All last week, OFA volunteers, energized from the House vote on the health insurance reform bill, said thank you to Arizona’s members of Congress that supported health insurance reform. Thursday and Friday, volunteers intensified their efforts and held events all over the state. From Sierra Vista to Flagstaff, supporters got out into the community and let their appreciation and support be known.
In Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University students Emily, Aleks, Blekk, and Blaise got a life saver floatation device and went out on NAU’s campus. They asked students to sign the life saver and call Rep. Kirkpatrick office thanking her for her support.
In Prescott, Sierra Vista and Scottsdale, volunteers went directly to the Congressional Offices. They brought with them thank you notes expressing their sincerest appreciation and passed them along to the staff of Rep. Kirkpatrick, Rep. Giffords, and Rep. Mitchell.
In Sedona and Tucson, supporters held rallies on street corners waving signs and American flags. Rep. Giffords made a surprise appearance at the Tucson rally and took time to speak and take pictures with the crowd. She spoke about the importance of health insurance reform legislation and how hearing from her constituents played a critical role in helping her make her decision.
Please contact your Representative and Senators by CLICKING HERE. Let them know you support health insurance reform and you want them to support it as well. Then CLICK HERE to sign up for an upcoming health care event and join the fight to pass ground breaking health care reform.
Check out this slide show of pictures from all the “Thank You” Events.
This week’s Arizona Volunteer Spotlight is Michelle M. Michelle lives in Fountain Hills and is a graduate of Camp OFA. She has been working relentlessly in her community, fostering neighborhood teams and getting the word out about the importance of health insurance reform.
I have been a volunteer at Maricopa Medical Center since January 2008. I received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for my work there. I also completed the Spanish Bilingual Assistant program at the hospital. This work hopefully prepares me for my future as a primary care doctor working in under-served areas. I am also currently the Parent Chair for the Project Challenge of Arizona. This is a residential, National Guard program that works with at risk youths and helps them achieve GEDs or high school diplomas as well completing extensive community service projects. My son went through Project Challenge in 2007. I am a single mom who is in the process of applying to medical school with two teenagers. I am also applying to the Center for Progressive Leader's Fellowship in the hopes of learning how to be a more effective community organizer. I meditate every morning and I do yoga to relieve stress! I am currently taking Biochemistry and Women as HeBler's Across Cultures at ASU. I am also a Mentor in the President Obama Scholar's Program that ASU installed in our president's honor. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from ASU and Barack Obama was my graduation speaker. I love wine and hanging out at the Farm at South Mountain.
1. How long have you been volunteering with OFA? I started in August of 2009. 2. Why did you get involved volunteering with OFA? I remember last spring hearing Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee speak about health care reform and she said doctors needed to step up to the plate and take a seat at the table. She kept asking, "Who wants a seat at this table?" I remember wanting to hide under a table at that point! I kept thinking, someone else will fix this. Then, the heinous displays by opponents of health care reform at Congressional town halls this summer made me sick to my stomach. I think it was when I saw a man get bit on the arm, I said that was it. I wanted to just help with voter registration one day, but I got lost and had to get directions. I spoke to Ashley, an OFA Regional Director, and she told me about Camp OFA, which was starting in 45 minutes. I went to the training, and decided to make Fountain Hills a friendly home for President Obama and OFA. 3. What are some of the more effective practices you have found that work in getting people mobilized with OFA? When people come to my house to phone bank, I ask them to do one simple thing: find themselves on the list I have given them. In Fountain Hills especially, people think they are all alone. I continuously remind people that I live there and THEY live there, and that I have a room full of other people who are of like mind. I also find commonality. The first thing I tell people is I am a local Fountain Hills resident calling them. They feel more at home speaking to me. I have a positive attitude about who I am calling. I know I am going to find my next great volunteer each time I pick up the phone. We usually do get a few new people signing on board with us each phone bank. 4. What has been the highlight of your time volunteering with OFA? I would have to say the new friends I am making. I love the little snowflake we are creating in Fountain Hills. There is a core group of four of us that always shows up and we are increasing every week. Lolita, Gary, Susan and myself. We are quite the force. I have also enjoyed all the young and powerful energy in the leadership from OFA. You guys are the best and doing great things! Also, it was pretty cool being asked to be a judge on the panel for the new health care reform commercial. My daughter and I picked our favorites tonight. For one brief moment I was cool to my 16 year old. 5. What issue/issues matters most to you and why? Health Care Reform. I always knew I wanted to be a care giver to people that traditionally did not have access to good medical services. Lately, I have realized that I don't want to have to choose who I can care for and who I can't care for based on whether they have insurance or not. I won't make that choice! I am working my tail off now to help reform pass, so that by the time I am a doctor, I can step up to the plate and take care of all the folks who will have affordable health care! When people say, "who is going to take care of all these people," I can say, I will. I am also looking forward to helping the climate change bill get back on track and working with clean energy. Basically I am for the President's agenda, and will help to the best of my ability.
