If you haven’t already, now is the time to establish a dialogue about Health Care Reform with your federal and state legislators, and to help our leaders frame the issue of Health Care Reform. Below are 4 Colorado events around the National Health Care Days of Action, May 30-June 2.
Democrats have started negotiation with their compromise position, failing to make the best case for real health care reform, and too often echoing the language of the corporate right. Republicans promote the "free market" notion that what we need is a "choice" of, and "competition" among, for-profit health insurances - the message of the specious Ad featuring former disgraced Colombia/HCA hospital CEO and multimillionaire Rick Scott under the name of "Conservatives for Patient Rights."
However, rather than a choice of inadequate insurances, a majority of Americans want the true choice of health care providers permitted by a Single Public-Payer, Private Provider health care model. Instead of competition based on the lowest value of coverage provided by for-profit insurances, competition should be among providers and hospitals based on quality health care. A 2008 Study by CU Medical School revealed that over 36% of Coloradans are underinsured - in total, over 50% of Coloradans are either under- or uninsured.
False choices are being offered by Washington leaders who cling to an outdated model of employer-managed health care, even as 14,000 people daily lose employer-provided health coverage ("Consumer Reports, May 2009). It is important to tell our legislators that we do not want taxpayers to subsidize private insurers with a Massachusetts-style Mandate to purchase private insurance.
"Massachusetts blew it," said journalist T.R. Reid on Colorado State of Mind (5-8-09). "They mandated the most expensive insurance system in the world for everyone, without any cost controls." Reid, who made the documentary Sick Around the World, notes that the U.S. alone among industrialized nations has never made a moral commitment to provide health care for all. "Other countries have agreed - anyone who needs access to a doctor can have it," and they achieve comprehensive health care for all at much less cost using many different not-for-profit models.
Watch TR Reid & Rep. John Kefalas on Colorado State of Mind 5-8-09.
Legislators who have willingly funneled billions of taxpayer dollars to corporate kleptocrats on Wall St., and bailed out automobile companies, are unwilling to provide relief to the working class with a model of health care that can save $400 billion annually by eliminating for-profit health insurances, and provide comprehensive coverage for all. It is unconsionable that the insurance and pharmaceutical lobbies should once more dictate health care reform, as they did with Medicare prescription drug reform.
Even if you cannot participate in one of the following Colorado actions the last week of May or the first week of June around health care reform, please contact your legislators. Identify state & federal legislators at www.Vote-Smart.org. - Michele Swenson
Health Care National Day of Action – Week of May 27-June 6, 2009
Events Planned in Over 40 U.S. Cities - 4 Colorado Events
Fort Collins
May 30, 2009 2-3:30 P.M
Northern Colorado Health Care Forum
Where: Avogadro's Number, Courtyard 605 S. Mason St.
Join a public forum with state legislators to talk about what's happening with health care reform in Colorado and the nation. Legislators will share their assessment of where the reform process stands today, and the best strategy for moving forward to achieve a sustainable, universal health care system for America. |
Sponsor: Health Care Action Team of Foothills Unitarian Church.
Information: LCSoko@q.com.

Greeley
May 30, 9am-Noon
Town Hall on Health Care Reform
Where: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1865 14th Ave., Greeley, CO
Info: Kathy Hagihara Email: hagi1859@omcast.net or 970-304-1859
Eliza Carney Email: abcdrn@greyrock.org 970-416-0636
How is the current US system of health care working for you? Share your experiences and your ideas for reform. Hear from a panel of representatives of local health care agencies about their concerns. Find out what you can do to help bring about real change.Sponsored by Health Care for All Colorado, No. Colorado Chapter
Denver
May 30, 10 am to 12 noon
Rally: West steps of the Colorado State Capitol
Discuss future action for meaningful health care reform at the state and federal levels with providers, legislators, and those with personal stories.
Info: Roya Brown at royambrown@yahoo.com or Michael Clapman, mike.clapman@arapahope.orgor 721-231-1433, www.ArapaHope.org
Sponsored by Arapahope Community Team & Health Care for All Colorado, Metro Denver
Pueblo
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 6:45 pm - 8:30pm
Forum: What’s the Future of YOUR Health Care?
Speakers will include Rep. Sal Pace, Dr. Louis Balizet, Dr. Pam Parks, and Bill Sprouse.
When: Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 6:45 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: County Conference Room, 1001 N. Santa Fe, Pueblo, CO
More Info: Call 719-543-5148
Sponsored by Health Care for All Colorado, Southeast Colorado Chapter