the best rates possible from insurance companies, all of which want to do business with the federal government. He said a health insurance exchange would do the same, but stressed the matter of choice -- assuring listeners that no one would be forced into any plan.

From the Huffington Post:

On Thursday afternoon, when President Barack Obama entered a room of 50 volunteers, with thousands watching via webcast, he was greeted with the campaign cry of "Yes We Can."

The President smiled, then removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. The symbolism was clear; that catchy phrase helped get us here, but now we need to work for it.

In a speech and Q&A session that lasted over an hour, Obama spoke to members of Organizing for America (OFA), an almost entirely volunteer organization charged with mobilizing the campaign's grass roots strength into a fighting force for health care reform. Before Obama spoke, the Deputy National Director of OFA rattled off some impressive figures to show just how well they were doing: OFA boasts 1.5 million active members who organized 11,906 local events across the country and collected 231,572 personal health care stories. Perhaps the most impressive statistic, and possibly the one with the greatest long term impact, concerned elected officials: OFA members have made 64,912 visits to their local Congressional offices, far outnumbering the protesters screaming at town hall meetings.

Those screeching protesters were on the minds of just about everyone who spoke. Virginia Governor and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine led off the session and spoke of opponents to change resorting to "very extreme measures...rudeness, bizarre tactics, shouting." A Twitter-submitted question from Phoenix, Arizona spoke of "too many lies, like death panels" and asked the President "where is it all coming from?" adding: "America deserves to know the truth."

While the president's demeanor and words were reasoned and measured, he didn't shy away from addressing "those lies." Speaking to the question of where they were coming from, Obama said, without hesitation: "We know where these lies are coming from. I don't think it's any secret." He held out an imaginary remote control and continued, "If you just flick channels and stop on one," and he paused as the crowd nodded and chuckled a bit grimly, "you'll see who's propagating this stuff."

In the same calm way that he handled the talk of him palling around with terrorists, the President dispelled the lies one by one. "No plan covers illegal immigrants; let's dispel that. No plan is going to revoke existing prohibitions to pay for abortion. Nobody has proposed anything even close to government takeover of health care. Nobody is talking about getting between you and your doctor."

Obama was at his strongest as he destroyed the myth spread by the former Governor of Alaska: "As for this death panel idea, that's an interesting example of how misinformation spreads." He reminded the audience that Republican senators had proposed the exact same idea, of helping seniors pay for end of life counseling. "This used to be a sensible thing that everyone could agree on. It was once bipartisan," said the President. "For it to suddenly become death panels, that's just irresponsible."

From the Kansas City Star:

As he showed again Thursday, President Barack Obama is in full campaign mode when it comes to health care reform.

He's speaking to anyone who will have him -- from a conservative-leaning national radio host early in the afternoon (Michael Smerconish) to a friendly supportive group known as Organizing for America a few hours later.

He's got his sleeves rolled up at most public events, tells the same stories that can get old on the campaign trail ("If you took your car into a repair shop....") but also uses his engaging personality to connect with crowds.

On Thursday, at the end of his appearance with Organizing for America, Obama went into a passionate monologue about what was at stake.

He and his supporters, he said, are being described as "naive" people who can't get anything done in the big, bad world of Washington politics. All this talk about "Yes, we can" from his 2008 campaign, Obama said, was being tested at this point.

He implored the people at the event to stay involved and to add their voice to the fight for health care.

"We are not going to give up now," he signed off.

As Obama shook hands on his way out, the crowd began several chants, including a standard: "What do we want? Health care. When do we want it? Now."

It was as if Obama were back on the campaign trail. Which, in fact, he is.

National Health Care Forum - View from the Comments

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:50:04 EDT

The President's strategy meeting on health insurance reform is now over, and the public response has been huge. Check out what some supporters are saying in the comments. Donna from Maryland:

I just got back from the DNC for a welcome event for the President. Lot's of supporters out showing their support for Health Care Reform.

Nicole, from Illinois:

President Obama's points were clear, concise, and very persuasive.

I had begun to become cynical about reform myself, and I loved everything that the president had to say during this forum. I would like to give my friends and family a chance to watch his comments as well.

NL writes:

Was very informative. I left the meeting with a clear understanding. I am always skeptical of what I hear from the pundits and it is very clear that they are the cause of much of the confusion (not the White House)...President Obama laid out the Republican strategy very clearly, kill the bill and and try to win in 2010...President Obama is alla bout the American people.

And finally, Karen from California:

Ok everybody, we've got our marching orders now let's get to work. Yes We Can.

Karen is right - let's get to work. Join the fight at the Health Care Action Center.

LIVE - National Health Care Forum with President Obama

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:16:56 EDT

In just over an hour, the President will be joining tens of thousands of Organizing for America supporters like you on our National Health Care Forum. President Obama will update us on the fight to pass real health insurance reform, lay out our strategy and message going forward, and answer questions from supporters. We'll also unveil the next actions we'll take together to organize for reform.

The event doesnt start until 2:30p.m., but there are a few steps you can take now to make sure you can participate. Go to the forum's page on our site, and make sure that everything loads properly. This is the best way to experience the forum.

It's too late to RSVP to join the call now, but if you already RSVP'd to join via phone, don't expect to be called until at least 2:00p.m. All the calls should be complete by 2:30p.m., when the forum starts, but if you haven't been called by then, head over to the livestream page and use that to get tuned in.

UPDATED: Today's forum with the President has ended, but we'll have the full video of the event for you to view online tomorrow.

Today's News

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:02:01 EDT

From the LA Times:

President Obama plans today to take his case for healthcare reform to some of his staunchest supporters and harshest critics -- a two-pronged approach designed to energize his so-far lethargic base and gain ground on his critics by confronting them head-on...

Obama will hold a strategy session today with many of his supporters from the presidential campaign, a massive army that has yet to make its weight felt on healthcare.

