Mon, December 21, 2009 5:49:52 PM
From: President Barack Obama <info@barackobama.com>
Early this morning, the Senate made history and health reform cleared its most important hurdle yet -- garnering the 60 votes needed to move toward a final vote in that chamber later this week.
This marks the first time in our nation's history that comprehensive health reform has come to this point. And it appears that the American people will soon realize the genuine reform that offers security to those who have health insurance and affordable options to those who do not.
I'm grateful to Senator Harry Reid and every senator who's been working around the clock to make this happen. And I'm grateful to you, and every member of the Organizing for America community, for all the work you have done to make this progress possible.
After a nearly century-long struggle, we are now on the cusp of making health insurance reform a reality in the United States of America.
As with any legislation, compromise is part of the process. But I'm pleased that recently added provisions have made this landmark bill even stronger. Between the time when the bill passes and the time when the insurance exchanges get up and running, insurance companies that try to jack up their rates do so at their own peril. Those who hike their prices may be barred from selling plans on the exchanges.
And while insurance companies will be prevented from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions once the exchanges are open, in the meantime there will be a high-risk pool where people with pre-existing conditions can purchase affordable coverage.
A recent amendment has made these protections even stronger. Insurance companies will now be prohibited from denying coverage to children immediately after this bill passes. There's also explicit language in this bill that will protect a patient's choice of doctor. And small businesses will get additional assistance as well.
These protections are in addition to the ones we've been talking about for some time. No longer will insurance companies be able to drop your coverage if you become sick and no longer will you have to pay unlimited amounts out of your own pocket for treatments that you need.
Under this bill families will save on their premiums; businesses that would see their costs rise if we don't act will save money now and in the future. This bill will strengthen Medicare and extend the life of the program. Because it's paid for and gets rid of waste and inefficiency in our health care system, this will be the largest deficit reduction plan in over a decade.
Finally, this reform will extend coverage to more than 30 million Americans who don't have it.
These are not small changes. These are big changes. They're fundamental reforms. They will save money. They will save lives.
And your passion, your work, your organizing helped make all of this possible. Now it's time to finish the job.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
South Beach Watch Party at Tap Tap Haitian Restaurant
(Presidential Health Care Address Watch Party)
Big speech: Obama wants control of health debate
Join us at Tap Tap Haitian Restaurant for great food and drink while we watch this historic address from the joint session of Congress.
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Wednesday, September 9th
Location: Tap Tap Haitian Restaurant, 819 5th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Directions: Take I-395 EAST toward Miami Beach from I-95/SR-836. MacArthur Causeway becomes 5th Street in Miami Beach. Make a U-TURN at Meridian Avenue. On your RIGHT will be Tap Tap Haitian Restaurant, 819 5th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 672-2898 Park on Meridian or Jefferson Avenues or 4th or 6th Streets.
RSVP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpkjff
Our August 13th event was in the Miami Herald and on WPLG10-TV:
Healthcare reform opponents, advocates rally across street
by Toluse Olorunnipa, Miami Herald, Thu, Aug. 13, 2009 at http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1184099.html?storylink=pd
A rally called to support a public healthcare option outside Sen. Bill Nelson's Coral Gables office quickly turned into a cross-street chanting and shouting match Thursday afternoon between about 250 backers and opponents…
Health Care Debate Breaks Out
Protesters, Supporters Gather At Senator's Office
Posted: Thursday, August 13, 2009
On WPLG 10: http://www.justnews.com/news/20389991/detail.html
Find our future events at: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple?source=sidenav
Lately some of the most interesting news bits come to me through Twitter. Check out this one from a proud Canadian --> http://stratosphear.wordpress.com/2009/07/26/33-7-million-canadians-are-not-shona-holmes/
RT @EileenLeft If you live in Canada,Britain,Netherlands,Australia, anywhere u have universal health care, SPEAK UP! Don’t let our GOP lie and thrash you!
Our Stand with the President on Health Care event at Senator Nelson's Coral Gables Office, 2925 Salzedo Street, 4pm, Thursday, July 23rd was a great success with over 75 in attendance and no Tea Party counter-protesters.
We were on CBS4 video:
Deconstructing Obama's Healthcare Reform Proposal by Michael Williams
http://cbs4.com/video/?id=80160@wfor.dayport.com
And in the Miami Herald:
Florida crowds want Sen. Bill Nelson's healthcare stance
People gathered outside Sen. Bill Nelson's offices in Coral Gables and Davie and urged him to take a stand on the proposed healthcare overhaul.
BY BETH REINHARD Fri Jul 24, 2009
The Democratic party sought Thursday to make the political debate over healthcare personal, inviting the sick and uninsured to share their struggles at rallies...
