Organizing for America Takes on Healthcare Reform

    On June 27^th 2009, Organizing for America began their largest grassroots campaign since the election of President Obama.  This summer, the advocacy group plans to use legions of volunteers and the innovative campaign methods used in the 2008 presidential election to convince legislators to back President Obama’s plan for healthcare reform.

    

    On November fourth, 2008, the newly elected President Obama made clear that he viewed his election as a step towards a greater goal.  “This victory is not the change we seek—it is only the chance for us to make that change,” he said. 

    The Obama team “created Organizing for America as a way of taking all this energy and using it to fight for the President’s agenda,” explained Allie Feldman, a 28-year-old former organizer at Kent State University who continues to volunteer in New York. 

    Organizing for America has a hierarchical structure, with headquarters in Washington and regional and state offices throughout the country.  “The people at the head of the organization have definite ideas of what they want to happen,” explained Alan Howard, a 68-year-old volunteer. They develop the organization’s priorities and strategies. Yet the volunteers have a large degree of autonomy, said Mr. Howard, using the organization’s Web site to plan their own events.

    What inspired so many Americans to continue volunteering after the election?During the Bush administration, many politically active liberals became disenchanted with the American political system.  During the 2004 GOP convention in New York, Gregg Ross, a 25-year-old future field organizer for Obama, was arrested while observing the protests.  After being held in a razor wire holding pen on Pier 57, Mr. Ross was reluctant to get involved in politics again.  Like many futur evolunteers, the inclusive message of Obama’s 2004 speech at the Democratic National Convention won Mr. Ross over.

    â€œThe groundbreaking thing about President Obama is that you can be radical by using the system,” Mr. Ross said.  Ross believes that by working with Organizing for America, he has been able to successfully affect change on national and local levels.  

    â€œWhat motivated me was the different type of campaign he was running.  He wasn’t just asking for our vote, but our involvement and expertise,” he recalled.  “As an organizer, it was my job to state the principals that we all shared.This is what we are doing with healthcare too.”  

    Mr. Howard feels it is his responsibility as a citizen to continue volunteering. “Huge numbers think that all they have to do is vote and then wait until the next election,” he said.  “The problem with that is that while you are not doing anything, the special interests are.  People need to volunteer to shape political events.”

    The volunteers are currently circulating a petition to support the three principles of healthcare outlined by President Obama:  reduce costs, guarantee choice and ensure quality affordable healthcare for all.  Many of them continue to work with Organizing for America because they believe that healthcare is a vital right.  “Healthcare is a paramount issue of social justice,” said Mr. Ross.

    Most volunteers also believe that the private healthcare system is not just a social issue, but an economic one as well. “Our economy is suffering because of people not being able to afford healthcare,” said Mr. Ross.  In aletter to Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D) of Massachusetts and Senator Max Baucus (D) of Montana, President Obama predicted that, “without meaningful reform, one fifth of our economy will be tied up in our healthcare system in 10 years.”  

    Bill Horner, a 60-year-old volunteer, worries that if healthcare dominates the economy, Americans will have to choose between funding the armed services and healthcare.  He does not believe that Americans should have to make that choice. 

    

    When it comes to the nuts and bolts of the healthcare bill, volunteers stressed the importance of a public option.  “No public option, no change,” said Mr. Horner, shaking his head.  They also value the importance of a quality healthcare plan without catches hidden in the fine print. 

    As she handed out fliers at an Upper East Side farmer’s market, Dawn Helene, 48, said that she wants the same quality healthcare that her senators get. Right now, she has minimum coverage with a $50 co-pay and no coveragef or non-generic medication.  “Most doctors don’t take my insurance,” she added. 

         Mr.Howard outlined three steps that Organizing for America volunteers will follow to insure that healthcare reform is passed.  First, he believes that the Obama administration needs a foundation of support.  “We want to make sure when they communicate something to Congress, they have the numbers supporting them.”  

    Next, Mr. Howard stressed the importance of bringing the debate in Washington to the average American.   He recommends that those who support reform write letters to the editor of their local newspapers, invite the media to events and talk to their neighbors about healthcare.  Mr. Howard believes that people who have a huge stake in the outcome of the healthcare debate need to be involved. 

    Finally, Mr. Howard urges Americans to contact their legislators.  “The healthcare bill will only be passed if the heat has been felt and the numbers have been built.”  For this reason,volunteers are writing to Democrats whose representatives are on key committees or on the fence about the healthcare bill.  Their letters urge constituents to tell their representatives to support reform.

    In an email campaign, Organizing for America is asking individuals to share their personal experiences with the present healthcare system by speaking at organized even
ts and posting stories online.  They hope that showing the human face of the healthcare crisis will gain support for reform.  “It is one thing to talk about healthcare,” said Ms. Feldman,  “It is another to listen to people talk about their healthcare nightmares.”

    With healthcare legislation failing to reach the president’s desk before Congress’s August recess, Organizing forAmerica will continue its push for reform. Mr. Horner believes that the only way to counteract lobbyists from the health insurance industry is by making it clear to Congress that the voters want affordable, quality healthcare.  “We can’t compete on money, but we have voices,” he said.  â€œIf we’re quiet, it’s not going to happen.”