Members of Congress went home in August and "took the temperature" of the constituents in their districts. Town hall meetings were often disruptive and the pro-reform message had to fight to be heard. It is critical that members of Congress continue to hear a resounding pro-reform message from their constituents. We’ve never been this close to achieving comprehensive reform, and the time to step up our advocacy efforts is now!
We know state advocates worked hard in August—town hall meetings, house parties, legislative visits, etc. To contine the fight we hope that this tool kit will help you to galvanize your communities around the message that health reform cannot wait!
Table of Contents
Tools & Tactics - Let your voice be heard! This section includes useful tools, such as links to talk radio programs in your state, sample letters-to-the-editor, tips on blogging, a guide to conducting town hall meetings, and more.
Making the Case for Health Reform - If the American people don’t demand health reform, it won’t happen—plain and simple. These very important pieces help communicate “what’s in it for me” to middle-class Americans.
Getting Specific About Health Reform - Need information on a specific aspect of health reform? From Medicaid expansions to insurance market reform, affordability to the public plan, you’ll find comprehensive and understandable language here.
Reports with State-Level Data - Health care is local—and so are these data. Families USA has translated national estimates into state-level data to make the impact of health reform tangible to your local audiences.
Share Your Creative Strategies - Have a great idea? Please share it with your fellow advocates! It could be a strategy that you use time and time again (if it ain’t broke, right?) or a new activity that is completely out of the box.
Quizzes, Videos, and Games - Some fun, engaging ways to educate friends and family about health care reform.
Need a resource, but don’t see it in the Tool Kit? Please e-mail field@familiesusa.org, and we’ll do our best to either find or develop something for you.
