Help Pass Health Care This Weekend!
Help Pass Health Care This Weekend!
March 18, 2010
Will this be the week congressional Democrats reverse their fortunes?
"Will this week be the start of a political comeback for congressional Democrats?
Less than two weeks ago, the woes of the majority party evoked comparisons to the Republicans of 2006 . . . Republicans, you may recall, were voted out of power that fall.
But by Sunday, Democrats could not only have passed a health-care bill, but with it have pushed through the House of Representatives long-delayed legislation that would increase funding for Pell Grants, which help low-income students pay for college. They also could send to [the president] a $17 billion measure designed to create jobs.
The collection of measures could reverse poll numbers that have Congress at one of its lowest rates of public approval since 1994."
UAPA suggests you take a few minutes to read this encouraging article in the Washington Post, especially if you still have any doubts about supporting this legislation.
What can you do to help ensure passage of this most important piece of legislation this weekend?
1. Fax (202) 225-3529, phone (202) 225-2015 or email a letter of support to our U.S. Representative Mary Jo Kilroy (15th District) to let her know you support her efforts to provide health-care for all Americans.
2. Contact the Blue Dog Coalition via email to encourage all of their members to support this legislation. The Blue Dog Coalition includes such Ohio members as Reps. Zach Space (18th District) and Charles Wilson (6th District).
3. Financially support our elected U.S. Representative Mary Jo Kilroy, and our Democratic candidate for Congress, 12th District, Paula Brooks, so they can build their coffers for the upcoming mid-term elections in November and successfully help maintain control of Congress.
What to do if you're not sure you support this health care reform legislation
1. Consider this: If Dennis Kucinich now can support health-care reform, so can you. Hear Rep. Kucinich's moving words as he announces his support.
2. Sometimes those of us who have health insurance and good doctors may not realize what conditions are like for those of us who don't. Award-winning Los Angeles Times photographer Katie Falkenberg, daughter of UAPA member Barb Falkenberg, went to two communities whose people are suffering because of the United States' antiquated, unfeeling, non-system of health care. In these videos, Katie shows patients who are mostly working poor, and many explain why they don't fill their prescriptions by saying, "My kids come first." You'll be convinced that health-care is should be affordable and available to all.
Appalachia and Beyond: Healthcare in America and Uninsured in the Mississippi Delta
Health Care Demonstration Gets Ugly in Columbus
Learn what occurred in Columbus on Tuesday, and read the rapid response from Rep. Kilroy
At a health-care rally outside of Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy's (OH-15) Columbus office on March 16, 2010, about a total of 250 people showed up. According to an attendee, roughly 150 were pro health-care reform, and the remaining 100 were Tea Baggers looking for confrontation. "They’re energized, emboldened, angry and in your face," says Melissa Hedden. "They believe that they are in the majority and have the momentum."
"They were very negative and engaged in name calling," she says, "and insult hurling (such as pay for your own insurance, get a job, freeloaders, communists, dumb, uninformed, stop drinking the Kool-Aid)." Another attendee characterized the anti-reform crowd as seeming a little “cult-like.”
The anti-reform group came bearing professional looking, pre-printed signs such as "Don't Tread on Me." A woman in the crowd was trying to have a conversation with one of the opponents to reform – sharing that she has MS and how health care reform would help her. His response to her was "I don’t give a damn. Your MS isn’t my problem. " Another example of this little regard for others is the video of the man with Parkinson's, something that Chris Mathews of Hardball calls "a sickening display." (see Columbus Dispatch link bleow.)
In short, it was an ugly scene.
And even though Rep. Kilroy represents a swing district, she has been steadfast in her support of reform. We owe her. She spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives this morning (March 18) in regard to the health care reform debate and the Columbus Dispatch video showing a protester in front of her Columbus office throwing what appeared to be money at a sitting man who said he had Parkinson’s disease. The video of Kilroy’s remarks begins at 10:22 on C-SPAN. The disturbing Columbus Dispatch video, something that Chris Mathews of Hardball calls "a sickening display" has been played widely on television.
Rep. Kilroy's comments on the floor:
“I believe that a great strength of our democracy is our first amendment. It allows for the robust exchange of ideas and opinions. I welcome that. I want to hear what my constituents are thinking, what concerns they have—concerns about how health care will work for them. I want to listen to them about their lack of health care and how that affects their lives or the high cost of health care and how they’re coping with that.
“I have held town halls, round tables, small groups—over twenty meetings in my district over health care. And this week demonstrations for and against health care reform were held in front of my district office.
“Unfortunately, some of those opposing health care reform went too far. Instead of making their arguments against the bill they engaged in abusive language directed at one of my constituents who suffers the terrible ravages of Parkinson’s disease. They treated him like a beggar. They threw dollar bills at him. They did not respect his humanity. They did not respect his right to give his opinion on the health care bill.
“This type of protest goes too far. It has crossed the line. The health care reform debate is about respecting each other’s rights as human beings and, when it comes to needed medical care respecting our rights as citizens to express our opinions.”
Upcoming Single Payer Action Network Meeting
Regardless of what kind of health care legislation passes, there are still many unresolved issues. The future of health benefits will be discussed at the next SPAN meeting.
Monday, March 22nd, 2010, 7:00 PM.
The speaker will be Rhonda Johnson, President, Columbus Education Association.
The meeting is open to all, and located at the Northwood Building, 2231 North High St. (at the corner of Northwood and High) in Room 100 on the first floor. There is visitor parking behind the building and you can take an elevator to first floor. Room 100 is in the front of the building across from the clinic entrance.
For more information, visit SPAN online.