The Next Steps for Mobilization for Health Care for All

[Joanne O'Neill]

 

We have had a tremendous first phase of the Mobilization for Health Care for All, exceeding all expectations. We thank you all for your tremendous participation and hope you will continue to stay active and support our efforts as we move forward.

First, we want to report that all those arrested in the Lieberman sit-ins have been released. Kai Newkirk and John Mohrbacher spent seven days in jail and Sheila Dvorak and Sam Pullen spent one night in jail. These health care heroes, along with their colleagues, highlighted the insurance industry corruption of Senator Lieberman. When Senator Lieberman put out a statement that he was open to dialogue with us they agreed to get out of jail and seek discussion with him. We'll keep you posted.

Second, after consulting among the national leadership and with local health care reform organizations we've decided on next steps for the Mobilization. The health care bills being considered by Congress are seriously flawed (See HCN's statement on the bill: http://www.healthcare-now.org/healthcare-now-response-to-passage-of-house-health-bill/). One area where there is a possibility for improvement is allowing states to enact a health care system with the government as a single payer. As a result right now, in addition to supporting the first vote on single-payer legislation in the Senate (S703), we want to focus on senators to demand they include a provision to allow single-payer systems at the state-level. Senators throughout the country should hear from you on this important issue. This is the path to truly universal, equitable health care for all.

Here's the plan: next week your group should contact your senators to urge them to support an amendment to the bill to allow states to enact single-payer. We will be sharing a click and send letter to support this demand that you will be able to send to advocates in your community next week. And, you should tell your senator you will be back on December 10th, Human Rights Day, to find out the senator's answer and make the point that health care is a human right. On Human Rights Day, advocates for real health care reform will rally and some will sit-in at senator's offices to demand that states be allowed to enact single-payer health care programs; Medicare for All!

An amendment allowing states to enact single-payer would be a powerful challenge to insurance industry domination of health care. Such an amendment would grant a waiver of the application of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which has been used by the insurance industry to challenge real reform at the local level. They know that when a state enacts single-payer and demonstrates it is effective, saves money, allows all residents to choose whatever doctor, health provider or hospital they want and gives people real health security, it will become a model for national health care reform.

We plan to continue to pressure Congress on this issue throughout the legislative process, so join us now to build the momentum for real health care reform: improved Medicare for All.

We need your help to keep the Mobilization moving forward and effectively making the case for improved Medicare for All, the only real solution to America's health care problems. We are coming into a critical phase of the year and need to escalate our efforts to make sure the voice of single payer is heard. Please click here to donate now. Thank you for your support.

To organize a demonstration in your area, email in...@mobilizeforhealthcare.org.