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/1155162.html
Join us for our next Stand with the President on Health Care event at Senator Nelson's Coral Gables Office, 2925 Salzedo Street, 4pm, Thursday, August 13th:
Please join OFA Thursday July 23 as our volunteers across the state of Florida join together to Stand with the President on Health Care Reform. We will be gathering outside of Senator Bill Nelson's office to raise awareness about the need for all members of congress to work together with the President to bring about Health Care Reform by the end of 2009. We'll be hearing from members of the community who have been personally affected by health care and learning about President Obama's three core principles for reform: reducing costs, allowing patients choice, ensuring that quality and affordable health insurance is available to all Americans. This gathering is part of a larger campaign by OFA to mobilize support around the need for health care reform in communities across the country by taking the discussion out of Washington DC and onto front porches and kitchen tables. We are at a critical time as Congress approaches its August recess, and OFA is ramping up our activity for a National Health Care Reform Week of Action. President Obama would like both the House and Senate to pass legislation before they leave for August recess. We can't afford to punt this, the time for reform is now. Come out and show your support for Health Care Reform!
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Thursday, July 23 Senator Nelson's Coral Gables Office, 2925 Salzedo Street, Coral Gables, FL 33134
RSVP at: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/manage/gpcr8t
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Take Dolphin Expressway/SR-836 toward the Airport. Exit SOUTH on 42nd Ave./Le Jeune Road. Go 3 miles. Turn LEFT at Palermo Ave. Turn RIGHT at Salzedo. Meter park at Sen. Nelson’s office at 2925 Salzedo.
GREEN TRANSIT DIRECTIONS: Take Metrorail to Douglas Road Station. Take #42 Bus toward Golden Glades via 42 Ave. Exit at Catalonia Ave. Go NORTH to Palermo Ave. Turn RIGHT & walk EAST 1 block to Salzedo. Turn LEFT & walk NORTH ½ block to 2925 Salzedo.
We had a great Public Option NOW Healthcare Rally at Senator Nelson's Coral Gables Office on Thursday, July 9th at Senator Bill Nelson's Coral Gables office with 60 people from SEIU, AFL-CIO, MoveOn, OFA, DFAM, and Democracia and made CBS4 News with Michael Williams: "Intense Healthcare Debate Sparks Rally In Fla." http://cbs4.com/video/?id=79340@wfor.dayport.com.
Also, we had 10 counter-protesters from the South Florida Tea Party, (their website at: http://www.NOGovernmentHealthcare.com.) Their website starts with "NO" and that's the only thing the Republican Party stands for these days.
We will meet again outside Senator Bill Nelson's Coral Gables office at 2925 Salzedo Street at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, August 13th.
RSVP at: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpfx47
We rallied for: "A strong public option must meet four key criteria: it should be national, available to anyone, ready on day one, and publicly run. No weak half-measures--like the regional, private co-op plan--are acceptable."
We've petitioned. We've called. We've faxed. We've dropped off fliers. Now, the health care fight is really heating up in the Senate, and some Democrats are trying to bargain away the heart of President Obama's health care plan—a strong public health insurance option. We need to escalate our campaign for real health care reform. On Thursday, July 9th, MoveOn is organizing nationwide "Public Option Now!" Health Care Rallies to send a strong message to every senator: Health care reform must include a strong public health insurance option. RSVP:http://pol.moveon.org/event/healthcareaction/94169 or
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpcjr9
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Take Dolphin Expressway/SR-836 toward the Airport.
Exit SOUTH on 42nd Ave./Le Jeune Road. Go 3 miles.
Turn LEFT at Palermo Ave. Turn RIGHT at Salzedo.
Meter park at Sen. Nelson’s office at 2925 Salzedo.
GREEN TRANSIT DIRECTIONS:
Take Metrorail to Douglas Road Station.
Take #42 Bus toward Golden Glades via 42 Ave.
Exit at Catalonia Ave. Go NORTH to Palermo Ave.
Turn RIGHT & walk EAST 1 block to Salzedo.
Turn LEFT & walk NORTH ½ block to 2925 Salzedo.
Yap yap yap - the talking heads.
Meanwhile, we NEED health care solutions. We are not taking proper care of ourselves. We HAVE TO educate all of our children so much better than this. Our children, for goodness sake! And WE CAN invent and use new energy solutions. We could actually live to see things greener and cleaner.
There is no chance that Washington will do what we need them to do. We knew that. That is why we elected this new President -- he wants to speak for us. He wants to hear our voices.
President Obama has presented his 10 year budget that plans to invest in Health Care, Education and Energy now, on the road to Economic Recovery and to a future that we all want to live in.
We KNOW that is the right thing to do right now in this country. Whatever Congress people and media heads have to say, there is no FUTURE without planning for and investing in it. This is our chance to create the future we want to see.
