Campaign for Health Care Reform Kicks Off in Cities and Towns Across the Country

Last weekend, thousands of supporters attended grassroots events in all 50 states to kickoff Organizing for America’s summer-long campaign for health care reform.

During these events – which were held in supporters homes, cafes, libraries and local Democratic Party headquarters (among other places) – participants watched a special pre-taped message from President Obama and started the conversation about health care reform with their friends and neighbors. Participants shared their stories, talked about the President’s principles for reform and started developing a plan to take action in their communities to ensure that health care reform happens this year.

A snapshot of the Kickoff events from articles published in local and regional outlets:

Reuters - Kansas City, Missouri

"From a living room in Kansas to a bagel shop in New York to an Alabama church, Democrats have started mobilizing support for President Barack Obama's healthcare reform plans. Suburban housewives and social workers mixed with Baptist ministers, college students, retirees and many others at grassroots gatherings over the weekend. Spurred by the Democratic National Committee's burgeoning political machine dubbed 'Organizing for America,' thousands of such meetings had been planned for Friday through Monday."

Ravalli Republic - Ravalli County, Montana

“This is an opportunity to have people share their stories,” Gustina said. “People want people to know that they are struggling to meet their health care needs - they want to talk about it … and we’ll put a local face to the issue.”

The Advocate– Baton Rouge, Louisiana

“’Grass roots is vital. For too long, we’ve had people in Washington dictate to local citizens what is important,’ said Robert Wilson, a volunteer who set up the meeting at Freeman’s home.

“Another dozen or more people also met Saturday at the home of Carruth and Mary McGehee. OFA had estimated that thousands of people around the United States would attend similar gatherings.

Portland Press Herald - Portland, Maine

”Bonnie Blythe said she asked Obama how young adults saddled with college loan repayments were supposed to obtain affordable health insurance.

‘I don't feel like I'm an expert, other than I believe health care has to be accessible to everyone and costs must be reasonable,’ said Blythe, noting that her two adult children don't have insurance.

“Blythe said she volunteered in Obama's election campaign last year, organizing carpools to the polls in Lewiston-Auburn, registering voters and canvassing neighborhoods.
“She said she's prepared to work for health care reform, too, and has offered to host a house party Saturday at which guests will view Obama on video and make plans for campaigning.

Waco Tribune – Waco, Texas

“If you have been itching to give President Barack Obama your take on how to reform the nation’s health care system, you’ll be able to do it without leaving town.

“The local chapter of Organizing for America is hosting community meetings to gather grass-roots input about health care reform. Participants will be able to share their personal stories about health care access. They also will be asked to come up with local projects for an upcoming national day of service that will focus on promoting healthier communities, said Kelly McDonald, lead organizer for the U.S. 17th Congressional District.”

We’ll update this post later this afternoon with a video highlighting some of the national and local television coverage of the events.

Comments (3) «

Evening peeps, I have to share an experience my wife and I had.While vacationing in Grand Cayman, a British island,my wife had a severe attack in her chest.I had to call an ambulance!Long story short we were in the hospital emergecy room 7 hours.She had 2 EKG`s,blood work,lab work,2 IV`s, 1 Medicated bag and a Echocardiogram.All I can tell you is Michael Moore is right!They would not take my health insurance, and I had to sign a blank credit card.My bill including ambulance was $1069.64.My bill in the U.S. just with what I pay on 20% deductable would dwarf that!

1

virgo1 on June 8, 2009 at 07:33 PM

I attended the Tacoma 6/6 kickoff at Trinity Presbyterian Church. about 15 people of the 22 who RSVPed showed up, and after we went around the circle introducing ourselves and sharing our personal health care stories, the young woman "hosting" said we should break into groups to plan an event for the June 27 "day of service" which could be volunteering at a charity, or other activity, not necessarily connected with getting quality healthcare reform. When I suggested that we should really be planning some sort of action to highlight health care, she said that we needed to follow OFA's "agenda" and blew me off, albeit politely. This was the same thing that happened at the OFA "Listening Tour" kickoff on 5/11 which had a "mission"; for volunteers to sign up and plan how to doorbell in support of the Obama Health Care Plan which, as it turns out was not released until the weekend of 6/6! Everyone here who has been active in Democratic Party work knows that OFA's "Healh Care" project is really aimed at corralling Obama 08 campaign volunteers and keeping them involved and available for his 2012 re-election campaign. That's fine, but they should call it what it is and not insult our intelligence and waste time that could be spent promoting REAL health care reform, i.e., Single Payer, which Obama supported until he decided to run for President. The DNC has funded OFA's phony Health Care project while State Dem organizations are having to lay off employees because they are no longer receiving the help they got from the DNC under Chairman Howard Dean. Shame!

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JGilesTacoma on June 9, 2009 at 05:32 PM

My son had the medical insurance that all Montana state college students are required to have.
He's had some problems with breathing, and they found that he's got an enlarged heart. The cardiologist prescribed an external defibrillator/heart monitor that he is to wear 24/7 for the next three months.
He just got a letter from the insurance company saying that they aren't paying for it because it isin't "required"!
How the @##$$%^&**!!!! does some bean counter at the bloody insurance company get off saying he knows more than one of the top cardiologists in the state!!???
We need to get rid of these buttheads!
Single payer or bust!

3

Butte on June 10, 2009 at 04:20 PM

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