Archive for June, 2009:
Weekly Address: Health Care Reform and the Key to Our Fiscal Future
Weekly Address: Health Care Reform and the Key to Our Fiscal Future
Guest Post: My Health Care Story, by Kristine Reger
Yesterday, the Democrats.org blog featured an excerpt from a story we received from Kristine Reger, a life-long Wisconsinite and mother of three who attended President Obama’s Health Care Town Hall in Green Bay. Today, we asked Kristine to write a guest post to share her full story:
Hi everyone. Order Generic Accutane Online without Prescription I submitted my health care story to Organizing for America online, and they’ve asked me to write a guest blog about my experience. Here's what I can tell you:
Though I'm a lifelong Democrat, my husband and I raised our three kids in a mostly Republican suburb. For years and years, I kind of rolled over and skirted political conversations with my friends and neighbors. I didn’t want to engage in debate.
Then last fall, after more than 20 years, I finally decided to have the courage of my convictions. Barack Obama inspired me to get involved. I wasn’t happy with the direction of our country and I thought to myself: enough is enough. I spent lots of time researching the issues and learning about then-Senator Obama’s positions. Eventually, I figured out that I could make a real difference in my own network of family and friends by reaching out to people through email and responding to all the emails going around that I knew weren’t true. You know what I learned? My friends are still my friends. People have started coming to me to understand what’s going on; they rely on me to tell them the truth.
Since the election, President Obama has inspired me to stay involved. I think he’s so sensible and so right on so many of the issues I care about. I woke up at 5am yesterday to attend the Health Care Town Hall in Green Bay. It was fascinating – great questions, so much excitement and not an inch of space in the room.
Unfortunately my health care story is not unique, it’s typical. My husband and his business partner run a small machine shop their fathers’ founded in the 1950s. They’ve always provided their employees with single and family coverage, but as premiums have become more expensive, they’ve been forced to modify the kind of coverage they provide. Between this year and last, costs have increased 8 percent. In order to continue to provide health insurance, they’ve had to switch to a high deducible plan. Last year, they paid $132,000 in health care costs for a plan with a $2,500 deductible. Those costs are cutting into their profits and eating into our family income. Truth be told, the policy isn’t all bad – there are actually some great things about it. For example, all our preventative care, including physicals, mammograms and colonoscopies, are covered regardless of whether or not we’ve reached our deductible. That focus on preventative care is great - its something a reform plan should build on. But when you add up all the costs of our plan, we have to spend an awful lot to receive any of the benefits.
It’s true that we’re in the midst of a terrible recession. But I don't think maintaining the status quo when it comes to health care is an option. I keep thinking if small businesses like my husband’s are the life blood of our economy, how will it ever bounce back when small business owners can’t eek out a profit because health care costs are so high?
Everyone I know cares about this issue – my Republican friends care just as much as my Democratic ones. We’re all living with the consequences of a broken system. Though we might not all agree on the exact solution, we all agree something has to be done. If people see a part of themselves in my story, and are inspired to get involved, then maybe we’ll be able to make the people in Washington pay attention to us and get something done.
Kristine Reger is a life-long Wisconsinite and mother of three. She worked as a high school English teacher before staying at home to raise her children for 19 years. She is currently a self-employed travel agent. Kristine attended President Obama’s Health Care Town Hall in Green Bay, WI on Thursday.
President Obama on Health Care Reform: “We fix what’s broken and build on what works”
Read Buy Cialis the President's opening remarks . . .
Health Care Stories: Wisconsin
Over the last few weeks, we've collected hundreds of thousands of personal health care stories during the last few weeks. Today the Democrats.org blog featured three of these stories, in conjunction with the President's health care town hall in Green Bay:
Kristine Reger from Muskego, WI: Kristine’s husband owns a small business. He’s always prided himself on providing health insurance for his employees, but this year he’ll spend more than $125,000 on a plan with a $2,500 deductible for just nine people. Skyrocketing health care costs have wiped out his profit margin for the past several years, and it’ll happen again this year unless his business picks up considerably.
Kristine’s sister has a chronic disease. She was airlifted to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for care, and got stuck with a bill for $17,000. Without significant help from family, she never would have been able afford it.
Kristine attended the President’s Health Care Town Hall today in Green Bay. She also participated in a conference call yesterday with Rep. Steve Kagen (WI) and OFA Wisconsin State Director Dan Grandone. We posted the full audio here.
Michelle Winter from Green Bay, WI: Michelle co-owns a local jewelry shop and art gallery in Green Bay. She and her business partner opened the business with a $5,000 loan in 1991. Since that time, her partner has become a diabetic and requires regular check ups and prescription drugs to maintain his health. Their health insurance is $1,368, with a $5,000 deductible – more than 20 percent of what it cost to start their entire business. She’s worried that rising premiums will eventually sink her business.
Roxann Nys from Green Bay, WI: Roxann’s brother worked his whole life, but has never had health insurance. He suffers from diverticulitis and had to have emergency surgery to remove a portion of his intestine in order to save his life. Roxann thinks that if her brother had access to affordable care when he first started to feel sick, he might have been able to avoid expensive surgery. But now, he might never be able to pay off his bill and still Order Generic Cialis Online without Prescription can’t afford the care he needs for his chronic illness.
These personal stories are a powerful call for change. If you have a story to tell, you can share them here.
LIVE: Health Care Town Hall w/ President Obama
Today President Obama is Buy Accutane traveling to Green Bay, Wisconsin for a town hall discussion on the need to reform our health care system. We'll have live coverage of the event starting at 12:10 PM Central Time.
