Jul 07 2009
Maine People’s Alliance Mobilizes in Support of Health Care Reform
In the fight for a strong public health insurance option, the support of moderate Republican Senators is crucial. That’s why the two Republican Senators from Maine faced a storm of activists when returning to their state for Fourth of July celebrations.
Last Saturday, hundreds of people attended rallies across Maine in support of a public option. The rallies held in Bangor, Portland and Augusta were organized by Health Care for America Now and Maine People’s Alliance, an affiliate of USAction.
Maine People’s Alliance has taken direct action during the Fourth of July Congressional recess, making over 678 phone calls and sending 300 postcards to Senator Olympia Snowe’s office.
The two Republican senators from Maine were among those targeted, The New York Times reports. “Here in Maine, home to Snowe and Sen. Susan Collins, moderate Republicans who could provide crucial support for the Democratic health care plan expected to emerge in the coming weeks; efforts to sway their votes — and to sweep average citizens into the debate — were intense.”
The article went on to say, “Ms. Snowe is the only Senate Republican so far to back a public option, and much of the grassroots campaigning in Maine has focused on solidifying her support.”
“So many people are being priced out of the private market,” said Lisa McSwain, who runs a steeple restoration company in Edgecomb. “In my community, where so many people are self-employed, everyone wants a public option.” This makes the grassroots organizing work of Maine People’s Alliance critical. They are dedicated to helping elected officials better understand the communities they represent.
The demonstration in Augusta was held in front of the Capitol Street offices of health insurer Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
“The cost of health care is tipping family budgets over the edge,” the Rev. Virgil Bozeman, of the South Parish Congregational Church in Augusta, told demonstrators.”It’s important that we bring fairness back into health care, and that’s why we need a public option.””
This type of grassroots mobilization is vital to our democracy, and the work of Maine People’s Alliance is critical to ensuring quality affordable health care for all.
Great blog entry! This is really interesting analysis, and it’s great to read about the great work of Maine People’s Alliance.
CTJ just released their state-by-stae report on how to fund health care reform without hurting working familes. Here is their report on Maine: http://www.ctj.org/payingforhealthcare/me.pdf. The 2 proposals in this report focus on expanding the Medicare tax and limiting itemized deductions.