ELCA e-Advocacy Network
Health Care Reform
News and Alerts
Toll-free Number: 1-888-797-8717*

With last week's passage of the Senate Finance Committee's version of health care reform, the discussion will soon move to the full Senate and House of Representatives. But what that reform looks like depends on who has the ear of our elected leaders. It is up to us to communicate our Christian and Lutheran values for reform – if not us, then who?

Today, faith groups are joining with other advocates to overwhelm the Capitol Switchboard with 100,000 calls during a massive nationwide call-in day. We will raise our voices with the hope of a compassionate health care future, and we will tell our elected leaders that we are praying for moral leadership from Congress and President Obama. We will lift our messages of hope, compassion, the common good, shared responsibility, concern for those who are vulnerable and faithful stewardship of our abundant health care resources.

Your Five Minutes Makes a Difference

But we can do that only if you join us in making your 3 calls: one to each of your Senators and one to your Representative.  Set aside just a few minutes today to make your voice heard - and ask your family, friends and colleagues to make calls as well.  Don't assume that your voice isn't needed - every voice matters at this strategic moment!

If you are new to making these calls, just follow the simple steps below and adapt the sample messages with your own words.

Tips for a Successful Phone Call:

1) Dial the toll-free number 1-888-797-8717. 
2) Once you are connected with the Capitol Switchboard, ask for the offices of your Senators or Representative by name. Click here if you do not know your elected officials.
3) Once you are connected with the office, ask to speak with the health care staffer.

Sample Message:
Introduction: Hello, my name is ________________.  I am a member of [name of your congregation/organization] in [city, state].
Short message: I am calling Senator/Representative __________ because I believe it is a moral imperative that we enact health care reform, and I urge the Senator/Representative to do all he/she can to make that happen. [If you already know he/she is supportive, acknowledge that!] Thank you!
Longer message: If the opportunity presents itself, pick ONE statement from below and add it to your message, based on what values are important to you, or what you know about the Senator's/Representative's views.

I believe that:
- Health care is a shared responsibility that is grounded in our common humanity.  I urge Senator/Representative _________to support legislation that demonstrates our care for one another, promotes human dignity, and shows compassion by protecting those who are most vulnerable. 

- Humanity is sacred.  I urge Senator/Representative __________to support health care legislation that contributes to our health and wholeness, so that we can live out our fullest potential as individuals and as contributing members of society.

- We are blessed with the abundant resources necessary to meet each other's needs.  I urge Senator/Representative __________to promote legislation that demonstrates good stewardship and distributes our health care resources effectively, efficiently, and fairly.
Conclusion: Further, I urge the Senator/Representative to [add a particular policy provision that is important to you].

Thank you!

After your calls, please let us know how it went by e-mailing Robert Francis, ELCA Director for Domestic Policy, at robert.francis@elca.org.

Learn More

For Lutheran resources about health and health care reform, visit our Web site by clicking here. Do you have any questions or would like to share your health care story, please contact Robert Francis, Director for Domestic Policy, at robert.francis@elca.org?

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*This toll-free number was made possible with support from the United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries and the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church in collaboration with Faithful Reform in Health Care.