Health Care Reform: Now's the Time to Make Our Voices Heard

By Cindy Pearson

I almost spilled the mug of hot tea I was holding when I saw the article in the paper one morning recently. What could make me lose my grip on a hot drink? Well, now that I think of it, a lot of things could do that – I’m actually pretty clumsy! But, this news was actually spill-worthy. The government of the United States is proposing to use grassroots organizing techniques to build support for health care reform. Wow! Who would have thought that would be possible?

I only became more excited when I read the article, which explained that President-elect Obama is asking people to get together to talk about health care reform and to suggest ways to make things better. According to the Washington Post, Obama is seeking ideas about how to reform the system and to make quality, affordable health care accessible to everyone. The article stated, “As he gears up for major health reform legislation next year, Obama is encouraging people to host informal gatherings to brainstorm about how to improve the U.S. system.”¹ I love the concept of everyone being able to contribute ideas to the Administration and share their experiences with the system – and I also love the part of President-elect Obama’s plan that isn’t stated, but is discernable right below the surface: a recognition of the importance and the power of organizing communities to be active for change!

President-elect Obama calls these events “Health Care Community Discussions”. I have another name for them – house parties. And, I know who uses house parties as a strategy to build support for social change: everyone who doesn’t have the money to buy social change by making huge political contributions or paying for the services of high-priced lobbyists. Candidates for local election have house parties; people who believe in a cause like saving the environment or curing cancer have house parties. And, the women’s movement – why, we practically invented house parties! In the 1970s, we called them “consciousness raising groups”, while today’s Third Wave feminists talk about “meet ups”. Throughout the decades, we’ve seen how powerful it can be to talk in small groups, discuss issues that affect us personally, and develop political solutions to those personal problems.

By the time this newsletter reaches you, the Health Care Community Discussions will be over. But, the time for talking about, and acting on, health care reform will just be getting started. President-elect Obama says this is a top priority. We know that he faces other pressing issues -- first and foremost the economy -- and that the pharmaceutical and insurance companies will use their well-financed lobbies and influence to try to preserve the status quo, as they have done so successfully in the past.

To make sure that health care reform doesn’t get derailed again, we’ll have to continue to raise our voices in every way possible to insist that quality, affordable health care for all is the top domestic priority, taken up by the President and Congress early in the new year. As soon as you get this newsletter, please check our website (www.nwhn.org) for the very latest information about how to get involved and raise your voice for health care reform! Here’s to a happy and healthy new year – for all of us!

REFERENCE

1. Connolly, C, “Obama Asks Nation for Input On Reforming Health System, ‘We Want Your Exact Ideas,’ Daschle Says”, Washington Post, 12/6/08, p A7.