Advocates from across the Country Will Flock to DC in June

Over 5,000 advocates from across the country are expected to gather on June 24 and 25 in Washington, DC in support of health care reform.

Health care reform is happening right now. Bills are beginning to drop and the opposition is starting to mobilize. Across the country advocates have been building a momentum for reform for months, and in June, they are bringing that momentum to DC.

DC will host the following events on June 24 and 25:

“We Believe Together” Interfaith Gathering
What: People from a variety of faiths will gather in Washington for an interfaith service of prayer and witness for health care reform.
When: Wednesday, June 24, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Where: Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC
Find out more: Visit our Center for Faith-Based Resources.

Lighting the Night: Health Care Equality ‘09
What: Participants will rally, speak out, and take part in a candlelight vigil to shed light on the suffering caused by health care inequalities that need to end once and for all.
When: Wednesday, June 24, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC
Find out more and RSVP here.

HCAN Health Care ‘09: We Can’t Wait Rally
What: Activists from around the country will come to Washington to rally and tell members of Congress that “Health Care Can’t Wait!”
When: Thursday, June 25, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Upper Senate Park, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Find out more: Visit www.healthcareforamericanow.org

Coming to town? If you are able to come to Washington, be sure to let us know by sending an e-mail at field@familiesusa.org or giving us a call at 202-628-3030. We always love the chance to meet with you in person.

Health Care Marches Forward in Seattle

A coalition of over 190 groups organized a massive march for health care in Seattle. With over 5,000 people marching down the streets of downtown Seattle, a clear message was sent to Washington that health care reform must happen now.

A diverse range of organizations participated, including groups representing small business, labor, providers, immigrants, hospitals, and communities. Joshua Welter, an organizer with Washington Community Action Network, claims that the strategy of keeping the messaging for the event broad helped to bring so many different groups together. The goal was to build urgency around health care reform—a goal that many constituencies could get behind.

The idea behind this event was “mothers leading the way on health reform.” The theme of “mothers” pervaded the entire event with 500 mothers leading the march. Speakers at the rally included an 11-year-old child who had lost her mother, and Senator Patty Murray, who originally ran her campaign for U.S. Senate as the “mom in tennis shoes.” The event garnered national attention and was truly a huge success.

Check out a video here: http://www.washingtoncan.org.

Tennessee Fights Barebones Plans

Families USA recently released a report detailing the disastrous limited benefits plans of the Cover Tennessee (CoverTN) program. The report shows that “barebones,” “limited-benefit,” or “defined-benefit” plans, as exemplified by CoverTN, are far from the quality, affordable health coverage that people need. The Tennessee Health Care Campaign (THCC) co-released the report as a part of their continued advocacy against CoverTN’s barebones plans.

In 2005, Tennessee made deep cuts to its Medicaid program, literally cutting some residents off of life support. Governor Bredesen then instituted the Cover Tennessee plan to provide health coverage to the large number of uninsured Tennesseans. Instead of providing access to health care for the uninsured, the program provides a façade of coverage.

CoverTN offers a choice of two plans, but both have restrictive coverage, service limits, and a lack of protection against high out-of-pocket costs. For example, the hospital coverage limits of $10,000 or $15,000 could easily be exceeded as a result of a single illness or accident. The plan’s prescription drug benefit limits of $75 or $250 per quarter fall far short of covering drug costs, which averaged $1,234 annually in 2005 for those Tennesseans with prescription expenses. Limited coverage for both durable medical equipment and cancer treatment will likely leave many enrollees with high medical bills.

Read the report here.

Small Businesses Make Big Gains in South Carolina

Just nine years ago, Frank Knapp co-founded the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce to help government be more small business friendly. Since then, he has grown the organization to 7,500 members and established the Small Business Chamber as a key player in South Carolina’s health reform movement. How did he do it?

According to Frank, “It takes a lot of persistence, persuasion, and passion.” He also says it helps that the Small Business Chamber is “one of them,” or a small business itself that can relate to the unique opportunities and challenges of other small businesses. When asked how consumer health advocacy organizations can best engage small businesses and trade associations, Frank advises activists to try to put themselves in the positions of these entities. What are their needs and the needs of their constituents? When approaching a small business about health reform, think first about how the business and its employees would benefit.

Frank also noted that the small business voice has added a unique and effective dimension to the health reform debate in South Carolina. For years, state activists had been unsuccessful in increasing the cigarette tax to discourage youth smoking. However, the effort got traction when health care reform advocates proposed to use the cigarette tax to help both individuals and small businesses afford health insurance premiums. Incorporating the needs of small businesses helped garner support from both sides of the aisle. In fact, this reform proposal has passed the House and is expected to be taken up by the Senate when it reconvenes in January.

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