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PRESS RELEASES

 

Health Care for America Now, Citizen Action of New York and MoveOn Protest Poor Customer Service Record of GHI-HIP

Sep 22, 2009 |

Albany, NY – As health insurance companies spend $641,000 a day to oppose health care reform, supporters of Health Care for America Now (HCAN) protested today outside the Albany Customer and Support Services Center of GHI-HIP. They were reacting to an analysis prepared by the Public Policy and Education Fund (PPEF), based on state customer service data, showing that the company has one of the worst customer service records of any health insurer in the state.

ALBANY AREA RESIDENTS OUTRAGED AT THOUGHT OF LOSING PUBLIC OPTION JOIN FORCES WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS

Aug 20, 2009 |

Albany, NY – Citizens gathered outside the federal building yesterday to express that health care reform without a strong public option is not reform and to urge local congress members to take this message back with them to DC when they return from their August recess. “Over the past few days the importance of the public option to health care reform has been downplayed and Americans are not going to stand idly by while they watch real reform slip away with the dismissal of the public option,” said organizer Chris Scoville of Citizen Action of New York. President Obama and members of congress have pushed for the public option as the key element in any health care reform. The groups represented at this rally wanted to make sure their elected officials keep their promise to the American people and don’t allow the insurance lobby to negotiate the public option out of the bill.

FAIR TAX PLAN KEY TO HEALTH REFORM THAT PROTECTS STRUGGLING NEW YORK FAMILIES

Jul 29, 2009 |

Saratoga Springs, NY – As, Congress continues to debate how to pay for health care reform, Citizen Action today praised a proposed “surcharge” on the income of couples making over $350,000 annually, saying that a fair tax plan is the only reasonable means to achieve health care for all, because it would make reform affordable for struggling New Yorkers. Citizen Action released two studies today that together show that health care is becoming increasing unaffordable in New York, but that the surcharge proposal would address the issue of affordability without raising taxes on average New Yorkers.

AREA HEALTH CARE ADVOCATES SPEAK IN FAVOR OF PROGRESSIVE TAX PLAN THAT PROTECTS STRUGGLING NEW YORK FAMILIES

Jul 28, 2009 |

Saratoga Springs, NY – As, Congress continues to negotiate health care reform legislation in both houses and the House of Representatives prepares for a possible floor vote as soon as next week, the Health Care for America Now Capital District coalition will be holding a press conference to support a strong income tax “surcharge” on the wealthy in health care reform legislation pending in the U.S. House of Representatives, rather than taxing health benefits of middle class families. At the press conference, two studies will be released that together show health insurance is becoming increasingly unaffordable in New York, and that the surcharge as originally proposed would address the issue of affordability without raising taxes on average New Yorkers.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR RACIAL JUSTICE IN HEALTH CARE REFORM

Jul 15, 2009 |

Albany, NY – Today, Citizen Action of New York as a part of Health Care for America Now (HCAN) – the nation’s largest health care campaign – released a report showing how communities of color are adversely affected by our nation’s broken health care system and emphasized the need for comprehensive health care reform that corrects this injustice.

New Yorkers Demand a Voters Majority in State Senate

Jun 15, 2009 |

Albany – Voters, advocates and faith leaders from around New York massed at the State Capitol today to demand that a “voters majority” rather than a “Golisano majority” be restored in the State Senate. The voters said that billionaire Thomas Golisano, who recently changed his official residence to Florida to avoid paying his fair share of New York State taxes, should not be allowed to use his influence to block reforms that residents of New York overwhelmingly voted for last November.

New Report: Contributions by Regulated Industries Block Needed Legislation Benefiting Consumers, Environment

May 26, 2009 |

Albany – As the State Senate begins a process of seeking public comment on the shape of public financing elections legislation this week, Citizen Action of New York released a new report today finding that campaign contributions from corporate interests are used to block legislation that would help consumers, tenants and the environment. The report, New Yorkers Pay When Big Money Plays: The Case for Public Financing of Elections, analyzes five bills relating to health care, the environment, rent regulation and ticket scalping, and shows that the nonprofits in favor of passing this common sense legislation were outspent many times over by industries that would be regulated by the legislation.

Capital District Residents Rally As Part of National Mobilization for Health Care Reform in 2009

Apr 25, 2009 |

Albany, NY – In a week in which leading members of Congress will be meeting to put the finishing touches on Congressional budget plans for health care and other vital domestic priorities, area organizations affiliated with the national Health Care for America Now (HCAN) campaign rallied and went door-to-door today to press Congress to pass legislation guaranteeing quality, affordable health care for all in 2009. Health care reform is facing a crucial Congressional test next week as leaders of both houses meet to put together a final budget outline.