I reported on our public forum and Douglas said, "Awesome." Yes, it is awesome. Things are coming together very well. I'll be coming to you with requests for help in March, so be prepared!
RESULTS is giving up on HR 676, Single Payer Health Care. Doesn't look like this Congress is going to debate it. Instead they're backing President Obama's plan, and asking for money in the budget for a public health care option. That's why we wrote letters Monday night asking for $100 million in the new budget for health care. We done good. Yet again.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Health Care Reform Public Forum
I spent Monday on the phone getting things lined up. We are confirmed for Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m. at Christ Church in the sanctuary. Doug Anderson is on board to run the projection system. Mohammed is going to videotape the program. Beth confirmed on Saturday that she would speak on mental health parity. I got confirmation from Clay Jones' office that he would select someone to represent Rockwell and speak from a business perspective. I got confirmation that Darlene Schmidt of Community Health Free Clinic would be on the panel. Yesterday I got confirmation that Tim Charles of Mercy Medical Center, or a member of his team, would speak from the perspective of a privately-owned not-for-profit health care provider. And today I heard from Kirsten in Dave Loebsack's office that she would be available for our forum to read a statement from the Congressman. Also on Monday or maybe it was Tuesday, I got confirmation from Leslee that she would be moderator. So I think we're set. I have a press release to write, but that won't be until after the group start in Waterloo. If I seemed tired Monday night, it was because I was on the phone all day working on the First District start up and the public forum in April.
Group Start in Iowa's First District
The date is Sunday, March 22, 2 to 4 p.m. I am going to Trinity Episcopal in Waterloo on March 15 for the 8 and 10:30 services to do an announcement about RESULTS and to sign people up for the workshop after services. I am waiting to hear from St. Luke's in Cedar Falls if I can be with them on the 8th to do the same thing.
Who wants to go with Jos and I to Waterloo on the 22nd? And who wants to go with me to Waterloo on the 15th?
Who wants to go with Jos and I to Waterloo on the 22nd? And who wants to go with me to Waterloo on the 15th?
Global call Feb. 18
Allison and I were the only ones on the call tonight. We talked about the appropriations requests. I'm going to work on those tomorrow afternoon. You can find them on the RESULTS website (results.org) under Activist Information. I have the forms from Loebsack's office and the emails for Harkin's and Grassley's offices so they can send me the proper forms. This is the first year everyone has been asked to submit appropriations requests.
We also talked about the possibility of me doing a workshop at the International Conference on use of public access tv in getting the word out about our campaigns.
We also talked about the possibility of me doing a workshop at the International Conference on use of public access tv in getting the word out about our campaigns.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
National Health Plan Option Public Forum
Oh, how quickly things happen!
Beth and I were on the domestic call today and heard RESULTS' case for advocating for President Obama's National Health Care Option, which right now looks to be an alternative for the uninsured and underinsured to be covered in much the same way as if they were on Medicare. It seems right now anyway, that the single-payer options of HR 676 -- public financing of privately-delivered health care -- would become an option for every American.
By the time we got to the global call, Barbara had joined us and after Jeffrey Sachs was done speaking, we talked about my desire to do a public forum on foreign aid reform. But together we decided we would do better having a public forum on the President's health care reform plan.
We have a date and venue planned -- Monday, April 20 (yes, our RESULTS night) at Christ Church in the sanctuary so we can make the projection system available to our panelists. On Monday I will call and confirm the date with the office as well as talk to Linda and Susan about some publicity ideas I have.
We've also talked about speakers -- Beth, of course, being a psychologist, would speak from the perspective of the need for mental health parity in the national health care option. Tim Charles, being President and CEO of Mercy Medical Center could speak from the perspective of privately-owned not-for-profit health care providers. Clay Jones, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Collins could speak or appoint someone to speak from the business perspective. Darlene Schmidt of the Community Health Free Clinic could speak from the perspective of the uninsured and underinsured. And we would like an aide from Congressman Loebsack's office to speak about the plan itself. Dave Loebsack is a champion for national health care. The first bill he co-sponsored upon getting to Congress two years ago was HR 676. Oh, and I would do a short piece on RESULTS to start and end the forum.