1. How long have you been volunteering with OFA?
I started in August of 2009.
2. Why did you get involved volunteering with OFA?
I remember last spring hearing Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee speak about health care reform and she said doctors needed to step up to the plate and take a seat at the table. She kept asking, "Who wants a seat at this table?" I remember wanting to hide under a table at that point! I kept thinking, someone else will fix this. Then, the heinous displays by opponents of health care reform at Congressional town halls this summer made me sick to my stomach. I think it was when I saw a man get bit on the arm, I said that was it. I wanted to just help with voter registration one day, but I got lost and had to get directions. I spoke to Ashley, an OFA Regional Director, and she told me about Camp OFA, which was starting in 45 minutes. I went to the training, and decided to make Fountain Hills a friendly home for President Obama and OFA.
3. What are some of the more effective practices you have found that work in getting people mobilized with OFA?
When people come to my house to phone bank, I ask them to do one simple thing: find themselves on the list I have given them. In Fountain Hills especially, people think they are all alone. I continuously remind people that I live there and THEY live there, and that I have a room full of other people who are of like mind. I also find commonality. The first thing I tell people is I am a local Fountain Hills resident calling them. They feel more at home speaking to me. I have a positive attitude about who I am calling. I know I am going to find my next great volunteer each time I pick up the phone. We usually do get a few new people signing on board with us each phone bank.
4. What has been the highlight of your time volunteering with OFA?
I would have to say the new friends I am making. I love the little snowflake we are creating in Fountain Hills. There is a core group of four of us that always shows up and we are increasing every week. Lolita, Gary, Susan and myself. We are quite the force. I have also enjoyed all the young and powerful energy in the leadership from OFA. You guys are the best and doing great things! Also, it was pretty cool being asked to be a judge on the panel for the new health care reform commercial. My daughter and I picked our favorites tonight. For one brief moment I was cool to my 16 year old.
5. What issue/issues matters most to you and why?
Health Care Reform. I always knew I wanted to be a care giver to people that traditionally did not have access to good medical services. Lately, I have realized that I don't want to have to choose who I can care for and who I can't care for based on whether they have insurance or not. I won't make that choice! I am working my tail off now to help reform pass, so that by the time I am a doctor, I can step up to the plate and take care of all the folks who will have affordable health care! When people say, "who is going to take care of all these people," I can say, I will.
I am also looking forward to helping the climate change bill get back on track and working with clean energy. Basically I am for the President's agenda, and will help to the best of my ability.
My hat's off to Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) for displaying the political courage necessary to help put the Affordable Health Care Act over the top in the House of Representatives last Saturday night.
Rep. Mitchell is that rarest of figures in the Washington political establishment: a man who stands for what is right and what is needed by our nation — not what is politically safe in his district and seems most expedient to his own reelection chances.
I realize that you didn't cast your vote in the health care reform debate to make me happy, Rep. Mitchell, but you did that and achieved something else, besides: You made me proud of one of my elected representatives in Congress.
Now, if we could only get Senators Kyl and McCain to rise to the same standards.
As the week progresses, so do the “Thank You” events. This morning at 8:30am, over 10 people gathered before the start of their work day to visits Representatives Ann Kirkpatrick’s office.
They were so excited about the health care bill passing in the House that they wanted to show their sincere appreciation for Rep Kirkpatrick’s support. Congressional staffers greeted them very warmly.
The “Thank You” events are still happening. CLICK HERE to find one near you. If you can’t make to an event, you can always write a letter to the editor expressing your appreciation by CLICKING HERE.
