June, 18 2019, 12:00am EDT
Ahead of growing Congressional support, Democratic Socialists of America Host Medicare for All Weekend of Action
Dozens of DSA chapters around the country held Medicare for All-related actions on June 15-16
WASHINGTON
On June 15-16, Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapters in cities around the country hosted rallies, canvasses, and town halls as part of the Democratic Socialists for Medicare for All campaign's third nationally coordinated Weekend of Action.
More than 100 DSA chapters are actively campaigning for single-payer Medicare for All and more than 112 House Reps. have signed on to co-sponsor House Medicare for All Act (H.R.1384). Fourteen Senators, including Democratic presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), have signed on to co-sponsor Sen. Bernie Sanders' Senate Medicare for All Act of 2019 (S.1129).
Thirty-two DSA chapters and organizing committees in more than 20 states participated in the Weekend of Action. Chapters participate by canvassing their communities and talking to their neighbors about healthcare, holding town hall discussions, tabling, and organizing other educational events. All events directly supported Medicare for All, a single-payer, universal healthcare program that would provide comprehensive healthcare to all American residents free at the point of service.
DSA's Democratic Socialists for Medicare for All is an ongoing campaign to make single-payer healthcare a reality. The campaign also supports H.R. 1384 and S.1129.
With the Democratic Party debates approaching, Medicare for All has become a key litmus test for many voters. Polling suggests that upwards of 70% of Americans already support or would support such a system being implemented. DSA's Medicare for All Weekend of Action helped encourage and solidify that message in cities across the country.
"Democratic Socialists of America is organizing a strategic, coordinated campaign led by members and chapters to build and maintain congressional support for Medicare for All," said DSA National Director Maria Svart. "While we push the bill to a vote in the House, we are creating a litmus test for all people seeking to represent us in public office: are they on the side of healthcare profiteers or the side of the working class?"
Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) has led the way in the House, which has held two historic hearings on the issue of Medicare for All: the first, in April, featured damning testimony from healthcare activist Ady Barkan, who has ALS; last week, the Ways and Means Committee held the second hearing to compare Medicare for All to other Democratic proposals for healthcare reform. Nearly 30 million Americans are currently uninsured and an additional 30 million are underinsured. At the same time, the average health insurance CEO is making more than $20 million per year. Funded through progressive taxes, Medicare for All will save the average family thousands of dollars every year.
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has over 55,000 members and 200 local groups (as of November 2018) building working class power while establishing an openly democratic socialist presence in American communities and politics.
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