Add Your Voice in Support of Universal Health Care 3/28/07
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ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE HEALTHCARE4EVERY1 ACTION CAMPAIGN
The Universal Health Care Campaign is in high gear. A Hearing of the Insurance Committee, for which LWVCT submitted testimony in support of SB1371 and SB1349, became a powerful initiative and vehicle for achieving passage of significant universal health care legislation. The bills were successfully voted out of committee and will make their way for a vote by the entire legislature.
Given the fact that all local Leagues have their program priorities, this letter does make a special plea that you try to include some time to join the campaign to change our broken health care system. Here in Connecticut, we truly can succeed if we take action NOW.
LWVCT and all coalition members of the UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, CT (UHCF) have been asked to support the ACTION PLAN below, and attend a HUGE RALLY in Hartford May 5. As much respected advocates, League members have a special opportunity to move into the spotlight for health care reform during the current legislative session. In addition to achieving breakthrough legislation for what we hope will be a single payer health care system, Leagues can use this for a win-win opportunity to advocate for universal health care and also raise our visibility to attract new members.
ACTION PLAN 1. Write letters followed by telephone calls to your State Senator and Representative (See attached “Talking Points” for content for letters and calls.) April and May are prime legislative action months; please act soon.
2. Enlist community leaders and organizations, in addition to your own League, to sign an Endorsement of the five health care principles set out by the Institute of Medicine. (See link below.) The first page lists the principles; the second page has the endorsement form. UHCF will collect and bring hundreds of organization endorsements to the legislature in Hartford. http://universalhealthct.org/admin/uploads/159464602df2b9ec616.72516497.doc
3. Help organize groups of people to attend the MAY 5TH RALLY AT THE CAPITOL that has a goal of having 30,000 participants ("for a tidal wave of dramatic support").
4. Please post the Rally and date on your own League’s website.
RESOURCES
1. www.healthcare4every1.org. has the most current information on universal health care goals and campaign developments. 2. The “Talking Points” Attachment has content for your letters (preferably brief) and telephone calls to state legislators. Letters-to-the-Editor are another effective tool to gain support and attention. 3. “Pending Legislation” below has a brief description of the two bills we most actively support. 4. Background Information on the Rally is at the LWVCT website: http://www.lwvct.org:80/issues/050507-healthcare-rally.htm 5. UHCF is at 290 Pratt St. Meriden, CT 06450 campaign@universalhealthct.org
PENDING LEGISLATION To see LWVCT Testimony go to: http://www.lwvct.org/issues/action/030607-healthcare.htm SB 1371 establishes the CT Saves Health Care Program Provides for a single state-administered health plan for all state residents under age 65. Coverage would be provided by multiple insurers. Individuals and employers could purchase additional coverage, but everyone would be guaranteed a plan, to be developed by an appointed Health Care Commission.
SB 1349 establishes the CT Select Care Choices Program Provides a purchasing pool offering multiple private health plans to individuals not offered coverage through their employers. Each enrollee can enroll in comprehensive coverage at an affordable price, on a sliding scaled based on income using pre-tax dollars.
Please forward this e-mail to all those you think will be interested in acting on this very timely and vital campaign.
CONTACT Charlotte Shapiro at charshapiro@sbcglobal.net
TALKING POINTS FOR LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS TO STATE LEGISLATORS
Almost 400,000 (11%) of CT residents are uninsured .
People with no health insurance use hospital emergency rooms at increased costs. These costs are transferred to taxpayers and those who are insured.
A universal health care system can help control constantly rising medical costs.
Many without health insurance either cannot afford to purchase health insurance or find it unattainable because of pre-existing conditions. Cite personal or friend’s experience when applicable.)
Changing jobs or unemployment can jeopardize those who had insurance from a previous employer. Universal health insurance will take care of the problem of insurance portability.
Small business owners will be able to negotiate more affordable health insurance with proposed legislation and permit their businesses to be more competitive.
Covering every currently uninsured CT resident would cost less than the state now pays for the uninsured in direct and indirect costs. The majority of the uninsured work; many work for a small business or hold part-time jobs.
The state, the insured, hospitals, physicians now bear the burden of a broken health care system.
Uninsured individuals frequently go without essential care, placing their health in jeopardy and resulting in higher medical costs.
Opinion polls show that the majority of the people would be willing to have their taxes increased if they had health insurance that was affordable and accessible.
UHCF emphasizes that letters should state that a state health care plan fulfill the principles of the Institute of Medicine; that it be universal, affordable, portable, sustainable and of high quality.
ADDRESS LETTERS TO: Your senator and representative, CT GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Legislative office Bldg., Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106
OR CALL: Senate Democrats(860) 240-8600 or 1-800-842-1420 Senate Republicans(860) 240-8800 or 1-800-842-1421 House Democrats(860) 240-8585 or 1-800-842-8267 House Republicans(860) 240-8787 or 1-800-842-8270
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