He is also scheduled to sit down with one of the country's more conservative radio talk-show hosts for a broadcast from the White House.

The show will be hosted by Michael Smerconish, whose nationally syndicated show broadcasts from CBS Radio's WPHT in Philadelphia. Smerconish endorsed Obama for president...

For weeks, Obama has been traveling the country holding town hall meetings, stumping for his plans to redesign American healthcare...

On Wednesday, he held two lengthy conference calls with religious leaders, arguing that individual Americans have more than self-interest to think of during the debate.

In a morning call with more than 1,000 rabbis, for example, Obama offered a message of moral obligation.

"He tried to root significant aspects of healthcare reform into a lot of the moral precepts that are fundamental to Judaism and religion generally," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA and a healthcare advocate who joined the morning call with rabbis, many of whom are preparing messages for the High Holy Days.

"There are two impulses behind healthcare reform: One is altruism, and one is self interest," Pollack said. "He wants to make clear how this affects both things. With religious leaders, altruism gets more emphasis."

From WHIO:

President Obama will use a telephone conference call again today to speak to supporters, trying to encourage them to keep fighting for health care reform efforts in the Congress.

"These struggles always boil down to a contest between hope and fear," the President said on Wednesday in a conference call with more liberal religious leaders.

"I'm going to need the help of all of you," Mr. Obama said, "I'm going to need you to knock on doors, talk to your neighbors."

Today, the President will travel to the Democratic National Committee headquarters not far from the Capitol to speak to supporters by phone. That spurred MoveOn.org to send out an appeal for supporters to rally outside, warning that "right-wing groups are mobilizing to protest."

"With the president there in person and the national media watching, we need a huge show of progressive support for real health care reform--including a strong public health insurance option," said an email from the liberal group last night.

"We know President Obama wants a public health insurance option--as he has said many times, it's the best way to lower costs, expand coverage, and keep the insurance companies honest," said MoveOn's Nita Chaudhary.

From the Frederick News Post:

National Democrats will host a listening tour for health care reform supporters in Frederick this evening.

It will be the first such event in Maryland that Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee, will hold.

The goal is to strengthen the grassroots network created during the Obama campaign to advance his agenda, according to a press release sent this morning.

Supporters and volunteers will be invited to offer ideas on how Organizing for America should organize to promote the president’s priorities.

“The historic dedication and commitment of our supporters is what brought us victory in November and is what will help us advance President Obama’s bold vision for the country over the coming years,” stated Jason Waskey, OFA state director, in the press release. “They, more than anyone else, know what approaches will work best in their community and we’re eager to hear from them.”

The event will take place 7 p.m. tonight at the Frederick County Democratic Central Committee headquarters, 343 N. Market Street.

From the Helena Air:

Federal stimulus money has created about 1,000 jobs in Montana so far, with many more yet to come, Gov. Brian Schweitzer said Wednesday.

State estimates last winter were that Montana would be able to create or save 11,000 jobs with this stimulus money.

Many more Montanans will be working in the coming months because of the infusion of federal money, Schweitzer said, but he added that he couldn’t estimate how many yet.

“A lot of the money isn’t on the ground yet,” Schweitzer said in a national press conference organized by the Democratic National Committee to tout what it called the success of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Today's News

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:32:18 EDT

From the Politico:

Seeking to recapture the energy of his campaign organization, President Barack Obama is holding “a live strategy meeting” on health care — online and via conference call — with grass-roots supporters on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Eastern.

The Organizing for America National Health Care Forum is being held by the successor to Obama's campaign organization, now a project of the Democratic National Committee.

The call will come just the day after Obama holds a nationwide conference call with liberal and progressive faith organizations, which are organizing home and congregational meetings for groups to listen in.

David Plouffe, who was campaign manager of Obama for America, wrote in a Tuesday afternoon message to the campaign’s e-mail list of more than 13 million names: “The president will update us on the fight to pass real health insurance reform — what's happening in D.C. and what's happening around the country. He'll lay out our strategy and message going forward and answer questions from supporters like you. And we'll unveil the next actions we'll organize together.”

Supporters are invited to “R.S.V.P. and submit a question for the president.”

"We'll provide you with a Web address where you can watch the entire meeting live online,” the message says.

Those who can’t watch online are invited to participate by phone: “We will call you at the phone number you submit shortly before the forum begins — please make sure that you register with a valid phone number, preferably a land line, to ensure the best experience.”

From the New York Times:

President Obama will try to pump some gas into overhauling health care again on Wednesday, but not before he greets a few citizens who make a living pressing the pedal to the floor.

After his daily meetings, Mr. Obama will host Nascar drivers on the South Portico of the White House. Jimmie Johnson, the 2008 winner of the Sprint Cup, Nascar’s biggest race, will be among those present. His number 48 Chevy will be parked on the pavement.

Next, Mr. Obama turns his attention to his top domestic priority. He will speak publicly to Christians, Jews and Muslims on an afternoon conference call, and an administration official will answer questions from participants. The discussion is expected to last 40 minutes, and the public can call in or go online to listen.

Setting the Record Straight: Republican Attacks

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:26:21 EDT

In our continuing series to set the record straight on health care insurance reform, we turn to the case of Republicans who continually make false claims, instead of engaging in honest debate on the merits of reform. Here are some of the most egregious distortions:

Republicans claim insurance reform would explode the deficit, when the President has committed to making reform deficit-neutral.
Republicans claim health insurance reform will lead to rationing, a lie that independent observers have debunked.
Republicans have described the Democratic plan for insruance reform as "a government controlled health care plan" that will deprive over 120 million Americans of their current health care coverage. PolitiFact called this claim "false," noting that those who like their current coverage will get to keep it.

What makes these lies and distortions all the more disturbing is their source: groups that are wholly owned by the insurance industry. To find our more about Republicans' false claims about health insurance reform, visit Setting the Record Straight, and share the information there with your friends.

