I received this letter from SEIU. The letter should have also stated that all of us who truly understand this issue has the duty to explain to all our neighbors, acquaintances, and everyone we come in contact with the reason why healthcare reform as being constructed by this Congress is essential and in their best interest.
"We may not cure this crisis today, but we must start toward that end," said Sen. Harry Reid moments before a vote on the Senate floor.
The Senate just passed their health care bill on a 60-39 party line vote. With this historic vote, we stand closer today than ever before to delivering the type of health insurance reform our members and every American across this country deserve.
The Senate has taken the first step towards passing its health care bill. Now, the Senate, the House and the White House have an opportunity to deliver real reform, worthy of every American’s support. The next two weeks will be our last chance to fix the final bill. Start by signing onto an open letter.
The House and Senate bills will shortly head into "conference," where Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Harry Reid and President Obama will hammer out a final bill by merging the two. Conference is an opportunity to fix what’s wrong with the Senate bill. It is also, in no uncertain terms, our last chance to do this right.
The final bill coming out of conference requires passage in the Senate and House, but no changes are allowed, so conference is the last chance we have to make things better. Today is the beginning of an aggressive campaign to put a good bill on the President’s desk. Two major issues must be addressed in conference:
Health care must be affordable:
Low and middle income families must be able to afford health insurance if they do not get it through work, and employers must be asked to provide good health coverage for their employees so health care is affordable on the job. We should not finance reform on the backs of middle and lower income Americans – but should instead incorporate provisions in the House bill that ask the wealthiest 5% of Americans to pay their fair share.We must hold insurance companies accountable:
If the insurance companies win, we lose. Insurance companies must be held accountable with strong regulations and consumer protections, and we must be given the choice of a national public health insurance option available on day one.We must finish reform right. Sign now.
Happy holidays,Jessica Kutch
Online Campaign Manager
SEIU.orgP.S. Members of Congress use personal stories from constituents to decide their votes and illustrate why certain provisions are important. We’re looking for stories of financial hardship that illustrate why health insurance must be affordable. Do you or a family member have a story to share with Congress? Click here.
