Guaranteed Healthcare

By Donna Smith, community organizer

ALBANY, NY -- This blog continues the story of the determination and courage of activists in New York state who came together here today to speak loudly and clearly for publicly funded, privately delivered healthcare for all.  I love the sound of the slogan they've adopted:  One Nation, One Plan.

Citizens came together from all over the state to organize and to plan for future single payer action.  And they did so following a nine-day road show that featured single payer presentations on 10 different university and college campuses, churches, community centers, a VFW Hall, an upscale retirement community and in numerous press accounts.  Television, radio, and newspaper coverage was terrific.

Courage is contagious.  And what's the line from that song New Yorkers sometimes claim and sometimes disdain?  "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere..."  Well, single payer is making it in a big way in the Empire State. 

It's not that these folks don't know that there is a fight ahead.  They do.  And they are getting ready in the one way that has always moved this democracy when it has needed it most -- with citizen activists pushing against the powers that would protect the status quo.

So, how did they do this?  What can we learn?