As the Organizing for America Health Insurance Reform Bus Tour rolled through Des Moines, they were greeted by a welcome sight: hundreds of Iowans with "Thank You" signs waiting to greet those driving the bus for health insurance reform. With around 500 people in attendance, including members of SEIU Local 199, our activists proved their dedication by showing up to support the cause.

Watch the Health Insurance Reform NOW bus roll into Des Moines:

Iowa's senior senator Charles Grassley is rapidly becoming the Republican Party's chief obstructionist in the health care debate. The ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee is going on the offensive against President Obama and members of Congress who support comprehensive reform.

In a conference call Tuesday, Senator Grassley told Iowa reporters, "I don't think it's going to be possible to work it out with the administration because they're all over the field - all over the ball park."

This latest statement demonstrates the level of partisanship our senior senator has brought to the current health care debate. If anyone is "all over the field"- it's Senator Grassley. Here are just a few examples:

In a statement last week, Senator Grassley's spokesperson accused Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley of putting his "party duties as Vice Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ahead of Iowans." In fact, Congressman Braley fought his political party's leadership to secure more equitable reimbursement rates for Iowa regarding public health insurance plans. Due to Congressman Braley's work, Iowa health care providers will finally be compensated fairly for their work.

Senator Grassley, on the other hand, admitted to putting his party duties ahead of Iowans. Days before his attack on Congressman Braley he told reporter Chuck Todd (NBC), "I'm negotiating for Republicans." Todd asked the Senator if he gets what he wants from negotiations, if he'd be willing to be one of 3 or 4 Republicans who vote yes for reform. Senator Grassley said, "Absolutely not. And I told the President that a week ago Thursday and I told [committee chairman] Max Baucus that over a period of three or four months....In fact, let me build on what you said, and why I say that I wouldn't be. I'm negotiating for Republicans."

At an August town hall meeting in Winterset, Senator Grassley told constituents, "you have every right to fear," when asked about the end-of-life planning provisions in House Resolution 3200. He later added that, "we should not have a government program that determines you're going to pull the plug on grandma."

Then, on August 23rd, Senator Grassley was asked by reporter Bob Schieffer (CBS 'Face the Nation'), "you're not saying that this legislation (H.R. 3200) would pull the plug on grandma?" Senator Grassley admitted, "I know the Pelosi bill doesn't intend to do that," adding later, "It won't do that."

The clearest indication that Senator Grassley is "all over the field" is the manner in which he closed his Tuesday conference call with Iowa reporters. Not 30 seconds after saying, "I don't think it's going to be possible to work it out with the administration," Grassley stepped back to say, "But, yes, I do believe it's possible to reach an agreement."

"The whole nation is holding their breath, waiting to see what proposals Senator Grassley's committee will produce. Yet his recent comments make it unclear whether the Senator truly plans to be a part of these negotiations. There is just no telling what he'll say next," SEIU Local 199 President Cathy Glasson said. "Senator Grassley could be a champion for the majority of Iowans and Americans - those who want to see a comprehensive health insurance reform bill passed. Right now, it seems he's more interested in being the champion of Republicans in Washington looking to play politics with our health care."

Yes, you read that right. Take a moment. Collect the pieces of your shattered brain. And let me repeat:

This woman's son was denied health care coverage because her insurance company said his acne was a pre-existing condition.

Watch the video here:

There are no words. Oh wait, my rage found some:

This is bureaucracy in action. This is a clear and obvious sign that our health care system is broken. Is acne painful, and sometimes embarrassing? Sure. Is it a prohibitively expensive, life threatening condition for which an adolescent boy should be denied health care coverage? Absolutely, positively no. Not that anyone should be denied coverage for any reason, but even by the health insurance companies' ridiculous standards, this logic is absurd. What's next? Denying someone coverage because they can't get a date to prom?

All flippancy aside, this is no joke for the family in this situation. Even though this woman's family pays a premium of $500 every month, her son is still not covered because of a broken health care system that lets abuses of power like this happen.

For those who oppose a public health plan option, because they fear government bureaucracy, guess what? The nightmare of bureaucratic delay and lack of care that you fear is one we're living in now. We need reform this year. It's time to wake up.

SEIU members around the country have spent the month of August meeting with their members of Congress and engaging in meaningful conversation about healthcare reform.

OREGON: Members of SEIU Local 49 joined Congressman Kurt Schrader as he toured Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, Oregon on August 20th. During the tour, front-line health care workers spoke with the Congressman about health care delivery and health care reform.

IOWA: This past weekend at an event on the University of Iowa campus, area healthcare providers and SEIU Local 199 members displayed dozens of scrubs signed with the tragic stories of Americans who have suffered because of our broken healthcare system.

