National Call-In Day for HR 676

January 25th: National Call-In Day for HR 676

H.R. 676 – the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act – was introduced last night, January 24th 2017!

We’re targeting members of Congress at their DC office, so you only need to call the switchboard and ask who your legislator is. With your help, we will get thousands of calls to Congress in support of HR 676!

Step 1: Find and contact your legislator:

The Easy Way

Call the switchboard – (202) 224-3121 – and ask who your representative is. They will figure it out for you and send you directly to the rep’s office line.

The More Complicated Way

Click here to look up your representative online by address.

Step 2: Talk to your representative about HR 676

You will sometimes be able to speak directly to your senator or representative, but more likely you will speak to a staff person in the member’s office. If possible, request to speak to the Chief of Staff or healthcare aide, rather than leaving the message with whomever answers the phone. Ask them if the rep cosponsors HR 676.

If your representative cosponsors:

Thank them for their support and encourage them to get active behind HR 676.

If your representative does not cosponsor:

Here’s some talking points to help win them over:

 – There is no GOP replacement plan that wouldn’t result in millions of people losing care.

 – H.R. 676 is the only plan that would actually cover everyone and save money.

–  H.R. 676 is the only fiscally responsible way to cover everyone and would bring healthcare costs down by reducing administrative waste and profit.

If the office wants more information, give them Rep. Conyers’ contact information or Healthcare-NOW!’s information: 215-732-2131.

Step 3: Email info@healthcare-now.org and let us know how it went! 

Current Co-Sponsors

  1. Alma Adams (NC)
  2. Joyce Beatty (OH)
  3. Earl Blumenauer (OR)
  4. Robert Brady (PA)
  5. Matt Cartwright (PA)
  6. Judy Chu (CA)
  7. Katherine Clark (MA)
  8. Yvette Clarke (NY)
  9. Wm. Lacy Clay (MO)
  10. Emanuel Cleaver (MO)
  11. James Clyburn (SC)
  12. Steve Cohen (TN)
  13. Elijah Cummings (MD)
  14. Mark Desaulnier (CA)
  15. Michael Doyle (PA)
  16. Keith Ellison (MN)
  17. Eliot Engel (NY)
  18. John Garamendi (CA)
  19. Al Green (TX
  20. Raul Grijalva (AZ)
  21. Alcee Hastings (FL)
  22. Jared Huffman (CA)
  23. Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX)
  24. Pramila Jayapal (WA)
  25. Hakeem Jeffries (NY)
  26. Henry Johnson (GA)
  27. Marcy Kaptur (OH)
  28. Robin Kelly (IL)
  29. Brenda Lawrence (MI)
  30. Barbara Lee (CA)
  31. John Lewis (GA)
  32. Ted Lieu (CA)
  33. Zoe Lofgren (CA)
  34. James McGovern (MA)
  35. Gwen Moore (WI)
  36. Jerry Nadler (NY)
  37. Grace Napolitano (CA)
  38. Richard Nolan (MN)
  39. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (DC)
  40. Chellie Pingree (ME)
  41. Mark Pocan (WI)
  42. Jamie Raskin (MD)
  43. Lucille Roybal Allard (CA)
  44. Tim Ryan (OH)
  45. Jan Schakowsky (IL)
  46.  Bobby Scott (VA)
  47. Jose Serrano (NY)
  48. Mark Takano (CA)
  49. Paul Tonko (NY)
  50. Bonnie Watson-Coleman (NJ)
  51. Peter Welch (VT)

 

45 Comments

  1. David Greenstein OD MS on January 25, 2017 at 2:11 pm

    I am an optometrist who spends an enormous amount of time dealing with all the health insurance schemes
    with which this country is inundated. The ACA is based on employer based private insurance plans which makes the the US healthcare system one of the most expensive systems in the world. As a result, we pay 3 TRILLION dollars every year for our health care.
    Medicare ( our single payer system) is more than 30% more efficient than the rest of our private insurance based health care finance system. If we were to extend Medicare to all citizens, we would thus save about 1/3 of our healthcare costs or 1 TRILLION dollars every year. In addition, extending Medicare to our younger citizens would make Medicare even more cost effective because younger citizens use healthcare services less than older citizens.

    Congress has not seriously considered Medicare for all because the insurance companies have bribed congress with hundreds of millions of dollars to maintain their dominance of our health care system. Shame on Congress. Shame on Paul Ryan who wants to privatize all of our healthcare financing. Many other countries pay one half or less than we do for their health care. We can join the rest of the world to make healthcare a right and not a privilege as Bernie Sanders has been saying for many years.



