Healthcare Reform Action Steps: What You Can Do
Julian Brookes | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 05:49 PM
In his new book, Howard Dean’s Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform, Gov. Howard Dean points out that “the average American has more personal stake in the outcome of [the legislative fight over healthcare reform] than any other piece of legislation before Congress for many, many years to come.” Fortunately, as he also notes, thanks to the Internet average Americans have more power than ever before to “circumvent the traditional political process” — so resistant to change and remote from grassroots activism — and shape the outcome of this epochal fight. Dr. Dean offers several action steps we can all take to ensure that affordable healthcare for all becomes a reality–and soon. Some harness the power of new technology, others rely on old-fashioned shoe leather and a willingess to talk to people; all are simple, straightforward, effective, and practical.
1. Go to the website: http://standwithdrdean.com/
This site was created by Democracy for America.
“There you will find online petitions, organizing tools, campaigns to contact your senators and congressmen to let them know how strongly you feel about Americans’ right to choose whether they want a public health insurance option or whether they want to continue with their current health insurer.”
2. Educate Yourself
Read a number of leading bloggers to keep up-to-date with the health care debate, such as:
- Ezra Klein
- Jonathan Cohn
- ThinkProgress and its policy blog The Wonk Room
- Talking Points Memo
- The Huffington Post
3. Start Writing
Write letters to editors in your local paper and letters and emails to Congressmembers
4. Take Part in Door-Knocking Campaigns.
“Most Americans respond well to people they know. You should organize door-knocking teams to talk with people you know in your neighborhood or organize door-knocking teams so that one person has repeated interaction (dropping a flyer at the door is not enough) with the same person in each household, so that a relationship is established. Widening the circle, using now just the internet, but personal interaction gives this movement for real choice in our health care system much more impact.”
5. Contact Major Companies
“It is not an accident that the health insurance industry is taking on a much more conciliatory tone during this debate than it did during the health care debate during the Clinton years. They’ve heard from you. But don’t be fooled. While their rhetoric may be conciliatory, their intention is to derail or manipulate this effort at health care reform so they can continue their march toward greater and greater earnings.”
6. Contact Other Organizations that may be active in your community, particularly those that work at the grassroots level.
Including:
