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"We believe it is time for for members of Congress to stand up for Medicare for All," the coalition's website concludes. (Photo: Justice Democrats/Twitter)
Has Your Local Lawmaker Pledged to Support Medicare for All? Have You?
New campaign urges lawmakers to "go on video pledging to stand up for Medicare for All in any public appearances and statements addressing our country's healthcare crisis."
Aug 22, 2017
As support for single payer continues to surge following the GOP's failed attempt to strip healthcare from millions, Justice Democrats, Brand New Congress, and other groups launched a week of action on Monday imploring the public and lawmakers to pledge their support for Medicare for All.
"Because of your pressure, 43 members of Congress decided to co-sponsor Rep. John Conyers' (D-Mich.) house bill for Medicare for All."
So far, over 100,000 people have taken the pledge. The push to get lawmakers to follow the lead of the public on this issue, however, is far from over, the groups observe.
"Because of your pressure, 43 members of Congress decided to co-sponsor Rep. John Conyers' (D-Mich.) house bill for Medicare for All," the coalition's website declares. "But as the healthcare debate rages, many of these same co-sponsors have publicly been advocating for half-measures like increasing subsidies for insurance companies or simply playing defense against Medicaid cuts."
The website goes on to list several facts detailing both America's healthcare woes and the benefits of single payer, followed by an informational video:
- The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other industrialized nation.
- Despite this fact, the American healthcare system consistently ranks last when compared to healthcare systems of other wealthy countries.
- Medicare for All would save the average family around $5,000 per year, the groups argue.
- Most Americans favor a Medicare for All-type system over the current for-profit status quo.
In an effort aimed at ensuring that current and prospective lawmakers remain committed to their public pronouncements, progressive groups are pushing lawmakers to "go on video pledging to stand up for Medicare for All in any public appearances and statements addressing our country's healthcare crisis."
Many lawmakers and congressional candidates have taken up the challenge.
Here is Adrienne Bell, a House candidate running to represent Texas's 14th district.
"I believe that healthcare is a right," Bell said, "and as a nation we should be providing for our citizens."
Watch others take the pledge.
The coalition's website also provides a resource kit for citizens looking to get involved with the healthcare fight, which includes sample call scripts and instructions on how Americans can make their own video pledges.
"Justice delayed is justice denied," Justice Democrats declared. "Time for all Democrats to sign on to Medicare for All."
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Dear Common Dreams reader, It’s been nearly 30 years since I co-founded Common Dreams with my late wife, Lina Newhouser. We had the radical notion that journalism should serve the public good, not corporate profits. It was clear to us from the outset what it would take to build such a project. No paid advertisements. No corporate sponsors. No millionaire publisher telling us what to think or do. Many people said we wouldn't last a year, but we proved those doubters wrong. Together with a tremendous team of journalists and dedicated staff, we built an independent media outlet free from the constraints of profits and corporate control. Our mission has always been simple: To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. Building Common Dreams was not easy. Our survival was never guaranteed. When you take on the most powerful forces—Wall Street greed, fossil fuel industry destruction, Big Tech lobbyists, and uber-rich oligarchs who have spent billions upon billions rigging the economy and democracy in their favor—the only bulwark you have is supporters who believe in your work. But here’s the urgent message from me today. It's never been this bad out there. And it's never been this hard to keep us going. At the very moment Common Dreams is most needed, the threats we face are intensifying. We need your support now more than ever. We don't accept corporate advertising and never will. We don't have a paywall because we don't think people should be blocked from critical news based on their ability to pay. Everything we do is funded by the donations of readers like you. When everyone does the little they can afford, we are strong. But if that support retreats or dries up, so do we. Will you donate now to make sure Common Dreams not only survives but thrives? —Craig Brown, Co-founder |
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As support for single payer continues to surge following the GOP's failed attempt to strip healthcare from millions, Justice Democrats, Brand New Congress, and other groups launched a week of action on Monday imploring the public and lawmakers to pledge their support for Medicare for All.
"Because of your pressure, 43 members of Congress decided to co-sponsor Rep. John Conyers' (D-Mich.) house bill for Medicare for All."
So far, over 100,000 people have taken the pledge. The push to get lawmakers to follow the lead of the public on this issue, however, is far from over, the groups observe.
"Because of your pressure, 43 members of Congress decided to co-sponsor Rep. John Conyers' (D-Mich.) house bill for Medicare for All," the coalition's website declares. "But as the healthcare debate rages, many of these same co-sponsors have publicly been advocating for half-measures like increasing subsidies for insurance companies or simply playing defense against Medicaid cuts."
The website goes on to list several facts detailing both America's healthcare woes and the benefits of single payer, followed by an informational video:
- The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other industrialized nation.
- Despite this fact, the American healthcare system consistently ranks last when compared to healthcare systems of other wealthy countries.
- Medicare for All would save the average family around $5,000 per year, the groups argue.
- Most Americans favor a Medicare for All-type system over the current for-profit status quo.
In an effort aimed at ensuring that current and prospective lawmakers remain committed to their public pronouncements, progressive groups are pushing lawmakers to "go on video pledging to stand up for Medicare for All in any public appearances and statements addressing our country's healthcare crisis."
Many lawmakers and congressional candidates have taken up the challenge.
Here is Adrienne Bell, a House candidate running to represent Texas's 14th district.
"I believe that healthcare is a right," Bell said, "and as a nation we should be providing for our citizens."
Watch others take the pledge.
The coalition's website also provides a resource kit for citizens looking to get involved with the healthcare fight, which includes sample call scripts and instructions on how Americans can make their own video pledges.
"Justice delayed is justice denied," Justice Democrats declared. "Time for all Democrats to sign on to Medicare for All."
As support for single payer continues to surge following the GOP's failed attempt to strip healthcare from millions, Justice Democrats, Brand New Congress, and other groups launched a week of action on Monday imploring the public and lawmakers to pledge their support for Medicare for All.
"Because of your pressure, 43 members of Congress decided to co-sponsor Rep. John Conyers' (D-Mich.) house bill for Medicare for All."
So far, over 100,000 people have taken the pledge. The push to get lawmakers to follow the lead of the public on this issue, however, is far from over, the groups observe.
"Because of your pressure, 43 members of Congress decided to co-sponsor Rep. John Conyers' (D-Mich.) house bill for Medicare for All," the coalition's website declares. "But as the healthcare debate rages, many of these same co-sponsors have publicly been advocating for half-measures like increasing subsidies for insurance companies or simply playing defense against Medicaid cuts."
The website goes on to list several facts detailing both America's healthcare woes and the benefits of single payer, followed by an informational video:
- The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other industrialized nation.
- Despite this fact, the American healthcare system consistently ranks last when compared to healthcare systems of other wealthy countries.
- Medicare for All would save the average family around $5,000 per year, the groups argue.
- Most Americans favor a Medicare for All-type system over the current for-profit status quo.
In an effort aimed at ensuring that current and prospective lawmakers remain committed to their public pronouncements, progressive groups are pushing lawmakers to "go on video pledging to stand up for Medicare for All in any public appearances and statements addressing our country's healthcare crisis."
Many lawmakers and congressional candidates have taken up the challenge.
Here is Adrienne Bell, a House candidate running to represent Texas's 14th district.
"I believe that healthcare is a right," Bell said, "and as a nation we should be providing for our citizens."
Watch others take the pledge.
The coalition's website also provides a resource kit for citizens looking to get involved with the healthcare fight, which includes sample call scripts and instructions on how Americans can make their own video pledges.
"Justice delayed is justice denied," Justice Democrats declared. "Time for all Democrats to sign on to Medicare for All."
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