    • Paula Helene on January 25, 2017 at 5:21 pm

      Thank you David Greenstein. I completely agree.



      • Mick Dooley on January 26, 2017 at 1:10 pm

        I second that, Heralthcare workers are the only rational voice in this and we need to get Wall Street out of the operation.



    • Jennifer Meyer on January 25, 2017 at 5:33 pm

      Got off phone with Rep Young (alaska) his intern wanted to argue with me about health care…says people have sent him copies of their bills and premiums have skyrocketed…only one insurer in alaska.
      We need to address these complaints. I tried to explain the ACA is a capitalist solution to a social service. We need to take the insurance industry out of the equation they contribute NOTHING to quality of care.
      jmeyer RN



    • Ed on January 25, 2017 at 8:11 pm

      Thanks for your persuasive comment on HR 676. It is rare to get such candor from a member of the medical fraternity. Keep up the good work.



    • Pam Krimsky on January 26, 2017 at 11:07 am

      I was immediately cut off NYS Senator Kirsten Gillebrands’ line. And Senator Schumer’s line was busy twice.



    • Deborah on January 26, 2017 at 4:24 pm

      Thank you so much this is the greatest explanation I just wish that people understood how insurance companies have and continue to bilk the public!



    • Sharon Schmidt on January 26, 2017 at 6:41 pm

      I left a message with Jason Lewis MN CD2 rep. I told him it would save money and cover everyone just like it does world wide. He is similar to John Kline but we can hope it is a different climate now.



    • AnnMarie Fleet on January 27, 2017 at 12:40 am

      Unfortunately not all doctors accept Medicare as payment because the reimbursement rate is so low and you end up will less than premium care.



    • Sarah Manley on February 11, 2017 at 12:20 am

      Well put! I am a Social Worker and see, everyday, my clients trying to make ends meet. They barely make enough to put food on the table. God forbid my client or one of their children gets sick or gravely ill. Medicare for all, using a single-payer system, is the best solution. Medical treatment should be taken out of our taxes, just like roads, libraries, schools, etc.



  2. Wendy C Fox on January 25, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    I called Rep. Ryan Zinke from Montana and encouraged him to co-sponsor the bill HR676. I also asked him to watch a documentary about Single Payer which outlines very effectively the financial incentives for moving to a Single Payer system (not to mention the humanitarian ones). It’s called “Fix It – Healthcare at the Tipping Point.” Thanks!



    • Robin on January 25, 2017 at 9:03 pm

      Wendy, where can the documentary you mentioned by found? Thanks!



  3. Sally Gwin-Satterlee on January 25, 2017 at 3:08 pm

    I am a recently retired Registered Nurse and I passionately believe that HR 676 is the only answer to our broken Healthcare system. The ACA definitely helped but needs improvement and HR 676 would fix it. I also agree with previous comment from David that the USA spends at least twice as much as other industrialized countries who have universal healthcare and most importantly their patient outcomes are better! I called Anna Eshoo’s office and ask her to co-sponsor this bill and I was surprised that she had not already. I also agree with Wendy that Fix-it is an excellent movie and is very informative and gives factual information. Please, Please everyone call their representatives. This is an excellent Bill. Thank you to all.



  4. Jason Schulman on January 25, 2017 at 3:18 pm

    I spoke to the staff person working for Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY). I explained the bill to her. She said she’d relay the message I left to him. There wasn’t much else I could do, it seems.



  5. Mike Shunney on January 25, 2017 at 3:34 pm

    I’m very grateful to our Rep. Chellie Pingree for co-sponsoring HR676 for many years now. She and Sen. King are a couple of bright spots in a Congress that is primarily promoting the interests of the 1%.



  6. Mary Ellen Croteau on January 25, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    I called Louis Gutierrez’ office and asked for the chief of staff or whoever works on health care issues. The clerk asked why, and I said I wanted to discuss HR676, as I see that Rep. Gutierrez is not a co-sponsor. He took my name and number and said he would leave the COS Susan Collin a message. I will call back if I don’t hear from her in an hour or two, and keep calling till they respond.



    • JoAnn Kawell on January 25, 2017 at 5:31 pm

      I called Rep. Gutierrez office and said “it looks like the Congressman was a cosponsor of HR 676 Medicare for All in the previous congress and is there a reason he isn’t now?” The staffer said “ah…it looks like you are right, he isn’t and thanks for calling it to our attention. I said “I hope he will become a cosponsor” and she said “alright, bye bye.” So….we’ll see.