Setting the Record Straight: "Death Panels"

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:51:59 EDT

For the first installment in our series to set the record straight on health care reform, we turn to one of the most egregious and frequently heard distortions: the idea that government "death panels" will decide who is and who isn't worthy of health care.

The Truth: there is no "death panel" mentioned in any of the health insurance reform bills under consideration, and there never was.

The author of a similar provision, Republican Johnny Isakson, said it was “nuts” to claim the bill encourages euthanasia. Even Palin's home-state Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, after hearing Palin's comments, said, “It does us no good to incite fear in people by saying that there's these end-of-life provisions, these death panels... Quite honestly, I'm so offended at that terminology because it absolutely isn't (in the bill). There is no reason to gin up fear in the American public by saying things that are not included in the bill.”

Visit Setting the Record Straight to get the full story on health insurance reform, and check out what others are saying about the death panel lie right here:

We have read all 1,000-plus pages of the Democratic bill and examined versions in various committees. There is no panel in any version of the health care bills in Congress that judges a person's 'level of productivity in society' to determine whether they are 'worthy' of health care. Palin's claim sounds a little like another statement making the rounds, which says that health care reform would mandate counseling for seniors on how to end their lives sooner. We rated this claim Pants on Fire! The truth is that the health bill allows Medicare, for the first time, to pay for doctors' appointments for patients to discuss living wills and other end-of-life issues with their physicians. These types of appointments are completely optional, and AARP supports the measure. ... But that's not what Palin said. She said that the Democratic plan will ration care and "my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care." Palin's statement sounds more like a science fiction movie (Soylent Green, anyone?) than part of an actual bill before Congress. We rate her statement Pants on Fire!” [Politifact, 8/10/09]

Setting the Record Straight

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:55:04 EDT

And that's why what all of you do is so important, because people trust you -- your neighbors, your friends, fellow community members -- they trust you. They know you. And if you are presenting the facts clearly and fairly, I'm absolutely confident that we're going to win this debate. - President Barack Obama

Americans everywhere know that we need health insurance reform - millions of people go without coverage, and those that are covered are often subject to insurance policies that only work when they stay healthy. But opponents of reform aren't debating the changes we need honetly: it seems like a new lie about health insurance reform pops up every day. That's why we've created a new site, Setting the Record Straight, that will expose the special interests and partisan attack groups who spread these rumors, and give you the real story on how health insurance reform will lower costs while giving you more choices in the healthcare market.

We've filled the site with impartial information from trusted third parties that you can use when you talk to your friends and neighbors about health insurance reform. Hear someone talking about death panels? Let them know that even Republicans think that lie is "nuts." Get a chain e-mail with untrue information? Respond with this page to set your friends straight. And if you see an anti-reform protest, remember that they're being organized and funded by special interest groups.

In the coming weeks, we'll be exposing lies and rumors as they come up. Setting the Record Straight will be updated with each new falsehood, and we'll feature some of the most egregious distortions here on the Organizing for America blog. We can provide you with the information you need, but only you have the power to set the record straight with your friends, neighbors, and co-workers. You can click to visit the site now, and stay tuned to this blog for up-to-the-minute coverage of the real story behind insurance reform.

Strategy Meeting Tomorrow: RSVP Now

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:35:34 EDT

Tomorrow, at 2:30pm Eastern time, President Obama will be holding a health care strategy meeting for all Organizing for America supporters. The President will update us on what's happining in D.C. and around the country, lay out our message going forward, and answer questions from supporters like year. We'll also unveil the next steps that you can take to help us organize around health insurance reform.

This is a critical time to organize around real health insurance reform. If you can join us and you haven't already RSVP'ed, click here to sign up:

Last week, over 60,000 Organizing for America volunteers visited their Senators and Representatives' offices to tell them why we need insurance reform now. But that's just the first step. There's more work to be done. To find out the next steps, join us tomorrow - this meeting is our chance to huddle as a team, get the latest information, and talk about how we're going to achieve this victory. You don't want to miss it. Click here to RSVP and attend the meeting now.

Time to set the record straight

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:02:41 EDT

Mitch Stewart, Director of Organizing for America, just sent out this message:

It feels like a new lie about health insurance reform crops up each day. Government taking over all health care? Not true. Euthanasia for seniors? Couldn't be more false. Rationing of care? Reform will stop rationing, not increase it.

These lies create fear and anger, and we're seeing the results around the country. Frightened crowds have flooded town halls, and the office of a Georgia representative was defaced with a swastika.

It's time to set the record straight -- and, more importantly, expose the special interests and partisan attack organizations behind the lies and misinformation.

That's why we created our new "Setting the Record Straight" site. Check out the site today and then spread the word to your friends.
As the site makes clear, these lies are no accident. They're part of a deliberate plot by the special interests who profit from the status quo to kill any reform at all. While Americans watch their paychecks dwindle, their coverage disappear, and their businesses struggle, special interests are trying to scare folks into opposing reform.

Our "Setting the Record Straight" site has all the info you need to fight back, as well as easy ways to get involved in the fight for health insurance reform. We'll be updating it often with new information debunking health care lies, so stop by regularly.

As we learned during the campaign, lies like these can spread like wildfire through viral emails and from friend to friend. The best way to stop them is to arm yourself with the facts -- and make sure your friends and family know the truth.

Check out the site, and share it with everyone you know:

http://my.barackobama.com/record

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

Last Tuesday: Health Care Conference Call with Senior Advisor to the President David Axelrod

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:40:00 EDT

Last Tuesday night, Senior Advisor to the President David Axelrod joined thousands of Organizing for America supporters on a conference call to disucss the current state of health insurance reform. He talked about the President's plan to ensure that all Americans receive adequate coverage, and took questions from supporters like you. He emphasized how important August is to getting this crucial legislation passed: "Let's use this time productively, to touch as many people as possible, and really engage them in a disucssion about where we are."

