Health Care For America Now

What is Health Care for America Now (HCAN)?

Health Care for America Now (HCAN) is a national grassroots campaign of more than 1,000 organizations in 46 states representing 30 million people dedicated to winning quality, affordable health care we all can count on in 2010 and beyond. Our organization and principles are supported by President Obama, Vice President Biden, and more than 190 Members of Congress.

We are building a national movement to win, implement and improve comprehensive health care reform by helping mobilize people in their communities to lobby their U.S. Senators and Representatives in Congress to stand up to the insurance companies and other special interest groups to achieve quality, affordable health care in 2010 and beyond.  

What does HCAN stand for?

HCAN believes that everyone in this country should have accessible, quality health care they can afford.  We are fighting for a uniquely American solution that gives you a guarantee of coverage and real choice: keep your private insurance plan or join a new public health insurance plan so you are no longer at the mercy of the private insurance industry.

No matter which you choose, you are guaranteed standard, comprehensive benefits that meet your needs, and you’ll pay for insurance based on your income. Government will advocate for you, setting and enforcing rules so private insurance companies will have to put our health before their profits. We will eliminate the enormous inequities in the health care system for people of color, and health insurance will be affordable for American businesses, both big and small.

HCAN has 10 principles for comprehensive health care reform that are summarized by the following four areas:

Coverage You Can Afford

• Health coverage that is affordable for every person, family, and business.
• Coverage with premiums and out-of-pocket costs based on your ability to pay.
• Government acts as an advocate, setting and enforcing rules so private insurance companies can’t deny coverage or raise rates based on health history, age, or gender.

Comprehensive Benefits You Can Count On

• Standard, comprehensive health care benefits that meet your needs from preventive to chronic care.
• Low out-of-pocket costs (like co-pays) so you can afford to get medical care when you need it.
• Choice of doctors and hospitals.

Choice of Private or Public Health Insurance Plan

• Keep your current private insurance plan or join a new public health insurance plan.
• The choice of a new public health insurance plan is a guaranteed backup that will always be there to ensure quality, affordable health care coverage no matter what.

Equal Access to Quality Care

• Equity in health care access, treatment, research, and resources to people and communities of color and stronger health services in low-income communities.

Who supports HCAN?

Health Care for America Now and its principles for reform are supported by President Obama, Vice President Biden, and more than 190 Members of Congress. HCAN has more than 1,000 member organizations in 46 states. We are doctors, nurses, community organizations, labor unions, small business owners, faith-based groups, people of color, seniors, and children’s and women’s rights groups.

For the complete list of HCAN members, view our membership list.

Legal Disclaimer

Health Care for America Now! (“HCAN”) is a section 501(c)(4) issue advocacy organization.  Members of the HCAN coalition include a wide range of nonprofit and political organizations that are working to promote quality, affordable health care for all Americans.  HCAN’s members are tax-exempt public charities, advocacy organizations and unions, as well as political action committees (“PACs”) and “527” organizations.  HCAN and each member organization only conduct and fund activities appropriate to its tax and election law status. HCAN is related to Health Care for America Education Fund, a project of The Tides Center, a section 501(c)(3) public charity.