This email just went out from the State Director of Change that Works Indiana:

Why are more than a thousand people caravanning to Indianapolis on Saturday, September 5? Hoosiers from Jeffersonville, Evansville, South Bend, Elkhart and Fort Wayne are coming to Indy to demand that Congress get back to work on making health insurance AFFORDABLE FOR EVERY AMERICAN.

Labor Day Weekend, Saturday September 5, we're rallying for health insurance reform at the Health Care for All Labor Day Parade.

Click here to RSVP now

What: Health Care Rally to Kick-off the Labor Day Parade
When: Saturday, September 5, 9 AM (all day event)
Where: E. North & N. Pennsylvania, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Transportation is available from Jeffersonville, Evansville, South Bend, Elkhart, and Fort Wayne!

Click here to RSVP

Without reform, family health care premiums are expected to rise more than 70% in the next nine years. We need reform that makes sure all Americans have affordable health insurance.

Join us as we demand action, and action now. Our caravan is coming to your area and collectively, we will make our voices heard. It's time for Congress to get back to work and fix our broken health insurance system to make sure working Hoosiers can afford the care they need.

We want you to know first...

When SEIU endorses a candidate in your backyard.

When your Senator or Congressman needs to hear our voices on the health insurance reform, Employee Free Choice, or immigration debates.

When our members require support at the workplace, the state capitol, or in the streets.

You can be the first to know by texting 'SEIU' to 787753 (PURPLE) right now, or clicking the link below to sign-up for our new mobile alerts program:

http://action.seiu.org/seiumobile

Two weeks ago, "Tea Party" protesters physically assaulted an SEIU staffer at a health care town hall event in Missouri.

Video of the event had well over 400,000 views on YouTube. And despite the fact the video showed our staffer -- dressed in purple -- on the ground at the start of the clip, Glenn Beck and his tea-bagging friends launched daily attacks on SEIU claiming we perpetrated the violence.

It's time like this that we need immediate coordination, and being a part of our mobile alert list is a critical piece of our rapid response infrastructure.

Text 'SEIU' to 787753 (PURPLE), or click the link to sign-up for mobile alerts right now: http://action.seiu.org/seiumobile

All across the country, right-wingers and opponents of health care reform are spreading misinformation about President Obama's proposals to improve health care coverage for all Americans. To help debunk the misinformation about what health care reform actually means, a new coalition called Americans for Stable Quality Care--which includes the SEIU, American Medical Association (AMA), PhRMA, the Federation of American Hospitals and FamiliesUSA--will launch their first ad today as part of an August recess campaign for health care reform.

From Politico:

The group is likely to be the biggest spender in support of health reform. The campaign will serve as a counterweight to the critics at town meetings, which are getting saturation news coverage while Congress is out of town.

In a reversal from former President Bill Clinton's 1993-94 health care debacle, the group's campaign is likely to mean that White House supporters keep the upper hand on the airwaves.

Watch the ad here:

As President Obama said at the town hall in New Hampshire, "where we do disagree, let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations that bear no resemblance to anything that's actually been proposed." In line with prospering the truth about reform, here's the text of the first ad from this coalition:

What DOES health insurance reform mean for you? It means you can't be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition, or dropped if you get sick. It means putting health-care decisions in the hands of you and your doctor. It means lower costs, a cap on out-of-pocket expenses, tough new rules to cut waste and red tape, and a focus on PREVENTING illness before it strikes. So what does health insurance reform really mean? Quality, affordable care you can count on.

An official from Americans for Stable Quality Care elaborates on the groups' objectives for the campaign, saying "Now that the debate is turning on what health reform means for the individual, they felt the need to launch a new front that addresses some of those particulars while debunking some of the myths that are floating around. Plus, these groups recognize that their collective voice packs more punch than if they were to just speak out individually." The ads will air in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota and Virginia.

For the 47 million Americans without health insurance and the rest of the country, reform in health care is worth doing. If you're looking for an opportunity to help turn the tide on reform, attend a town hall to contribute to civil public debate about important healthcare issues our country faces. Find a town hall meeting near you (hat tip to FireDogLake).