Although the call is over, if you missed it, you can listen to a recording here:

The call also features Mitch Stewart and Jeremy Bird, Organizing for America Director and Deupty Director, as well as Ohioan Sarah Ortman, who worries about keeping her husband and daughter insured.

Andy in Ohio - "I knew the work we did would have made my stepfather proud"

Bradley Portnoy — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:33:58 EST

Remember Andy? Throughout the summer, we brought you stories from some of the Obama Organizing Fellows, volunteer organizers who spent six weeks working in states across the country in conjunction with grassroots leaders and campaign staff to help build the foundation of our general election campaign.

Many of the Fellows, Andy among them, went on to become field organizers with the campaign. We've asked a few of them to pick up where we last left them, and share their stories of their time on the campaign. Andy's story is below:

I left Detroit, Michigan to move to Columbus, Ohio last June to be an Organizing Fellow with the campaign. Saying goodbye to friends and family members was tough. In spite of the difficulty, I knew their memories would keep me strong.
There was no memory of a person that was stronger in my mind than that of my stepfather. He was an honest man. He treated my brother and I like we were his own children. My mother and him always looked out for each other. He taught me to always work hard, even when times were tough.
He was an electrician for almost forty years of his life. Unfortunately he developed lung cancer from the asbestos he was exposed to on the job. He had to be hospitalized in November of last year because his health was deteriorating rapidly.
We gathered around his bed as a family one last time just before Thanksgiving. The room was absolutely silent except for the whirring noise of the machines. In this silence I thought about how thankful I was for all the times that we had shared. I was thankful for the way we took care of each other.
I just wish the health care companies had taken care of my stepfather. It seemed like every day we had to argue with them about coverage for the treatments that he needed to be comfortable and hopefully recover. I will never know if more preventative care and a better plan would have made a difference. But I will always wonder if it could have.
I can't change what happened to my stepfather, or the millions of other Americans who have had a similar a story to his. But I know that we need fundamental changes in our policies to prevent this from happening to future generations.
When I arrived in Columbus I met hundreds of other Fellows. They may have been different ages and from all across the country, but they all came for change. As Fellows we worked with volunteers in the community to organize voter registration. The days were long, but the payoff was worth it. Together we brought an historic number of new voters into the political process. The Fellows and the volunteers in these early months built the foundation of our campaign. I was sad to see many of them go at the end of July. But I was also inspired by what we had done and what we had built together.
I stayed on as a field organizer in Columbus along with several other Fellows. We had some new faces join our team as field organizers as well. Our team culture grew immediately. Even though we worked in different parts of the state we knew that we would have to work together to win Ohio.
On that solid foundation we set out to build a leadership structure unlike any other campaign in history. The campaign recognized the power of community, and we worked with local leaders to develop a team in every neighborhood across the state. These teams were unprecedented. They recruited their own volunteers and ran their own canvasses and phonebanks every week. Because of them, we were able to contact an enormous number of voters in Ohio and persuade them to vote for change.
My team leaders were amazing. They worked so many hours because they knew that the future of their children, their community, and their country depended on it.
About a month before Election Day we started preparing for our final sprint to the finish line. We had to mobilize our Get Out The Vote (GOTV) effort. At this point people were stepping up their effort and working non-stop. It culminated in the final week with canvasses and phonebanks all day, every day.
On November 4th we got up at 4 am. There was not a minute to waste. Teams across every neighborhood in Ohio opened up their staging locations and prepared for the work ahead.
I am and always will be proud of how people in their community came together to work for a common purpose.
When all of the polling locations closed, I got nervous. Doubt ran through my mind. There was a sinking feeling in my gut. It wasn't that I thought we didn't work as hard as we could. It was more that there was no more work to do. It was out of our hands at this point. I headed back to headquarters in my car.
I didn't listen to the radio on the way back to the office. I couldn't bear it. Instead I sat listening to the whirring sound of my car engine. I thought about my stepfather. I knew the work we did would have made him proud.
When I walked into the office there was a hair-raising energy in the air. Everyone was running from room to room excitedly, explaining that we had just won Ohio. Shortly after Barack Obama won the presidency. A roar ran through the office. A change ran through the country.
Now that I have come back home I get a new positive energy from everyone I meet. There may be enormous challenges ahead, but we are ready as a nation to deal with them and make our country greater.

You can read the rest of Andy's stories about his time spent as an Organizing Fellow here. Over the next few days we'll be catching up with a number of the Fellows. If you a memorable story from your experience on the campaign you'd like to share, you can submit it online or in the comments below.

It's Not Over Yet

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:06:28 EST

The polls are now closed in the east, but the election isn't over yet. We've come so far, we've come this close, because of our volunteers like you around the country. Until the polls close everywhere, we can't let up for one second, not when there's so much at stake.

Now we have to race the sun across America and call into states where the election is still being contested. This is our chance to change America, and we can't stop until there's nowhere left to fight. Please select a state to call now.

Polls Are Closing - It's Now or Never for the Change We Need

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:38:19 EST

In just hours, polls will close in the northeast. Already, millions of Americans have gone to the ballot box to stand up and make their voices heard.

If you haven't voted yet, it's now or never. The window hasn't closed, but time is running out. Find your polling place and head out now:

http://www.voteforchange.com

If you've already voted, you can still help the campaign make history. The last polls in the lower 48 states don't close until 11pm, and you can make calls into essential battleground states until then:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/phonebankmap/

We can't let up for one second until the polls are closed everywhere. We've almost crossed the finish line - let's sprint until we do.

Live from New Hampshire: "The Difference Between Winning and Losing"

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:42:11 EST

Former Governor and candidate for Senate Jeanne Shaheen just held an impromptu campaign rally at New Hampshire state headquarters in Manchester. A crowd of over 100 volunteers took a quick break from phonebanking and packet assembly to get fired up, and Shaheen didn't disappoint.

