[COMM-ORG] PICO health care organizing

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

From: "Gordon Whitman, PICO" <news at piconetwork.org>

Dear Friend,

On Monday the PICO network and other organizations that have championed
affordability for low-wage workers won an important victory when
President Obama released a health reform proposal that reduced premiums
and out-of-pocket costs for lower-income families, compared to the
Senate legislation.  This a change that PICO, SEIU, Community Catalyst,
Families USA, Center for Community Change and other groups have
organized to win for months.

The President's proposal would also eliminate the dreaded Medicare
Prescription Drug "Donut Hole" that puts medicine
out-of-reach of many lower-income seniors; and would provide greater
assistance to states to expand their Medicaid programs.

Learn more about what the different health reform proposals would do at
http://www.piconetwork.org/impactofhealthreform.

These wins shows that our voices have real power.  We need to make sure
our interests and values continue to be at the center for the health
reform debate so we can deliver reform that improves the lives of
families and strengthens communities.

That's why we are encouraging you to tune in tomorrow to the
Bi-Partisan Health Reform Summit.

The summit will be carried live on C-Span from approximately 10am-4pm
EST.  PICO leaders will be participating in events across the country
on Thursday evening to watch excerpts of the summit and discuss plans
for pushing ahead with meaningful reform.  We're hoping to post
excerpts of the Summit at www.piconetwork.org/bringhealthreformhome.

We will also be posting other resources about the President's proposal
on this page.

Thank you for all your hard work this year,

Gordon, Angela & Tim
PICO national staff