Saint Joseph Valley Project - A Coalition of Community, Faith and Labor

 If you are interested read the just released white paper on universal health care from Citizens Action Coalition and Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Plan. Lots of good information and sources for futher research. Also read the following action alert:

This week, the Citizens Action Coalition, in coalition with Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Plan, marked Cover the Uninsured Week by releasing a white paper that analyzes the health insurance crisis that is facing Indiana and the nation. The white paper, Making the Case for Single Payer Health Reform: It is Time for Medicare for All, includes a significant amount of research regarding the effects of 47 million Americans being uninsured, including these facts:

• According to national consumer group Families USA, 460 working age Hoosiers died last year as a direct result of being uninsured.
• According to the Urban Institute, 22,000 Americans died last year as a direct result of being uninsured.
• Families in Indiana spend $922 more each year for health insurance to cover the costs incurred by the uninsured.
• Only 53% of Hoosier employers offer health insurance The majority of the uninsured in Indiana have at least one job.

We need your help in our work to call attention to the plight of Hoosiers fighting for justice against the health insurance industry!
Anthem/Wellpoint is the largest health insurance company in Indiana, and in the nation. Every year they post large profits, that come at the expense of their policy holders.

1. Tell us your horror story!
   If you are one of the thousands of Hoosiers who've been left with unpaid medical bills or untreated medical problems because Anthem refuses to pay, please e-mail your story to staff@citact.org. We will use your story to help win health reform legislation that puts patients and providers in control of the health care system, not for-profit health insurers that care more about Wall Street than your health or budget.

2. Join us at our Rally for Universal Health Coverage!

   When: 9:00 am, May 21st
   Where: Downtown Indianapolis on Monument Circle, across the street from the Anthem/Wellpoint headquarters: 120 Monument Circle, Indianapolis

   On May 21st, the Anthem/Wellpoint Board of Directors will meet at their corporate headquarters in Indianapolis. Join members of Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Plan as we gather outside the Anthem/Wellpoint meeting and call for an end to health insurance greed and for passage of H.R. 676, legislation to provide affordable, high quality health insurance for all Americans.

3. E-mail your U.S. Representative and demand justice in the health care system!
   We are working toward the passage of H.R. 676, "The United States National Health Insurance Act," or "Expanded & Improved Medicare For All," introduced by Rep. John Conyers, Jr. Although he hasn't yet, we would like to thank André Carson for agreeing to sign onto this bill as a co-sponsor. Right now he is the only U.S. Representative from Indiana who has done so. Urge your U.S. Representative to support H.R. 676. Tell them that single-payer health insurance is what Indiana needs because it will save money and lives. This Medicare-for-all approach is what has proved highly successful in many countries for providing good health care for all citizens at affordable cost.

For more information about the solution to our broken health care system, visit www.hchp.info.