We will ask Leslee to be moderator and use the format that panelists will provide an opening statement and forum attendees will get cards to write their questions on and hand in and the moderator will ask the questions of the panel. Specific questions we came up with include: 1) What are the problems your sector experiences under the current health care system in the U.S.? 2) What should be the top priorities, or what essentials need to be included, in national health care legislation? 3) An explanation of the proposed legislation. 4) How would the proposed legislation impact your sector?
Of course, not everyone is going to speak to every question. We would also want closing statements from each panelist. And we would have a two-minute letter experience so people could easily put together a hand-written letter to their member of Congress. I saw this done quite effectively at Cornell College when I did the Stand Up! presentation on the MDGs. We would collect the letters and fax them. I think our members of Congress would miss getting letters from us on the Tuesday after the third Monday of the month if we didn't fax them something!
The date is timed for after Easter and after the State of the Union, in which we expect the President will speak to a national health care option.
When attendees come in, we would give them their question card, along with information on RESULTS. If they can attend on the third Monday of April, maybe they can also attend RESULTS meetings on other third Mondays! I would like to put together a letter and poster and mail it to all of the communities of faith in Linn County. I would also be able to check out a camera from the Iowa City public access tv station and we can videotape the program and edit it for broadcast in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Since I will be busy with the program, I'll need someone to volunteer to run the camera. Mohammed? Can you be free that night?
I have a meeting set up with Ellen Fisher from Bread for the World. We had originally talked about working together on a foreign aid reform forum, but I will see at the meeting is Bread is also working on health care reform and if she would like to help us out at all. I will be sending you some information on upcoming presentations about foreign aid reform that Bread is sponsoring.
Back to the forum. When we finish with our meeting Monday night, we'll have a chance to write a two-minute letter to Dave Loebsack to see how it feels for seasoned professionals like yourselves! Hope to see you Monday!
Beth and I were on the domestic call today and heard RESULTS' case for advocating for President Obama's National Health Care Option, which right now looks to be an alternative for the uninsured and underinsured to be covered in much the same way as if they were on Medicare. It seems right now anyway, that the single-payer options of HR 676 -- public financing of privately-delivered health care -- would become an option for every American.
By the time we got to the global call, Barbara had joined us and after Jeffrey Sachs was done speaking, we talked about my desire to do a public forum on foreign aid reform. But together we decided we would do better having a public forum on the President's health care reform plan.
We have a date and venue planned -- Monday, April 20 (yes, our RESULTS night) at Christ Church in the sanctuary so we can make the projection system available to our panelists. On Monday I will call and confirm the date with the office as well as talk to Linda and Susan about some publicity ideas I have.
We've also talked about speakers -- Beth, of course, being a psychologist, would speak from the perspective of the need for mental health parity in the national health care option. Tim Charles, being President and CEO of Mercy Medical Center could speak from the perspective of privately-owned not-for-profit health care providers. Clay Jones, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Collins could speak or appoint someone to speak from the business perspective. Darlene Schmidt of the Community Health Free Clinic could speak from the perspective of the uninsured and underinsured. And we would like an aide from Congressman Loebsack's office to speak about the plan itself. Dave Loebsack is a champion for national health care. The first bill he co-sponsored upon getting to Congress two years ago was HR 676. Oh, and I would do a short piece on RESULTS to start and end the forum.
We will ask Leslee to be moderator and use the format that panelists will provide an opening statement and forum attendees will get cards to write their questions on and hand in and the moderator will ask the questions of the panel. Specific questions we came up with include: 1) What are the problems your sector experiences under the current health care system in the U.S.? 2) What should be the top priorities, or what essentials need to be included, in national health care legislation? 3) An explanation of the proposed legislation. 4) How would the proposed legislation impact your sector?
