Healthcare Reform: A Call to Action

In the wake of the current economic disaster, our president and elected officials are struggling to prioritize a mountain of important issues that require immediate attention. There are many voices in their ears attempting to frame the conversation around only a certain subset of these but in the political world, where lobbyists sometimes reign supreme, there is a voice more powerful -- yours. That was the underlying theme of the Healthcare forum held tonight at the Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Chandler, Arizona. The talk, Sponsored by the Progressive Democrats of America, focused mainly on reforms introduced in House Bill 676.

The series of community health care forums sponsored by PDA are both timely and necessary. With so many Americans struggling to make ends meet, the truth is, we cannot afford to get sick. The thought that crosses most of our minds when we consider seeking a physician's opinion is not our health and well being, but: "how much will this cost me?" Unfortunately, this means that conditions go untreated and become more costly to resolve as time (and the disease) progress. We are a nation left wondering why we pay nearly double the cost in healthcare and receive far fewer services than our western counterparts.

This issue has not gone unnoticed by the medical community. The Physicians for a National Health Plan, or PNHP, has given voice to impassioned individuals that have taken it upon themselves to inform the public about proposed solutions to our current medical nightmare. It was with great pleasure that the attendees of this evenings forum welcomed Doctor Jonathan B Weisbuch, a member of PNHP, to speak on the topic of “The broken American Healthcare System and How HB 676 and Others Can Help.”

The key points discussed as necessary areas of reform were cost, access and quality of care with the most urgent of these being access. In short, the bill seeks to build on the successes of Medicare by expanding that coverage to the population in it's entirety. The bill would fix costs, streamline paperwork and retain patient doctor relationships. Many in the audience wanted to know why, if HB 676 was the solution, had it not been strongly advocated for by law makers on behalf of their constituents? It is because we, the constituents, are not doing enough to make our voices heard. During her opening remarks Janet Higgins, co-coordinator of the East Valley Progressive Democrats of America, quoted Senator Bernie Sanders:

the only thing that will work is when we raise public consciousness and millions of people demand that congress work for their interest instead of the wealthy

The purpose of this blog is not just to keep its reader's informed, but to call them to action on issues of great importance. We cannot let the health care problem go unresolved for yet another presidential term because it has been preempted by a more "urgent" issue. So, what can we do?

1. Be an informed advocate! Read HB 676 and the transcript of tonight's healthcare forum in their entirety and talk to your friends and neighbors or forward them this blog!
   
2. Join Healthcare-NOW! or PDA America for monthly call-in days to remind legislators that we care about healthcare.
3. Write the Arizona Republic and the East Valley Tribune voice your concerns about the state of health care in America!
   
4. Contact our Arizona legislators Harry Mitchell, Jon Kyle and John McCain about supporting the American Heath Security Act of 2009.
5. Ask our District 20 representatives Rae Waters (D) and John McComish (R) to support the Arizona Health Security Act when it is introduced.
   
6. Email or fax Senators Kennedy and Baucus and President Obama and let them know that you care about single-payer, not-for-profit, comprehensive universal healthcare, with a concrete example being HB 676.
7. Call 202-456-1111, fax 202-456-2461 , or mail The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500 and let them know that the issue of health care is important to you.
8. Submit ideas you have about healthcare reform
9. Attend one of the many health care forums hosted around the state by Dr. Jonathan Weisbuch!
10. Contact Janet Higgins or 480-545-0219 to get involved!
    

Upcoming Health Care events:

Healthcare reform Townhall
Thursday, April 16, 7pm
Love of Christ Lutheran Church
1525 N Power Rd
Mesa, AZ

Health Care Town Hall
Saturday, April 18, 1-5pm
UA Local 469
3109 N 24th St.
Phoenix, AZ,
contact: phoenix-healthcare-town-hall@googlegroups.com