Let's Get It Done!

As Congress returned to work, USAction affiliates and partner organizations participated in at least 102 rallies and other events in 20 states in support of quality, affordable health care with a public health insurance option. Below is a collection of media coverage from these events.

Jump to: coverage collected on Sept. 1 or Sept. 2 (featured below)

Media Coverage Collected on Sept. 3:

Connecticut

U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman made it clear Wednesday that he would not vote for a health care bill that included a government-run option, but said that without it, he and most of Congress would support comprehensive health care reform. If the public option "is off the table, we have the opportunity to achieve significant reform with bipartisan support," Lieberman said during the nearly two-hour meeting Wednesday afternoon.

The American waiting room is divided, but in lieu of healthy debate or an explanation of the proposal's tenets, media exposure has been largely relegated to scintillating depictions of confrontational forums and, at times, baseless rhetoric.

Supporters of a public health option outnumbered the opposition Wednesday evening at U.S. Rep. John Larson’s health care forum at West Hartford Town Hall. The two sides tried to shout each other down outside before the forum even started, and they continued after the event. But the West Hartford police promptly put an end to the shouting matches shortly before 8 p.m. and the crowd dispersed in an orderly fashion.

Debate about the president’s health care proposal continued Wednesday during a heated town hall-style forum hosted by U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District.
Courtney faced a divided crowd in the Montville High School auditorium, which was filled to its 519-person capacity. The fire marshal and police turned away more than 100 people because of a lack of seating. For about 90 minutes, Courtney fielded questions and tried to ease fears of opponents to reform.

Congressman Jim Himes hosted the second of three meetings this week to discuss his stance on the highly controversial "public option" issue and answer questions from his constituents.
"My vision of the public option is an additional competitor providing more choices in what is largely an uncompetitive market right now," he said.

Congressman Jim Himes, D-4, arranged the town hall meeting at Norwalk High School Wednesday night as part of his health-reform listening tour. Greenwich resident Michael Pope said he has managed to pay to care for his 5-year-old autistic son through a variety of measures, including public help, nonprofit organizations and exploring his options on the Internet.

Illinois

It wasn't the public town hall meeting some critics have demanded, but U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean talked about President Obama's health care reform plan to a group of suburban business owners Wednesday in Kildeer.

Maryland

Video coverage of people bringing the health care reform debate to one Maryland congressman Wednesday. Reform supporters and opponents showed up at the offices of Representative Frank Kratovil, a Blue Dog Democrat who sits in the middle of the debate.

Missouri

There were no shouting matches Wednesday night but, there was a sizeable turnout for one of the latest rallies over health care reform. Hundreds came to Tower Grove Park carrying signs and a message about why the country needs changes and fast.. They said we need sweeping health care reform and not more of what they call misinformation. The gatherings are organized by members of Moveon.Org Political Action and other groups, including Democracy for America.

The health care debate has taken center stage at a South St. Louis park, MO. Supporters of the President's plan wrapped up a five week campaign Wednesday night with a candle light vigil. The gathering was one of 300 held across the country to show support for health care reform. Many shared heartbreaking health care stories to put a face on the controversial debate.

Lorie Cavin, 52, offered up a familiar story about her endangered health insurance Wednesday night to several hundred local supporters of a public option gathered in Tower Grove Park for a candlelight vigil organized by MoveOn.org.

Self-employed Ann Bromaghim choked up Wednesday night when she described driving herself to the hospital to avoid out-of-pocket ambulance charges. Bromaghim was among at least 70 proponents who gathered peacefully, in contrast to combative opponents at town hall meetings across the nation, in support of a public health insurance option in health care reform legislation. Several people who attended Wednesday night’s vigil said they have health insurance.

Ohio

The Tea Party folks say they will hold "the largest Midwest tea party to date" on Sept. 5 in West Chester. Here's the release.

USAction President William McNary's Fiery Speech And Call To Action For Health Insurance Reform in Columbus Tuesday night.

Pennsylvania

Emotions and hostility ran high Tuesday as more than 150 people crammed into a Northumberland County courtroom to confront U.S. Rep. Chris Carney in a town hall meeting that centered on the pending national health care overhaul. Before taking questions in Courtroom No. 1, the Dimock Democrat said he did not know if he could support the current bill (H.R. 3200).

