Comments on: Want Healthcare Reform? Pick Up The Phone. http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/10/21/want-healthcare-reform-pick-up-the-phone/ Reality-based political commentary Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:35:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/10/21/want-healthcare-reform-pick-up-the-phone/#comment-6397 Chris Weigant Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:30:47 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/10/21/want-healthcare-reform-pick-up-the-phone/#comment-6397 Osborne - That's a truly horrifying story, and I can see why you left that job. All politicians pay attention to their constituents, whether they change their minds or not. The ones that don't quickly become known as "former politicians," or, in today's language, "lobbyists." -CW Osborne -

That's a truly horrifying story, and I can see why you left that job.

All politicians pay attention to their constituents, whether they change their minds or not. The ones that don't quickly become known as "former politicians," or, in today's language, "lobbyists."

-CW

]]> By: Michale http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/10/21/want-healthcare-reform-pick-up-the-phone/#comment-6393 Michale Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:04:38 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/10/21/want-healthcare-reform-pick-up-the-phone/#comment-6393 And while everyone is making those calls to their representatives, I would encourage everyone to be Americans first and Democrats second. Michale..... And while everyone is making those calls to their representatives, I would encourage everyone to be Americans first and Democrats second.

Michale.....

]]> By: Osborne Ink http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/10/21/want-healthcare-reform-pick-up-the-phone/#comment-6386 Osborne Ink Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:15:24 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/10/21/want-healthcare-reform-pick-up-the-phone/#comment-6386 Chris, never underestimate the importance of making direct contact with your representative. At the health care town hall in Florence, Alabama, in August, I asked Representative Parker Griffith the following question: "Until recently, I worked at a national pharmacy chain call center. The job required me to consult tens of thousands of pharmacy benefit plans and advise patients accordingly. The day the job got to be too much was when I had to explain to an 83-year old woman that her insulin would cost over $800, which was more money than she had. At the behest of an insurance company, I was telling this elderly woman to shut up and die." (At this point, the 1,200-seat auditorium, packed with vocal opponents of reform, got awfully quiet.) "Congressman Griffith, it is very popular to be a deficit hawk in Alabama. But will you vote to close the 'gap' or 'donut hole' in Medicare Part D?" When he answered "yes," I thanked him and turned away from the microphone. Afterward, I shook hands with him and he expressed relief at being able to give a simple positive answer to at least one aspect of reform. The upshot is that of the two emails I have sent him since then, both have received a positive individual response from Parker Griffith. He may disagree, but he is <i>paying attention</i>. (In addition to health care reform issues, I'm pressing him to cosponsor HR 1310, which would effectively end the practice of mountaintop removal in Appalachia.) Chris, never underestimate the importance of making direct contact with your representative.

At the health care town hall in Florence, Alabama, in August, I asked Representative Parker Griffith the following question:

"Until recently, I worked at a national pharmacy chain call center. The job required me to consult tens of thousands of pharmacy benefit plans and advise patients accordingly. The day the job got to be too much was when I had to explain to an 83-year old woman that her insulin would cost over $800, which was more money than she had. At the behest of an insurance company, I was telling this elderly woman to shut up and die."

(At this point, the 1,200-seat auditorium, packed with vocal opponents of reform, got awfully quiet.)

"Congressman Griffith, it is very popular to be a deficit hawk in Alabama. But will you vote to close the 'gap' or 'donut hole' in Medicare Part D?"

When he answered "yes," I thanked him and turned away from the microphone. Afterward, I shook hands with him and he expressed relief at being able to give a simple positive answer to at least one aspect of reform.

The upshot is that of the two emails I have sent him since then, both have received a positive individual response from Parker Griffith. He may disagree, but he is paying attention.

(In addition to health care reform issues, I'm pressing him to cosponsor HR 1310, which would effectively end the practice of mountaintop removal in Appalachia.)

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