Concerned Hoosier activists, organizers and citizens led by Indiana Change that Works, rallied 350 strong for health care reform and welcomed President Barack Obama to the small town of Wakarusa, Indiana. Organizations in the pro-health care reform coalition included Organizing for America, Jobs with Justice, USW, AFSCME and AFL-CIO members along with other like-minded organizations.

Check out video from the event here:

And more photos from the event here:

We easily outnumbered the anti-reform protesters. Throughout out the month of August, we plan on attending townhalls and letting the public and Indiana legislators know that Hoosiers want health care reform this year. And we won't let orchestrated fringe folks dissuade our campaign. The people of Indiana will continue to raise their voice for change.

The Indianapolis Star reported that the President came to Wakarusa to announce stimulus measures that will bring much needed jobs to this small community just outside Elkhart. President Obama chose to make his announcement at the Navistar plant in Wakarusa were he said that $2.4 billion in stimulus funds will help Hoosiers build new electric cars and create thousands of new jobs.

Check out this Indianapolis Star slideshow of the President's speech:

As the House leaves for August recess, the Republican party is pulling out all stops as they misinform the public about the true cost of health care reform. With H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act--which should be exempt from the usual political machinations-- the health and welfare of Hoosiers and folks throughout the country is at stake.

Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana continues to spread false information about the cost of the bill. In an interview on MSNBC, Rep. Pence incorrectly states that the health reform bill would result in "one trillion dollars" in new taxes. Even the news anchor knows something is wrong with Pence's calculations.

Watch the interview here:

Rep. Pence followed up his cable news performance by spouting even more misinformation on the House Floor this week, this time with a new incorrect figure: 800 billion dollars in new taxes.

Folks, we must nip these false facts in the bud. Here's our fact check.

FALSE CLAIM: Rep. Pence Claims Over $800 Billion In New Taxes In House Health Care Reform Bill. Rep. Mike Pence claimed on both MSNBC and the House floor that the House health care overhaul included "more than $800 billion in new taxes."

FACT: Bill Includes Only $544 Billion In Taxes Affecting Only 1.2% of the Population. The surtax in the House health care overhaul bill would actually "raise $544 billion over 10 years- roughly half the cost of the bill - and affect only 1.2 percent of all households in the United States."

So if you're on Twitter-- message Rep. Pence and ask him and his colleagues in the House to read the bill and disseminate the facts.

As members of the U.S. House and Senate turn their sights from committee hearings and floor votes in D.C., to barbecues and luncheons back home, SEIU's Change That Works team is ready to ensure they don't forget the promises they made on the campaign trail to fix our broken healthcare system and support hardworking families.

At more than 400 events, from nurse and doctor town halls to large rallies, canvasses and phone banks--wherever members of Congress are, SEIU members will be there as well. From an ambulance tour in Miles City, Mont., to bake sales in North Dakota, we are letting them know that working families need affordable, quality healthcare this year and the Employee Free Choice Act, a check on corporate greed that would allow workers to bargain with their employers for better job security, wages and benefits.

Our message this recess is clear: there are consequences to not changing the status quo -- consequences for families, consequences for our economy and consequences for members of Congress.

Here are just a few highlights from the more than 400 events taking place during the congressional recess:

• Colorado's "Rolling Rallies for Reform" will bring out activists and leaders across the state to highlight the need for healthcare reform in their communities, from Grand Junction to Durango to Glenwood Springs. Each rally will feature local leaders, small business owners, front-line caregivers and hardworking Americans sharing their personal healthcare stories.
  
• Healthcare rally in Indianapolis Aug. 29.
  
• Grassroots activists will participate in each of Senator Grassley's town hall forums in Iowa.
  
• Emails will be sent to Louisiana's congressional delegation with a new personal story each day that underscores the need for quality, affordable healthcare reform.
  