Today, we have an opportunity to turn the page...we know that today we're going to elect Barack Obama president!

She cautioned them against counting their chickens before the polls close, though, and urged everyone to do as much as they can to get out the vote.

Making sure that we get every single voter out is going to be the difference between winning and losing today.

Can you help make the difference between winning and losing? Help get out the vote now.

Don't Miss Your Chance To Make History -- Vote, Then Volunteer

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:11:14 EST

Across the country, Americans have already gone to their polling locations in droves to elect Barack Obama. They know that he’ll work hard to bring the change we need to Washington, from ending the Bush-McCain economic policies to giving a $1,000 tax cut to 95% of families.

Time is running out fast – there are only a few hours left before the polls close. If you haven’t yet, it's time to get to your polling place and cast your ballot.

Find your polling place here:

http://www.voteforchange.com

Then help the campaign get out the vote. Find out what you can do:

http://my.barackobama.com/november

Don't Miss Your Chance To Make History -- Vote, Then Volunteer

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:07:21 EST

Across the country, Americans have already gone to their polling locations in droves to elect Barack Obama. They know that he’ll work hard to bring the change we need to Washington, from ending the Bush-McCain economic policies to giving a $1,000 tax cut to 95% of families.

Time is running out fast – there are only a few hours left before the polls close. If you haven’t yet, it's time to get to your polling place and cast your ballot.

Find your polling place here:

http://NH.voteforchange.com/

Make sure you know your rights before you head out, in case you run into trouble at the polls:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/bradleyportnoy/gGg8Yp

Then help the campaign get out the vote. Find out what you can do:

http://my.barackobama.com/november

Out Moment is Now -- Vote, Then Volunteer

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:09:23 EST

23 months ago, Barack Obama began his campaign for the presidency. Asking us not just to believe in his ability to bring the change we need to Washington, but to believe in ours, the campaign has grown into a movement that is millions strong.

Today is the day we've all been waiting for. It's time to get to your polling place and cast your ballot, and then join volunteers across the country in helping others do the same.

Find your polling place here:

http://NH.voteforchange.com

Make sure you know your rights before you head out, in case you run into trouble at the polls:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/bradleyportnoy/gGg8Yp

Then find out how you can volunteer to get out the vote:

http://my.barackobama.com/november

Get Out the Vote in New Hampshire

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:10:34 EST

Volunteers from across Rhode Island will be meeting today at noon at Hope High School in Providence to get out the vote in New Hampshire. They'll carpool, and for those without transportation, a bus will be provided. All hands are needed on deck in the Granite State - please sign up to join us.

Today is the Day - Find Your Polling Place

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:37:45 EST

Today is the day - the moment we've been waiting for, our chance to bring the change we need to Washington. Do you know where your polling place is? Are you a first time voter, recently moved or haven't voted in a few years? Double check where your polling place is before you head out. You can use the Vote for Change box below to do it without going anywhere.

We'll even give you directions!

Do you need a ride to the polls? Call 1-888-NH-CHANGE.

Barack Wins Dixville Notch

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:15:02 EST

This just in from New Hampshire field volunteers - Barack Obama has defeated John McCain in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire. Dixville Notch is the first place in the United States to cast their ballots. The final tally of votes is 15 for Barack Obama, and 6 for John McCain. This is the first time since 1968 that a Democrat has won this small town on the Atlantic Coast.

Women and Kids Getting Out the Vote in New Hampshire

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:47:27 EST

Jamie, one of the New Hampshire founders of Women for Obama nearly two years ago, just sent us this message about how she's helping to get out the vote:

How do Obama Mamas and kids in New Hampshire help out with the GOTV effort? Bundle up and move playgroup to the busiest intersection in our state capitol. The campaign has been a presence in our lives for some time. We've taken the kids to enough rallies that their favorite "song" is "Obama 08, Fired Up Ready to Go!" Cate wore both of her children in baby carriers (one in front, one on back) while we canvassed as families Saturday afternoon. Kids made custom Obama "peace, love, hope" t-shirts at the birthday party for Katie's daughter this weekend. Perhaps our biggest contribution is teaching our children that one person, no matter how young, can make a difference. We believe in the power of hope and know that a vote for Senator Obama is a vote for our children's future.

The election is here - the polls open in ten minutes in Hart's Location and Dixville Notch, New Hampshire. We need all hands on deck until the polls close - volunteer at your local office now, and help us make history.

Live from New Hampshire: "The most exciting campaign I've ever worked on"

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:07:02 EST

There are now a little less than 24 hours left until polls close in the lower 48 states. At the Portsmouth, New Hampshire office, they're finishing up an incredible night of volunteer action. They packed their phonebanking tables to the rafters, and volunteers were filling every available chair and surface, using their own phones to work through countless call packets.

Volunteers were huddled around tables and in hallways making an army of homemade signs for early morning visibility. In a small back room next to the pantry, a team of volunteers dutifully entered all the data that the day's canvassers and phonebankers had produced.

Kathleen from Northborough, Massachusetts, found herself in Portsmouth after having organized phonebanks for three presidential and one gubernatorial campaign. She said that this time, there's something different.

This is probably the most exciting campaign I've ever worked on. The organization is amazing, the volunteer pool is huge, and the enthusiam is high all the time. From when we get in at 7:30AM to the time we leave there are volunteers here working, excited, and smiling. We're having a great time.

Take a look at this slideshow of scenes from the office, and then find a way to help the campaign tomorrow. Find your polling place and vote early. Volunteer with your local office to help get out the vote. If you're not in a battleground, make calls for as long as you can.

Know Your Rights

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:40:03 EST

Tomorrow is election day, and before you head to the polls, it's important to know your rights. Your right to vote is a right - don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Recently moved?

