Call to Action: December 11, 2017

FUND CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE NOW

#ProtectOurCare
#SaveCHIP

Last week, Democrats – including our own Senator Wyden — helped Republicans pass a clean Continuing Resolution (CR). In doing so, they gave the GOP two weeks free-of-charge to work on their disastrous tax plan. And they missed another chance to address vital priorities for Americans – including funding the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for 2018. Time is running out to help these children.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/stopgap-spending-plan-leaves-out-chip-kids-health-plan-n827826

The next Continuing Resolution must fund CHIP.
• It provides healthcare to 9 million children.
• It has been running on leftover funds since Congress failed to re-authorize it two months ago.
• Oregon will soon start sending out loss of insurance notices — to children.
• 75% of Americans consider CHIP “extremely” or “very” important to pass.
• States cannot plan and budgets will run in the red, since the federal government reimburses 88 – 100% of state costs.

CHIP enjoys wide bipartisan support—an easy win for the governing party. Despite this, Senator Hatch, CHIP’s original co-sponsor, complained CHIP funding will be tough because “we don’t have money anymore.” Then he helped to pass a $1 trillion tax cut.

 The #TaxScam MUST be stopped!

AND

CHIP must be funded!

**ACTION 1: CALL OR LEAVE VOICE MAILS BOTH OUR SENATORS and CONGRESSMAN WALDEN**

SAMPLE SCRIPT for Senator Merkley:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Thank you for voting “no” on last week’s continuing budget resolution. Today, I am calling to ask you to keep doing all you can to stop the Trump Tax Bill and to promise me that you will only vote “yes” on the next continuing resolution if it has permanent CHIP funding. I will be calling again this week with my other priorities for the continuing resolution. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT for Senator Wyden:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I was surprised you voted “yes” on last continuing budget resolution when it didn’t include permanent CHIP funding. Today I am calling to ask you to keep doing all you can to stop the Trump Tax Bill and to promise me you will only vote “yes” on the next continuing resolution if contains permanent CHIP funding. I will be calling again this week with my other priorities for the continuing resolution. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT for Congressman Walden:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. The next few weeks will bring votes on the tax bill and a continuing resolution. Please put people ahead of party and think about your constituents, not your donors when you take these votes. Vote “no” on the tax bill and only vote “yes” on the next continuing resolution if it has permanent CHIP funding. I will be calling again this week with my other priorities for the continuing resolution. Thank you.”

**ACTION 2: CHECK YOUR INSURANCE ENROLLMENT STATUS**

OPEN ENROLLMENT ENDS DECEMBER 15!!
Do you or your friends wonder if health insurance is too expensive? Most can find a plan for $50-100 a month. Check out https://www.healthcare.gov/ for more information.

SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/

SENATOR WYDEN 
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/

CONGRESSMAN WALDEN 
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me