What would you choose - taking a vacation or fixing health care?

That is the choice facing the U.S. House of Representatives, who are nearing a vote on historic health reform legislation but are scheduled to go on vacation at the end of next week.

It seems obvious to us - health care is more important than vacation. Congress should keep working until they pass a health reform bill.

Our friends at Fire Dog Lake have launched a petition asking the U.S. House of Representatives to stay in session to pass health reform. Click here to sign the petition.

So far, they've collected 28,000 signatures - let's help them get to 35,000. They'll be delivering your signatures to the U.S. House.

Some Members of Congress want three weeks of vacation before they tackle health care reform. But there is a real human cost for going on vacation. Three weeks in America without fixing health care means:

• 143,250 people will lose their health insurance coverage
  
• 53,507 people will file for bankruptcy because they can't pay their medical bills
  
• 1,265 people will die because they lack coverage

Click here to sign the petition and ask the House to stay in session to pass health care instead of going on vacation.

Fixing health care just can't wait. Let's join together and get this done.

As the battle for health care reform progresses, the voices of everyday Iowans matter more than ever. With all the talk of policy and business, we need to remind Senator Grassley and all of our congressional delegation that we need real health care reform, and we need it today. Real health care reform means: a strong public health plan option, so quality, affordable insurance can be available to everybody.

That's why we need you to do your part, and write a letter supporting health care reform legislation that includes a strong public health plan option, today:
http://action.seiu.org/page/speakout/Letters4reform

By sharing your story of personal health care struggle, you can make a difference in the fight for reform. With your support, we can convince congress to reform our broken health care system into one that works to provide quality protection and affordable health care for everybody.

Also: Submit your medical bill to Congress!

http://medbill.seiu.org/

If the amount of money you spend on medical bills is unacceptable, fill out the form on our site. We'll generate a medical bill without any of your personal information that you can share on Facebook, print, and mail Senator Grassley. By showing the true cost of health care to the everyday, hard-working Iowan, we can help convince Senator Grassley that health care reforms needs to happen, and needs to happen today.

In the past few days, our allies in Congress have made serious gains in health care reform. But one thing is still uncertain - whether we'll see a strong, immediate public health insurance option.

President Obama last week indicated that, in order to keep insurance companies "honest" and reduce costs, we must provide Americans with the option of a public health insurance plan.

Now it's time to convince Congress; and the strongest proof that our current health care system is broken is probably sitting on your kitchen table - your medical bills.

What are you spending on health care? Generate your own medical bill online, and send it to Congress: http://medbill.seiu.org

Today, the Senate is working on a plan for health care reform. The public health insurance option needs to be a part of it because it does three things:

• Lowers costs for individuals and families by competing side-by-side with private insurance plans
  
• Sets high standards for quality and accessibility that other plans will strive to meet
  
• Gives Americans more choice in their coverage by offering an affordable alternative to over-priced plans

After 80 years, we finally have the solution to this health care crisis in our sights. Thanks for joining us in our summer-long sprint to the finish line.