Of course, not everyone is going to speak to every question. We would also want closing statements from each panelist. And we would have a two-minute letter experience so people could easily put together a hand-written letter to their member of Congress. I saw this done quite effectively at Cornell College when I did the Stand Up! presentation on the MDGs. We would collect the letters and fax them. I think our members of Congress would miss getting letters from us on the Tuesday after the third Monday of the month if we didn't fax them something!
The date is timed for after Easter and after the State of the Union, in which we expect the President will speak to a national health care option.
When attendees come in, we would give them their question card, along with information on RESULTS. If they can attend on the third Monday of April, maybe they can also attend RESULTS meetings on other third Mondays! I would like to put together a letter and poster and mail it to all of the communities of faith in Linn County. I would also be able to check out a camera from the Iowa City public access tv station and we can videotape the program and edit it for broadcast in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Since I will be busy with the program, I'll need someone to volunteer to run the camera. Mohammed? Can you be free that night?
I have a meeting set up with Ellen Fisher from Bread for the World. We had originally talked about working together on a foreign aid reform forum, but I will see at the meeting is Bread is also working on health care reform and if she would like to help us out at all. I will be sending you some information on upcoming presentations about foreign aid reform that Bread is sponsoring.
Back to the forum. When we finish with our meeting Monday night, we'll have a chance to write a two-minute letter to Dave Loebsack to see how it feels for seasoned professionals like yourselves! Hope to see you Monday!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Global Call Feb. 12
We talked tonight about our foci in our local groups. I reported on two -- that I had contacted Cong. Loebsack's office and Sen. Harkin's office to ask their procedures on foreign aid appropriations requests. I didn't call Sen. Grassley's office because I was still upset with him on his no vote on SCHIP. I've since mellowed and have decided to call his office tomorrow.
I also talked about our tv production efforts. Everyone is quite excited about it. Yvonne in Northern Detroit is doing research with her public access stations to see what it will take to put our programs on their station.
Richard in Chicago reported he is working with the Chicago Bread for the World advocate on a public forum on foreign aid reform. Sounded like a fascinating idea. What do you think? Shall we talk to Ellen Fisher about doing something like that here?
I also talked about our tv production efforts. Everyone is quite excited about it. Yvonne in Northern Detroit is doing research with her public access stations to see what it will take to put our programs on their station.
Richard in Chicago reported he is working with the Chicago Bread for the World advocate on a public forum on foreign aid reform. Sounded like a fascinating idea. What do you think? Shall we talk to Ellen Fisher about doing something like that here?
Domestic Call Feb. 12
The stimulus package is being voted on in the Senate today and in the House on Friday. I called both Senators' offices, and Cong. Loebsack's office to urge them to vote yes on the bill, HR 1. It doesn't have everything RESULTS wanted, and it has some things in it RESULTS didn't want, but overall it's a good bill. Eighty percent of the American public supports the bill. Senator Grassley's office seemed inundated with calls. Congressman Loebsack's office took my address information.
The conference call on Saturday at 11:30 is going to be on health care. I am looking forward to hearing the discussion.
The conference call on Saturday at 11:30 is going to be on health care. I am looking forward to hearing the discussion.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Waterloo/Cedar Falls Group Start
Plans are underway to hold a RESULTS workshop at Trinity Episcopal Church in Waterloo. Jos is going to do the workshop, similar to the one he gave at Christ Church in Cedar Rapids two years ago. I'm helping to get people to the workshop.
I've had a phone conversation with Mitch Smith, Rector of Trinity. He offered the building for our workshop and offered to help with publicizing the event. Tomorrow I hope to talk with Christine to get details worked out, things like which Sunday afternoon to hold it -- the 22nd or the 29th; what time to hold it -- 1:30 to 3:30 or 2 to 4 p.m; to see if Trinity can provide some simple and inexpensive refreshments; and whether they have the equipment to play a DVD of "Everyday Heroes."
