OFA Prepares to Unleash Grassroots Activists in “Final March for Reform”
Organizing for America (OFA)-Delaware State Director Jennifer A. Hill issued the following statement praising President Barack Obama’s call today for Congress to finish the job on health insurance reform legislation:
“Americans cannot afford to wait any longer for health insurance reform. With each passing day, families continue to see their premiums and out-of-pocket expenses rise, and businesses must make hard choices between providing health insurance and creating more jobs. Health care costs are eating up more and more of the federal budget. It’s clear the status quo simply isn’t working.
“Today President Obama rightly called for Congress to act—to act soon—and to provide Americans a final, up or down vote on reform. All sides have now had almost a year to propose their ideas and to debate the proposals. Last week President Obama held a first-of-its-kind summit, where Republicans and Democrats met to lay out their ideas. The President responded on Tuesday by announcing his support for additional Republican ideas that may be included in the final bill, in addition to the Republican initiatives that were already included. Congress must now give the American people a final vote on reform.
“Across Delaware, volunteers with Organizing for America have been working to pass reform since last June, holding events statewide and calling Delaware’s Congressional delegation to show support for reform. Our supporters and volunteers will work night and day and move heaven and earth in this final march for reform.”
The President’s plan when signed into law will do three things:
First, it would end the worst practices of insurance companies. No longer would insurers be able to deny individuals coverage because of a pre-existing condition or drop coverage due to illness. And they wouldn’t be able to charge unlimited amounts for out of pocket expenses or arbitrarily raise premiums.
Second, it would give small businesses and people who don’t get insurance at work the same choice of private health insurance that Members of Congress receive. And for those who still can’t afford insurance in this new marketplace, the plan will offer tax credits based on income to purchase coverage.
Third, the President’s proposal would bring down the cost of health care for millions—for families, businesses, and the federal government. The plan would and extend the life of Medicare and go after waste and abuse while reducing errors and improving care for people.
Through OFA, nearly 3 million Americans have taken action in support of reform. In the past year, OFA has conducted over 25,000 health care-related events and made over a million calls to Congress—more than 318,000 on one day alone. Most recently, OFA supporters have pledged to volunteer nearly nine million hours to the campaigns of Members of Congress and candidates who are fighting for reform.