  7. nicki H. on January 25, 2017 at 3:59 pm

    i spoke with all five offices of the New Mexico contingent of Reps and our Senators was very positive about the bill including to our one Republican and tried to build bridges. As said elsewhere they took the message would relay the wishes for Co sponsorship and support of HR 676 and that was about it. For Rep Luhan i spoke with constituent consultant as well as his office.



  8. Claire Ragin on January 25, 2017 at 4:03 pm

    I called G.K. Butterfield from North Carolina. With the ACA crumbling it seems like this is an opportune moment to have a serious national discussion of single payer.



  9. christopher on January 25, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    I was a victim of hate crimes by CSIS/RCMP/CSEC of illegal spying, illegal detention, bill C-51, human rights, mental health, psychological manipulation/biochemical modifications by media, local police, national security agencies, Canadians, private sector and government for over 30 years created a disability unable to work due to my diagnosis with major medical problems unable to make medical payments due to basic medical benefits. I was subjected to overt, systemic and institutional racism my whole as well as sadistic torture.
    I filed a complaint with SIRC the watchdog for CSIS in 1989 and they told me that my file is top secret. I want a public inquiry and financial compensation as soon as possible. I want justice.



    • Lisa Choy on January 25, 2017 at 5:33 pm

      I have also suffered the abuse of illegal surveillance and electronic torture and my mental and physical health has suffered over the years because of it. There are a number of parties involved in this criminal conspiracy against me so I will not name them all here. I doubt that I could get legal recourse regarding this crime as it is difficult to prove.



  10. Michael Weinand on January 25, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    I called Rep Dwight Evan’s office. He is my representstive in Philadelphia. I requested to speak with the healthcare aide or a chief of staff and I was informed that they were both in different meetings and could not talk right now. The aide did listen to what I had to say about HR 676. She said that she could not find HR 676 in her computer and she did not know if Dwight Evans was a co-sponsor or not. She did say that she would pass this information to the COS and healthcare aide.



  11. Eugenia Care on January 25, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    I called Rand Paul’s office and his mailbox was full – again! I then called John Yarmouth’s office and someone answered. I asked him to ask Mr. Yarmouth to support HR 676 and he said he would tell him.



  12. Lisa Choy on January 25, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    I called my state representatives office and left a message in support of RH 676 to Louise Slaughter. Health care should be affordable and cost effective.



  13. Howard C Lucas, MD on January 25, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    Rep Darren Soto must sponsor HB676. I have been a board certified ophthalmologist since 1961 and a member of Physicians for a National Health Program for 24 years http://www.PNHP.org I well remember how happy my patients were in 1965 when medicare permitted my patients to have cataract surgery.
    The first question to be answered is “What is medical care? a product to be sold to the highest bidder or a service that we all need similar to the fire and police departments supported by a progressive tax. The insurance companies are in the business of making a high profit on sick people and providing as little medical care as possible.
    The only way to control cost and have high quality medical care for all is HB676- no insurance companies.



  14. Lisa Buttrey on January 25, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    On behalf of myself and my spouse, I called all the Reps for Oregon and urged them to join Earl Blumenauer who is a co-sponsor. Kudos and gratitude to Earl! I will be following the progress of this bill closely.



  15. Don Singer on January 25, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    As a (thankfully retired) physician, I could not agree more with the previous comments, and I thank you all. I am hopeful that the current ACA repeal frenzy will finally provide a real opportunity to demand serious consideration for HR 676. It’s sad to have only 51 cosponsors, but now is the time to increase the pressure. Therefore, although I know it was almost certainly a futile gesture (my sympathies, Wendy), I called Colorado Rep. Ken Buck to urge him to support HR 676 and explain why. The response was noncommittal and decidedly cool, but it was still worth doing. We will need to FORCE the politicians to do this. The voices of constituents matter. It is especially important for Healthcare-NOW! members whose Democratic Representatives have not cosponsored this measure to contact their Member and express their displeasure.



  16. Georgia Brewer on January 25, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    I called Rep Brad Sherman’s office and asked him to please co-sponsor HR 676 (Conyers), which would expand Medicare to all Americans. I had to explain to the staffer what I was talking about, but he quickly understood. He said he would share my views with the Congressman and got all of my contact information.



  17. Arthur Heitzer on January 25, 2017 at 6:07 pm

    I called on Wedn afternoon & thanked my Rep. Gwen Moore for co-sponsoring, leaving a msg. for her healthcare aid in D.C., Tatiana Calperon.