"We're just saying on behalf of all the people who signed these scrubs that we want change, that the status quo for our patients that we see every day is not working. And we're going to rely on our congressmen from Iowa to go back to Washington, DC and get something done so that people from Iowa have access to quality, affordable healthcare," said SEIU Local 199 president Cathy Glasson. Learn more the campaign w/ PQC to sign scrubs.

OHIO: On August 25th, SEIU District 1199 and the Ohio AARP hosted a panel on healthcare reform in Wintersville, Ohio. Hundreds of residents attended to ask questions and dispel reform myths. Watch this video of District 1199 Senior Executive Vice President Al Bacon speaking SEIU's efforts to push for reform at the town hall:

WASHINGTON: Members of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW are planning to connect with their member of Congress Rep. Jim McDermott at an upcoming town hall on Tuesday, September 1st. They're also going to be delivering several hundred surgical scrubs next week signed by members to Rep. McDermott as further proof why healthcare reform can't wait.

     

Along with SEIU locals, Change That Works teams around the country have also been hard at work.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: More than 150 people from across the state gathered in Portsmouth today to thank Representatives Paul Hodes and Carol Shea Porter for their commitment to reform--and remind them that every day health care reform is delayed, real people in New Hampshire are affected. Speakers at the rally included residents struggling to afford even bare-bones health insurance plans (like small business owner Scott Baez) and those that have been denied private health insurance because of a pre-existing conditions (like Laura Mick, who was born with a cyst on her brain).

And last week, with less then 24 hours' notice, the New Hampshire Change That Works team was able to get reform supporters to turn out to a healthcare forum with Sen. Judd Greg held at the Ingram Senior Center. During the meeting, Sen. Gregg confirmed that the 'death panels' which have been so highly touted by anti-reform activists are nothing more than an extremist scare tactic. Watch coverage of the forum here:

VIRGINIA: On August 25th, Change That Works helped bring over 2,000 healthcare reform supporters to a town hall in Reston, Virginia with Rep. Jim Moran and former DNC Chair Dr. Howard Dean. Volunteers made homemade signs with messages such as "Moms and Babies for Public Option" and "Patriots for Public Option."

NEBRASKA: An estimated crowd of 600 people gathered on the steps of the Capitol this week in Lincoln, NE for a rally in support of quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans. At the August 25th event sponsored by groups including Change to Win, the Interfaith Workers Justice, HCAN, OFA and the AFL-CIO, speakers shared their stories that highlighted the human toll of our broken healthcare system on people from all walks of life--veterans, small business owners, doctors and retired folks.

Supporters of health reform have been outnumbering opponents by large margins at events like the ones we just told you about; helping to lead honest, civil conversations with members of Congress. In the coming week, SEIU members and supporters all over the country will turn their attention to celebrating Labor Day by joining together and demanding reform.

As members of Congress head back to Washington, DC in a few days' time, do your part to help send them back to work with a clear directive on health care reform. Join us at send-off rallies across the country.

This weekend, Iowa saw a different kind of town hall forum.

At the Macbride hall, on the University of Iowa campus, dozens of signed scrubs were displayed with messages of support for health insurance reform--and painful stories of hardship because of our current health care system.

Signed by health care providers from the various University of Iowa hospitals and clinics, these messages are from people on the front lines: people who deal with sick patients and their families every day. Patients who, under our current system, do not get better, but worse.

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

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.

"Let me be clear: if we do not control these costs, we will not be able to control our deficit. If we do not reform health care, your premiums and out-of-pocket costs will continue to skyrocket. If we do not act, 14,000 Americans will continue to lose their health insurance every single day. These are the consequences of inaction. These are the stakes of the debate we're having right now."

That was President Obama on Wednesday. And the Des Moines Register agrees: delaying reform is not a solution to our health care crisis. We need action, and we need it soon. Today, we got further proof of the cost of doing nothing. Just look at the table released this morning by the Center for American Progress.

Within ten years, if we fail to address the rising cost of health care in America, the average health insurance premiums paid by families will nearly double, from $13,500 today to $22,400 in 2019. Oh but it gets worse - because in addition to rising premiums, Americans lucky enough to have health insurance still face increasingly burdensome co-payments and out-of-pocket costs - the kinds of costs that you can't haggle away when you're in severe pain.

In Iowa, our premiums will increase from $12,190 in 2009 to $20,801 in 2019. Given that Iowa faces additional hurdles, with 800 adults who died between 2000 and 2006 due to lack of health insurance, inaction in the face of economic danger is something we can ill afford - and yet, that's exactly what happens every day that we fail to act on this.

