Everyone here probably breathed a little easier yesterday, after the ACA was upheld, but we're not done yet. We can be sure that, if the republicans were to capture the WH and the Senate, the first thing they would do is abolish the filibuster and repeal the ACA. On the other hand, if we win this year and it goes into full effect in 2014, we're done; nobody thinks it can be repealed once people get the full benefit of it.
I published a diary yesterday about the need to sell the healthcare law to people who like what's in it but don't like what the republicans have told them is in it (a surprisingly large portion of the country). This diary is for throwing out ideas to that end.
My first set of suggestions is for a set of videos: (obviously, filling in the actual, most up-to-date numbers or the real values for the Xs). Aside from the first one, we'll want to find actual people who have these stories or similar ones (I know there are quite a few just on this site) and have something like "Actual story - not an actor" at the bottom of the screen.
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Last year, the Affordable Care Act reduced the deficit by XX billion dollars. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that it will reduce the debt by X.XX trillion dollars over the next decade.
Healthcare for all. It's the right thing to do.
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(healthy, good-looking person, early 20s)
I've always been healthy, so I figured health insurance was a waste of money, but when Obamacare passed my mom put me back on her insurance.
Then I got XXX. There's no way I could have paid for the treatment; if I hadn't had insurance, I would have died.
(voiceover) Healthcare for all. It's the right thing to do.
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(middle-aged person)
I was born with XXX. When I lost my job in 2007, I started my own business, but I couldn't get health insurance because of my pre-existing condition. I was always worried that if I got sick, it would bankrupt my family.
After the ACA passed I was able to join the state high-risk pool, so now I can concentrate on my business rather than worrying about what I'll do if I need care.
(voiceover) Healthcare for all. It's the right thing to do.
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(senior)
I love my Medicare, but some months I have a hard time paying for my prescriptions. The Affordable Care Act lowered my out of pocket costs, and now it's easier for me to enjoy spending time with my family.
(voiceover) Healthcare for all. It's the right thing to do.
I don't know if the WH is going to push this like they should. History suggests no.
Which means we need to do it for them.
7:48 AM PT: If you've been helped by the ACA and are willing to tell your story in a commercial, post here!
If you have good video equipment and know how to use it, post your location.
Let's see if we can start putting these together...
7:53 AM PT: Romney's got his ads out promising to repeal the law on "day 1". Let's make sure people know what they'd be losing!