Health Care Reform May Have Lost Tom Daschle, but Thousands of Hoosiers Still Demand Real Change
Former Senator Tom Daschle’s withdrawal from the nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services and Director of Health Care Reform in the White House is seen as a blow to the health care reform that President Obama campaigned on. But as the President’s spokesperson said on Tuesday, the health care problem in this country is bigger than any one person, even Tom Daschle.
We are a growing national movement. A grassroots movement in Indiana has been building since last summer to fight for real health care reform, and will not be set back by this recent announcement. Health care reform is bigger than one person, and it will take all of us to make health care reform a reality in 2009. This campaign, Health Care for America Now (HCAN), is fighting for a uniquely American solution that gives you real choice and a guarantee of quality coverage you can afford. On a national level these health care reform principles are supported by President Obama and more than 175 members of the 111th Congress. In Indiana, we are led by Central Indiana Jobs with Justice, and have formed a grassroots movement of students, community organizations, faith based groups, people of color, seniors, women’s groups and labor unions, and we’re growing everyday.
Together we can win in 2009. Hoosiers know it’s getting tougher to get good, affordable health care no matter how hard we work. Even if we take responsibility for ourselves and our families and make good choices, there is still no guarantee we will get what we pay for. We need an American solution to the health care crisis now. Across the country, we are asking Indiana Members of Congress to join with President Obama and support quality, affordable health care we all can count on in 2009.
Americans know it’s getting tougher to get good, affordable health care no matter how hard we work. Even if we take responsibility for ourselves and our families and make good choices, there is still no guarantee we will get what we pay for.
Here’s what we’re fighting for:
Coverage You Can Afford
• Health coverage that is affordable for every person, family, and business.
• Coverage with premiums and out-of-pocket costs based on your ability to pay.
• Government acts as a watchdog, setting and enforcing rules so private insurance
companies can’t deny coverage or raise rates based on health history, age, or gender.
Comprehensive Benefits You Can Count On
• Standard, comprehensive health care benefits that meet your needs from preventative to chronic care.
• Low out-of-pocket costs (like co-pays) so you can afford to get medical care when you need it.
• Choice of doctors and hospitals.
Choice of Private or Public Health Insurance Plan
• Keep your current private insurance plan or join a new public health insurance plan.
• The choice of a new public health insurance plan is a guaranteed backup that will always be there to ensure quality, affordable health care coverage no matter what.
Equal Access to Quality Care
• Equity in health care access, treatment, research, and resources to people and
communities of color and strengthen health services in low-income communities.
One thing is crystal clear: If we want health reform that works for us, we cannot trust the health insurance industry’s so called “reform proposals” that put their profits before our health. We need comprehensive reform that includes the choice of a public health insurance plan so we’re no longer at the mercy of the private insurance companies and our health care needs come first. We must hold Indiana Members of Congress and President Obama accountable for the health care reform we’re demanding.
