Divided We Fail Launches Next Phase Of National Campaign To Fix America's Health And Economic Crises

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP;  Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 14 Jan 2009 - 0:00 PST

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Today leaders of the country's top consumer, business and labor groups launched the next phase of Divided We Fail, a national movement to bring health and financial security to every American. 

Joining with Business Roundtable, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU), AARP is hosting more than 50 events in nearly every state to educate and engage the public about issues of health reform and economic security.  Divided We Fail will also present to lawmakers more than 1.6 million pledges signed by supporters from across the country.

"The last two years have been an important platform for the real work that begins today," said AARP CEO Bill Novelli.  "We want Divided We Fail to be the catalyst for real health and economic reform.  The president-elect and new Congress have hit the ground running this month, and we're here to help with the support of 53 million consumers, workers and entrepreneurs."

Since its formation in 2007, Divided We Fail has organized nearly 1,000 local events including 500 "Community Conversations" to inform Americans about the options to address health care and financial security and gather new ideas from the public.  Volunteers in their red Divided We Fail shirts became a fixture on the campaign trail, showing their support from the first stops in Iowa to Election Day.

Today's event launches the group's 2009 mobilization and education activities, which include town hall meetings over the first Congressional recess to help constituents connect with their lawmakers and discuss how the health care and economic crises are affecting them.

"Partisan gridlock won't do anything to end the health and economic problems our country faces," said Todd Stottlemyer, President and CEO of NFIB.  "If our organizations-business, labor and consumers-can join forces, so can our leaders in Washington.  We're just getting started and we're ready to help."

"If there's one thing we've known these past two years-made painfully clear to all of us in the past few months-is that there can be no economic security without health care security," said Business Roundtable President John Castellani. "Our CEOs stand ready to work with the president-elect and the new Congress to bring about important legislation to provide real security to the American people."

"Our broken health care system has a stranglehold on any chance for economic recovery that can last," said Andy Stern, President of SEIU, the nation's largest union of healthcare workers. "It's clear that to solve America's healthcare crisis, all of us-individuals, corporate leaders, healthcare providers and the government-must come together to find solutions that work."

Divided We Fail's supporters include more than 360 members of the 111th Congress who have signed the pledge or written a letter of support.  In additional to AARP, Business Roundtable, NFIB and SEIU, more than 100 independent groups have pledged their support.  To learn more and sign the pledge, visit http://www.DividedWeFail.org.

Divided We Fail

It's time we ensure health and long-term financial security for all.  That's why AARP, Business Roundtable, the Service Employees International Union and the National Federation of Independent Business, are leading Divided We Fail, an initiative to give voice to millions of Americans who are tired of letting Washington gridlock stand in the way of affordable, quality health care and long-term financial security - the most pressing domestic issues faction our nation.  Common sense solutions are needed, and everyone - individuals, businesses and government - has a role and a responsibility in ensuring health and financial security for all. Go to http://www.DividedWeFail.org to learn more.

Divided We Fail