Ellison Champions Public Option in Plymouth

Over 250 health care reform supporters packed the Plymouth Creek Center's hall on Wednesday night to send the message for quality, affordable health care to Washington. Sponsored by the Minnesota Health Care for America NOW (HCAN), the event featured Fifth District Representative Keith Ellison, a champion for the public option. Union members represented at the event included AFSCME Council 5, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Education Minnesota, and SEIU. HCAN's coalition includes labor-, faith-, and community-based organizations.

Before and after the event, activists were encouraged to visit tables set up around the room to write letters and make phone calls to members of Congress. Rep. Ellison called upon Minnesotans to contact President Obama before next Wednesday so he hears the strong support for the public option. Congress returns to Washington next week and will be addressed by President Obama in a joint session on Wednesday night. You can read about it in the Washington Posthere. Ellison also provided CEOs' salaries and a way to pay for part of the public option in the clip below.

What Can You Do?

• Continue to call your member of Congress at 1-877-264-4226.
• Write your member of Congress a letter
• Send your MOC an email
• Talk to your neighbor about health care reform

Ask your member of Congress to:

• Support a public plan
• Make employers pay their fair share
• Ensure affordable coverage for pre-Medicare retirees
• Not tax health benefits

Real reform:

• Lowers costs
• Puts patients before profits
• Cannot deny coverage
• Provides stability if you lose or change your job