August is a hot month for Healthcare Reform

Since Congress is going home with healthcare unfinished, it looks as if August is where true reform will be won or lost.  Three bills have passed in committee—two in the House, one in the Senate.  Senator Max Baucus’ Finance Committee is still hung up on his desire for "bipartisanship" —or his desire to preserve and protect the health insurance industry, (whatever shoe fits, I’m just sayin’ . . .) but now the debate moves out of Washington and away from Congress—and back into our court, the court of public opinion.

All three bills are similar and all contain a public option, but some of the provisions will make the public option much less effective.  In fact, 57 progressive Democrats in the House (including NY Reps Jerry Nadler, Yvette Clarke, Ed Townes, Nydia Velazquez, Jose Serrano, Maurice Hinchey & Eric Massa) have pledged to vote against the compromise made with the Blue Dog (conservative) Democrats in the House Energy & Commerce Committee, or, in fact, against any bill without a robust public option.  Some of their concerns have been addressed, but nothing is settled.

In the meantime, people have continued to talk about single payer.  It is often described by public option supporters as the best choice, but not achievable. Now that there seems to be such strong opposition to any public option at all (thanks to the multi-million dollar campaign being waged by insurance companies), people are starting to re-consider.  Anthony Weiner, Congressman from Brooklyn and Queens, recently introduced a single-payer bill into House Committee—and Nancy Pelosi has promised a floor vote (vote of the complete House) on it in September.  This looks like an imperative to us to get out there and show strength. If this bill
looks weak, we all lose ground.

So, what do we do?  Our representatives and senators are going home to listen to the people.  Maybe they will hear those of us who want reform, but they are also going home to Republican lies—that Democratic health reform intends to save money by killing seniors, for example.
 
The private health insurance industry is spending $1.4 million per day to defeat any public option.  Spreading lies is only one of their tactics.  Another is to organize disruptions—the right wing is pushing an organized attempt to disrupt meetings where a public option and universal health care are discussed.  Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow covered this prominently in recent television shows—including disruption at a Town Hall held by Tim Bishop, a NY member of the House.

At this point, it’s vitally important to demonstrate that the American people want and need change.  The recess is a chance for reform’s supporters to return the focus to where it should be—to real people, the insecurity they face now, and the ways reform could change that.  At Linkups, we can discuss how to use the Congressional recess to advance the cause of healthcare for all.  After our meetings, we’ll update this report to reflect the ideas brought forward by members.

We can also make a difference one voter at a time.  Call or email everyone you know in any state.  Ask them to tell their Representatives that they want a vigorous public option (at the minimum).  Ask them to demand support for Rep. Weiner’s Single-Payer bill when it shows up in September.  Ask them to get their electeds to pledge that they won’t vote for anything with less than a robust public option.  Ask them to go to Town Meetings and support government involvement.  Or, if you are willing to host a phone bank at your house, let DFNYC know – we’ll help you with phone lists, scripts, and publicity.  However you want to do it, get active.  Now Is The Time!