Here's the thing: it doesn't have to be this way! The projections that CAP outlined don't have to come true. We can write a different story. We know how to "bend the curve" of increasing health costs. We can reform our health care system so that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.

One way we're keeping the focus on reform is by joining with our friends at Fire Dog Lake in asking Iowa's Representatives in Congress to stay and work on passing health care legislation like HR 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act," over the August recess. You can sign their petition here. Congress shouldn't take a three-week vacation when 14,000 Americans are losing their insurance coverage every day. That's 34% of the population of Des Moines.

Let's make this happen. Iowa can't afford the cost of doing nothing any longer.

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.

Thanks to the hard work of the Iowa Change that Works, our 24 hours of health care stories campaign on Twitter was a tremendous success.

With coverage in multiple media outlets, including the WCF Courier, Des Moines Register, as well as several Iowa blogs, such as the Radio Iowa Blog, Blog for Iowa and Iowa Politics, our Twitter campaign focused attention right where it was needed: on the struggles of everyday Iowans dealing with the burden of expensive, inadequate health care.

According to the Des Moines Register, our stories reached Senator Charles Grassley's office:

Late Monday, Grassley's office issued a statement saying he appreciates what Change That Works Iowa is doing.

"It is using Twitter in a similar fashion to how Sen. Grassley uses Twitter -- as another way to communicate with Iowans and make representative government work," press secretary Beth Levine said.

Grassley, who was in and out of meetings all day, including a meeting with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, planned to read the group's tweets at the end of the day, Levin said.

Thanks to the bravery of those that shared their stories, our fight to reform our health care system continues to make a difference.

View the stories from our 24 hours of health care campaign here:

• Kathy Olmstead • Sharon Hyke • Cindy Brown • Sara Lang • Mary Pat Lease
• Carol Matthews • Leah Keneps • Iris Ayers • Rita Robinson • Alisa Vickrey
• Bob Meddaugh • Karen Kinkel • Cathy Warner • Mary Vasey • Melinda Myers
• Hugo Ramirez • Robin Van Camp • Michelle Livingston • Shawnae Morey
• Sarah Swisher • Eleanor Pierce • Sarah Posekany

Background on how we launched this campaign here and here.

Today we are taking time to feature stories of every day Iowans who have struggled because of a lack of quality, affordable health care. Every hour, on the hour, we will feature a new story in the hope that these faces and their struggles persuade Senator Charles Grassley that true reform cannot happen without a public health care plan option, and that quality, affordable health care needs to be available to every Iowan.

Kathy Olmstead
Clarion, IA

Kathy can't go back to work at full capacity until she gets her knees and back fixed, but she can't afford to have the procedures unless she works several more hours a week.

Kathy has a very bad back and bad knees that she desperately needs treatment for. Insurance through her former employer was too expensive because the employees were not offered a group discount. Her ailments keep her from her work as a CNA, and unless she can be healthy enough to work long hours as a CNA then she can't afford health insurance to treat the ailments. This catch-22 shows what is wrong with our health care system. People who work hard and play by the rules are driven out of the system because of skyrocketing costs.

Respond to Senator Grassley on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChuckGrassley

Write Senator Grassley and tell him that you want health care reform today:
http://action.seiu.org/page/speakout/24hrs

Today we are taking time to feature stories of every day Iowans who have struggled because of a lack of quality, affordable health care. Every hour, on the hour, we will feature a new story in the hope that these faces and their struggles persuade Senator Charles Grassley that true reform cannot happen without a public health care plan option, and that quality, affordable health care needs to be available to every Iowan.

Sharon Hyke
Cedar Falls, IA

Sharon has MS, and as a full-time student she enjoys quality disability insurance. Though if she uses her education to find a higher paying job she will lose her disability insurance and pay tens of thousands out of pocket for care and medications.

Sharon has had MS, an immunity disease, since she was 17. In the years before the plant she worked at in her teens and early 20's closed, she was frequently dropped and picked back up from her employer's insurance plan. To add to her MS, Sharon has severe asthma. Her chronic diseases and medical procedures kept her from college for nearly 20 years. From 1980 to 1990 alone she received 15 surgeries. In more recent years Sharon has been doing much better. Due to more recent status as a full-time student she's been eligible for subsidized insurance. This coverage has given her access to a new drug called Sol-Medrol that treats her MS and allows her to live a semi-normal life.

Sharon is now scared about the idea of finishing graduate school and entering the working world. If she makes over $27,800 a year she will lose her disability insurance. If she gets a good paying job, she'll never find a private insurance company that would cover her.

