March 9, 2009
For immediate release:
For more information contact:
Laura Bonham, Communications Coordinator: Laura@pdamerica.org, (435) 336-2123
Tim Carpenter, National Director: Tim@pdamerica.org, (413)-320-2015
THE PEOPLE GIVE CONGRESS A TASTE OF MANAGED CARE’S BITTER MEDICINE
WASHINGTON, DC – Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) and allied organizations in support of HR 676, United States National Health Care Act or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act, today are giving Congress a dose of the reality millions face daily as they urge citizens to fax to Congress their health insurance bills or letters of denial of coverage.
“The injustice in our health care system must end, and Congress must act now for real health care reform,” said PDA National Director Tim Carpenter.
“The current healthcare system in the U.S. is doing serious damage to the physical and financial health of millions of Americans. The solution is not to subsidize an expansion of the current dysfunctional system. That will just lead to more back-breaking bills and more letters of denial. If Congress is serious about health reform, they will support HR 676, the single-payer solution.”
Originally introduced in the last session of Congress and reintroduced in the 111th Congress, HR 676 has 65 co-signers and is gaining more sponsors each week. The bill, authored by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) is the focus of a large grassroots effort led by The California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, Physicians for a National Health Program, Healthcare NOW!, Unions for Single-payer Health Care, and the Progressive Democrats of America, the convening organizations of the Leadership Conference for Guaranteed Healthcare.
“A single-payer system, as has been clearly shown in other countries, is the only practical way to provide health care to all citizens while keeping costs under control,” said Carpenter. “There is tremendous grassroots support for this approach, and we’re going to make Congress aware of that fact.”
Also tomorrow, PDA will be participating with other HR 676 advocates for a “Health Insurance NO! Healthcare YES!” rally outside a policy forum staged by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).
“AHIP is the trade group that develops the policies which keep profit first in our healthcare system while leaving over a third of the population uninsured or with completely inadequate coverage,” Carpenter noted.
The rally will begin tomorrow at 11 a.m. outside the Ritz Carlton Washington D.C., where the forum is being held. Details here.
Progressive Democrats of America is one of the nation’s fastest-growing grassroots political organizations; it has active chapters in 45 states. PDA is dedicated to reviving the progressive tradition of the Democratic Party through grassroots organizing and working with elected Democrats to advance peace, justice and social, economic and environmental responsibility. More information is available at: www.pdamerica.org
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Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal in 2009: work with and increase the progressive majority in Congress as we build on our 2008 electoral successes. PDA’s advisory board includes seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Thom Hartmann, Jim Hightower, and Rev. Lennox Yearwood. More info: http://pdamerica.org .