  18. Philip Ratcliff on January 25, 2017 at 7:11 pm

    My Oregon Rep., Kurt Schrader, is a bought-off Blue Dog Dem. He votes with the GOP on most of the important issues. It would be a warm day in Siberia if he cosponsored HR 676.



  19. Edward McTaggart on January 25, 2017 at 7:21 pm

    I tried to call Rep. Dave Trott and there was no pick-up or even opportunity to leave a voicemail. I then sent a message through his website which made constituents jump through various hoops to even send him a message. The way our congressional district is gerrymandered I am sure he doesn’t give a flying fuck what his constituents think.



    • Jason on March 27, 2017 at 6:50 pm

      I just left a voicemail with Dave Trott (R) MI 11th District. His office is closed. The number is (202) 225-8171.

      Some advice for the call:

      Use Trumps own words against him. He said in 1999 quote, “if you can’t take care of your sick in the country, forget it. It’s all over. I believe of universal healthcare.”
      http://www.npr.org/2017/01/20/510680463/donald-trumps-been-saying-the-same-thing-for-30-years

      Tell them to ask President Trump to support this bill.

      Reference representative John Conyers, Michigan 13th district who proposed the bill.



  20. Olivia on January 25, 2017 at 7:39 pm

    I spoke to someone at Rep. Brad Sherman’s office and asked him to co-sponsor. It’s now or never, Dems. Step up or step down.



  21. Norma Lee Carroll on January 25, 2017 at 8:07 pm

    I attempted to call Rep. Moore to voice my opinion in favor of a one payer health care system but the mailbox was full, and I could not get through. Please somehow let her and every Representative know how important a single payer system is. I am requesting that Rep. Moore support the single payer system. Health care is a right not an option. I have recently had to use emergency services while out of town and cannot get Prince Georges County Emergency Medical Transport to acknowledge that I provided my health insurance information and I am trying again to get information to their billing dept. Hopefully a single payer system would eliminate the confusion and inconvenience. I was body slammed at the Redskins game and could not stand up and needed assistance and now it is another healthcare nightmare.



  22. Clara A. Lennox, MD on January 25, 2017 at 10:30 pm

    Another family doctor for Single Payer! Stop insurance companies from making a fortune by sucking off huge amounts of money for administrative costs!



  23. Ilse Hadda on January 26, 2017 at 11:19 am

    We,the people do not want to go backward! Univeccccccccccccealthcare is the only way!!!



  24. Annabelle Herrada on January 26, 2017 at 11:37 am

    I have fought all my 83 years for single payer health care plan. Finally greed won out and Republicans have swung open the Single Payer door for those of us who care more about caring for each other than lining the pockets of Big Pharmsa. They have awakened a sleeping giant. Don’t give up! Support Rep. Conyer’s Bill



  25. Dolores Williams on January 26, 2017 at 11:44 am

    Representative Jared Polis’ office email box was full. I will take this to his Fort Collins office right now. I have asked Representative Polis each year for several years and so far he has not signed on to HR676, Expanded Medicare for All.



  26. Joe Aslaender on January 26, 2017 at 1:57 pm

    I called Gregory Meek’s office to ask why he wasn’t listed as co-sponsoring the bill. The woman who answered the phone said that Cong. Meeks SHOULD be co-sponsoring such a bill. We’ll see…



  27. Gail Caiola on January 26, 2017 at 2:09 pm

    I just called and left a message for Claudia Tenney of NY urging her to sign onto HR676. She asked for my name and address. That was all there was. I will pass this onto my family and friends and ask that they call, too.



  28. Darah (Dolly) Wilson on January 26, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    I just called and spoke with the office of Steve Knight, California’s 25th district & urged them to co-sponsor HB 676. The representative said he would pass along the comment & that they would have to do some research on the bill & I explained why we need Medicare for All! The representative took my email address & said I would receive a response & that I was the first to call about the bill. We need to keep calling!



  29. elliot davis on January 26, 2017 at 6:48 pm

    seems that all the mailboxes are full and the congress people want to avoid the issue. they make too much money from the insurance companies. this will become a people’s issue and we need to organize to the point that representatives and senators who support the interest of the people are not reelected. this is the only recourse short of revolution. this is something thomas Jefferson urged our population to do when the government no longer serves the population…..



    • elliot davis on January 26, 2017 at 6:53 pm

      I meant to say that”representatives and senators who DON’T support the interests of the people”…..are



  30. elliot davis on January 26, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    I meant to say that”representatives and senators who DON’T support the interests of the people”…..are