Orlando, Florida.  

The 66th Quadrennial Convention of IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees became the twenty-first international union to endorse HR 676, national single payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI).

On July 29, 2009, over 800 delegates, representing more than 100,000 members nationwide, voted unanimously to endorse H.R. 676.  Since a
campaign to endorse HR 676 began within IATSE last January, over seventy-five individual IATSE locals have endorsed HR 676.

International President Matthew D. Loeb stated from the podium after the vote that HR 676 is the “right thing to do.”  The Convention resolution
will now be submitted to the AFL-CIO Convention to take place in Pittsburgh Sept. 13-17th.

Robert Score, Recording Corresponding Secretary of IATSE Local One in New York City, led the six month campaign.

Action Alert: House Committee to Vote on Single-Payer

We need your help in telling members of the Energy and Commerce Committee that the people want single-payer now. It’s crucial for them to hear from you on this historic vote.

First, see if your Rep. is in the Energy and Commerce Committee here. (If not, call Chairman Henry Waxman at 202-225-3976)

Then, call the Congressional Switchboard at 800-473-6711 and ask to be connected to him/her. Ask to speak with the health legislative assistant. Say:

“Hello, My name is __________, and as your constituent, I urge the Representative to vote YES on Representative Anthony Weiner’s HR 676 amendment to the Energy and Commerce Committee’s healthcare bill.”

This is a historic vote on single-payer legislation in a committee of jurisdiction over healthcare reform. The amendment symbolizes the elimination of the for-profit health insurance companies from the health care system; replacing them with a publicly funded, privately delivered single-payer system that guarantees comprehensive health care for everyone in the United States.

This amendment shows that the grassroot support for single-payer is being heard. Let’s keep the pressure up on Congress. Join us on July 30th in DC for a national lobby day and rally.

Thanks for all that you do,
Healthcare-NOW! National Staff

Get on the bus!  July 30, Rally and Lobby in DC for HR 676

July 30 marks Medicare’s 44th Birthday.  Activists from more than a dozen cities are sending busloads to Washington, DC, to celebrate the occasion and to show Congress and President Obama the strong support for a national, single payer healthcare system.  People will visit their Congresspersons to urge them to sign on to HR 676 in the House and S 703 in the Senate, then come together for a rally at 1:00 pm.

Rally for Expanded and Improved Medicare for All, HR 676

Thursday, July 30, 1:00 pm, Upper Senate Park
(between Constitution Ave, New Jersey Ave, and Delaware Ave)

Confirmed Rally Speakers:

Jos Williams – President, AFL-CIO Metropolitan Washington Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Dr. David Scheiner – President Obama’s personal physician of 22 years
Sidney M. Wolfe, MD – Acting President of Public Citizen
Terry O’Neill – President, National Organization for Women
Senator James Ferlo – Pennsylvania State Senator
Sameer Dossani – Demand Dignity Campaign Director, Amnesty International
Barbara Ehrenreich – Feminist, sociologist, political activist, and author of  “Nickled and Dimed”
Congressman John Conyers, Jr – Chair, House Judiciary Committee, and sponsor of HR 676
Medea Benjamin – Cofounder of Code Pink and Global Exchange
Tim Carpenter – Progressive Democrats of America, Executive Director
Donna Smith – Community Activist and Legislative Advocate, California Nurses Association, whose story of financial bankruptcy was featured in Michael Moore’s film, “SiCKO.”

Medicare has successfully provided care to seniors and people with disabilities for almost half a century.  Its single payer structure with only 3% administrative costs stands in sharp contrast to the 20% and higher wasted by the private insurance companies on administration and profits.  As Washington struggles to fund health care reform, an expanded and improved Medicare shows the way to do it!

Join us in DC on July 30!! Western Pennsylvania Bus leaves Pittsburgh at 5am. Meeting with Cong. Altmire in DC at 3pm. For more information contact Tina Shannon, 4th CD Chapter PDA 724 843 0545.

On Tuesday, July 21, at 11:30 pm EDT, watch Dr. Aaron Carroll talk about single-payer health reform on The Colbert Report, the Emmy award-winning satirical television program on Comedy Central.

Dr. Carroll is a board member of Physicians for a National Health Program (www.pnhp.org), an organization of 16,000 physicians, medical students and health professionals who support single-payer national health insurance.

Continue reading Colbert Report to Discuss Single Payer Healthcare July 21 at 11:30pm on Comedy Central →