Join the "Healthcare NOT Warfare" campaign!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Washington, DC
Progressive Democrats of America today is launching “Healthcare NOT Warfare," a sustained, long-term effort to move Congress from funding unnecessary and wasteful military spending to funding guaranteed universal-publicly funded and privately delivered-health care for all.
The campaign links the work of PDA's “Healthcare for All/ Single Payer” and “End the Occupation/Redirect Funding” issue organizing teams with our allies in the Leadership Conference for Guaranteed Health Care, a coalition of over 50 member organizations whose founding members include: Progressive Democrats of America, California Nurses Association, Physicians for a National Health Program, Healthcare NOW, and National Nurses Organizing Committee.
“On the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq War, nearly one in six Americans has no health insurance, and tens of millions of others are woefully under-insured--while the war continues to skew the U.S. government's budget priorities,” said PDA Executive Director Tim Carpenter. “Most lawmakers treat the war and healthcare as separate issues. We intend to make the connection for them and to push for a fundamental shift in their policies and priorities: away from war and toward funding human needs at home.”
Co-chaired by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Marilyn Clement of Healthcare NOW, Norman Solomon a nationally recognized media expert, and PDA advisory board member and Donna Smith PDA member and founder of American Patients for Universal Healthcare, the campaign kicks off with a petition calling on Congress to pass HR 676, Conyers' bill to provide a universal single payer system to provide guaranteed healthcare for all Americans. PDA will be organizing in congressional districts from coast to coast--beginning with two events in Northern California and a third in New York City--to enlist the support of individual members of Congress. The campaign will work to obtain “Healthcare NOT Warfare” resolutions from state and local legislative bodies and Democratic parties. And the campaign will distribute informational materials, including Solomon's DVD “War Made Easy,” as well as lapel labels, bumper stickers and other items to create and maintain public visibility.
“In the midst of a political system with corporate interests largely dictating public policy, our only hope involves persistent organizing for humanistic priorities,” said Solomon. “PDA's [launch insert link to Norman's front page story] of the 'Healthcare NOT Warfare' campaign goes to the heart of our current predicament and our goals for the future--a society and a world that nurture human life.”
Progressive Democrats of America is one of the nation's fastest-growing grassroots political organizations; founded three years ago, it has active chapters in 45 states. PDA is dedicated to reviving the progressive tradition of the Democratic Party through grassroots organizing and working with elected Democrats to advance peace, justice and social, economic and environmental responsibility. More information is available at: www.pdamerica.org
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Laura Bonham, PDA Communications Coordinator
Phone: 435-336-2123
Tim Carpenter, Executive Director
Toll Free: 877-239-2093
