In 2009, millions of Americans are expected to lose their jobs—and their health care, too. Guaranteeing affordable health care for everyone should be at the top of our elected officials' minds. It's definitely at the top of President Obama's.

But just the other day, Congressman Jim Clyburn told the press that he doesn't think Congress should take up the bold, sweeping health care reform that Obama has talked about. He said he'd much rather see health care reform done "incrementally, than to go out and just bite off something that we can't chew."¹
President Obama's plan is both comprehensive and prudent. And due to the economic crisis crashing down all around us, there's no time to wait.

Can you call Rep. Clyburn and ask him to make comprehensive health care reform a priority in 2009? As one of the most powerful Democratic leaders in Congress, his support is key.

Representative James Clyburn
Phone: 202-225-3315

Then, report your call by clicking here:

As President Obama said in December while pledging to pass comprehensive health care reform this year, "If we want to overcome our economic challenges, we must also finally address our health care challenge."²

Here's Rep. Clyburn's full comment:
"I don't know exactly what the President's plans are with moving for universal coverage, but I know this—if you take what we've done with SCHIP and you follow that with community health centers, you will have gone a long way toward building a foundation on which to build a universal access health care program. I would much rather see it done that way, incrementally, than to go out and just bite off something that we can't chew. We've been down that road. I still remember in 1994."³

Rep. Clyburn has been a champion on critical issues like civil rights and reconstruction in the wake of Katrina. And it's true that winning health care for everyone won't be easy, but it's a crucial fight. President Obama is ready to take up the challenge, and America is ready for exactly this kind of bold, progressive change—we need Rep. Clyburn with us.

Call Rep. Clyburn and ask him to make comprehensive health care reform a priority in 2009. Let him know why this issue is so important to you.

Representative James Clyburn
Phone: 202-225-3315
Then, please report your call by clicking here.

Thanks for all you do.

Sources:
1. "Rep. Clyburn vs. President Obama," Health Care for America Now, January 26, 2009

2. "Obama taps Daschle as 'lead architect' of health care plan," CNN, December 11, 2008

3. "Clyburn On Health Care," ThinkProgress, January 26, 2009