Taking our message to the White House ... or at least nearby.

I was so excited when I learned that Health Care for America Now (HCAN) was planning a rally in support of health care reform.  I was determined to brave the cold weather and join my voice with others to send our message – that women still need health reform!  I invited NWHN’s interns to come with me, and together we gathered up Raising Women’s Voices signs and set out to the rally.  We didn’t have far to go.  HCAN decided that a good way to send a message for reform was to protest in front of the office of one of the main opponents of reform – the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber has been a staunch opponent of reform, arguing that businesses will be hurt by government involvement in health care coverage.  We know the Chamber is wrong – just look at the healthy businesses in Germany, Switzerland, Japan and other countries with private insurance and government involvement. 

An extra bonus of having an action outside the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce is its location very near the White House.  As we marched back and forth on H Street, we could look across a small city park and see the White House.  I felt powerful knowing that the White House staffers could see our demonstration and I raised my voice just a little bit louder, in hopes that they would hear us, too. 

“What do we want?  Health Care!  When do we want it?  Now!”  A nice simple message – one that the White House needs to hear, and act on.  Come on, Mr. President – you know you want to do this – you’ve asked us to make you do it – now get it done!

Update: here's video from the rally