Friday afternoon I went to my doctor's office because I took a spill down my front stairs. No worries I am ok. But the story unfolds below the fold.
I am lucky that I have insurance. Damn lucky. Here in Illinois you can say what you want about Blago, but he made Kids Care happen for all children in Illinois. And through Kids Care the parents of low income children can be insured as well.
So I am lucky to have insurance.
I went in and got triaged by a wonderfully upbeat woman. I think she was a nurse's assistant. She asked why I was there and I told her what happened and told her that I probably should have gone to the ER but in these uncertain times many folks that are uninsured use the ER as a DR's office.
She agreed. Then the killer.
She told me that she was uninsured, Because she could not afford the plan.
A HEALTCARE WORKER IN A DOCTOR'S OFFICE IS UNINSUARED!!!!!
She told me she has asthma and that she relied on the kindness of some of the Doctors and nurses at her clinic for sample pumps. The pump that she needs went from $12 to $76. She cannot afford the pump or the coverage. She has a 22 year old daughter and she warned her that she has to be very careful and try like hell not to get sick or have any accidents.
Wow!
Now here is where American Exceptionalism plays a key role. We can do something about this.
President Obama has put forth a bold new budget that will surely be met with opposition. He said he is ready for the fight. But are you?
I am.
Here are some ways that we as citizens, organizers, and activists can help him in the fight.
- Statistics
We need to know how many people are uninsured, underinsured, or can't afford by state and congressional district. Is there anyone out there that has the capability, means, and time to compile data. We can really use that data to put pressure on members of Congress using the real data. It would be great to have that data at a central location such as a Face book group, Google group, etc.
- Organize
Once we have the data at a central location regarding the uninsured etc. we need to organize in those congressional districts, neighborhoods, and states. Old fashioned campaigning. Let the folks know they are not alone. Who among you would volunteer for such an undertaking? Again this can also be a Face book group etc. In order for a central location so folks can know how is doing what where. I suppose we could still use MyBo. We need meetings inviting those Congressional leaders to the meetings and letting them explain, if they are opposed to universal healthcare.
- Rapid Response
We need folks to volunteer to be news hawks and dedicate time and energy to writing letters to the editors in their newspapers, writing and calling TV stations and cable news. Rapid Response is very important and it is a invaluable apparatus in any campaign.
- Congress
I learned while working on the Obama Campaign that Congressional leaders truly respond to constituents calling and writing there office. For every 10 people that call the Congressman assumes that 500 people feel the same way. We need to put the knuckles on the squeamish, weak, and otherwise selfish Congressperson and Senator.
I know that there are a bunch of smart folks that read this blog and hopefully will read this diary. We can self organize around this issue. This is the issue that is near and dear to many of our hearts.
If any one has any suggestions or will volunteer to lead any of these suggestions please put your ideas in the comments.
I am not statistically saavy enough for the first idea. However, I will organize in my area and I will use the data for suggestions 2, 3, and 4.
Please join me.
President Obama is ready for the fight.
The question is are you?