Democrats in Washington could finalize the health care bill as soon as tonight—and with several key issues left to decide, they need to hear from progressives right away. Can you call Rep. McCarthy right away? Representative Carolyn McCarthy Phone: 202-225-5516  |
Dear MoveOn member,
Today could be our last chance to push for key fixes in the final health care bill. News is that a final deal on the bill could come as soon as tonight.1
But several major issues are still up in the air. First, whether insurance will be truly affordable for all Americans—both bills require folks to have insurance, but as of now the subsidies aren't sufficient to make it affordable for all. And second, whether the new health insurance exchange will be run by the states, or nationally—the far stronger structure in terms of efficiency, competition, and keeping insurance companies honest.2
Many House progressives are pushing hard for these key fixes and others, like the public option, in the final bill.3 But with Senate conservatives opposed to just about any improvements, it's going to take a real show of support from voters to win these fixes.
Can you call Rep. McCarthy right away? Tell her to fight for a final health care bill with a national exchange that's affordable for all and includes a public option.
Here's where to call:
Representative Carolyn McCarthy
Phone: 202-225-5516
Then, please report your call by clicking here:
Affordability and the form of the health insurance exchange are shaping up to be two core points of contention in the final health care bill. Here's why it's so crucial to fight to fix them:
- Affordability: As it stands, reform could leave insurance unaffordable for some low-income and working Americans. Both bills require people to have insurance, but even with subsidies, some could have to pay up to 20% of their income on health care. That's simply unaffordable. The final bill must ensure that insurance is truly affordable for all.4
- The health insurance exchange: In the House bill, the "exchange," a new marketplace where Americans who don't have insurance through work could choose from a variety of plans, is run nationally; in the Senate, it's state-by-state. According to experts, a national exchange is the far better structure—with a larger customer pool, it would be more efficient, help lower costs, and offer more consumer choice.5
Fixing these issues would go a long, long way toward making the final health care bill more progressive and better for all Americans.
Of course, there are a number of other important issues yet to be decided in the final bill, from the public option to women's health. And it's crucial for all of us to keep fighting for all of these.
Right now, though, the talk in Washington is on a small set of core issues, including affordability and the exchange. And we may have only hours to make sure Washington hears from folks like us before making crucial decisions.
Can you call Rep. McCarthy right now?
Then, please tell us you did by clicking here, so we can track the success of this campaign:
–Kat, Ilyse, Wes, Marika, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Democrats Hope to Have Health Care Deal by Friday," CQ Politics, January 14, 2010http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86029&id=18587-10220574-sfel1zx&t=6
"Miller: CBO To Get Merged Bill In 'Couple Days'," Congress Daily, January 14, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86020&id=18587-10220574-sfel1zx&t=7
"Obama joins congressional leaders in talks to work out health-care kinks," The Washington Post, January 14, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86021&id=18587-10220574-sfel1zx&t=8
2. "Pelosi Fights for More Low Income Subsides in Healthcare," U.S. News and World Report, January 13, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86022&id=18587-10220574-sfel1zx&t=9
"Support Grows for U.S. Health Exchange," The Wall Street Journal, January 13, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86023&id=18587-10220574-sfel1zx&t=10
"The Differences Between The House And Senate Exchanges," Think Progress, January 11, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86024&id=18587-10220574-sfel1zx&t=11
"Sexy? No. Important? Yes." The New Republic, January 11, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86025&id=18587-10220574-sfel1zx&t=12
3. "Pelosi Fights for More Low Income Subsides in Healthcare," U.S. News and World Report, January 13, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86022&id=18587-10220574-sfel1zx&t=13
"Support Grows for U.S. Health Exchange," The Wall Street Journal, January 13, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86023&id=18587-10220574-sfel1zx&t=14
4. "Finishing Reform Right: Fixing affordability before the President signs a health care bill," The Now! Blog, December 22, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85867&id=18587-10220574-sfel1zx&t=15
5. "The Differences Between The House And Senate Exchanges," Think Progress, January 11, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86024&id=18587-10220574-sfel1zx&t=16
"Sexy? No. Important? Yes." The New Republic, January 11, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86025&id=18587-10220574-sfel1zx&t=17
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