Monday morning after the historic vote in the House, Arizona health care supporters wasted no time thanking their members of Congress for supporting health care reform. In the Congressional Districts of Rep Ed Pastor, Rep Harry Mitchell and Rep Raúl Grijalva, supporters headed over to their member’s offices to personally show their appreciation.
Armed with smiles and homemade thank you cards, supporters met with Congressional staffers and expressed their deepest gratitude.
Congressional staffers were very receptive as well, and took some time to talk with the health care supporters and explain the upcoming legislative process.
CLICK HERE to find upcoming Thank You events. CLICK HERE to write a letter to the editor and make your voice heard.
This is a new section of the Arizona blog where we will showcase one of the countless hard working volunteers and community organizers. For the inaugural post we are showcasing Vene A., a local lawyer from Tucson who is passionate about working with her neighbors and bettering her community.
I am a transactional attorney from Nogales, Arizona, with a secret political wonk side. I found OFA through an email, and was immediately drawn to the organization. So far I have participated in planning a major media event at the University of Arizona Medical School, where over 200 doctors, students and researchers attended. The event garnered television press. I've collected over 100 declarations on behalf of OFA, I have also assisted in phone banking, notably on the day OFA attempted to get 100,000 calls to Washington, D.C. and we ended up with 330,000 calls to Congress and last, I have helped in planning and attending canvasses. As a result of my involvement in OFA, I was invited to the White House to represent OFA at a reception and concert.
1. How long have you been volunteering with OFA? I've been volunteering with OFA since August. 2. Why did you get involved volunteering with OFA? I felt energized by the state staff to work on pushing through President Obama's agenda. 3. What are some of the more effective practices you have found that work in getting people mobilized with OFA? Leading by example and sharing my personal story have been the two most effective practices that motivate people. I also find that listening to volunteers and truly hearing their stories to personalize my training helps the work go easier. 4. What has been the highlight of your time volunteering with OFA? Definitely organizing and putting together a presentation for hundreds of students and professionals. 5. What issue/issues matters most to you and why? In general, social inequality is the most important issue to me because it leads to so many other problems. If we can equalize the opportunities for different classes/races at a young age, we can prevent many of the issues that face the impoverished and minorities. We see this issue pervade health care reform, education reform, drug policy reform and energy policy.
I've been volunteering with OFA since August.
I felt energized by the state staff to work on pushing through President Obama's agenda.
Leading by example and sharing my personal story have been the two most effective practices that motivate people. I also find that listening to volunteers and truly hearing their stories to personalize my training helps the work go easier.
Definitely organizing and putting together a presentation for hundreds of students and professionals.
In general, social inequality is the most important issue to me because it leads to so many other problems. If we can equalize the opportunities for different classes/races at a young age, we can prevent many of the issues that face the impoverished and minorities. We see this issue pervade health care reform, education reform, drug policy reform and energy policy.
The passion for passing health insurance reform is growing. Just recently the Fountain Hills Times printed an array of the letters they have been receiving. Below are three of the letters they printed.
Reign In Costs by Dave Long
It is exciting to know that maybe, just maybe, the U.S. is now finally on the verge of reigning in health care costs, eliminating the pre-existing condition stigma and setting up a system that makes quality health care available to every one of our fellow citizens. Today, for those who can afford health insurance, premiums (and insurance company profits) increase unabated. For the millions, who are not insured (including the working poor), the lack of preventative care and postponed treatment of illnesses ultimately ends in much more costly emergency room treatment or worse -- premature death. The bills now before Congress reveal several paths out of the morass of the health care system we have today. It is a once in a (healthy) lifetime opportunity to fix a broken and expensive system.
It is exciting to know that maybe, just maybe, the U.S. is now finally on the verge of reigning in health care costs, eliminating the pre-existing condition stigma and setting up a system that makes quality health care available to every one of our fellow citizens.
Today, for those who can afford health insurance, premiums (and insurance company profits) increase unabated.
For the millions, who are not insured (including the working poor), the lack of preventative care and postponed treatment of illnesses ultimately ends in much more costly emergency room treatment or worse -- premature death.