• Montana's Emergency Drive for Healthcare will highlight the need to pass healthcare reform with an ambulance tour across the state that will cover 21 sites in 15 days. The tour will rack up the miles in Miles City; attend a barbecue in Lame Deer; put on street theater in Missoula; and participate in the Relay for Life event in Libby--just to name a few stops.
  
• Rally for change at the state capitol in Lincoln, Neb., on Aug. 19.
  
• Bake Sales for Healthcare across North Dakota will take place July 29-31. During the first week of September, look out for "Losing Sleep Over Healthcare," where leaders and activists hold an evening rally followed by an all-night vigil for the reform needed by the millions of Americans who lose sleep every night over healthcare bills.

Since January 12, 2009, SEIU's Change That Works campaign has generated:

• 14,021 one-on-one meetings
  
• 3,827 letters to the editor
  
• 122,145 petition signatures
  
• 93,136 phone calls
  
• 99,814 letters to Members of Congress

With a staff of more than 400 on the ground in an ongoing 35-state campaign, these numbers continue to grow every day. Visit SEIU's Change That Works for ongoing updates.

A group of dedicated health care activists from Change that Works Indiana converged on Rep. Baron Hill's office in Jeffersonville to let the Congressman know that CD 9 and the
entire state wants a yes vote for H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act. Hoosiers from CD 9 and around the state delivered a message to Rep. Hill, a prominent Blue Dog Democrat, that Indiana can't afford to not pass health care reform this year.

Activists shared health care stories with Rep. Hill's district director Trent Deckard and provided him with the SEIU Value of Reform Indiana report. The report provides hard statistics about rising health care costs and cost projections for families in the next ten years.

H.R. 3200 is a the health care reform bill we've waited generations for, providing quality and affordable health care for all Americans. Indiana needs health care reform now.

Tell Rep. Baron Hill that inaction is not an option. Let him know that we support the America's Affordable Health Choices Act. Click to Call Congress today.

Congress have held 79 hearings on health insurance reform in just over two years and Members have held more than 550 health care town halls and public events around the country. This evidence speaks truth to power that, health care reform is something that folks from Tennessee, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana and the rest of the Nation want now.

Why is there talk of a delay?

Why are our Representatives touting special interests over working people?

The Daily News Journal reported this week:

Reps. Bart Gordon of Tennessee, Baron Hill of Indiana, Charlie Melancon of Louisiana and Mike Ross of Arkansas are among the Blue Dog Coalition members raising issue with the cost of the bill.

Have they reviewed the cost of not fixing our current broken system? There is real value in reforming the health care system-- read some of the statistics and future projections Congress could help alleviate with a yes vote on H.R. 3200:

Indiana: 157,816 uninsured adults in Indiana are between the ages of 50 and 64, meaning that more than 12% of Indiana's aging adults lack health insurance.

Louisiana: 969,000 Louisiana adults, 73.1 percent of the uninsured, are employed, but either they cannot afford their employer's health insurance plan, or their employers do not offer coverage.

Tennessee: By 2016, projections show that Tennessee families will have to pay close to $19,400 for health care or over 44 percent of median household income. This would represent a 70 percent increase over 2008 levels.

Arkansas: In 2007, Arkansas's economy lost as much as $1.53 billion because of the poor health and shorter lifespan of the uninsured. That equates to $3,400 per uninsured Arkansas resident. This year, Arkansas faces a $107 million projected state budget deficit. This represents 2.4% of state spending.

Change that Works has mobilized everyday people in Indiana, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee as well as other states to stand with us for health care reform. These activists have personal stories that fuel their fight for health care reform-- for them, it's not about policy or special interests, it's about providing quality, affordable health care for the citizens of this great Nation. We've rallied in the streets to the halls of Congress-- we've stood together as hospital workers; small business owners; families; veterans and everyday folk to say that we want health care now. And no where in this nation, can we afford to wait much longer.

Currently, H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act is up for a vote in the Energy and Commerce committee. We cannot afford to delay this vote because we all know that a delay means killing health care reform. We've waited 60 years for reform-- this has not been a rushed process. Our current health care system is on its last legs and H.R. 3200 is the best chance we've had towards providing quality health care for working American families.