If you are registered to vote at your current address, just show up and vote. Call 1-888-NH-CHANGE (1-888-642-4264) or go to VoteForChange.com to find your correct polling location and hours.

Need to register? ID Required?

You can register to vote on Election day at your polling place. Bring a photo ID, such as a driver's license, student ID, or work ID. Or, bring a document with your name and address like a utility bill, phone bill, or another piece of mail.

If you don't have an ID, you can still register and vote after filling out short sworn statements.

Problems at the polling place?

If you are in line when the polls close you can vote.

If a poll worker says you are not registered, you can register at the voter reistration table at your polling place.

If you're age 18, a U.S. citizen living in New Hampshire, and are in the correct polling place, you have the right to vote -- if your vote is challenged, you should answer questions but insist on voting. You will be asked to fill out a "Challenged Voter Affidavit," but you still have the right to cast your vote and have your vote counted. If you are challenged, be sure to tell an Obama Voter Protection Volunteer or call 1-888-NH-CHANGE (1-888-642-4264, select the option to speak to a voter protection specialist).

Poll workers cannot ask you about personal financial matters. You have the right to vote even if you have unpaid bills, parking tickets, overdue taxes, or a home at risk of forclosure.

If you have been convicted of a felony but are on parole or probation, you have the right to vote. Only those who are currently incarcerated for a felony may not vote.

Disabilities, age, or medical concerns?

If you are elderly or have disabilities, you have the right to vote in a way that is accessible to you by having someone assist you.

Any other questions?

Call 1-888-NH-CHANGE (1-888-642-4264). Blue Hampshire also has a helpful FAQ on voting in New Hampshire.

"Let's not blow this chance"

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:58:22 EST

Dean from Blue Hampshire posted this early this morning:

A flatlander, I moved up to New Hampshire in 1999. From an apolitical upbringing, I had only voted once before for Bill Clinton in 1992. I didn't even bother in 1996, and I had no idea there was such a thing as mid-term elections, despite being vaguely aware of the Gingrich uprising.
All of that changed when I lived through my first First-in-the Nation Primary. Seeing how the candidate visits energized the electorate was eye-opening for me. I voted in a tiny, picture perfect olde-timey town hall, on a paper ballot, a far far cry from the ugly public buildings, long lines, and big machines of my New York days. Appearances do count: it felt like my vote actually mattered.
On primary day, I thought I might vote for John McCain. The chief reason was that Bush the Younger seemed to me even more fake than Ronald Reagan - and I had vivid, negative childhood memories of that actor on the TeeVee. Not really feeling a preference (or interest) for either Gore or Bradley, I thought I could do more good in keeping the cowboy down and out. In the end, though, I came to my senses and voted for a Democrat.
Next November, I could barely believe my eyes as the Florida hanging chad fiasco unfolded across CNN. When SCOTUS settled it, I thought, "eh, the country's sick of Democrats after eight years of Bill. Bush's son is an obvious clown, but there's no way he'll win a second term. And then I put politics out of my mind again...

Read the rest of the post over at Blue Hampshire, then volunteer to get out the vote tomorrow.

Live from New Hampshire: The Scene in Manchester

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:54:32 EST

This morning, hundreds of volunteers came through our Manchester staging area, right above state headquarters. By now, the field organizers and volunteers have the process down to a science, and canvassers are quickly put through an assembly line of training, packet pickup, and turf assignment. We have thousands of walk packets to get through in the next two days, and it's places like our Manchester staging area that make it possible.

Check out this slideshow of the scene just hours ago:

The time left to make a difference in this election is measured in hours now, not days. Can you join the Manchester volunteers, and hundreds of thousands like them across the country, in one last push? Find out how you can help the campaign and make history today.

"We Have A Lot of Work To Do"

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:14:53 EST

"Don't believe for a second this election's over. Don't think think for a minute that power concedes. We have a lot of work to do. We have to work like our future depends on it in this last week, because it does depend on it this week." - Sen. Barack Obama

Here it is, our moment - the election is tomorrow. In 35 hours, the polls will be closed across the country. Watch this message from Barack:

Can you knock on some doors for Barack? Can you make some calls? Will you talk to your neighbors and convince your friends? Will you give Barack your vote? Together, we can win this election and change this country and change the world. We only have 35 hours. Let's get to work.

"We Have A Lot of Work To Do"

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:10:10 EST

Here it is, our moment - the election is tomorrow. In 35 hours, the polls will be closed across the country. Watch this message from Barack:

Live from New Hampshire: The Day in Pictures

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:36:01 EST

Today has been an incredible day in New Hampshire - state headquarters in Manchester was thrumming with volunteers all day long, and the staging areas across the state sent thousands of people into the fields to help get out the vote. Check out the scene from around New Hampshire today, and then sign up to help get out the vote near you.

Live from New Hampshire: "A Better Candidate With A Better Message"

Bradley Portnoy — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:18:45 EST

Tonight in Manchester, New Hampshire, just a mile from the state Campaign for Change headquarters, former President Clinton spoke to hundreds of supporters in a high school gymnasium to get them fired up before the election. He took a tough stand on the McCain-Bush economic policies, using history as his guide.

This administration has presided over the largest redistribution of wealth upwards since the 1920s - and you all know how the 1920s ended.

But more than that, he told voters that they needed to get out and vote for the real change we need in Washington. He was unequivocal in his support for Barack Obama, calling on everyone assembled to get out and not only elect Barack, but to elect Jeanne Shaheen to the Senate other Democrats to offices across New Hampshire. He spoke about what he called the "Three Cs" - conditions, culture, and candidate - that he thinks are necessary to get elected president.

We've got a better candidate, with a better message, with the history of this nation screaming at us to move this country forward.

With only 48 hours to go before polls close across the lower 48 states, every second between now and the election counts. Please join us in making history - volunteer to help get out the vote.

