Historic Phone Call with President Obama

August 27, 2009

The phone call on August 19 with President Obama, sponsored by faith groups including VIA’s national network, PICO, had an estimated 140,000 participants across the nation.

There were 8 PICO leaders who spoke on the call, including some who shared their personal stories and several pastors who shared what their congregations are doing to ensure that health care reform passes. Melody Barnes, the President’s Domestic Policy Advisor, fielded some questions on policy, including an assurance that the President does favor a public plan option. President Obama’s remarks were inspiring, citing the role people of faith have played in the past to dispel misinformation (he mentioned that some opponents are “bearing false witness”) around the start of Social Security and Medicare, and the unique ability people of faith have to bring hope in a time of fear.

VIA plans to have a Health Care Press Conference with Vermont members of Congress the week of August 31st and we will have ongoing alerts about days to call in to our Congressional delegation. Even though the Vermont delegation supports reform,  we have been told directly by their offices that it is important to call in. They still need to be able to say that they have received X number of calls in favor to counter the negatives calls they get.

Did you miss the call? Click here to listen.

Want to do more to advocate for reform? Go to www.faithforhealth.org to "take the pledge" and find out how!