Coalition

Efforts to reform California’s health system hold many lessons for the nation. The bipartisan spirit displayed by Governor Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Núñez proves that Republicans and Democrats can work together to address the most challenging health care problems facing our nation. In addition, the campaign to cover all Californians united an unprecedented coalition of advocates: hospitals, insurers, large and small employers, labor, and patients. Rarely have such disparate interest groups united in favor of a health reform proposal as in California.

The California experience also serves as a reminder that comprehensive health reform contains many complex elements that require carefully crafted and politically feasible policy solutions. Above all, the cost of providing comprehensive health coverage—to both households and governments—represents real challenges to reform efforts.

Following the release of New America’s analysis of the California reform effort —Lessons from California’s Health Reform Efforts for the National Debate —–key stakeholders from California joined New America policy experts to evaluate the California reform effort and consider what lessons it can teach the nation.

Almost across the board, panelists emphasized the importance of strong leadership and recognized that California’s unique budgetary rules were a real impediment to reform efforts. Speakers highlighted that concerns about affordability, the employer role, and financing all played an important role in the California debate.

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BATTLE CREEK – State Senate Democratic Leader Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) joined with a statewide coalition today to announce an effort to make health care in Michigan a top priority. The drive would amend Michigan’s Constitution to require the Legislature to develop a plan for increasing affordability and access for Michigan citizens and businesses.

“A comprehensive, long-term health care strategy is critical to Michigan’s economic recovery,” said Schauer. “Unaffordable health care costs Michigan jobs, makes our companies less competitive, and puts an incredible burden on families who are already struggling to make ends meet. This type of bold reform should be a priority and is frankly long overdue.”

The group – Michigan Health Care Security Campaign Coalition – held announcement events in locations across the state. Members include dozens of organizations that represent health care professionals, seniors, the faith community and many others.

“The lack of access for many children and citizens is not only morally wrong; it compounds the economic problems that are so persistent in this state. No one should have to worry about losing their home, or being in debt for life, because they or a loved one become ill and can’t secure coverage,” said Schauer. “And when people go uninsured they are more likely to wind up in emergency rooms for basic care, which drives up the cost for them, as well as everyone else who depends on this system. It’s time to change Michigan’s health care status quo.”

http://www.senate.mi.gov/dem/pr.php?id=793

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MSNBC interviews FIRE Coalition co-founder Jason Mrochek on the instrumental role citizens grassroots organizations played in derailing legislation in the U.S. Congress to offer amnesty to literally tens of millions of illegal immigrants. Groups such as FIRE Coalition, Grassfire.org, NumbersUSA and FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform), as well as talk radio and bloggers, have provided people with valuable information on the destructive impacts of various amnesty proposals, allowing citizens to see through the dishonest rhetoric from our political leaders (who frequently tout the “benefits” of “comprehensive immigration reform”). Recent proposed amnesty bills have offered amnesty to millions while doing little or nothing to secure our national borders or force employers to comply with existing immigration laws.

Video Clip:
June 11, 2007; MSNBC

Visit: http://firecoalition.com/

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Press Conference,
August 9, 2008,
at site of DNC Platform Committee meeting in Pittsburgh.

Duration : 0:3:56

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Dr. Scott Schlesinger speaks on tort reform and health care at the Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights health care reform round table at the Little Rock Club in downtown Little Rock. Others at the event included Stan Grise, CFO of Munro Co. of Hot Springs; Dr. Rhys Branman, surgeon with Arkansas Surgical Hospital in North Little Rock; and Joe Carter, president of Cornerstone Insurance in Little Rock. The coalition met to explain its opposition to the public option and voice its support for “patient-centered health-care reform.” To read about this event, visit http://snurl.com/qvzc3

Duration : 0:3:1

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