SEIU members and activists continue to stand tall to ensure healthcare reform happens this year. As members of the U.S. House and Senate turn their sights from committee hearings and floor votes to barbecues and luncheons back home, SEIU's Change That Works team is planning hundreds of events to ensure elected leaders don't forget the promises they made on the campaign trail. From Iowa to Indianapolis, from an ambulance tour across Montana, to bake sales in North Dakota--our elected leaders will hear from working families that need affordable, quality healthcare this year and the Employee Free Choice Act.
Demanding Healthcare Reform from Elected Officials: In Indiana, more than 50 constituents of Rep. Barron Hill rallied in front of his district office. In North Carolina, members of SEANC protested at Senator Burr's office calling for solutions to our shared crisis and an end to partisan games. And last Friday, Virginians gathered to show their support for comprehensive reform that puts an end to skyrocketing healthcare costs for families. Call or write your Member of Congress today and demand real reform.
Change that Works Presses Editorial Boards on Healthcare Reform
It's no secret that newspaper editorial boards help set the groundwork for discussions in cities and towns across the country. In Iowa, the Change that Works team met with the Des Moines Register editorial writers and helped move the conversation about why we need a public plan and urging Congress to stay in session until healthcare reform passes. In Maine, activists worked with the Bangor Daily News to examine how citizens win when corporate greed is kept in check. Lastly, the New York Times, with a little help from the Change that Works team, wrote two weekends ago about how healthcare reform will impact, and ultimately benefit Americans.
Montana Activists Hit the Gas for an Emergency Drive Across State
Working families are hurting across the country. In an effort to connect with local Montanans about important issues like affordable healthcare and labor law reform, Change that Works has hit the road in Big Sky Country and will do an ambulance drive through 24 towns over 11 days. At each stop, volunteers are offering free health screenings and encouraging residents to write their elected officials about what healthcare reform means to them. The drive started over two weeks ago in Havre, and it will continue through August 8th in Missoula.
Coloradoans for Healthcare Rally Statewide
In Colorado, Change that Works activists and volunteers took the message for urgent healthcare reform to the streets across the state. Last week, events were held in Carbondale, Glenwood, Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Grand Junction. Despite competing rallies from tea bag aficionados during the same period, two columnists from the Denver Post, Mike Littwin and Bill Johnson, came out strong for reform that provides quality, affordable healthcare for all. Mr. Johnson concluded his column by asking, "Health care reform. If not now, when?"
SEIU Wisconsin Spells it Out: Appreciating Workers Means Providing Affordable, Quality Healthcare
The SEIU Wisconsin State Council organized a rally for affordable healthcare during Milwaukee's annual "Employee Appreciation Week." When asked why union members with a contract were organizing for healthcare, Peter Hanrahan said "Because unfortunately during our negotiations, health care was the number one obstacle to getting a living wage."
As healthcare inflation has outpaced wages threefold, it has become clear creating an economy that works for everyone must start with guaranteeing quality, affordable healthcare to all. Learn more about what Change that Works and SEIU members are planning over Congressional Recess. Find events in your area here.
