Health Care Rights, our GOTV issue

[sandnsea]

I wanted to share what we're doing in Oregon because I think this could be used to get out the votes this fall and could be a really good national wedge issue. Not to mention, it's just the right thing to do.

"The HOPE initiative is an amendment to the Oregon constitution which says that health care is a right, and tells the state legislature to come up with a plan by 2009 to extend medical insurance to everyone in the state."

More info:

http://www.hopeoregon.org/

[TayTay]

1. Does this look like it has a chance this fall

Is this a ballot initiative for this year? I think this is a great idea and a wonderful way to get movitated progressive voters to the polls.

[sandnsea]

2. We'll get it on the ballot

We need 100,000 signatures and I'd be shocked if we couldn't manage that. As long as the backers of this initiative don't try to sell it as a right to free health care, we should be able to pass it. If they go that route, no chance in hell. Of course, it could always have the opposite affect and rally the right wing to come out against the bust the budget health care giveaway. As long as we're careful to frame it as requiring either a fairly funded system or an affordable plan to everybody, there's a pretty good chance it will pass.