The document discusses 6 reasons why 2009 will be a pivotal year for health care reform in Connecticut: 1) People are desperate for change in health care due to rising costs, 2) The economic crisis has increased demand for reform but also creates opportunities, 3) A comprehensive reform plan could expand access and control costs, 4) Campaign and grassroots organizing efforts are growing support for reform, 5) Polls show strong public support for government action on health care access and affordability, even if it raises taxes. The economic downturn has increased medical hardships and made reform more urgently needed.

1. AARP 11.19.08 Why 2009 is Connecticut’s time

2. 6 reasons we will win in 2009

3. 1 People are desperate for change on health care

4. 2 The economic crisis hasn’t suppressed that feeling

5. 3 The economic crisis creates opportunity for us

7. … .really is smart really is right & it really is time

8. 5 our campaign

9. our Foundation

10. 6 our fundamental organizing principle: no “red states” no “blue states” health care is everyone’s issue

11. People are desperate for change on health care

12. What is “ Joe the Plumber” thinking about health care?

13. an October 5 – 9 Lake Research national poll of likely voters

14. After the economy, health care is the most important issue to voters http://www.fightchronicdisease.org/resources/VoterSurvey.cfm

16. When asked what issue people are personally most worried about...

17. health care was the top issue

19. Specifically, people are worried about: Rising premiums & co-pays Losing their health insurance Quality of health care

21. Nearly 2/3 of voters favor providing access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans….

22. even if it means “ a major role for the federal government” or “ a tax increase”

23. “ Do you favor or oppose providing access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans……”

25. 64%

26. the economic crisis hasn’t suppressed that feeling…. and may have even strengthened it

27. The economic crisis presents opportunities for us

28. http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2008/09/28/weekinreview/20080928_MARSH_GRFK.html?scp=1&sq=700%20billion%20chart&st=cse When the crisis is big enough, we figure out how to deal with it

29. The debate over government’s role in the economy and in protecting people from economic forces and greed is over

31. The question now is how is the government involved and what does it do?

32. the people who profit off the system are also the people running the system in both finance and health care:

34. (At one public managed-care company), their medical loss ratio went from 78.5 to 79 - their stock dropped ten percent in one day. There's been a disconnect: “ I used to be a pluralist, free-market economy - but it is not working in health care the way it should. David Benfer, CEO and President of St Raphael’s Hospital

35. These companies were created originally as non-profits around the law of large numbers and true insurance principles. Now that has changed to the law of profit and dividend.” Business New Haven 10/1/07

36. The economy - nationally & internationally- will be a huge and lingering issue at the federal level

37. health care can and needs to be addressed at the state level

38. 10.21.08

39. “ States are being aggressive experimenters, and those lessons learned are going to be invaluable to us in looking at national health reform.” Michelle Dimarob, Manager of legislative affairs for the National Federation of Independent Business in“Small Business Is Latest Focus in Health Fight,” July 10, 2008, New York Times

40. Now!

41. waiting is not an option

44. August 2008 Harvard journal article http://works.bepress.com/christopher_robertson/2/

45. Half of all foreclosures are caused in part by medical problems including illness or injuries (32%), unmanageable medical bills (23%), lost work due to a medical problem (27%), or caring for sick family members (14%)

48. About a quarter of Wallingford’s paraprofessionals are over the age of 50

49. The crisis is not just about how much health care costs it’s about what we are – or aren’t – getting for all that money

50. May 2008 poll of U.S. Adults: Currently, three out of four adults have difficulty getting timely access to their doctor Source: Commonwealth Fund Survey of Public Views of the U.S. Health Care System, 2008.

55. October 2008: 64% of small business owners say it is important to offer healthcare coverage to their employees…. http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/pc/2008/sbm08.asp

56. Increasingly – they just can’t do it % of small business owners offering health benefits http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/pc/2008/sbm08.asp

58. http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080924005308&newsLang=en

60. We need to act NOW at the front end rather than at the $700 billion back end

63. who’s better than us?

72.                                    

78. Membership by Senate district

79. Membership by House district

80. Membership by grantee

87. changing the political DNA of the state

88. our role