Step 1: Initial Proposals

(this step has been completed)

The first phase in the legislative process involves a range of preparatory activities.  For those seeking serious reform, there is a need to create a demand for legislative action around a strong set of progressive principles. For those who may currently or ultimately oppose comprehensive health care reform, some organizations are positioning themselves to have the strongest leverage possible to either block legislation outright or block or include specific legislative provisions.

During this step, various Congressional leaders, organized lobbies, and other voices weigh in with their ideas for health care reform. So far, we've seen ideas from:

Most significantly, President Barack Obama presented and ran on a comprehensive health care reform proposal during his campaign for the Presidency.  The Democratic candidate’s health care reform proposal encompasses the core principles being advocated by Health Care for America Now.  President Obama was successful in securing a mandate for change, with the enactment of a guarantee of quality, affordable health care that we can all count on at the top of his agenda.

While it can be hard to see any clarity during this phase of the process, we at Health Care for America Now are confident that 2009 is the year to move comprehensive health care reform.  So far, there have been very encouraging signs to support this belief.  The commitment by President Obama to passing reform this year is a strong signal of the importance the Obama Administration places on moving comprehensive health insurance reform through Congress.

But, as expected, there are signs that there is opposition forming to block this from happening.  This highlights the importance of our field and DC-based activities to monitor, respond to, and also proactively counter these efforts.

Although there is not certainty on the specifics of each step, we anticipate that this phase will end – and the next will begin – when President Obama provides a more specific signal to Congress on his expectations for moving health care reform legislation.  This may take the form of his calling on Congress to deliver a bill to his desk by a target date, his sending a set of principles to Congress to confirm the framework in which he is looking for Congress to act, and/or a legislative proposal being submitted for action by the new President.  But no matter the form the kick-off of the legislative process takes in 2009, it will be critical that Health Care for America Now continue to build – and maintain – momentum for health care reform that establishes a guarantee of quality, affordable health care for all.

State Children's Health Insurance Program

As a first step towards health care for all, the House (roll call) and Senate (roll call) passed the State Children's Health Insurance Program bill which will protect the coverage of 6 million children in America and extend it to 4 million more. This means that 11 million children will have access to health care, including children of legal immigrants. President Obama signed the bill on February 4th, 2009. We should celebrate this victory and thanks for all your work to make this happen.

However, in an Op-ed published on the Huffington Post this week co-authored by Marian Wright Edelman of the Childrens' Defense Fund Action Council, and Richard Kirsch of Health Care for America Now, "This CHIP legislation designed for passage during the Bush administration is neither the comprehensive child health reform truly needed in 2009 nor President Obama's promise of health coverage for every child in America.  . . . Once Congress enacts the CHIP expansion, we hope it will move to the next chapter on child health care in America and make the president's promise a reality." Read the full piece.

The Economic Recovery Plan

The health care provisions of the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act are essential to preserve access to many of the millions who have lost, or will lose, health care coverage during the recession. Both the House (roll call) and Senate (roll call) have passed the bill, and the President signed it into law on February 17th, 2009. The bill will:

  • Increase access to COBRA protections, allowing workers to retain their health insurance after losing their job.
  • Safeguard the Medicaid program for current beneficiaries by providing fiscal relief to temporarily assist states.
  • Make important investments in health information technology and comparative effectiveness research
  • Invest heavily in preventative medicine which will create jobs and save us money in the long run

The White House has a a more in-depth look at the health care provisions in the bill [pdf].

Our current economic condition highlights the need for comprehensive reform. As people become more economically vulnerable, they should not have to worry about also losing access to health care.

Supplementary materials:

 

What You Can Do To Help

Right now, we need to continue building momentum in Congress for developing broad consensus around the Health Care for America Now/Obama principles. Although we already have more than 170 Members of Congress who support Health Care for America Now's principles (see the full list), that's not enough. We need to get more Members of Congress on board, and we need to make sure the Members that already support us know that we are counting on their leadership in the coming year. So here's what you can do to help:

  • Call your Members of Congress - This is by far the most important thing you can do. Members take calls from constituents very seriously, much more seriously than faxes or emails. Please take a moment and call, even if your Members of Congress are already supporting our efforts.
  • Spread the word about our campaign - When President Bill Clinton tried to pass health care reform back in 1993, he didn't have a grassroots army behind him to hold Congress' feet to the fire and fend off opponents. That critical mistake eventually doomed his efforts. This time will be different, but we need your help to recruit your friends and family. Please send anyone you know who supports President-elect Obama and his promises of health care reform a message to sign up and join our campaign.
  • Volunteer in your state - Health Care for America Now has grassroots offices in 42 states and grassroots supporters in all 50. Get involved in the effort in your state and in your community to help us pressure Congress and win quality, affordable health care for all in 2009.

Our Steps To Win

What We Stand For

We stand for strong principles to provide a guarantee of quality, affordable health care for all.

Read our principles

See who's in the coalition

See who in Congress supports our principles