Call Congress NOW! 1-877-264-4226

Though media reports may not yet have made it clear across the nation, the word in Washington DC is that the President and leaders of both chambers of Congress are solidly committed to doing what it takes to move health care reform across the finish line. They agree that failure to deliver comprehensive health reform is not an option, and they fully intend to seize this historic opportunity to move our country ahead. The notions of scaling back health reform or trying to instead pass bits and pieces of legislation have been quickly discarded as both ineffective and unnecessary.

The most likely path to passage is a two-step process in which the House would adopt the Senate’s bill, and another bill would be passed by both chambers which would modify the Senate version to include compromises negotiated between the two chambers.  Working out the exact timeline and process is our elected officials’ job; our job is to help keep them on track and hold them accountable:

1. Make sure our friends, neighbors and communities know that there is still a strong commitment to pass health reform,
2. Let members of Congress know that their constituents want and expect them to move forward with comprehensive reform, and
3. Educate our communities about the positive benefits of reform.

What to do right now?  Call Congress! 1-877-264-4226

We need every U.S. Representative from Texas who voted for the House’s reform bill to again commit to passing reform.  They need to hear from Texans that we want reform and we will stand behind them.  They are still hearing from the tea party contingent, and we must make our voices heard, too!

Texans Voting YES on Health Reform:

• Henry Cuellar, 28th District (Laredo, McAllen, Seguin)
• Lloyd Doggett, 25th District (Austin, San Marcos)
• Charlie A Gonzalez, 20th District (San Antonio)
• Al Green, 9th District (Houston)
• Gene Green, 29th District (Houston, Baytown)
• Rubén Hinojosa, 15th  District (Harlingen, McAllen)
• Sheila Jackson Lee, 18th District (Houston)
• Eddie Bernice Johnson,  30th District (Dallas)
• Solomon P Ortiz, 27th District (Brownsville, Corpus Christi)
• Silvestre Reyes, 16th District (El Paso)
• Ciro Rodriguez, 23rd District (San Antonio, Uvalde)

Voting No:

• Chet Edwards, 17th District (Waco, Bryan/College Station)
• all Republican members from Texas

If your own Representative voted “No” on health reform, please call another Texas Congressperson and urge them to vote yes!

Call toll-free 1-877-264-4226

Here is a suggested script for your calls to U.S Representatives:

I am calling today to urge Congressman/Congresswoman _________ to get the job done and pass comprehensive national health reform as soon as possible!

This is the most important part of your message!  If you want to say more:

• Thank you for your hard work writing the House’s strong bill.
• Please fight for “fixes” to the Senate bill, but I understand that there are limits to what is possible.
• The Senate bill plus House improvements will help millions of uninsured Texans gain affordable coverage, and help millions more keep the coverage they have today.
• I pledge to support the Congresswoman(/man) them for her(/his) championship of health reform.

Next:  Make an Appointment!

The February Congressional recess is February 15-19, and this is a great opportunity to meet with your member of Congress at home in their district.  Call your member’s district office today to make an appointment to talk about how important health reform is to you.  In the coming week, Texas Voice for Health Reform will send you talking points, scripts and background materials you can use when meeting with your Congressperson and talking to your congregations and communities.

Don’t know who represents you? Visit www.house.gov to find out who represents you and the phone number for their district office.