"We know this fight won't be easy. But important battles never are. Together, we have the opportunity to shape our country's future. We believed in the power of people to win an improbable election victory. And we believe in the power of people to drown out the cynics and entrenched interests in Washington to bring lasting, meaningful change we can all be proud we played a role in." -- David Plouffe
So let's get busy. (1) Sign the Pledge online. http://my.barackobama.com/pledgeproject (2) Get all of your friends and contacts to Sigh the Pledge online. (3) Host a Canvass Party on Saturday, 3/21. Engage your friends & neighbors. http://my.barackobama.com/pledgecanvass (4) Go out & Canvass on Saturday 3/21. Find an event and Show up.
Make our voices heard.
Yes We Can!
Green Jobs March to US Senator Mel Martinez's Office in Coral Gables, FL
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM, Saturday, March 21, 2009
Saturday, March 21st, South Florida residents will hold a Green Jobs March to Senator Mel Martinez's Coral Gables, FL Office. We will communicate how Florida can use money from President Obama's stimulus package to create 'green jobs' locally. We want the economic recovery to benefit everyday people and the planet, not just big business. We call it a "green recovery for all." We hope the march will be a springboard for local action. We want Florida to develop a plan to use federal stimulus dollars to create green jobs and build the foundation for a strong, local, green economy. For more info, visit: www.GreenForAll.org
Address: US Senator Mel Martinez's Office, 800 Douglas Road (SW 8th Street at SW 37th Avenue), Coral Gables, FL 33134
RSVP at: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5379/t/5020/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=6307
Directions: From I-95 take EXIT 3A for State Hwy 836 WEST toward Miami Airport. Take the EXIT at NW 37th Avenue Turn left at NW 37th Ave/N Douglas Road. Turn right at Calabria Avenue. Destination will be on the RIGHT: US Senator Mel Martinez, 800 S Douglas Road, Suite 148, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Meet at 11:00 a.m. for Green Jobs March on the corner of SW 8th Street and SW 37th Avenue.
One month ago, you made history by giving all Americans a real opportunity for change.
Now it's time to start preparing and working for change in our communities.
On December 13th, supporters are coming together in every part of the country to reflect on what we've accomplished and plan the future of this movement. Your ideas and feedback will be collected and used to guide this movement in the months and years ahead.
Time: Saturday, December 13 from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Tap Tap Hatian Restaurant, 819 5th Street, 2nd floor meeting room, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Directions: Take I-95/SR-836 to I-395 EAST toward Miami Beach. MacArthur Causeway becomes 5th Street in Miami Beach. Make a U-TURN at Meridian Avenue. 819 5th Street will then be on the RIGHT. Park on Meridian or Jefferson Avenues or 4th or 6th Streets.
RSVP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/changeiscoming/gsxb3s
South Beach Debate Watch at Tap Tap Haitian Restaurant, 819 5th Street, Miami Beach on Friday, Sept. 26th, at 7:00 PM: Angry at John McCain and Sarah Palin? Frustrated with the media? Fed up with the absurd direction this campaign has taken? Don't sit and stew. Use that energy to put Obama over the top! On Friday, September 26th, we're organizing a Debate Watch and calling party. We'll reach out to every potential volunteer to help them sign up to volunteer for Obama. If we can mobilize tens of thousands of volunteers for Obama in our area, we'll help push Barack over the top in November. Plus, we'll watch the first Presidential debate after we're done calling! BRING YOUR CELLULAR PHONE AND CHARGER.
RSVP: My.BarackObama.com/page/event/detail/gsxvjk
It’s the Stupid Economy!
Senator Barack Obama knows basing our economy on trickle down is stupid and does not work. He proposes modernizing market rules and tax cuts for the middle-class to grow our economy with less pain. Obama's statement on the financial market situation details our stupid economy at www.barackobama.com/2008/09/15/statement_from_senator_barack_6.php:
"I certainly don't fault Senator McCain for these problems, but I do fault the economic philosophy he subscribes to. It's a philosophy we've had for the last eight years - one that says we should give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. It's a philosophy that says even common-sense regulations are unnecessary and unwise, and one that says we should just stick our heads in the sand and ignore economic problems until they spiral into crises.
"Well now, instead of prosperity trickling down, the pain has trickled up - from the struggles of hardworking Americans on Main Street to the largest firms of Wall Street.
"This country can't afford another four years of this failed philosophy. For years, I have consistently called for modernizing the rules of the road to suit a 21st century market - rules that would protect American investors and consumers. And I've called for policies that grow our economy and our middle-class together. That is the change I am calling for in this campaign, and that is the change I will bring as President," said Senator Barack Obama.
Obama understands our stupid economy is wrong from his experience as a community organizer in the steel plant closure neighborhoods of Chicago. That guided him as a civil rights attorney, constitutional law professor, eight-year Illinois state senator and as a United States Senator. He is the change we need in this crisis of our stupid economy!