About 150 people came out to the Northumberland County Courthouse in Sunbury for a discussion with U.S. Congressman Chris Carney on health care reform. Congressman Carney said he would like to see key items in the reform bill for him to vote for it. (video)

Carney (D-10), who calls himself a “blue dog” Democrat that helped slow the process of House Bill 3200, held his fourth meeting since the summer recess because he “wants the best information from constituents.” He is not in favor of HB3200 and said “we’re not voting on it in the end.

West Virginia

Congressman Rahall hears from health care reform supporters. One man asks for Rahall’s vote on the bill, presenting a petition of signatures of people who support the reform.

Media Coverage Collected on Sept. 2:

Maryland

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told cheering and jeering constituents yesterday that he still supports a public health insurance option as part of a health care overhaul. (AP story also featured on Huffington Post)

Maine

Dozens of people stood outside Senator Olympia Snowe's (R-Maine) office in Bangor Wednesday, expressing support for the president's health care reform proposals. WLBZ/WCSH

"Healthcare Now" was the message some folks in Bangor delivered today.
Dozens of Mainers delivered 40,000 written notes to the members of Maine's Congressional delegation.

In Bangor, citizens met at Senator Olympia Snowe's office to talk about why they believe reforming healthcare will help lift the state and nation out of recession. WVII: (up on youtube soon)

Approximately 45 people, many of them holding signs and waving placards, delivered some of what they said were more than 35,000 letters, postcards, e-mails and online petitions that urge Congress to pass a national health care reform bill. Bangor Daily News (and reprinted in Portland Press Herald):

Missouri

The West Plains Civic Center was a packed house as Senator McCaskill took the stage early Friday morning. Hundreds showed up to either support or protest what they say is an injustice in health care

Sen. Claire McCaskill answered the tough questions in West Plains Springfield, Media Joplin Globe: Rowdy Crowd Decries Health Care Reforms

Ozark First - McCaskill Forum in Springfield Draws Big Crowd. For about an hour, Senator Claire McCaskill was met with boo's, applause on her feelings about the major health care bill.

KSPR talked to Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill about the misunderstandings she's encountered throughout her 10 town halls across the state.

From West Plains Sen. Claire McCaskill boarded a plane to come to Springfield. The line to get in the Gillioz Theatre wrapped around the block. Above all else the one message the Senator wanted to get across to everyone was to read the health care bill.

These were the final two town hall meetings for McCaskill during the August recess. She said, in Springfield, it was the first time she was booed so heavily before she even started. And, while the senator acknowledges she likely didn't change many minds, she says it's her duty to hear directly from the people.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell appeared at the forum with Arizona Sen. John McCain and Missouri Sen. Kit Bond. All three said their constituents are opposed to a public option on health insurance, which they fear would run private insurers out of business.

Senators Kit Bond, John McCain and Mitch McConnell spoke to a crowded room in Children's Mercy Hospital about their ideas for health care reform and took suggestions from the audience. The invitation-only event angered protestors that wanted the chance to hear those ideas and share their own.

Only eight days before Congress returns from its summer recess, a compromise between the political parties on health care reform remains elusive, said three top GOP senators during a visit Monday to Kansas City.

Top Republican Senate leaders underlined their concerns about Congress's current health care proposals at a private forum in Kansas City yesterday.

Across the country, conservatives have flocked to town hall meetings to jeer and deride Democratic policymakers because health-care reform is going to bankrupt the country and, uh, unravel all that is good about America. Read about Democrats’ perspectives on this Republican health-care forum at Children's Mercy Hospital today.

New Hampshire

NHCAA and their partners turned out 125 supporters to a town hall with Hodes and Shea-Porter. No teabaggers were in attendance and the event went well. It was co-sponsored by NHCAA (HCAN), Organizing for America, and NH for Health Care.

North Dakota

Read about Cameron Johnson’s disappointment with remarks made at the Kansas City conservative health care forum.

Democratic and Republican leaders may not have a united plan for what they`re looking for in healthcare reform, but the Bismarck Catholic Diocese does.

The bishops for both North Dakota Catholic dioceses have weighed in on the health care debate, taking firm stances against abortion, and backing health care for the poor and conscience rights.

Don't believe the big lobbyists. Here we go again and again with scare tactics and lies about British and Canadian health care.

Ralph Sjursen on why he likes his government run health care.

Loren Baglien of Minot Daily News offers her opinion about why she’s in favor of health care reform.

The greatest country in the world can’t provide health insurance coverage for all its citizens because it is too expensive. That’s what some people say.

