Greetings,

As President Obama noted tonight, reform of our nation's broken health care system is as close to becoming reality as it has ever been.

Unfortunately, the same people who fought to rush through taxpayer money to bail out the big banks are now trying to kill health care reform by delaying it.  They claim they need to "take their time" on an issue that directly affects millions of working Americans.   

After 65 years of debate on the issue, they want Congress to take a three week vacation before doing the job of fixing the nation's broken health care system.  

In those three weeks:

• 143,250 people will lose their health insurance coverage [pdf]
• 53,507 people will file for bankruptcy because they can't pay their medical bills.
• 1,265 people will die [pdf] because they lack coverage.

If Congress fails to pass a real health reform bill - one with a public option, employer mandate and no tax on employee health care benefits - working Americans can expect to lose $11,611 in wages and benefits in the next seven years due just to the increase in health care premiums. 

We must make sure that the voices of regular Americans are so constant and so strong that they overwhelm the false promises and scare taxes of the insurance company lobbyists.

Contact your Senators and Representatives and tell them we need action NOW. 

The American people have waited over six decades for health care reform.  We cannot afford to wait any longer.

Fraternally yours,

SMWIA GENERAL PRESIDENT MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN

SMWIA GENERAL SECRETARY TREASURER JOSEPH J. NIGRO

Subject: The Time To Act On Healthcare Reform Is Now

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I am writing to urge you to support President Obama's healthcare reform efforts.

For far too long, members of Congress have had the time to debate this issue. The time to act on real healthcare reform is now.

To delay reform while Congress is on vacation is a vote for the status quo of skyrocketing healthcare premiums that are bankrupting small businesses and the American people.

Congress must pass a healthcare reform bill that not only includes a real public option, but one that also does not tax employer provided health benefits available to millions of Americans.

To not act on this historic chance for reform is unacceptable.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]