The Health Care Reform Power of Three Action Plan
Here are some actions YOU can take to save the Affordable Care Act in the next....
3 HOURS
Spread the word: The ACA=Obamacare=The Affordable Care Act=The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; preferred short form is “The Affordable Care Act,” but bear in mind “Patient Protection” and use that phrase as needed. Share this message with a friend or family member and/or post on social media.
3 DAYS
Internalize the deep principles underpinning the ACA:
Start to become comfortable with a few main talking points - AND DON’T BE INTIMIDATED BY DETAILED POLICY POINTS:
Call your senators and representatives in both main political parties to let them know you support keeping the ACA and the principles behind it.
3 WEEKS
3 MONTHS
3 QUARTERS OF 2017
Remember that we are all human beings who are likely at some point(s) in our lives to need quality, affordable health care: if not this year, then next year or ten years down the road. What we reasonably want for ourselves and those for whom we care is no different from what others feel and want today. Quality, affordable health care for everyone in this country is not yet a reality, but the ACA has brought us closer to that goal and it is worth fighting for!
Spread the word: The ACA=Obamacare=The Affordable Care Act=The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; preferred short form is “The Affordable Care Act,” but bear in mind “Patient Protection” and use that phrase as needed. Share this message with a friend or family member and/or post on social media.
3 DAYS
Internalize the deep principles underpinning the ACA:
- Meaningful access to quality health care is a basic moral and human value.
- It is an American value implicit in the rights to “life” and “liberty,” as stated in the Declaration of Independence.
- It is a hallmark value of a civil society.
Start to become comfortable with a few main talking points - AND DON’T BE INTIMIDATED BY DETAILED POLICY POINTS:
- “Access” to health care means nothing unless it is affordable, and modern high-tech medicine is often too expensive for individuals, so individuals must obtain access as part of a larger group, hence the need for insurance.
- Covering more people - young and old, sick and healthy - spreads the risk and keeps down cost for individuals and their families when health care is needed most.
- Avoid using the word “mandate” - it antagonizes some people who actually support the protections afforded by the ACA.
- Accidents and illnesses can happen to anyone at any time.
- Health insurance coverage saves lives.
- Health insurance coverage gives individuals and families peace of mind, especially when they are under stress because of accident or disease.
- Always emphasize the benefits of the ACA.
- The ACA can and should be improved, not repealed, but we must base changes on facts, not ideology.
Call your senators and representatives in both main political parties to let them know you support keeping the ACA and the principles behind it.
- Ask those you know who have benefitted from, or support, the ACA to contact their senators and representatives.
3 WEEKS
- Come to the PACG Health Care Reform Forum meeting on Tuesday, April 11; 6:45 pm, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4501 7th Ave, Rock Island.
- Write a letter to the local newspapers expressing your support for the reforms in health care achieved through the ACA.
- Review and reinforce your commitment to the basic principles of health care reform, as noted above.
3 MONTHS
- Follow the news about changes to the ACA.
- Sound the alarm at developments that could undermine the basic principles of the ACA.
- Consider joining the Health Care Reform Forum of PACG.
3 QUARTERS OF 2017
Remember that we are all human beings who are likely at some point(s) in our lives to need quality, affordable health care: if not this year, then next year or ten years down the road. What we reasonably want for ourselves and those for whom we care is no different from what others feel and want today. Quality, affordable health care for everyone in this country is not yet a reality, but the ACA has brought us closer to that goal and it is worth fighting for!