The bills now before Congress reveal several paths out of the morass of the health care system we have today. It is a once in a (healthy) lifetime opportunity to fix a broken and expensive system.
Public Option by Steve Hoover
Everyone agrees that health care coverage is too expensive. Everyone agrees that we must do something quickly and that our economy is in peril if we don’t. Too many have health care nightmare stories. Obviously our healthcare system needs serious reform. Decades of dithering and lack of performance on the part of our elected officials has allowed this situation to spiral out of control. Finally, someone has demonstrated the leadership skills and guts to make serious health care reform a reality. I am a registered Republican, and I support President Obama’s Health Care Reform plan with a public option.
Everyone agrees that health care coverage is too expensive.
Everyone agrees that we must do something quickly and that our economy is in peril if we don’t.
Too many have health care nightmare stories. Obviously our healthcare system needs serious reform.
Decades of dithering and lack of performance on the part of our elected officials has allowed this situation to spiral out of control.
Finally, someone has demonstrated the leadership skills and guts to make serious health care reform a reality.
I am a registered Republican, and I support President Obama’s Health Care Reform plan with a public option.
Healthy Reform by Dorothy Verbal
Last week I was calling from a phone bank in Fountain Hills. Our objective was to notify residents that a call to their representative and senator would show support for President Obama’s plan for health insurance reform. It is important that our representatives are aware that many citizens support the reform plan with the public option because this will insure health care coverage for all Americans. We are the richest country in the world and yet 40 million people are uninsured. This number does not include the poor who, by the way, are covered by Medicaid. Hooray for President Obama for putting forth the effort! We should match his effort with our own.
Last week I was calling from a phone bank in Fountain Hills. Our objective was to notify residents that a call to their representative and senator would show support for President Obama’s plan for health insurance reform.
It is important that our representatives are aware that many citizens support the reform plan with the public option because this will insure health care coverage for all Americans.
We are the richest country in the world and yet 40 million people are uninsured. This number does not include the poor who, by the way, are covered by Medicaid.
Hooray for President Obama for putting forth the effort! We should match his effort with our own.
Letters like there have been making a difference call across Arizona. Here is your chance to have your voice heard. CLICK HERE to write a letter to the editor.
Last week, OFA-Arizona held its first official senior-to-senior phone banks in Phoenix and Tucson. Dozens of Arizona’s retirement community took the time to call other seniors and speak about health insurance reform. In Tucson, we were joined by Dr. Phibbs, who is Arizona’s oldest practicing physician at 93 years old. He emphatically called seniors and articulated the need for health insurance reform from an experienced doctor’s perspective.
We made these calls for three reasons: 1. to explain Presidents Obama’s plan for health insurance reform, 2. to dispel myths about Medicare and health insurance reform, and 3. to let seniors know how important their voices are in this fight. The senior volunteers encouraged supporters to call their member of Congress and let their congressperson know why health insurance reform is so personally important. As a result of the calls, they also recruited many new volunteers.
After making over 60 calls to seniors in the Pima county area and making the entire office smile with her charming phone conversations, Vickie S. remarked:
I had such a neat time phone banking other seniors this afternoon! It’s easy to work on something you love--like my marriage--Worked on it for 61 years and loved every moment of it. I love every moment of talking to other people my age about health care.
Join Dr. Phibbs, Vickie and other seniors who are taking action to encourage health insurance reform. Senior phone banks will be taking place every week in Tucson and Phoenix. CLICK HERE to find an event near you.
By two authors, called collectively JJ Kennedy
Please check out our sites: groups.myspace.com/stophatej, jj.kennedy@live.com, and more to come with our main website, myspace, facebook, twitter, and youtube. Expect seriousness, commedy, and satire all rolled into one massive networked political site.
Join our effort and become a member and contribute within our network, send us an email.
Healthcare Reform Reality Check
Some people say that a public option is not the way to go because it will cost too much, its a ranting lie that will kill grandma, it is too socialist; the opposition to the public option needs a reality check.
