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August 2017 Tiny Actions: Call and Email Congress on Healthcare!
Call your Senators to let them know how you feel about their votes on the recent attempts to "repeal and replace" Obamacare. We've prepared a sample script for you to use; please personalize it and include your family's and your own concerns to make it as compelling and accurate as possible.
For Democrats (voted no on the motion to debate and all 3 bills):
Hello, my name is [name] and I'm the Senator’s constituent from [city, U.S. voting state]. I currently live in [country].
I'm calling to thank [name of Senator] for voting no on the proposals to repeal and replace the current “Obamacare” law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). Thank you for opposing these disastrous bills which would have resulted in millions of Americans losing health insurance and higher premiums and reduced coverage for millions more.
I encourage [name of Senator] to work together with other Democrats to draft legislation which would close the loopholes in Obamacare coverage created by the failure of many states to expand Medicaid, with the ultimate goal of universal healthcare coverage as one cornerstone of A Better Deal. As a resident of [country], I am personally familiar with the benefits of universal health coverage and wish that my fellow Americans could be granted the level of care and peace of mind that [country] provides to its residents at a fraction of the cost of the U.S.
For Senator Collins of Maine and Senator Murkowski of Alaska:
Hello, my name is [name] and I'm the Senator’s constituent from [city, U.S. voting state]. I currently live in [country].
I'm calling to thank [name of Senator] for her courage in standing up for the American people against her fellow Republicans to vote no on the proposals to repeal and replace the current “Obamacare” law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). Thank you for opposing these disastrous bills which would have resulted in millions of Americans losing health insurance and higher premiums and reduced coverage for millions more.
I encourage [name of Senator] to work together with others to draft legislation which would close the loopholes in Obamacare coverage, with the ultimate goal of universal healthcare coverage for all Americans. As a resident of [country], I am personally familiar with the benefits of universal health coverage and wish that my fellow Americans could be granted the level of care and peace of mind that [country] provides to its residents at a fraction of the cost of the U.S.
For Senator McCain of Arizona:
Hello, my name is [name] and I'm the Senator’s constituent from [city, Arizona]. I currently live in [country].
I'm calling to thank Senator McCain for his courage in voting against the Obamacare repeals plans put before the Senate. Those terrible plans would have resulted in millions losing health insurance and millions more facing higher costs and worse insurance markets. Thank you to Senator McCain for standing up for the American people against his fellow Republicans to vote no on these bills.
I encourage Senator McCain to work together with others to draft legislation which would close the loopholes in Obamacare coverage, with the ultimate goal of universal healthcare coverage for all Americans. As a resident of [country], I am personally familiar with the benefits of universal health coverage and wish that my fellow Americans could be granted the level of care and peace of mind that [country] provides to its residents at a fraction of the cost of the U.S.
For all other Republican Senators:
Hello, my name is [name] and I'm the Senator’s constituent from [city, U.S. voting state]. I currently live in [country].
I'm calling to tell [name of Senator] how disappointed I am in their votes in favor of repealing and replacing the current “Obamacare” law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). The terrible bills [name of Senator] supported would have resulted in millions of Americans losing their health insurance and higher costs and worse coverage for millions more. [Name of Senator] has lost my support and my respect by supporting these bills.
Postcards to Congress and Beyond
Write to your senators to thank them or berate them, depending on how they voted in the recent healthcare votes. Below are templates for Democrats (who stood firm against all measures), Senators Collins (ME) and Murkowski (AK) (who broke with their party to oppose all measures), and Senator McCain (AZ) (who joined Senators Collins and Murkowski to oppose the “skinny repeal,” ensuring its defeat).
Postcard template for Democrats:
Thank you for opposing the Republicans’ efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare! Thanks to you, millions of Americans can rest a bit easier, without fear of losing their insurance or facing massive increases in costs and instability in coverage. Please continue the fight by working together with other Democrats to draft legislation that would truly create universal health coverage for all Americans. As an American residing overseas, I know very well the peace of mind this gives, and I wish the same for my fellow Americans.
Postcard template for Senators Collins and Murkowski:
Thank you for your courage in standing up for the American people and voting no on the proposals to repeal and replace Obamacare. Thanks to you, millions of Americans can rest a bit easier, without fear of losing their insurance or facing massive increases in costs and instability in coverage. Please work together with others to draft legislation which would close the loopholes in Obamacare coverage, with the ultimate goal of universal healthcare coverage for all Americans. As an American residing overseas, I know very well the peace of mind this gives, and I wish the same for my fellow Americans.
Postcard template for Senator McCain:
Thank you for your courage in voting against the Obamacare repeal plans. Millions of Americans can now rest a bit easier, without fear of losing their insurance or facing massive increases in costs and instability in coverage. Please work together with others to draft legislation which would close the loopholes in Obamacare coverage, with the ultimate goal of universal healthcare coverage for all Americans. As an American residing overseas, I know very well the peace of mind this gives, and I wish the same for my fellow Americans.
Postcard template for other Senate Republicans:
I’m very disappointed in Senator [name] for [his/her] votes in favor of repealing and replacing Obamacare. The terrible bills [name of Senator] supported would have resulted in millions of Americans losing their health insurance and higher costs and worse coverage for millions more. [Name of Senator] has lost my support and my respect by supporting these bills.
Not done writing yet? We've prepared more postcard scripts on other issues here!