Call toll-free 1-866-339-6321 and let Congress know that H.R. 3200 is the will of the people.

Below is the text of a message we sent out today. Please take a moment to write Senators Lugar and Bayh and tell them to listen to what Indiana needs:


It could be worse.
 
It's hard to imagine how things could be worse these days: between unemployment, the financial crisis, and the state of health care, it's no secret that Indiana is hurting.
 
But if you can believe it, there's a group that continues to fight ways to improve the lives of Hoosiers.  For years, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has done all it can to stop working people in Indiana from getting ahead.
 
Click here to write to Senators Lugar and Bayh and tell them to listen to the needs of working people, not the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
 
What would Indiana look like if the U.S. Chamber got its way through the years?  The picture isn't pretty.

• U.S. Chamber opposed the minimum wage hike in 2007.  About $148 million would be generated for 354,000 Hoosiers resulting from the 2007 schedule for minimum wage increases, research shows.  The U.S. Chamber says they have "consistently opposed increasing the federal minimum wage."

• U.S. Chamber opposed a bill to expand health care coverage for children.  66,200 Hoosier children would gain from the 2009 health care initiatives, studies indicate.  The U.S. Chamber opposed a bill to expand health care coverage for millions of uninsured children, including 131,000 in Indiana alone.

• U.S. Chamber consistently defends outsourcing jobs.  165,600 Indiana jobs were lost to outsourcing in 2007 alone.  The U.S. Chamber says that there are "legitimate values in outsourcing" and that Americans are "short of skills."

The U.S. Chamber's been on the wrong side of so many issues important to Hoosier families.  But that's just the beginning.

Just like they're going all out to stop health care reform, the U.S. Chamber is doing anything it can to oppose the Employee Free Choice Act - yesterday their lead lobbyist warned of "Armageddon on Capitol Hill."

Click here to write to Senators Lugar and Bayh and tell them to listen to working people, not the greedy CEOs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Why should Senators Lugar and Bayh listen to the same people who've tried to consistently hurt Hoosier families?

We need to make sure our senators know that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce doesn't have the best interests of our state in mind: just those of the same greedy CEOs that hurt our economy in the first place.

Click here to send a message to our senators now.
 
Thanks for writing to Senators Lugar and Bayh.  Your voice can make the difference.
 
In solidarity,
 
Tim Thomas
Indiana Change that Works
www.changethatworks.net/indiana
 

Read the entire US Chamber report here:

When CEOs in Washington decide the agenda of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, they seem to forget all about real workers and business owners throughout America. For decades, they have fought legislation that would have a real impact on working families right here in Indiana. With nearly 350,000 Hoosiers out of work, now is the time to do everything we can to stand up to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - and stand up for working families.

The U.S. Chamber opposed wage hikes that not only benefited hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers but also pumped more than $144 million into the state economy. They opposed a children's health care plan that will not only cover 66,200 more children in Indiana, but also will create nearly 4,600 jobs in
the state. The U.S. Chamber doesn't speak for working families in Indiana

Read the entire report here:

This year during the Congressional Fourth of July recess, SEIU & Change that Works activists created fireworks across the country. Here are a few highlights:

• Senator Grassley in Iowa told a constituent who asked for healthcare reform that provides benefits comparable to those for Members of Congress to "go work for the Federal government." Watch the YouTube video here.
  
• Events in Fort Wayne and Evansville, Indiana, focused on the need for healthcare reform this year that makes healthcare affordable for every family.
• Activists in Maine highlighted the drastic costs of our healthcare crisis and families that have resorted to "Begging for Change." The story was picked up by the AP and published in over 300 newspapers! The recess activities urging Senator Snowe to support comprehensive healthcare reform appeared in the New York Times.
• Members and community partners held rallies for healthcare reform in Denver, Colorado Springs and North Dakota.
• Find out who Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns called when SEIU Change that Works activists greeted him at a healthcare town hall.