Time to Jump into Health Care Debate

The time is right for Community Action to get involved in the health care debate.

Although I belong to a couple national health care coalitions, I largely have stayed out of the fray up until now because of the politics surrounding the issue. However, I feel that the time is right for our network to make a difference in the Senate health care deliberation.

Of immediate concern is the impact health care reform would have on nonprofits being able to afford health insurance for employees. A fairly key member is willing to help organize a block of like-minded members who will raise this issue in a more aggressive way. Today this group meets, and I will attend on behalf of Community Action.

I hope that by Thanksgiving at the latest, we will have mobilized a significant constituent interest strategy so that members of the Senate are hearing from Community Action Agencies from their states on the health care issue.

I still think health care reform will pass one way or another this year. I do worry that, if it slips over into next year, it may not pass.