1. One of the arguments against President Obama's plan is that it is simply too expensive and will drain our economy increasing the already massive deficit left behind by the Bush administration. Reality check? The health care reform plan will not add anything to the deficit, and in fact it is paid for upfront. Fiscal responsibility is written all over this reform, addressing the realistic need for money and still providing effective health care. The first step is to start off fixing what is broken within the system. Namely, returning to realistic health care costs, which have risen four times faster than inflation based on a big business principle of maximizing profit rather than health. President Obama's plan focuses on quality care rather than quantity, a system where successful treatment of patients is more important than wasteful big medical business fraud. The plan will implement various delivery system reforms, making the medical system both more affordable and effective. Most importantly, the plan will bring about more effective preventative care which will reduce over-all long-term medical expenses; preventing illness before they happen and masively reducing the excessive future medical bills.
2. Clearly republicans are not in sync with the people. Some believe in the lies and propaganda from FOX NEWS and other right-wing whackjobs. This junk from the 'Death Panals' or 'Deathers', or that it will fund euthanasia and abortion, or the absurd notions that this plan will 'kill grandma' are the most ridiculous mythical arguments geared to convince the nearsighted right-wing zombies. Once again, right wing deception emerges. Why do people so easily fall for this junk? Can't people see how foolish and absurd these pack of lies are.
3. Is this socialism? Yes and no. It is socialistic in the nature that giving equal education to our children is socialism. It is socialistic in the manner which social security and care for the disabled is socialism. It is socialism as in creating an American nation with opportunity for the American dream. At the same time, it is not a complete socialistic system. It is socialsitic tools used properly within an over-all capitalistic framework. Not all forms of socialism are negative, and in fact many forms create positive results as any disabled person, senior citizen on social security, or a person who is a product of the an education system would necessarily attest to. It is creating opportunity and creating human dignity.
A civilization is measured by its characteristics, ethics, and culture. A mark of our civilization is how we as a society treat the least amongst us. The love we show within our treatment to our elderly, disabled, innocent children, and medically ill is a reflection of the value we place within human dignity.
"It will provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance. It will provide insurance to those who don’t. And it will lower the cost of health care for our families, our businesses, and our government."– President Barack Obama
"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die"Ted Kennedy
For more details, see http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/health_care/plan/
Last weekend, all across Arizona supporters and volunteers gathered together to canvass their neighborhoods for health reform. All together there were 14 unique canvasses on Saturday, some of which had multiple shifts. Over a hundred volunteers came out to talk with their neighbors about the importance of getting health reform passed. Volunteers not only talked with supporters about how important it is to support health reform but also the importance of calling and writing their member of congress and letting them know how they feel. Click here, to call your member of Congress.
The majority of the canvasses were hosted by volunteer community organizers and neighborhood team leaders. Participants ranged from seasoned veterans to first time volunteers who have decided to take action to bring about health reform. Elinor R. woke up on Saturday and decided that today she was going to get involved and canvassed for two shifts in two different neighborhoods in Maricopa County. She said the following about her decision to volunteer that day:
When I heard what people were being told about health reform on the news, I was upset. I decided to do something about it. I am here to do what I can and get informed to help bring about health insurance reform.
Health Reform Canvasses are now taking place every Saturday all across the state. Click here to find an event near you for this upcoming weekend. Also check out the article written about the Mesa canvass here.
I'm Jessica Jones, and I'm the new Arizona State Director for Organizing for America. Following the President's health reform address to Congress, OFA volunteers stepped up and generated a huge outpouring of grassroots support, including hundreds of thousands of signatures and calls. Now we need to keep building momentum, spreading the facts about the President's plan and bringing new voices into this debate. So we've organized health reform canvasses all across Arizona this Saturday. We're making it a statewide day of action to build and demonstrate support for reform -- can we count on you to join us? Please find a canvass near you and RSVP today. No prior experience is necessary. Organizing for America volunteers will be on hand to provide all the materials and guidance you'll need to be successful. Passing health reform won't be easy -- they've been talking about it in Washington for almost a century. But we know that when ordinary people who believe in change reach out, spread the facts, and help folks from all walks of life make their voices heard, we can make history. Click below to RSVP for an event near you: http://az.barackobama.com/HCeventsAZ Thanks for making it happen, Jessica Jessica Jones Arizona State Director Organizing for America
The 63rd Annual Navajo Nation Fair was last week in Window Rock, AZ and Organizing for America was there. The fair started on Monday and ran through the following Sunday. This world renowned event provides fair goers an opportunity to experience Navajo agriculture, fine arts and crafts through cultural entertainment. The Navajo Nation spreads across the 4 corner states with the majority of the land being in Arizona. Activities at the fair ranged from carnival rides, to traditional Navajo dancing, a fried bread making contest, and rodeos.
