Members get fired up about healthcare reform at V4CF's June meeting

With healthcare reform sure to be a contentious topic over the coming months, it's important that Volunteers For Change-Fresno participates fully in that debate.

We began that process by sharing our thoughts about the current state of healthcare -- as well as what some of our members would like to see come out of the healthcare-reform process -- at our most recent meeting, held June 9 at the Fig Garden Library. Here are some of the views our members shared:



If you cannot see the viewscreen above, the video is also available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUEFw7boXXU.

Also at the meeting, members heard Linda Leu of Health Access present information about both the process and the proposals for national healthcare reform. Linda's presentation covered President Obama's principles for transforming and modernizing America's healthcare system, and included information about two of the proposals currently competing for support within the U.S. Congress.

Linda's presentation highlighted the importance of keeping a "public option" included in healthcare reform, something that will be fought vehemently by the health insurance companies opposing reform. She also supplied a handout describing the elements of Sen. Edward Kennedy's healthcare reform proposal.

Securing healthcare reform and universal coverage for all Americans is sure to be a challenge. But the time is now, and Volunteers For Change-Fresno stands ready to help in the fight for meaningful reform that fulfills President Obama's promise.

Stay tuned to this Action Blog for more information on how you can help.

California budget cuts: Are there alternatives?

From our member Connie Peterson comes this:

The proposed cuts to vital social service programs are nothing short of draconian, and there are reasonable alternatives to further attacking the least among us. This information is from http://fixthebudgetnow.org.

According to two recent polls (found here and here), many Californians support some revenue increases and do not favor drastic cuts to education and other essential services. According to the polls:

• 74 percent of California voters support increasing tobacco taxes on tobacco.
• 73 percent of California voters support an oil extraction tax on oil companies that every other oil producing state has.
• 63 percent of California voters support closing the tax loophole that allows corporations to avoid reassessment of newly purchased property.
• 63 percent of California support raising the state income tax for top earners (10 percent for individuals earning more than $272,000 a year, and 11 percent for individuals earning more than $544,000 a year.
• 59 percent of California voters support prohibiting corporations from offsetting more than fifty percent of their taxes through tax credits.

Our legislators must be encouraged to fight for increased revenues from those who can afford to pay as an alternate to the cuts-only tactics supported by our Governor. I would like to encourage all V4CF members to communicate that fact with our State Legislators: Assemblyman Villines(R) and Arambula (D) and Senators Codgill (R) and Florez(D). Progressive tax increases need to be on the table. Some excellent detailed suggestions are available at http://caltaxreform.org.

Connie, thanks for the information!

President Obama's weekly address: Healthcare reform requires fundamental change

From our friends at Whitehouse.gov:

In his weekly address, President Obama makes clear that as Congress works through healthcare reform legislation, it must include fundamental changes that lower costs, ensure Americans have choices, and establish access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. "But what we can’t welcome," the President says, "is reform that just invests more money in the status quo – reform that throws good money after bad habits."



If you cannot see the viewscreen above, you can watch the video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g18BZnMgCY.