My vision is to go to Waterloo on the Sunday morning a week prior to the workshop to get people signed up, and to go to St. Luke's in Cedar Falls two weeks prior. Jos will contact leaders in the UMC community in Waterloo and Cedar Falls, as well as the writer of an op-ed that appeared in the Register that Jos really liked. And I've asked some of our MAS volunteers for names of contacts in the Muslim community. Our goal is to have 30 people at the workshop.
And the point of all this? A RESULTS group in Iowa's First Congressional District who will lobby Congressman Braley as we lobby Dave Loebsack. I saw Bruce Braley's acceptance speech the night of November 4 and thought, this man could be a RESULTS champion!
Please think about how you can participate in this endeavor.
I've had a phone conversation with Mitch Smith, Rector of Trinity. He offered the building for our workshop and offered to help with publicizing the event. Tomorrow I hope to talk with Christine to get details worked out, things like which Sunday afternoon to hold it -- the 22nd or the 29th; what time to hold it -- 1:30 to 3:30 or 2 to 4 p.m; to see if Trinity can provide some simple and inexpensive refreshments; and whether they have the equipment to play a DVD of "Everyday Heroes."
My vision is to go to Waterloo on the Sunday morning a week prior to the workshop to get people signed up, and to go to St. Luke's in Cedar Falls two weeks prior. Jos will contact leaders in the UMC community in Waterloo and Cedar Falls, as well as the writer of an op-ed that appeared in the Register that Jos really liked. And I've asked some of our MAS volunteers for names of contacts in the Muslim community. Our goal is to have 30 people at the workshop.
And the point of all this? A RESULTS group in Iowa's First Congressional District who will lobby Congressman Braley as we lobby Dave Loebsack. I saw Bruce Braley's acceptance speech the night of November 4 and thought, this man could be a RESULTS champion!
Please think about how you can participate in this endeavor.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Domestic Call Feb. 5
The group leaders from the new Ames group were both on the call today. Caroline was an aide in Sen. Grassley's office, so she's been on the other side of our phone calls. She said he is very interested in calls that come in, along with letters. It's just a shame he voted against SCHIP this time. Didn't like it being made permanent, and didn't like waiving the five-year waiting period for legal immigrants.
I reported on our progress on tv production. We'll tape a 30-minute show on the MDGs on Mon., Mar. 16 at 2 p.m. then run it through post production and put it on the air in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
There was a letter to the editor in Tuesday's paper on single payer health care. Tonight I'll write a response letter and email it to everyone, seeing who wants to be the signer.
Tomorrow Jos Linn is going to call and we're going to begin work on starting a group in Iowa's First District -- Congressman Braley. When I find out more of what Jos has in mind, I'll let you know and anyone who's interested can join in this group start effort.
I reported on our progress on tv production. We'll tape a 30-minute show on the MDGs on Mon., Mar. 16 at 2 p.m. then run it through post production and put it on the air in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
There was a letter to the editor in Tuesday's paper on single payer health care. Tonight I'll write a response letter and email it to everyone, seeing who wants to be the signer.
Tomorrow Jos Linn is going to call and we're going to begin work on starting a group in Iowa's First District -- Congressman Braley. When I find out more of what Jos has in mind, I'll let you know and anyone who's interested can join in this group start effort.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Global Call Feb . 4
I reported today on Kate's letter to the editor on foreign aid reform being published. I was beginning to think the Gazette wasn't going to publish it. I'm not used to waiting 10 days. Guess I need more patience.
We talked about the domestic success of SCHIP being signed into law. What a joy it was to see President Obama sign the bill after the disappointment of two years ago the legislation being twice vetoed. I hope as RESULTS activists, we can all take a moment to reach our right hands over our left shoulders, to borrow a phrase from Meredith Dodson, and pat ourselves on the back.
There is tremendous interest in tv production in the Detroit area. We may need to think about producing a second version of our programs that are generic or oriented to the Detroit area. It would be easy to do in post production. Just would take 45 minutes to produce. What are your thoughts?
Our task for this week is to find out how our members of Congress want to get appropriations requests -- by email, by letter, with one of their forms. I will call the three offices on Friday to find out.
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