Greetings,

"I suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process. It will be hard. But I also know that nearly a century after Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform, the cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough. So let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year." -President Barack Obama, February 24, 2009

Health Care Reform is long overdue.

The time has come to take action!

WHAT: ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH IN CRISIS

Community Health Centers on the Frontlines: A Community Forum

WHEN: Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 2:00PM to 4:30PM

WHERE: Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Hall 1100 S. Center Street, Santa Ana, CA 92704

WHO: The Orange County Labor Federation, The Coalition of Orange County Community Clinics, Latino Health Access, AARP, Vietnamese Community of Orange County, Lestonnac Free Clinic, Prevention Institute, Health Care Council of Orange County, Korean Community Services, Community members, healthcare providers, patients, and community leaders who want to share their views on the growing crisis in health access.

H.R.3200 - America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, proposed by the house: *Puts a stop to the financial toll it places on Americans by making heath care affordable

*Places yearly caps on insurance companies to stop the outrageous out-of-pocket expenses

*No more discrimination

*Most important about this health care reform is the health care available to all no matter what

Locally in Orange County, we have seen the rise in uninsured residents. According to Isabel Becerra, Chief Executive of the Coalition of Orange County Community Clinics,"On July 28th, California eliminated Traditional Clinic Programs and severely gutted Expanded Access for Primary Care by 65%, which will send over 59,000 OC residents to go without health coverage. That same day, California severely cut the Healthy Families Program by 60%, which will send over 30,000 Orange County children to be without health coverage and lead to the lay-off of providers, longer wait lists and reductions in services."

TAKE ACTION NOW by participating in the community forum on "Orange County Health in Crisis"