Thank You Congressman Norm Dicks for supporting Health Insurance Reform

Never mind the wild west weather (snow in the morning, strong gusts of wind and rain, a fallen tree blocking Highway 106) the hale and hearty packed the Hamilton house at the OFA Health Care Reform Celebration. Representative Norm Dicks and four members of his stalwart staff, having spent the day on the Peninsula, dropped by, mingled and chatted (and made sure everyone had plenty of wine and champagne). This centerpiece of this pot luck party was a cake done to look like the "Health Care for America Now" sign, but people waited to devour it until chowing down the rest of the festive fare - including a huge pot of terrific chili (thanks Denny), Greek delicacies (Andrea and Guyla), cornbread (Della and Jill), bread and cheese and crackers (Jeff, Mary, Jill Dale and Cathi), bagels and spreads (the Coteys), an enchilada extravaganza (Sheri Staley), fresh vegetables, and so much more that the salad John K brought was never even served.

Marcia Hamilton, OFA Mason Country Community Organizer, recognized Dustin Lambro, OFA State Director, Jeremy Walker, OFA Regional director, as well as Nancy Frank, 35th LD Chair, and Andrew Graham, Chair of the Mason County Democratic party. Dustin Lambro then thanked and toasted Congressman Dicks and his staff on behalf of all in the room - and in the State and in the Country. The group cheered loudly! The Congressman then spoke at length about the ten-month process, the hard work done by Speaker Pelosi, and the work to be done in 2010 to keep Democrats in office - in particular, Senator Murray! He answered questions and then took his leave to go home to his grandchildren. Next on the agenda were two presentations (NNN’s work in Mason County and "What's next" from the national OFA perspective). The group also watched several videos featuring the President and Health Care Reform activists. All of the presentations were projected onto the back of the HUGE Obama-Biden Sign MH keeps for both sentimental and functional reasons.

A handout on the 18 key provisions of health care reform that take place immediately was distributed. They are:
 
1. Small business tax credits

2. First steps in closing the medicare part D donut hole

3. Free preventive care under medicare

4. Help for early retirees

5. Ends recissions

6. No discrimination against children with pre-existing conditions

7. Bans lifetime limits on coverage

8. Bans restrictive annual limits on coverae

9. Free preventive care under new private plans

10. New, indepednent appeals process

11. Ensuring value for premium payments

12. Immediate help for the interim high risk pool of uninsured until exchange is available

13. Extends coverage for young people up to 26th birthday thorugh parents’ insurance

14. Community health centers

15. Increasing number of primary care doctors

16. Prohibiting discrimination based on salary

17. Health insurance consumer information

18. Creates new, voluntary, public, long-term care insurance program

- MARCIA HAMILTON