Yesterday, we took to the streets in Saratoga Springs. We walked up and down Broadway asking folks to call into Congressman Murphy’s office and sign our StandUpScott.org petition. As we were canvassing, we ran into the Congressman – the man we have been directing so much of our energy towards and the reason why we were in Saratoga. He stopped to speak with us and even agreed to wear a Health Care for America Now sticker!
We have been doing so much work in the 20th Congressional District because Rep. Murphy has remained non-committal at nearly every part of the health care reform process. It wasn’t until his “no” vote on the House health care bill that we were absolutely sure where he stood.
That vote was a surprise to many of his supporters – and a disappointment – because during his campaign he pledged to support Health Care for America Now’s principles (here’s the video). We are encouraged now, though, because as he agreed to wear the HCAN sticker he has reaffirmed his commitment to real health care reform and HCAN’s principles.
Those principles remain the same as when Congressman Murphy originally committed to them, almost a year ago. Health care reform must make health care more affordable, be accessible to all, and be funded through progressive, not regressive, taxation. Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts and the impending 59 to 41 makeup of the Senate changed nothing. The majority of Americans remain committed to health care reform and, if anything, are calling for more robust reform, not weakening the legislation further.
We appreciate Congressman Murphy’s reaffirmation of his commitment to health care reform and call on him to finish the job. The process can not and must not be slowed down – reform must not be done in pieces. There must be reform and it must happen this year. No Senate victory should be used as political cover to sell out the American people for behemoth insurance companies. Let’s finish this now and let’s finish this right.