The Economic Recovery Package that passed the House last week is now before the Senate. The Republicans are planning a filibuster. Some Democrats are wobbly. And so we are going to need at least two and possibly more Republican votes.
The right-wing is going all out to defeat the bill, thinking that if they beat President Obama now, they can derail his entire domestic program.
We can’t allow them to succeed.
Senator Specter is a key swing vote and needs to hear from you today. You can use the Health Care For America Now call tool to get connected to Senator Specter’s Office. Or call (215) 597-7200.
The Economic Recovery Package has a lot of good stuff in it. It contains new money for infrastructure improvements including public transit, for education, for clean and renewable energy projects, and for many other good programs that not only will improve our lives but put people back to work quickly.
Click here to tell Senator Specter to vote for cloture on the Economic Recovery Package.
The Economic Recovery Package also includes four important health care provisions that are critical for Pennsylvania. They would:
- • Increase the Federal contribution to the cost of Medicaid. This will bring almost $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania. These funds will help the state deal with a critical budget shortfall without cutting Medical Assistance.
- • Cover 60% of the cost of COBRA payments for workers who have lost their jobs and thus the health insurance they received from their employer.
- • Allow workers who have lost their jobs to receive health care under Medicaid, even if they are above the usual income limits.
- • Provide funds for health information technology and research in the comparative effectiveness of medical treatments. These investments are critical to controlling health care costs into the future.
The economic stimulus bill is only a first step in reforming health care in America problems. But it is a vital step, one that addresses the acute crises that reveal just how serious our chronic problems are.