UPDATE:

State Single Payer Bills

The Missouri Universal Health Assurance Act, our state single payer bill, has been introduced in the Missouri Senate and House.

The Senate Bill, SB 722, is sponsored by Senator Joan Bray (University City). SB 722 is assigned to the Senate Small Business, Insurance, and Industry Hearing Committee. The House Bill, HB 1641, is sponsored by Representative Michael Brown (Kansas City), and cosponsoredby Reps. Jamilah Nasheed, Chris Carter, Tishaura Jones (St. Louis), Steve Webb (Florissant) and Stacey Newman (Clayton). Please thank these courageous progressives and support them, especially if you reside in their district!

The bills may be read at www.moga.mo.gov. This website enables you to follow the progress of the bills. Keep vigilant for the bill hearings. Your testimony is essential to pass the bill out of committee for debate in the General Assembly. Your personal testimony is best if you are able to travel to Jefferson City. Testimony is limited to three minutes. Your written testimony can be emailed or faxed to the sponsor of the bill for distribution to the hearing committee.

EXERCISE DEMOCRACY:

Adopt a Candidate Now

Now is not the time to be cynical about Democracy and give up on ours. It is the time for necessary grassroots political action. You must not sit out the next election. Democracy only works if you participate.

First, be informed. Then, be involved. If your district has a race, meet the candidates. Ask your candidates if they will work for universal, single payer health care. Ask if they will sponsor legislation to accomplish this. It takes courage to take a moral stand against the rich lobbies. Courageous candidates need and deserve your help. Elections can be won with the help of an army of dedicated volunteers. It takes hours of work, such as door-knocking, talking with fellow constituents, hosting coffees, or stuffing and mailing campaign literature. Exercise Democracy and your legs at the same time. Your help can make the world of difference.

Adopt a progressive candidate TODAY. We’ve got a lot of work to do!

IN MEMORIAM:

Melanie Shouse

Melanie Shouse had a sharp intellect and quick wit that could make me laugh out loud. Melanie used these attributes to crusade for justice. Melanie was a member of MOSP and The Progressive Democrats of St. Louis. She participated with MOSP in the press conference announcing University City’s Resolution in support of HR 676 in 2006. She worked with citizens of Overland to unseat a Mayor who had illegally posed as a registered nurse. After traveling by Metro bus to and from her tiring chemotherapy treatments, she would hoist a sign or banner to picket for honesty in government. Her work for common good refreshed her. Days before her death on January 30, she found strength to encourage by telephone a progressive candidate facing a challenging race.