Supporters for Health Insurance Reform spoke with fair goers about President Obama’s goals for both America and the First American community specifically. People were eager to sign health insurance reform pledges. Multiple people expressed frustration with all the misinformation and lies that they have heard from opponents of health insurance reform on TV. One gentleman exclaimed the following while filling out a pledge:
It’s time to stand up and support our President and get health reform passed!
He then turned to his friends and asked them to join him and call his member of Congress. Please join the movement and find an event near you by clicking here. Also remember to contact your member of Congress; click here.
Last Thursday over 20 people came out to the first grassroots organizational meeting for OFA in Sedona, AZ. The meeting was hosted by Sara El Amine, Field Director for Organizing for America, Arizona. Sara took the first part of the meeting to explain Organizing for America and talk about what has been going on in other parts of Arizona. Then the group discussed what activities would be the most effective in indentifying health care supporters and getting supporters committed to contacting their member of Congress.
The ideas ranged from canvassing for pledges, to hosting phone banks in people’s living room, to setting up stands at the farmers market and in front of the library. The consensus was that they needed to engage in a wide array of activities to make sure they reached out to as many folks as possible. Angela L., a local activist, came away from the meeting saying the following:
The folks who turned up showed amazing motivation and desire to help. There was some really good brain-storming and no shortage of great ideas. Everyone seemed to be eager to contribute in one way or another.
Before ending the meeting, the group decided on multiple community contact activities, including a couple of activities that were going to be the very next day. To find events in Sedona or in a community near you, click here. To contact your member of Congress, click here.
Over forty Organizing for America volunteers gathered at the Arizona Democratic Party Headquarters to watch President Obama's address to the Joint Congressional Session last night. The President's speech covered the need for reform, the ways reform would affect the already insured, and the ways that the proposal would provide more choices for the uninsured. President Obama clarified that seniors on Medicare, those on Medicaid, and veterans will not see any difference in their care, and that those with private insurance would be able to keep their plan and their doctor, and that this was in no way a "government takeover" of health reform.
The President also detailed the economic implications of passing the bill and conversely, of inaction, making the strong case that the status quo is leading us down a more costly and deficit-increasing road than the cost of reform. President Obama noted "if we are able to slow the growth of health care costs by just one-tenth of one percent each year, it will actually reduce the deficit by $4 trillion over the long term." Ending on an emotional note, President Obama invoked memories of recently passed Senator Ted Kennedy, and emphasized the moral imperative of passing real health reform.
Afterwards watch party attendees stayed to listen to a national volunteer conference call and Q & A with David Plouffe, former Obama campaign manager, and to make phone calls to neighbors about health reform. Bob S., a volunteer and chair of the Arizona Democratic Veteran’s Caucus, observed the following:
President Obama's speech helped me remember why I volunteer in the first place, and why I am proud to be an American who has served for my country and still works for my President. Now, I feel as though I understand how to effectively address the concerns and misconceptions of those who oppose reform or are confused about the bill.
You can join him and volunteers like him who are making calls all over Arizona every night of the week; to find a phone bank or another event near you, click here. Also don’t forget to let Congress know how you feel. Click here to call your members of Congress.
We Can Afford Reform, We Can’t Afford the Status Quo
Jared Bernstein, Chief Economist for the Vice President and Executive Director of the Middle Class Task Force, debunks the myth that we can’t afford health insurance reform. To the contrary, not only has the President demanded that reform not add to the deficit in the short term, but reform is the only way to get skyrocketing health care costs under control that will be devastating not for families , businesses, and for government deficits in the long term under the status quo.
Watch the Video
Earlier today, it was announced that President Obama will address a joint session of Congress on the issue of health insurance reform next Wednesday, September 9th. CNN reported:
It will be Obama's second speech to the full legislature since he took office in January, and the setting and rarity of such an event highlighted the importance the president places on his top domestic priority: overhauling the nation's ailing health care system.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid formally invited Obama to make the address, as required, in a letter issued Wednesday after news broke of the planned speech.
