In an effort to convey the urgency, popularity, and momentum surrounding healthcare reform that includes a public option, DFA members from across the country put their heads together and took action when the majority of progressives had already hung up their hats on the fight for real reform.
A few nights ago, DFA members in San Francisco, in collaboration with local group San Francisco for Democracy— a constant powerhouse within the DFA and progressive communities—threw maybe the last Hail Mary pass of this healthcare debate and submitted a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging the House to include a public option in their version of bill H-232. Tim Durning, SF4D’s president, also emailed the group’s plea to DFA members all over the nation.
The day before, local Democracy for America coalition group DC for Democracy visited 58 offices, including the Speaker's, to press for supporting the public option in the reconciliation bill. After speaking with numerous legislative assistants, DC4D member Kesh Ladduwahetty conceded that their activism was a token gesture, given that the group appeared to be alone in its final hour effort to lobby for the public option.
Democracy for America members may have been alone in action, but they linked together from across the country to make our voices heard and stand up for the majority of Americans.
After Kesh got home from a tiring day on the Hill, she did what all progressive activists do: checked her email. From thousands of miles away, Kesh caught San Francisco for Democracy’s pass for the public option. She returned to Capitol Hill with San Francisco for Democracy’s letter to Speaker Pelosi the very next day, delivering the same message, once again, from coast to coast.
What does this tell me? That when you want something done, when you want real action to be seen through, all the way to the end, you call a DFA member. We’ll fight hard, work to the end, and we’ll never retreat from our values just because the White House and Capitol Hill have raised the white flag.
Join us in action. I know there are many, many Kesh’s and Tim’s out there who are just waiting to seize the power that only the progressive community truly embodies.
For anyone who’d like to read SF4D’s letter, I’ve posted it, in full, below:
Dear Speaker Pelosi:
On behalf of the members of San Francisco for Democracy, I am writing to encourage you to include some version of the "public option" in the House Reconciliation bill on health care which will be sent to the Senate. Given that a version of the public option was previously included in the House version of the Health Care Reform bill and is supported by a majority of the American people, a public option seems suitable for the reconciliation process.
We know that you have recently stated that you will not include a public option in the House reconciliation bill because there are not sufficient votes in the Senate to pass it. However, more than 50 Senators have already stated they support the public option, and 41 of these have signed a letter stating they would vote for the public option if it were presented to them in the reconciliation process.
We understand and appreciate that some of our elected representatives are reluctant to vote for a public option due to fear of being demonized by the radical right wing attack machine. However, these attacks will happen regardless of what votes our elected representatives take.
Our understanding is that if the House were to include a public option in the Reconciliation bill, the worst that could happen is that it would be rejected by the Senate, thereby requiring a second vote on the bill without a public option. We believe it's worth that risk in order to go on record in support of the public option which, in the long run, is the most fiscally conservative option to keep health care costs down in future years.
Sincerely,
Tim Durning, President
San Francisco for Democracy
Democracy for America members work every single day to deliver progressive change. Join us in action at www.democracyforamerica.com. We’ll give you the resources and the support that you need to take this country back.