CALL TO ACTION #893: Where’s Congress? Reopen ACA Enrollment! (April 3, 2020)
214 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
The Consolidated Oregon Indivisible Network (COIN)
Twenty-one Indivisible groups spanning the State of Oregon have signed an open letter to the Governor and the Legislature outlining their priorities – putting people and small businesses first. The Special Session expected to convene THIS WEEK to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic is on hold. We will update you here as new information becomes available.
Here is the link to the letter: COIN Letter
WHERE’S CONGRESS?
REOPEN ACA ENROLLMENT!
No one should lack health care coverage, especially during a pandemic. Yet an estimated 28 million working-aged people went into the pandemic without health insurance. Now many also don’t have a job. Without jobs, they are eligible for Medicaid; but they can’t apply until open enrollment begins in the fall. It doesn’t come online until January 2021. That’s flat unacceptable!
The Trump administration should re-open ACA enrollment immediately. Even though health insurers have asked for it, Trump has inexplicably decided not to. Instead, he will leave tens of millions of people to face the virus without protection. Meanwhile, Congress has abandoned the Hill. The Senate is on recess until April 20 with the House following suit today. This is unconscionable.
Some projections for COVID-19 spread have it peaking around April 15. By the time Congress returns on the 20th, untold thousands of uninsured people will be infected and infecting others, afraid to see a doctor because they can’t afford the bills. Our elected officials must do better.
Back to work, Congress!
Force Trump to reopen ACA Enrollment!
NOW!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because . . .
I am appalled that the Senate is on recess until April 20. Tens of millions of working people are facing the coronavirus without health insurance. Now many have now lost their jobs as well. Congress needs to come back to work and re-open ACA enrollment so people can have insurance. Please tell the Senator to protest loudly and repeatedly about being on recess. And please ask him to go back to work in DC, whether McConnell ends the recess or not.
Thank you.”
SENATOR JEFF 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 RON 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/
**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because . . .
I am appalled that the House will go on recess until April 20. Tens of millions of working people are facing the Coronavirus without health insurance. Now many have lost their jobs as well. Congress should re-open ACA enrollment so people can have insurance. Please tell Greg to stay in DC and keep working for the people
Thank you.”
COMPLICIT GREG WALDENDC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me
**ACTION THREE: HELP ORGANIZE VOTERS FROM HOME**
Organizing for the 2020 Election has gone VIRTUAL!
- Find virtual events at http://swingleft.org/
- Host a virtual letter-writing party! Get started here: http://swingleft.org/p/virtual-letter-writing-party
- Call voters in Wisconsin about their April 7th election. Sign up for training and call info here. http://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/263614/
Stay tuned — more activities to come!
**ACTION FOUR: BE AN ACTIVIST**
All ORD2 Indivisible sponsored events have been canceled in order to minimize public gatherings. We anticipate rescheduling several events in the near future and will provide updates in the daily Call to Action and on the ORD2 Indivisible website event calendar.
Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. We also encourage you to submit events to be added to the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar and help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/
Let the Coronavirus NOT stop you from being an activist – keep your social distance and join our ORD2 Indivisible Virtual Postcard Party!
If you live in Medford, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Talent or Ashland, we’ll deliver to your doorstep a pack(s) with 25 stamped postcards and stickers to write for a campaign through https://postcardstovoters.org/
We ask you to leave a donation in an envelope by your front door to cover the cost of postage. We’ll drop off a packet(s) with everything you need to write from home.
Simply join postcardstovoters.org online. Once you get your packet of cards from us, write your cards and mail them from home.
ORD2 Indivisible 2020 Fundraising Campaign
As we approach what will be the most important election of our lifetimes, ORD2 Indivisible wants to be in a secure financial position to help engage as many voters in our district in the election process as possible. To accomplish this goal we are conducting the ORD2 Indivisible 2020 fundraising campaign. Click on the image below to donate.
To make a donation by check, please make the check payable to ORD2 Indivisible and mail to:
ORD2 Indivisible
P.O. Box 1242, Phoenix, OR 97535
SOURCES:
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/31/trump-obamacare-coronavirus-157788
https://www.kff.org/uninsured/issue-brief/key-facts-about-the-uninsured-population/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/02/jobless-march-coronavirus/
https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus#confirmed-covid-19-cases-by-country