We'll have more information on this important speech in the days to come.
www.whitehouse.gov
On Wednesday morning, OFA volunteer Shasta McManus organized a blood drive in Pima County. Over 40 health insurance reform supporters, including County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez, City Councilwoman Nina Trasoff, and Karin Uhlick, came out to give blood to the Red Cross. Each supporter gave a pint of blood and on average a pint of blood saves three lives. Congressman Grijalva also joined the group to donate blood.
The blood drive provided a perfect opportunity for OFA community organizer, Veneranda Aguirre, to present Congressman Grijalva with a portion of the tens of thousands of health care declarations OFA has collected throughout Arizona. Congressman Grijalva was very gracious saying, “For decades, we have endured a broken system that restricts and denies coverage when individuals need it most. I want to thank Organizing for America for this blood drive, to help remind others that health care reform is urgent and we need it now."
Wednesday’s blood drive and pledge presentation is just one of the many events we are having all across Arizona to show that Arizonans support President Obama and health insurance reform now! Please join us for an upcoming event by clicking here.
Since the White House’s Reality Check site launched, we’ve seen incredible response from individuals eager to get the facts about health insurance reform and pass them along to family and friends.An ironic development is that the launch of an online program meant to provide facts about health insurance reform has itself become the target of fear-mongering and online rumors that are the tactics of choice for the defenders of the status quo.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/An-Update-on-Reality-Check/
The Indian Health Service will be fine and Native Americans will benefit
Kimberly Teehee, Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs at the White House Domestic Policy Council, debunks myths being spread about how health insurance reform will affect the Indian Health Service. To the contrary, reform will allow Native Americans to keep the care they have now and has benefits for every American.
Reform will eliminate insurance discrimination against the disabled
Mike Strautmanis, Chief of Staff for Valerie Jarrett and father of a child with a disability, addresses the myth that health insurance reform will mean children with disabilities will not get the care they need. To the contrary, reform will make insurance more affordable, provide more options, and eliminate discrimination in purchasing health insurance so families won't be turned down if a parent or child has a pre-existing disability or other health condition.
The return of the viral email
There are quite a few "viral emails" floating around, making outlandish claims about health insurance reform and pretending to be careful analyses of the bills moving through Congress. Drafted to appear as if they are written by concerned citizens, more often the information comes from organizations with a strident agenda to protect the status quo. White House Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle takes on one of the most prevalent emails directly.
Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it
Kavita Patel, who works with Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett and who worked for years before as a physician, debunks the myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.
The "euthanasia" distortion on help for families
Melody Barnes, the President's Director of the Domestic Policy Council, debunks the malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors.
Vets' health care is safe and sound
Matt Flavin, Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy, explains that nothing in health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget greatly expands coverage for veterans who have been denied access in the past.
Reform will benefit small business - not burden it
Christina Romer, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, debunks the myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.
Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform
Robert Kocher of the National Economic Council debunks the myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform would simply eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies.
You can keep your own insurance
Linda Douglass of the White House Office of Health Reform debunks the myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Weekly-Address-Real-Conversations-about-Health-Insurance-Reform/
The President talks about how the chatter and ruckus around health insurance reform on television obscures the reality of what's happening in America. He discusses how in most towns people and Members of Congress are having constructive conversations, and how people are learning how reform will help them and their families with the real problems they have faced with the insurance system.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Taking-Questions-on-Health-Reform-in-New-Hampshire/
The President hosted a town hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on health insurance reform, telling the crowd, "I don't think government bureaucrats should be meddling, but I also don't think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling. That's the health care system I believe in." The President was introduced by Lori, a woman who can’t find coverage because of her medical condition. We all know someone like Lori who has been discriminated against because of pre-existing conditions, and can't receive the care they need. This is a personal issue for the President, who recounted his mother's battle with insurance companies as she battled with cancer in the last months of her life.
The President outlined how his plan will end these unfair, and often deadly, practices:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cqQl3lZzzE
We launched www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck this week to knock down the rumors and lies that are floating around the internet. You can find the information below, and much more, there. For example, we've just added a video of Nancy-Ann DeParle from our Health Reform Office tackling a viral email head on.
