Public's Voice on Health Care Reform Sent to Policy Makers; Calls for Videos on Reform Suggestions for Congress

While Congress weighs health care options, CodeBlueNow! a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit takes five years of public engagement work to the Hill by outlining what the public wants in their own voices. It now calls for short videos for public to tell what they want in health care system.

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Quote startThey want a workable solution now.Quote end

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) May 26, 2009

Findings from five years of grassroots health care public engagement across the United States were shared today as CodeBlueNow! released "In Their Voices: Common Ground, Common Sense and Consensus on Reform." The report consists of the words of the American people as they have expressed their values, concerns, and wishes for a reformed health care system.

CodeBlueNow! now asks others to add their own voices by contacting their Congressional delegation and by adding short video clips to the CodeBlueNow! Video webpage at: http://www.youtube.com/user/codebluenow

"The people's voice has been largely marginal in past health care debates. This report, spare as it is, demonstrates how pragmatic and flexible Americans are in considering solutions," said Thomas Aschenbrener, President of the Northwest Health Foundation, an early funder of CodeBlueNow!

"The simple truth is that most Americans want a problem solved and are generally not concerned with diametrically opposed camps such as single payer vs. marketplace. That is a doomed debate which will ultimately cause the American public to tune out the politics as usual," said Kathleen O'Connor, Founder and Chair, CodeBlueNow!

The findings include a strong demand for accountability, equity, transparency, efficiency and affordability. Many expressed a sense of shame that our nation doesn't care for its most vulnerable--children, seniors and the low income. They also believe a health care system should be more than medical and include health coaches and access to acupuncture, chiropractic and naturopathic medicine.

"People clearly would consider a range of ways to manage and finance a new health care system. They distrust partisan solutions and are horrified at paperwork, bureaucracy and incomprehensible regulations," O'Connor said. "The findings show that the American public has solid, interesting, innovative and practical solutions. We now inviting others to add their comments on positive elements of reform that they would like to see and would support."

A striking element of the report is the language-- free of policy terminology. "This report shows that American people are not only ready for change, but know the change they want." Aschenbrener observes. "They want a workable solution now."

The mission of CodeBlueNow! is to create strong public will for change by engaging the public in designing, shaping and promoting a template for a new health care system. CodeBlueNow! is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington.

Northwest Health Foundation is committed to advancing, supporting, and promoting the health of the people of Oregon and southwest Washington and achieves its mission through grant making and support for advocacy efforts influencing public policy.

Contact: Kathleen O'Connor, CodeBlueNow! / 206-650-2750 / kathleen(at)codelubluenow.org

Chris Palmedo, Northwest Health Foundation / 503-505-5699 / cpalmedo(at)nwhf.org

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