Dear MoveOn member,
News about health care reform quieted down over the holidays, but this week may actually be the most crucial in the entire health care fight.
Right now, House and Senate leaders are negotiating the final bill behind the scenes—making major choices about the public option, affordability, and other issues between the strong House legislation and the watered-down Senate bill.1
And with a group of conservatives pushing for the weaker Senate bill,2 House Democrats need to know we're counting on them to fight for five key fixes in the final bill: ensure it will give Americans the choice of a public option, make insurance affordable, protect women's health care, finance health care fairly, and keep Big Insurance honest.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
Can you call Representative Ed Markey at 202-225-2836 right away and let him know you're counting on him to fight for these crucial fixes to the final health care bill? Click the link below to call and let us know how it went:
Yes, I can call my Congressman/CongressWoman .
Sorry, I can't call right now
In most ways, the House bill is far stronger than the Senate bill. It would cover 36 million Americans, create a national public option, make health care more affordable for the lowest income families, and keep Big Insurance honest with stronger regulations. But the pressure from conservatives is intense, so it's crucial that Congress hears from voters like you about the key flaws that must be fixed in the final package.
Here are a few things that you could tell Rep. Markey you want fixed in the final bill:
* Give Americans the choice of a public option. Congress should model the final bill after the House version, which contains a national public option—the key to real competition, greater choice, and lower costs.3
* Make insurance affordable. Both bills require most Americans to have insurance. But even with subsidies, some people could pay up to 20% of their income on health care. The final bill must ensure families aren't required to spend more than they can afford.4 "People should not be penalized if they do not choose to
buy health insurance. This should not be a dictatorship." quote by William Stewart
* Protect women's health care. Both bills impose dangerous new restrictions on women's reproductive health care. While the House version is worse, neither provision can be in the final bill.5
* Finance health care fairly. The Senate would pay for part of reform by taxing the benefits packages of some working Americans. The House, on the other hand, pays for reform with a small surcharge on the wealthiest Americans—a far better approach.6
* Hold insurance companies to the same anti-trust laws as other companies. Right now, insurance companies are exempt from laws designed to prevent monopolies and price-gouging. The House bill would fix this, and so should the final bill.7
Can you call Rep. Markey today? Call 202-225-2836, and click the link below to let us know how it went:
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
Yes, I'll call right now: http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FHMA_07&cp_id=1219&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=5
Sorry, I can't call: http://pol.moveon.org/fax/oneoffs/index_1219.html?tg=FHMA_07&cp_id=1219&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=6
Thanks for all you do.
–Kat, Michael, Eli, Joan, and the rest of the team
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
Sources:
1. "Talks to Merge Health Care Bills Begin Behind the Scenes," Roll Call, December 28, 2009
http://www.rollcall.com/news/41911-1.html
"First thoughts: Back to work," MSNBC, January 4, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85938&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=7
"EXCLUSIVE: Dems 'Almost Certain' to Bypass Conference," The New Republic, January 3, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85939&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=8
2. "Ben Nelson's A Yes! Reform Edges Closer To Reality," The Plum Line, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85912&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=9
3. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Public Plan," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85859&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=10
"The House Bill and the Senate Bill," The Now! Blog, December 21, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85861&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=11
"Why We Need a Public Health-Care Plan," The Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124580516633344953.html
"Why a public health insurance option is key to saving costs," Economic Policy Institute, June 25, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85866&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=12
4. "Assessment of Affordability Provisions in the Exchange in House (H.R. 3962) and Senate (H.R. 3590) Health Reform Bills," Health Care for America Now
http://hcfan.3cdn.net/46590729111c307ccc_lom6b3a6r.pdf
"Finishing Reform Right: Fixing affordability before the President signs a health care bill," The Now! Blog, December 22, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85867&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=13
"Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Individual Mandate," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85860&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=14
5. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Abortion," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85862&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=15
6. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Paying for the Proposals," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85863&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=16
7. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Insurance Regulations," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85736&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=17
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American Public Policy and Government Accountability
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