A public option in health care for all of us, not just the privileged few in Congress, is essential.

Darby Casper of the Bismarck Tribune derides Congressman Pomeroy for his decision to host a teleconference on health care.

Pennsylvania

The time for health care reform is now. That’s the message Senator Bob Casey Junior brought to Erie today. Senator Casey spoke to a room of about one hundred people today, hearing their concerns and answering their questions regarding a top priority in Washington.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey was in Erie today, pushing health care reform and getting feedback from the public.

Senator Casey at Erie Town Hall August 31 2009 to discuss health care reform.

Ohio

Harriet Mathey of Hyde Park grew up in a Republican family and says she opposes abortion. But years of fighting for her brother’s health have her allied with Democrats in the belief that America needs health care reform.

Rhode Island

Neil King on the health care debate: President Obama was all about bringing change into America; now that he’s trying to change things, it seems like the population wants more of the same.

John A. Pernorio, president of the Rhode Island Alliance for Retired Americans, affiliated with the AFL-CIO, answers some FAQ’s for seniors on health care reform and how it would be improve care for everyone.

Michael Fine, M.D., managing director of HealthAccessRI, and co-author of The Nature of Health, on why we need the “public plan.”

West Virginia

America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, or H.R. 3200, was to be taken up by the full House in September. Capito said she would not vote for the bill as it stands now but there are general areas of common ground that can be developed.

Gov. Joe Manchin said Monday he's "totally committed" to health-care reform, but repeated his concerns about what Medicaid expansion could cost the state.

While there were passionate comments made by both sides of the issue, many of the 40 people told Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) during the three-hour meeting that they don't trust the government taking a more active role in health care.

Members of the Huntington community had their first chance to voice concerns over health care reform at a meeting held by Rep. Nick Rahall Monday afternoon.

Overall, participants in the town hall meeting on health care found it a bit heated at times but extremely helpful. (video)

Julie Pratt, a Charleston writer and Gazette contributing columnist, slams the private health insurance industry.

With a little more than a week to go before federal lawmakers return to Washington D.C., Congressman Nick Rahall is hot on the trail pushing health care reform.

Wisconsin

Supporters of President Barack Obama's health care plan rallied Saturday night outside the Summerfest grounds, chanting "Let's Get it Done" and presenting more than 24,000 "declarations of support" to Wisconsin's congressional delegation.

Hundreds rallied for health care reform in Wisconsin over the weekend. Congresswoman Gwen Moore joined the participants outside Summerfest grounds in support of change to the national health care system.

American’s for Prosperity held a “Patient’s First” party at Miller Park, and HCAN coalition partner One Wisconsin Now sent a special message: “Tea Baggers *heart* High Health Care Costs. Boo!” (Video)

Media Coverage Collected on Sept. 1:

Illinois

Vast majority of citizens at town hall meeting in Skokie, IL support health care reform. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky expresses her support. (video)

Illinois U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky hosts health care town hall meeting. Many attended to show their support.

Despite few health care reform opponents, health care town hall meeting in Skokie, IL showed that there are many still supporting a public option.

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a Democrat, gets a large crowd at a town hall health-care debate held in Skokie with spirited views on public option and reform. An estimated 1,200 people gathered in the auditorium for the town hall and more people rallied outside.

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky hosted a "loud and lively" overflow crowd for a health care town hall meeting Monday evening as constituents traded jeers, cheers, boos and applause.

Roughly 1,300 people packed the auditorium Monday at Skokie's Niles West High School to shout, clap, boo and cheer their way through another public forum about the future of health care in the U.S.

Passionate statements by health-reform supporters and skeptics were met Monday with cheers and jeers during a Town Hall meeting in Skokie on health-insurance reform that illustrated the deep divisions and raw emotions surrounding the issue.

Health care reform examiner Chuck Miller observes mostly supporters at the Skokie town hall meeting on health care.

An overflow crowd packed Illinois U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky's health care town hall meeting in the north Chicago suburbs.

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky had a loud and lively overflow crowd for a health care town hall meeting in Skokie this evening. The constituents at Niles West High School traded jeers, cheers, boos and applause.

"I did not promise to protect the profits of the very rich insurance companies," Schakowsky told the crowd of more than 1,200, most of which were supportive of her and the Democratic health reform. But the event drew plenty of angry participants who tried to shout down the congresswoman and people who spoke in favor of health reform.