48 Hours to Make History

Bradley Portnoy — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:38:03 EST

Here at state headquarters in Manchester, we just finished up calling for the night. Check out this father-son calling team working their way through a call packet:

Volunteers will be in again tomorrow, canvassing and making calls so that we can make history on election day. Can you join us? Take the day off work - take two days off work. We only have 48 hours until the polls close. Sign up here to help get out the vote in the final two days.

"Come on and get the vote out!"

Bradley Portnoy — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:44:08 EST

It's not every day that a union hall full of volunteers bursts into song, but that's exactly what just happened in the campaign's Concord, New Hampshire staging area. Taking music from the classic "Twist and Shout," a group of about 30 volunteers from across New Hampshire and Massachusetts sang that they were here to "Get the vote out" for Barack, and then immediately filed into cars to go canvassing.

Joel, the group's leader, got the idea from his annual Christmas caroling.

I run a Christmas caroling mob around the holidays and we decided that it would be good to apply the same paradigm here, to get people out singing.

The staging area is usually the home of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 490, and unions have been heavily involved in the Concord effort. Gary, President of the Service Employees International Union and a former sergeant with the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, sees a difference between now and what happened four years ago.

There is a big difference, in the number of people actively involved, the energy and the enthusiasm around that involvement, it's incredible, it's awesome to see it and be a part of it. It feels like a wave of change, it's not just the every day put in the paces, this actually has some substance and some depth to it, it's great.

The Concord staging area is one of many spread out across the state, all with turf that needs to be covered in the next two days. With so little time left until the election, volunteers are needed to canvass around the country. Can you sign up to help out with our critical Get Out The Vote operation in a battleground near you?

Sunday: Join President Bill Clinton and Jeanne Shaheen in Manchester

Bradley Portnoy — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:43:23 EST

The campaign just sent out this e-mail:

This Sunday, November 2nd, please join President Bill Clinton and Jeanne Shaheen in Manchester, where they will talk about Barack's vision for creating the kind of change we need.

Unite for Change Rally
with President Bill Clinton
and Jeanne Shaheen

Manchester Central Highschool
Gymnasium
207 Lowell Street
Manchester, NH

Sunday, November 2nd
Doors Open: 4:00 p.m.
Program Begins: 4:30 p.m.

http://nh.barackobama.com/UniteManchester

The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; however an RSVP is strongly encouraged.

For security reasons, do not bring bags or umbrellas. Please limit personal items. No signs or banners allowed.

Find your polling location:

http://nh.voteforchange.com

Your election

Bradley Portnoy — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:16:30 EST

The campaign just sent out this e-mail:

Bradley --

Students and young people have played a larger role in this campaign than in any other campaign in history.

We have just days to go, and your work is more important than ever.

We've put together a video documenting some of the work young people have done in the last 21 months as part of this movement for change.

Watch the video, then sign up to help get us over the finish line:

For too long, the power of the young people in politics has been dismissed. But this is your election.

Students have been the number one donors to this campaign, and young people are the driving force behind field and get out the vote operations.

You've already changed political campaigns. Now it's time to change the nation.

Watch the video and be part of this movement for change in the final days:

http://my.barackobama.com/SFOgetinvolved

Our future will be determined in the next few days, and you can make the crucial difference.

Thank you for all you're doing,

Students for Obama

Volunteer to get out the vote.

Live from New Hampshire: Phonebanking with Maria from Massachusetts

Bradley Portnoy — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:09:35 EDT

At the New Hampshire State Headquarters, volunteers have been pouring in from all over the northeast as the get out the vote operation kicks into high gear. At this late stage, getting out the vote is the most important thing in the battlegrounds, and we need all hands on deck to get it done.

Maria has come to New Hampshire from New Bedford, Massachusetts. She remembers helping to get out the vote for John Kerry four years ago.

It's very engaging, very exciting...we're energetic, we love the energy people have here. It's very motivating and empowering. I find that people are more energetic this time than four years ago.

She's been doing everything from phonebanking to canvassing, and plans on staying in New Hampshire through election day. She's taking the week off from work, but says it wasn't a difficult decision to make.

No, it wasn't tough at all. I realized how important it is, so I took part of my vacation off so I can volunteer.

You can join Maria and help make history - sign up for an event near you or make phone calls tonight.

"The Office Was Hopping"

Bradley Portnoy — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:13:52 EDT

Cassandra, a volunteer from Connecticut, just sent this e-mail to the Connecticut Drive for Change group:

My carpool just dropped me off from our trip to Claremont and the office was hopping! Perhaps hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers! Ran into people I know. Small world. Walked over to the Republican office and IT IS NOT MANNED! Nary a soul was there. EMPTY!!! zip! NADA! Best of all, undecideds appear to be deciding for Obama.

Join the thousands of supporters who drove to New Hampshire and canvassed today - we need all hands on deck for our get out the vote operation. Sign up here to come to New Hampshire, and then check out the rideshare board to carpool with other supporters.

Wow

Bradley Portnoy — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:58:23 EDT

Ray Sullivan, Rhode Island State Director, just sent out this e-mail:

WOW! That’s all I can say – the response today has been awesome! Right now, our office is busting with more than 140 volunteers making calls into a battleground state. All day there’s been a constant stream of people showing up to make calls for change, folks who say they felt compelled to take part in the most important election of our lifetime. We have so much work to do before Tuesday, so we’ll be on the phones here until 9:00 tonight. Can you come in for a few hours and help us get out the vote?

We need you now! If you can’t come in today please consider volunteering tomorrow in our Rhode Island office or spend the day canvassing in New Hampshire. Tomorrow morning we’ll be rallying with the members of our Congressional Delegation and the Democratic general officers before we head north, and we just found out that former President Bill Clinton will be in the Granite State tomorrow to rally for Barack. Click here to find out more information about the rally.

Our volunteers rock! Now get in here and join us as we sprint to the finish line!

