FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 22, 2008
CONTACT:
Adam Lioz
Program Director, Progressive Future
(303) 893-0458
Jacki Schechner National Communications Director, Heath Care for America Now (202) 454-6196
Denver, CO – Progressive Future announced it has distributed more than 15,000 pieces of health care campaign literature today in neighborhoods across the country, urging individuals to participate in National Health Care Day of Action, a joint project with Health Care for America Now (HCAN) held nationwide today.
Progressive Future and HCAN say their goal was to educate the public and prompt individuals to take action in the fight for quality, affordable health care we all can count on. The groups expected the number of National Health Care Day of Action calls to top the 2,300 phone calls already generated through an HCAN call-in day held on October 7. To date, Progressive Future has distributed more than 180,000 pieces of literature in its health care campaign, and will hand out thousands more in coming weeks.
“This day of action couldn't be more timely, as The New York Times reported today that Americans are cutting back on needed medication due to spiraling costs,” said Progressive Future Program Director Adam Lioz. “It's never been more clear that health care is an economic issue, not just a moral one.”
Over the past days, Progressive Future has used its network of more than 30 field offices to distribute the thousands of flyers, handed out at homes in Florida, North Carolina, Nevada, New Mexico, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The leaflets call for quality, affordable health care with choice, accountability, standard benefits, and cost controls and urge citizens to phone their congressional representatives in support of comprehensive reform.
"We expect the new President and Congress to make health care reform a priority in 2009," said Richard Kirsch, National Campaign Manager for Health Care for America Now. "People need to know there are two very different approaches to reform out there – one that advocates quality, affordable health care for all and one that leaves us alone to fend for ourselves in the bureaucratic, unregulated private insurance market. Now is the time for people to learn more and call their members of Congress to ask, ‘Which Side Are You On?’"
“In a country as advanced as the United States, it’s a national embarrassment that millions of Americans go without adequate health care,” added Lioz. “Millions more make extreme sacrifices in order to keep their coverage or buy life-saving medications. We can do better for our citizens, and, with rising health care costs, investing in quality, affordable care is also a smart choice for our country’s future. That’s why Progressive Future is making health care a top priority today and in 2009.”
Progressive Future promotes progressive values through grassroots action. Its mission is to build and mobilize grassroots support, both online and in neighborhoods throughout America, for progressive change. This fall, Progressive Future is running several large-scale field programs to engage citizens in the upcoming election.
Health Care for America Now is a national grassroots campaign organizing millions of Americans to win a guarantee of quality, affordable health care for all. It is grounded in organizations that can mobilize people at work, at home, in their neighborhoods, and online.
