Health Care For America Now

300 Congressional Visits, 13 Town Halls, & Sen. Specter Endorses Sen. Schumer’s Public Health Insurance Option Proposal

Washington, DC – On Thursday June 25, 2009, Health Care for America Now (HCAN) – the nation’s largest health care campaign – held a large-scale rally at Upper Senate Park in Washington, DC and conducted the largest health care lobby day ever with more than 300 visits to Congressional offices on the Hill.  Actress Edie Falco, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ),Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Representative Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Representative Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Representative Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, Labor and Community leaders, doctors, nurses, and everyday people with health care stories addressed a crowd of at least 10,000 who traveled to the nation’s capital from across the country to demand quality, affordable health care for all in 2009.

“Our voices need to be louder and stronger than the money and power of the special interests and health care industry lobbyists who are roaming the halls of Congress trying to influence legislation right now,” said Richard Kirsch, National Campaign Manager, Health Care for America Now.  “Health Care ’09 – our massive rally and lobby day – showed Members there is a true need and demand for health care reform that makes coverage more affordable and accessible and keeps the insurance companies honest. That includes giving everyone the choice of keeping private insurance or joining a new public health insurance option, and we are proud to have the Members of Congress who stand with us do so in front of such a large and energized crowd.”
After the rally, constituents from 36 states and DC fanned out across the Capitol to meet with Members of Congress, conducting close to 300 visits. Thirteen town halls took place throughout the day – three issue-based (health equities, providers, and small businesses) and ten state-based (Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and West Virginia) gatherings. After much grassroots pressure, Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) showed up at the North Carolina town hall at the Mott House, gave brief remarks, and was encouraged by her constituents to support a robust public health insurance option. Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) appeared before a Pennsylvania town hall at Capitol City Brewing Company where he – for the first time –endorsed Senator Chuck Schumer’s proposal for a strong public health insurance option.

At the same time events were taking place on Capitol Hill, community leaders representing organizations and constituencies throughout California led rallies in Fresno, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco followed by delegation visits to Senator Dianne Feinstein’s field offices in response to the Senator’s recent apparent hesitation to support President Obama’s health care plan.

Health Care for America Now partners will continue to meet with Members of Congress in their home states during the July 4 recess and stress the urgency of passing legislation that guarantees quality, affordable health care for all in 2009.

On Rally:
Health Care Advocates Rally on Capitol Hill

On NC Town Hall:
Hagan still not on board with Obama

On PA Town Hall:
Specter: Schumer Has It Right On The Public Option

Video:
Health Care Can't Wait - June 25th 2009