VIDEO: An easy decision

Bradley Portnoy — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:49:41 EDT

Mindy Myers, New Hampshire State Director, just sent out this e-mail:

Bradley --

With only 3 days left until Election Day, Granite Staters have a choice.

We can get to work right now making sure that New Hampshire's pivotal electoral votes go to Barack Obama.

Or we can sit back, relax, and risk facing four more years of the same failed Bush-McCain economic policies.

I don't think it's a hard decision.

Now is the time to help get out the vote in New Hampshire. This is our chance to make change a reality.

Joe Biden recently recorded a message for New Hampshire supporters. Take a moment to hear Joe talk about why it's so important to get involved right now, and then sign up to help get out the vote.

This campaign has come a long way in the past 21 months. Now that we're in the final, crucial days, letting up is simply not an option.

It's up to us to make sure that New Hampshire voters get to the polls -- and all New Hampshire residents need to know that they can register and vote on Election Day, even if they've never registered before.

This is our chance for a brighter future. Please sign up to help get out the vote:

http://nh.barackobama.com/gotvNH

Thanks for everything you're doing,

Mindy

Mindy Myers
New Hampshire State Director
Obama for America

P.S. -- Visit our online Election Headquarters to look up polling locations, learn about your voting rights, and find answers to any questions you might have:

http://nh.barackobama.com/NHelectionHQ

Volunteer to get out the vote.

Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts Makes Calls with Volunteers in Rhode Island

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:11:04 EDT

Every Wednesday since the Rhode Island office opened, women have gathered in droves to make calls to other women in battleground states. The office is packed from 9am to 11pm most days, and volunteers race the sun across the country to make calls into the west long after most have gone to bed in the east. But Women to Women Wednesdays are different. The office was so full last night that volunteers filled every room of the Rhode Island Democratic Headquarters, and even filled two law offices that are in the same building.

The volunteers and staff were suprised when their normal calling night was interrupted by Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts, the highest ranking Democrat in Rhode Island. She joined the callers, working her way through two call packets using her own cell phone.

Frequently I can't make it work in my schedule, but I felt that this week is a crunch week and when I finished work at 6:30 I came to make calls. It's great to be part of a group of Rhode Islanders that feel so passionately about Barack Obama becoming president.

With only five days to go, she couldn't be more correct. We need to make millions of calls in the next five days to make sure that we get out the vote. And the ground game will be important too - Lt. Gov. Roberts' husband will be going to Pennsylvania this weekend "to do whatever they need him to do."

There's an important role for you to play in this election even if you don't live in a battleground state. The top ranking Democrat in Rhode Island found the time to make calls to 180 voters; can you do the same? We'll give you a list of voters in a nearby battleground to contact and a script to guide the conversation. If you can spend just an hour a day, every day until election day, you'll be making a huge impact and helping to bring the change we need to Washington.

Please, go to http://My.BarackObama.com/n2n and make calls today.

47 to 1

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:29:55 EDT

47 to 1. That's the number of endorsements from college newspaper editorialboards across the country that have endorsed Barack Obama, and the number that have endorsed John McCain. Who's endorsing whom? Here's the list of papers that have endorsed Barack Obama.

The Arizona Daily - University of Arizona
The Daily Bruin - UCLA
The Daily Californian - UC Berkley
Central Florida Future - University of Central Florida
Stetson University
Iowa State Daily - Iowa State University
The Daily Eastern News - Eastern Illinois University
The Dialy Northwestern - Northwestern University
The Daily Illini - University of Illinois
The Northern Star - Northern Illinois University
The Indiana Daily Student - Indiana University
The Amherst Student - Amherst College
The Berkeley Beacon - Emerson College
The Tufts Daily - Tufts University
The Justice - Brandeis University
The Point News - St. Mary's College of Maryland
The Bowdoin Student - Bowdoin College
The Bates Student - Bates College
Life - Central Michigan University
The Voice - Washtenaw Community College
The Michigan Daily - University of Michigan
The Michigan University - University of Michigan Dearborn
The Minnesota Daily - University of Minnesota
The University News - St. Louis University
The Duke Chronicle - Duke University
The Lamron - SUNY Geneseo
Binghamton Prospect
BU Pipe Dream - Binghamton University
Columbia Daily Spectator - Columbia University
The Cornell Daily Sun - Cornell University
Daily Kent Stater - Kent State University
The Independent - Univeristy of Toledo
The Miami Student - Miami University
The Oklahoma Dialy - University of Oklahoma
The Rocket - Slippery Rock Uniersity
Swarthmore Phoeniz - Swarthmore College
The Pitt News - Univeristy of Pittsburgh
The College Reporter - Franklin and Marshall College
The Daily Gamecock - University of South Carolina
The Pacer - University of Tennessee Martin
The Optimist
The Daily Texan - Univeristy of Texas at Austin
The Et Cetera - Eastfield College
The Flat Hat - College of William and Mary
The Parthenon - Marshall University
The Daily Athenaeum - West Virginia University

And for John McCain?

The Daily Mississippian - University of Mississippi

With only five days left to bring the change we need to Washington, join your fellow students in getting out the vote. Visit our Action Center to find five ways you can help today.

Did we miss your school newspaper's endorsement? Send us a link in the comments.

Final Women to Women Phonebank at State Headquarters

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:53:00 EDT

Volunteers gathered in the Providence office tonight for the final Women to Women Wednesday phonebank. Filling the entire state Democratic Party headquarters and two floors of a law office upstairs, they made thousdands of calls to other women in battleground states. With the election so close at hand, they were joined by a number of men, and the Lt. Governor, who dropped in and worked her way through two call packets.

Following the phonebank, the volunteers gathered to eat pizza and watch Barack's 30-minute message to America, and then got right back to work with another round of calls. Check out this slideshow from tonight:

Can you join us in one of our final five days of phonebanking? Please sign up for a Last Call for Change event, and help bring the change we need to Washington.