Health Care for America Now
"Ensuring Americans in Illinois and across the country have access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare coverage is one of my top priorities. I am proud to join HCAN's efforts to tackle the tough challenges we face in reforming our nation's healthcare system."
-- President Barack Obama
Health Care for America Now
A historic victory for all Americans!
In July of 2008, a handful of organizations joined with Citizen Action/Illinois to announce a campaign to bring quality and affordable health care to all Americans. In March of 2009, President Obama signed the Affordable Health Care Act into law.
From a core committee of 50 organizations, Health Care for America Now quickly grew to over 1,000 organizations representing 30 million people. In Illinois, hundreds of families joined 40 organizations in dozens of research meetings, protests, debates, action, and editorial board visits. Once again, the organizations and individuals of Citizen Action/Illinois came together as an efficient and organized team that kept the pressure on our Congressional Delegation.
A special thanks to the great leadership of Representative Schakowsky and Senator Durbin. The leadership in Congress and willingness to meet with HCAN staff and leaders was critical to the development of a winning strategy.
The Affordable Health Care Act of 2010 goes a long way towards our original goal:
- Insurance companies can no longer deny care for pre-existing conditions, charge you more if you're sick, cap your benefits, sell you junk insurance, or raise rates with impunity.
- For the first time, Members of Congress will get their health insurance from the same system regular Americans do.
- Small business and working families will gain security and stability knowing they can afford good health insurance that meets their needs.
- 32 million uninsured Americans will get affordable coverage, saving over 30,000 lives per year.
While we now have access to quality and affordable health care, we lack real choice and real savings. Citizen Action/Illinois will continue to fight for real competition that lowers the actual price of health insurance and health care.