UPDATED: The town hall has ended, but we'll have more coverage of today's event later in the day.
House and Senate Release Details on Initial Health Care Bills
In his first address to Congress, President Obama cited health care reform as one of his top priorities, and he called on Congress to move quickly to pass legislation before the end of this year. Congress answered the call, and yesterday both the House and the Senate made public information on their respective plans for the first time.
In the House, the three committees with jurisdiction (Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor) complied a three-page outline of their proposal. CQ Politics reported:
The plan would require individuals to obtain insurance and employers to help pay for it, and would create a government-run insurance plan that would compete with private insurers, according to the outline.
Leaders of the three committees briefed the full House Democratic Caucus on their outline Tuesday. “We will continue to seek input and work closely with our colleagues, outside stakeholders, and the administration and are on track to introduce legislation Buy cheap online Provigil shortly, the trio said. “We anticipate committee action on health reform in the coming weeks, with legislation on the House floor prior to the August district work period.”
...The House Democratic plan would reorganize the private insurance market, creating a national Health Insurance Exchange where individuals or employers could obtain coverage, including from a government-run “public plan” if they wish. States would have the option of creating their own exchanges, instead of participating in the national exchange. Insurers would be prohibited from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and could not charge higher premiums based on gender, health status or occupation. Premiums would be higher for older people, but the increase would be limited.
The plan would cap out-of-pocket spending by patients to prevent bankruptcies due to medical costs. Some studies suggest that more than half of all personal bankruptcies are due to medical bills.
In the Senate the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee released a more detailed document on Tuesday. The 615 page document is not yet in its final form though, and additional components are expected to be released later in the week. The HELP Committee is chaired by Senator Ted Kennedy, but Senator Chris Dodd, the second-ranking Democrat, has had a large hand in drafting the bill while Kennedy continues to recover from brain cancer. The current version of the HELP bill can be read here.
The Huffington Post reported:
Kennedy's bill will get its first hearing on Thursday and is scheduled for a committee vote on Tuesday, June 16th.
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said Tuesday that a committee vote on a health care bill could come as early as the week after next. The battle over the future of health care in America now enters a span of several months as important as any in a generation.
As OFA Director Mitch Stewart said this morning, the future of American health care is now up for grabs.
Supporters Sign Judge Sotomayor’s Virtual Cast
Yesterday we asked you to leave a note for Supreme Court Nominee Judge Sotomayor who fractured her ankle on Monday. We've taken your notes and begun displaying them on a virtual cast for Judge Sotomayor ( the virtual cast is, in fact, a word cloud, which highlights the most commonly used words in your notes).
If you haven't already, please sign her virtual cast.
Here's a few notes in their entirety:
Sue from Camby, IN:
Even a fracture can't keep a good judge down! You go Judge Sotomayor....Show 'em what you're made of! Blessings to you!
Jeanny from Eau Claire, WI:
Wishing you all the best as you recover from your injury. You need to heal so you can bring your wisdom, courage, discernment, and compassion to the Supreme Court. Count me as in your corner all the way.
Rowan from Austin, TX:
Your Honor: Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Cheap Accutane and I look forward to celebrating your confirmation.
Penny from Mishawaka, IN:
I admire your character. You kept your schedule in spite of the fracture in your ankle. That showed character and should have given the people with which you met an insight into your dedication to commitments and obligations.
Meta from San Francisco:
I'm so sorry to hear of your injury, but seeing you today as you continue with your grueling schedule makes me smile to know of your incredible strength and determination.
Your nomination serves as constant inspiration to all of us. Please know that there is a whole nation behind you. I look forward to your tenure at the Supreme Court!
Saludos!
The Tools to Win on Health Care
From OFA Director Mitch Stewart:
The race to pass real health care reform in 2009 is heating up. Early drafts for a full proposal are already circulating in the Senate and in the House. While our opponents twist arms to weaken reform, the future of American health care is up for grabs.
That's why we're launching our Health Care Action Center. It's a one-stop shop for taking action and learning more to build support for real reform.
Using our simple online tools, you can find the latest info about the health care debate, declare Buy cheap Accutane Online your support for the President's principles, ensure that your representatives know exactly where you stand, and help educate and organize folks in your area. Whether you have 30 seconds or 30 minutes, you can make a huge difference at this crucial time.
Visit the Health Care Action Center and take the fight for health care reform into your own hands.
When the dust settles in Washington, will the final plan satisfy the President's call to reduce costs, guarantee choice, and ensure quality, affordable health care for every American? That depends on you.
When the lobbyists for the status quo walk out of a meeting with your representatives, will your representatives' phones start ringing with real constituents back home demanding action? They will if you call.
When your local news runs stories asking whether regular people are joining this fight, will they cover an event in your neighborhood? They will if you organize it.
And when the airwaves fill with ads featuring actors pretending that we don't need change, will your local paper run letters to the editor from real people who know why we can't wait? They will if you write one.
So please take the first step by visiting the Health Care Action Center today. You'll find everything you need to build support in Congress and your community, with as little or as much time as you have to give.
We'll continue updating the Action Center as this campaign unfolds, so consider this your personal homepage in the fight for health care reform.
We know how fierce the opposition will be -- we've seen it all before. But our opponents are about to face something new: The power of ordinary Americans who know firsthand that if we come together, we can achieve the extraordinary.
Thank you,
Mitch
Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