A troupe of zombies plan to attend a health care town hall meeting organized by U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky for Monday night. The "zombies" make up a protest movement called "Universal Single Payer Health Care is the Only Way to Stop the Zombie Apocalypse."

The Zombies, part of the group "Universal Single Payer Health Care is the Only Way to Stop the Zombie Apocalypse" plans to use a mix of humor, street theater, irony and activism to promote Health Care Reform that includes a government run health insurance program that covers all Americans.

Michigan

Kalamazoo city commissioners unanimously endorsed a resolution Monday night calling universal health care a "basic human right."

Missouri

Julius Karash does not believe in tort reform as a way to lower health care costs.

Both sides of the health care debate lined the street outside a south St. Louis union hall on Sunday night shouting back and forth, each side trying to drown the other one out.

North Dakota

The pro-reform rally was one of an estimated 500 events across the country as part of an effort led by Health Care for America Now, an umbrella organization of groups pushing for a comprehensive health care overhaul.

A group of 800 health care reformers in Fargo signed up to volunteer door-to-door. In addition, 2,000 plus local events are happening across the country in the next few days. “We knew change was not going to come easy…But, it is coming,” writes Jeremy Bird of the Huffington Post.

Hundreds of people gathered in Fargo on Saturday to voice their support for health care reform. About a hundred people opposed to reform also attended Saturday's rally. Many carried American flags and chanted ``No to Obamacare.''

A victim of a hit and run accident does not have health care and is stuck with the medical bills. (video)

A Saturday pro-reform rally drew several hundred supporters looking to encourage the state’s Congressional representatives to tackle reform as they return to Washington after the August recess. The rally was organized by NDPeople.org, a progressive advocacy group, and garnered support from nearly two dozen labor, children’s advocacy, faith and other groups.

New Hampshire

Tea baggers were conspicuously absent at Salem town hall meetings on health care. Zandra Rice Hawkins of Granite State Progress gives her opinion.

Pennsylvania

The late Ted Kennedy’s supporters rally in support of health care reform and a public option. (video)

Wisconsin

A roomful of supportive signs and voices — plus a handful of opponents — gathered Wednesday at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to push for federal health-care reform at a rally.

About 400 people came out for the Green Bay rally to support health care reform. The rally was put together by a number of interest groups including labor unions, religious organizations and democratic political organizations.

Beneath the chants of people rallying for health care reform in Green Bay, were the voices of protestors. Yet most of the 400-plus people at UW-Green Bay on Wednesday, told Congressman Steve Kagen he has their support.

Hundreds of people packed a UW-Green Bay building for what was supposed to be a pro-health care reform rally with Congressman Steve Kagen. But many came to voice disapproval of the legislation, and emotions ran high at a rally drawing cheers and boos.

Protesters gathered outside UW-Green Bay student Union of what began as a pro-reform rally hosted by WI Rep. Kagen. (video)

A meeting billed as a two-sided discussion on national health care turned into a giant pep rally Wednesday night for those against the current House legislation. More than 1,700 people packed a hotel ballroom at an event sponsored by a conservative group, Americans for Prosperity, which opposes the pending bill.

The debate on national health care reform was heard loud and clear at two large events in Wisconsin last night. More than 1,700 opponents of the current House reform package attended a discussion in Middleton, held by the conservative Americans for Prosperity. And around 450 supporters of the legislation joined House Democrat Steve Kagen at a pro-reform rally in Green Bay.

More than 400 people turned out for a rally in Northeast Wisconsin supporting health care reform. Congressman Steve Kagen compared the “public option” to having public and private schools, which he says works pretty well for the education system.

A health care reform rally in Green Bay Wednesday drew over 475 people, and supporters outnumbered opponents 9 to 1. The rally was a tremendous coalition effort that included more than 20 organizations playing an active part. Dr. Steve Kagen was the keynote speaker.

Robert Kraig from Citizen Action of Wisconsin reports back from a week's worth of health care town halls across the state, from Republican Rep. Paul Ryan's in the south to Democratic Rep. Steve Kagen's in the north and all the debate in between. Visit the website to download the radio feature.

More than 800 citizens jammed into a parking area across from Summerfest’s main gate Saturday August 29 to send Wisconsin’s congressional delegation back to D.C. with a simple demand – “Let’s Get It Done!” The lead sponsor of this rally was Organizing for America (OFA).