Without an affordable public option available to her, she's afraid she'll be forced to take a low paying job, wasting her education, so she won't exceed her disability earning cap. "My whole life revolves around healthcare." And "I'm being co-paid to death," Sharon said of her situation.

Respond to Senator Grassley on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChuckGrassley

Write Senator Grassley and tell him that you want health care reform today:
http://action.seiu.org/page/speakout/24hrs

Today we are taking time to feature stories of every day Iowans who have struggled because of a lack of quality, affordable health care. Every hour, on the hour, we will feature a new story in the hope that these faces and their struggles persuade Senator Charles Grassley that true reform cannot happen without a public health care plan option, and that quality, affordable health care needs to be available to every Iowan.

Cindy Brown
Des Moines, IA

Many years ago Cindy and her husband Bruce were reasonably healthy and held good private insurance through Bruce's employer. As the years went by Bruce's private insurance carrier started charging more and more for coverage right as their health started to decline. Cindy started having trouble walking and Bruce developed severe osteoporosis and several kidney stones. They saw their monthly health care costs go from $20 per month to over $650 per month.

Eventually, skyrocketing costs drove them to bankruptcy, and they still have outstanding bills to Mercy Hospital. It seems like every time they almost pay off their debts another MRI or something similar pops up. Bruce still makes a decent wage, but said their medical bills force them to live at poverty level. They'd like to be able to donate to their church and help worthy causes, but feel their just one pay check away from becoming a worthy cause themselves.

Respond to Senator Grassley on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChuckGrassley

Write Senator Grassley and tell him that you want health care reform today:
http://action.seiu.org/page/speakout/24hrs

Today we are taking time to feature stories of every day Iowans who have struggled because of a lack of quality, affordable health care. Every hour, on the hour, we will feature a new story in the hope that these faces and their struggles persuade Senator Charles Grassley that true reform cannot happen without a public health care plan option, and that quality, affordable health care needs to be available to every Iowan.

Sara Lang
North Liberty, IA

We need health care reform including a public option. I was fortunate enough to have my children covered by Title 19 until I was employed and could afford private insurance through my employer.

The strange reality is that my children received the best care under Title 19. Although I am reasonably satisfied with my current coverage for them, there are many limitations on the medical options available to us with the "full coverage" private insurance I carry. That feels like private insurers do not have my family's health and well-being on their priority list.

Our salaries have been frozen this year and we are taking 1 week of unpaid furloughs each quarter, due to the economic downturn. Our health care premiums have however increased. I am told by staff members who have had health issues that our medical out-of-pocket costs are increasing as well. I understand the challenge my employer faces in this economy. Though I also know that our health costs would be drastically lowered if we could choose a public insurance option. With would make life much easier as we navigate these changing times.

If Private Insurance Companies had to compete with a government's public insurance, I believe we would see the playing field leveled. With transparency in medical costs & charges and transparency in the reimbursements made by private and public insurers, we would finally see integrity in the industry.

Please, Senator Grassley, side with your voting constituency, not with the powerful private insurance corporations. We the people need your support to make quality health care available and affordable for all us. Save our town's small businesses that can't afford to offer health care coverage to their staff members. Save the our neighbors of all ages and all circumstances. At this time in your career, sir....please, cast your vote to support Health Care Reform with a Public Option Insurance.

Respond to Senator Grassley on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChuckGrassley

Write Senator Grassley and tell him that you want health care reform today:
http://action.seiu.org/page/speakout/24hrs

Today we are taking time to feature stories of every day Iowans who have struggled because of a lack of quality, affordable health care. Every hour, on the hour, we will feature a new story in the hope that these faces and their struggles persuade Senator Charles Grassley that true reform cannot happen without a public health care plan option, and that quality, affordable health care needs to be available to every Iowan.

Mary Pat Lease
Iowa City, IA

My sister worked for 25 years at a job that she hated because she had a "pre-existing condition." Due to a work injury she had herniated discs in her back, and she feared that she could not get health coverage for her and her children if she left.

Another sister was put in an even worse situation. She was a dental assistant and her employer didn't offer insurance as a benefit. Her husband was self-employed and could not get affordable health insurance because he had diabetes, which eventually took his life. So my sister, a widow with two small children and no way to afford private insurance, ultimately had to file for bankruptcy due to medical debt.

Far too many people stay in unfulfilling jobs and marriages because they cannot afford to "divorce" their health insurance carrier. This country needs a public, non-profit option, such as an improved version of our current Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan or Medicare. It can be offered on a sliding-scale to cover income inequities.

Respond to Senator Grassley on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChuckGrassley

Write Senator Grassley and tell him that you want health care reform today:
http://action.seiu.org/page/speakout/24hrs