Conservatives have been winning the values debate for years, with tragic consequences for our state and nation. Progressives will not win until they develop strong messages that ground policy reforms in the fundamental values which shape public attitudes and motivate action.

WE ALL NEED AND DESERVE QUALITY AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE!

Because Citizen Action continued to work on state health care reform throughout the historic debate on national reform, we were well positioned to make a quick transition to the equally crucial debate over implementation in Wisconsin. Although the reform bill that finally cleared Congress in March is the most sweeping social and economic reform to pass in nearly half a century, it left a large number of crucial decisions to the states. The stakes are immense not only for health care reform but also for the essential idea that democratic government in America has the capacity to act on our most pressing social and economic problems.  If we succeed in showing that national and state government can succeed on such a large and crucial issue, it will open space for a whole range of other vital progressive reforms. And let there be no mistake, the other side understands the stakes. That is why despite losing in Congress, they are engaged in a relentless and well funded campaign to repeal health care reform before it can be fully implemented.

Citizen Action’s goal is to make Wisconsin one of the lead states that shows the whole country that health care reform can succeed.  We have hit the ground running on making this goal a reality, with the strong agreement and support of the Doyle Administration and the health care leaders in the State Legislature. Citizen Action is working closely with the key point people in the Doyle Administration to identify best practices on health care implementation and areas where Wisconsin can set standards for the rest of the country. At Citizen Action’s suggestion, the State Legislature has established a study committee on health care implementation which will play a major role in developing Wisconsin’s policies. I have been appointed to serve on this study committee committee, as have 4 other key coalition partners: David Newby, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO,  Candice Owley, President of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals, David Riemer Director of Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, and Jeff Huebner, MD, of the National Physicians Alliance.

Economic Development Project

Established in 2003, Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods is working to bring together community, faith, environmental, and labor organizations to improve employment conditions and to advocate and mobilize for responsible economic development policy and practice in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.  We are also working to promote accountability in the expenditure of economic recovery (stimulus) money and to promote new large scale federal investments in good jobs. Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods vision is equity in the development of our communities and an economy that works for all.  Good Jobs understands stronger policies will only come as the result of organizing to increase political involvement in our democracy.