Affordable health care is no longer a color or socio-economic concern, but rather a human concern. Americans around the country are banding together to push the issue to the forefront of policy makers’ agendas.
Two weeks ago Health Care for Now (HCAN), a grassroots campaign that unites organizations including labor unions, faith-based groups, communities and others was launched in Indianapolis and in 52 other cities across the country including 37 state capitals. Its purpose — to work toward creating ways that will allow every American access to affordable health care.
According to information from the Indiana Public Health Association, 44 percent of African-Americans have no form of health insurance and the lack of coverage for employed Hoosiers has grown from 14.6 percent to 16 percent.
Betty Cockrum, president and CEO for Planned Parenthood of Indiana, says her organization sought to be a part of the Indiana steering committee due to the growing concern of uninsured Hoosiers.
“Anytime there is a higher profile movement and we can be apart of that with our message, we will,” Cockrum said. “Anything we can do to add public awareness (about) the need to cover basic health care is a good thing.”
This vast consortium of groups in Indiana and around the country campaigning with HCAN represents the working class of “heroes and sheroes,” says Cockrum. The campaign is spending an initial $1.5 million on national advertising and within the next five months HCAN plans on spending $25 million in paid media.
Health care has been a festering issue for decades says David Warrick, executive director of Council 62 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.Some Hoosiers have to decide whether to pay for health insurance or put food on the table; and when issues such as this occur he says it’s time to do something.
“This is not about pushing a particular health plan or pushing particular politics,” Warrick said. “All we are saying is put aside the political rhetoric, put aside your political affiliation and sit down and lets talk realistically about affordable health care for all Americans.”
HCAN says it’s hoping to create a loud enough rumble to insure that the first order of business for the next U.S. president is to push health care legislation in 2009.
Its health care reform consists of either keeping the private insurance one has, joining a new private insurance plan or choosing a public health insurance plan. The reform also calls for a government role in regulating the insurance industry.
At a news conference in Washington for HCAN’s kick off, Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association in Washington, says affordable health care is also important for young children and has a huge impact on the African-American community.
“In far too many instances it’s the African-American community that is not receiving the kind of health care that many Americans are deserving of. This is a campaign that offers bold new solutions for people and offers real choices.”
This effort to mobilize millions of Americans has more than 13 organizations for Indiana’s steering committee, and according to Weaver, no longer will the private health care industry continue to earn money on the backs of the American people.
During Indiana’s kick off portion of the campaign’s launch held at the state Capitol, Nadiyah Amben, head coordinator at Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Indianapolis said its purpose was to outline the mission of the campaign and how it will affect Indiana residents.
“HCAN is a national answer that will help all of America and the community. That’s why we are involved,” Amben said.
The campaign’s innovative thinking illustrates the progression and need for creative ways to break through to the health care industry and establish health care for all.
“Hopefully we are going to get someone in the White House that is going to care about the working people and care about the citizens in this country,” Lettie Oliver, president of the Central Indiana Labor Council said.
Jobs for Justice is going to take the lead for the state in HCAN’s campaign.
To learn more about the campaign or to get involved visit www.healthcarefornow.com.
