Health Care for all Oregonians CALL TO ACTION
Vanessa Houk, 19.10.2012 11:18
Health Care for all Oregonians is a grassroots movement to build awareness of the need for health care reform. We have a letter writing campaign and we ask that you read this months sample letter as well as the talking points provided and take a few minutes to write and submit a letter to the editor for the Mail Tribune or Daily Tidings.
On being our own media
The Communications Team of the Health Care for All-Oregon coalition is beginning a project to enlist volunteer writers across the state who are committed to advancing the cause of health care as a human right and to building our presence in the media. We'll make it easy for you to spread the message: replacement of our cruelly dysfunctional health care system with affordable, equitable and humane quality health care for everyone is not only possible but urgent. The stories of needless suffering are everywhere.
We ask you to commit to do one or more of these things:
Monitor your local newspaper for articles or letters relating to health care issues and alert us when you spot something of interest.
Submit letters to the editor (or longer op-eds) to your local newspaper and/or recruit others to submit letters to the editor. We need a team of writers in each area.
Keep in contact with us to share messages and stories.
What you can expect from the HCAO Communications team
A monthly message with the theme of the month, talking points and a sample letter which you can use or modify--or write your own.
•Support on getting your letters and opinion-editorials published.
•Information on messaging, writing, and Being the Media,
•Resource materials for you to utilize.
If you would like help editing your letter or op-ed submission, please Contact us.
Let's Occupy the Media!
Joanne Cvar, HCAO communications
chair
October theme: The coming election and the ACA
Sample letter by Eileen Sorrels, Brookings
Dear Editor:
While the economy remains the central issue of this year’s presidential election, health care is another top concern among voters. A lot of the discussion centers around the Affordable Care Act or the ACA. Republican candidate Mitt Romney has pledged to repeal the legislation, while President Obama would uphold it as the most significant piece of legislation during his first term.
So, what is all the fuss about?
The central thing the ACA does is to mandate coverage for everyone (the so-called individual mandate). Those who are not currently insured (about 50 million and another 40 million who are under-insured) will be able to get coverage through state controlled “exchanges” and receive government subsidies to help pay for it. Parents will be able to keep children on their policies until age 26. Children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage and in 2014 this extends to all individuals. Insurance companies cannot drop your coverage if you get sick. Coverage cannot be denied without an appeal. No more lifetime caps on coverage.
Equally important are the ACA provisions to drive down health care costs. For example, the 80/20 rule which mandates that many (not all) insurers must spend 80% of your premium dollar on your care or improvements to care or rebate the difference. Now in every state, insurance companies must publicly justify any rate increase of 10% or more. Tax credits are given to small businesses who provide health care coverage. Red tape and paperwork are cut in many areas to reduce cost. And much, much more. Despite opponent claims, the ACA is designed to REDUCE the country’s health care costs which are by far the highest among developed nations.
Even with the ACA, we will still have 30 million uninsured in this country – with all the hidden costs and heartbreak that entails – which is why so many feel a single payer system is the best, fairest and most cost effective way to go. That said, it has taken decades to get the ACA improvements in our health care system. And Mitt Romney wants to repeal it? Think again, Americans.
October Talking Points:
Health Care reform and the ACA is an important consideration in this year’s election because one side will keep it and the other has promised to repeal it.
List of ACA provisions that will benefit many millions of people (nearly everyone in one way or another).
Health care reform is designed to drive down health care cost.
Even with ACA, thirty million are left uninsured. Single payer is fairest and most cost effective way to go.
Something not mentioned because of space constraints but very important is that part of the Republican talking points is that seniors can go into a “market place” and find the best coverage for themselves and Senator Daschle’s comment about placing his 89-year-old mother in that environment (and indeed all of us) subject to an overload of complicated information along with a lack of transparency makes that idea totally unfair and unworkable to the typical consumer.
Your letter can be submitted to the Ashland Daily Tidings at 
tidingsopinion@dailytidings.com or to the Mail Tribune at mailtribune.com.