Today, healthcare warriors, we're going to get down and dirty with those we elect to do our business.
First, check out the DEATH CLOCK. The DEATH CLOCK, is a work-in-progress and a brilliant creation of Dburn.
[UPDATE ON DA$CHLE:]
Daschle, Dole Say Public Option Must Be Scrapped ABC World News reported, "Former Senate leaders launched a bipartisan push for healthcare reform, but they took issue with a central feature of the President's plan, a public, government-run health insurance program." Bob Dole was shown saying, "If you want to stop this thing dead in its tracks, or dead on arrival, in my view, you put the public plan in it." ABC noted that even Tom Daschle, "once Obama's top healthcare adviser, said the public option probably needs to be scrapped." Daschle: "We've come too far and gained too much momentum for our efforts to fail over disagreement on one single issue."
http://www.usnews.com/...
If you'd like, you can let Da$chle know what you're thinking:
Here's his Washington contact information. Alston & Bird is the very high-powered Washington law firm where he lobbys for the health insurance industry and others.
Alston & Bird
The Atlantic Building
950 F Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004-1404
Phone: 202-756-3156
Fax: 202-756-3333
[UPDATE 2]
I've just been advised that Representative Jim Cooper and others are supposedly having a press conference at 2:45 with moderate republicans to talk about slowing down the process on health care and saying that there is room for bipartisan compromise.
Please, get on the phone to this man and tell him, doesn't matter where you live, you are contributing money to a Real Democrat who will run against him.
All these whores representatives understand is money and votes. You may not live in his district, but we all have checkbooks, we can all make contributions to someone who will side with the American people against the insurance industry. Please tell this to Mr. Cooper.
Nashville Office • 605 Church Street • Nashville, TN 37219 • Phone: 615-736-5295 • Fax: 615-736-7479
Washington D.C. Office • 1536 Longworth HOB • Washington, D.C. 20515 • Phone: 202-225-4311 • Fax: 202-226-1035
Back to the Death Clock. I'm kind of loathe to use these sorts of props to get across what should be a very self-evident message--guaranteed and affordable healthcare is a basic human right--but it seems that this concept is not front and center for many people in Washington D.C. And hey, our opponents use all manner of slogans and devices to distract the American people. So, let's take a leaf from their playbook.
Moving on, today, we demand answers. We've told those who represent us what we want, now we demand to know what sort of public option they think they're going to foist on the American people.
Time for them to come clean.
These are the questions, our (well-insured with taxpayer subsidies) representatives must answer.
What follows is from Chris Bowers and you should go to the web site Stand With Dr Deanif you want to fill out a form.
Chris posted an excellent Diary yesterday evening, Let’s Get Some Answers On The Public Option which you should take a look at. It has everything you need to know to complete this easy project.
These are the questions that your representative must respond to in writing.
- Do you support a public healthcare option as part of reform?
- Do you support a public healthcare option that is ready on day one?
- Do you support a public healthcare option that is national, available everywhere, and accountable to our government?
- Do you support a public healthcare option that has the clout to establish rates with providers and big drug companies?
Conclude by reminding your Senators that you are a constituent, and you expect answers to these questions in writing, via email.
You elected this Congress. They answer to you. They might be able to dodge the media, but as a constituent, they have to give you answers. Email your Senators just four short, specific questions and together we'll find out where they stand. Don't stop until you receive a clear written response from them.
You are entitled to answers. We need to know who in Congress is standing with us on a public healthcare option, so we know where we'll stand when they're up for re-election.
In solidarity,
Chris Bowers
This email from Kossack MsGrin, underscores why this campaign is so damn urgent.
She wrote to Mr. Bingaman's office, here was the response she received. We need all these people, we send to Washington do do our position, to define for us, what "strong public option" means.
Mr. Bingaman wants you to know that "he supports a strong public option".
On day one, Mr. Bingaman?
Open to everyone, Mr. Bingaman?
Accountable to the government, Mr. Bingaman?
From: Vincent, Trudy (Bingaman) <Trudy_Vincent@bingaman.senate.gov>
Subject: RE: Strong Public Option
To: "'XXX@xxx.com'" <XXX@xxx.com>
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 8:49 AM
He does support a strong public option.
From: Haley [mailto:XXX@xxx.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 1:19 AM
To: Vincent, Trudy (Bingaman)
Subject: Strong Public Option
Dear Ms. Vincent:
I was hung up on today when I called the office to ask about the Senator's position on a public option for health care reform. I'm quite concerned that he is not interested in a strong public option, if that is correct, than he is only offering more of the same to the American people.
Yesterday, I learned from my Medicare Advantage plan that they are dropping TWO of my physicians mid-year. It is a unilateral decision Humana made which both doctors offices are attempting to appeal. Of course I have NO OPTION to chose another health plan to follow my physicians mid-year... with very few exceptions, Medicare patients can only choose a new plan for the start of the calendar year, so I am quite confused as to why my insurance plan can do what it likes when it likes - I rely on my doctors, and developing a working relationship with them takes patience and time given my complex health history and current disability. One of the doctors being dumped works with my blood tests on a weekly basis as I am attempting to recover from a very difficult infection. Poof, that doctor is out of my plan as of August 1 with no good reason.
What American needs is a single payer health plan. If the senator refuses to give what the majority of Americans clamour for, at least he can give us a strong public option.
Now, to everyone who very legitimately says, "well what about single payer?" Here's my answer, and it's a quote from my mentor, DrSteveB, he says, and I agree, single payer is the only sustainable solution to our healthcare catastrophe, but he also says, "I'm not a single payer nihilist." We've got to pull as much as humanly possible for a hugely robust public option--for now.
So if you're not angry, maybe this will motivate you to take one action--a call, email, fax, letter, anything--today which will help drive a stake through the heart of for profit health insurers which seek to make money from human misery, suffering and illness.
Despite being loathed, hated, scorned and under surveillance by the American people and even some in Congress, the insurers continue to justify rescinding the health policies of many who have been paying premiums for years. I urge you to read this from the Los Angeles Times
Health insurers refuse to limit rescission of coverage
Executives of three of the nation's largest health insurers told federal lawmakers in Washington on Tuesday that they would continue canceling medical coverage for some sick policyholders, despite withering criticism from Republican and Democratic members of Congress who decried the practice as unfair and abusive.
The hearing on the controversial action known as rescission, which has left thousands of Americans burdened with costly medical bills despite paying insurance premiums, began a day after President Obama outlined his proposals for revamping the nation's healthcare system.
And as always, slinkerwink for all numbers, names, etc.
And as you gear up to fight another battle, I want leave you with words of inspiration and motivation.
If you hear the dogs, keep going . . .If you want a taste of freedom, keep going