Today, take 100 seconds to call one of your representatives and insist that they protect healthcare coverage for Americans.
We know that this action is going to require a little courage, but you can do it, and it'll only get easier after the first time. To make it simple, we've attached a script below, developed by folks who have been on the receiving end of these calls and know how they go. All it takes is 100 seconds to make sure your voice is heard! ☀️
CALL SCRIPT: (click here if you need phone numbers for your representatives)
Staffer: [Congresswoman Smith’s] office, how can I help you?
You: Hi there, I’m a constituent of [Congresswoman Smith]. Can I please speak with the staffer who handles health care issues?
Staffer: I’m happy to take down any comments you may have. Can I ask for your name and address to verify you’re in the Congresswoman’s district?
You: Sure thing. [Give your name/address]. Can I ask who I’m speaking with?
Staffer: Yes, this is [staffer name].
You: Thanks, [name]! I’m calling to ask that Congresswoman Smith protect the progress we've made under the Affordable Care Act in health care and coverage. I ask that she insists on a plan that will ensure we continue to have quality, affordable health insurance before agreeing to repeal the law.
Repealing the Affordable Care Act could harm millions, double the number of uninsured by 2019, and throw the U.S. health care system into disarray.
Your constituents deserve to know what is in a replacement plan and see proof that it will provide better, more affordable coverage than the ACA does BEFORE any repeal.
Can you tell me what Congresswoman [Smith] is going to do about it?
Staffer: Well I really appreciate you calling and sharing your thoughts! I of course can’t speak for the Congresswoman because I’m just a Staff Assistant, but I can tell you that I’ll pass your concerns on to her.
You: I appreciate that [name], but I don’t want you to just pass my concerns on. I would like to know what the Congresswoman is planning on doing. Could you please tell me?
Note - if your Member of Congress shares your point of view, the staff is likely to tell you that: “Yes, Congresswoman totally agrees with you and is doing X,Y. Z” . If that is the case:
You: Thank you! I will be on the lookout for the Congresswoman’s floor speech on this issue!
BUT: If they are being evasive, that probably means they are not on the same page as you, so be persistent in getting your point across. Like this:
Staffer: The Congresswoman will consider all perspectives before voting.
You: The Congresswoman is my elected representative, and as a constituent I expect her to respond to my concerns and stand up for my interests. I am very concerned that she will vote for repeal of the Affordable Care Act without a replacement that provides better, more affordable, coverage. Could you please tell me if she will insist on a replacement BEFORE voting for a repeal?
Staffer: I’ll pass your message along.
You: I find it unacceptable that the Congresswoman refuses to take a position on this. I’ll be notifying my friends, family, and local newspaper. Thank you for your time, and for passing this message along in full, [name].
Note: On this last part - it can be as simple as sharing on Facebook the conversation you just had! And you should feel free to write a Letter to the Editor in your local paper if you want to tell more people!
Thanks to our friends at Indivisible Guide and FamiliesUSA for informing parts of this message.
To learn more and follow up your call with an e-mail, go to FamiliesUSA #ProtectOurCare action page.
Staffer: [Congresswoman Smith’s] office, how can I help you?
You: Hi there, I’m a constituent of [Congresswoman Smith]. Can I please speak with the staffer who handles health care issues?
Staffer: I’m happy to take down any comments you may have. Can I ask for your name and address to verify you’re in the Congresswoman’s district?
You: Sure thing. [Give your name/address]. Can I ask who I’m speaking with?
Staffer: Yes, this is [staffer name].
You: Thanks, [name]! I’m calling to ask that Congresswoman Smith protect the progress we've made under the Affordable Care Act in health care and coverage. I ask that she insists on a plan that will ensure we continue to have quality, affordable health insurance before agreeing to repeal the law.
Repealing the Affordable Care Act could harm millions, double the number of uninsured by 2019, and throw the U.S. health care system into disarray.
Your constituents deserve to know what is in a replacement plan and see proof that it will provide better, more affordable coverage than the ACA does BEFORE any repeal.
Can you tell me what Congresswoman [Smith] is going to do about it?
Staffer: Well I really appreciate you calling and sharing your thoughts! I of course can’t speak for the Congresswoman because I’m just a Staff Assistant, but I can tell you that I’ll pass your concerns on to her.
You: I appreciate that [name], but I don’t want you to just pass my concerns on. I would like to know what the Congresswoman is planning on doing. Could you please tell me?
Note - if your Member of Congress shares your point of view, the staff is likely to tell you that: “Yes, Congresswoman totally agrees with you and is doing X,Y. Z” . If that is the case:
You: Thank you! I will be on the lookout for the Congresswoman’s floor speech on this issue!
BUT: If they are being evasive, that probably means they are not on the same page as you, so be persistent in getting your point across. Like this:
Staffer: The Congresswoman will consider all perspectives before voting.
You: The Congresswoman is my elected representative, and as a constituent I expect her to respond to my concerns and stand up for my interests. I am very concerned that she will vote for repeal of the Affordable Care Act without a replacement that provides better, more affordable, coverage. Could you please tell me if she will insist on a replacement BEFORE voting for a repeal?
Staffer: I’ll pass your message along.
You: I find it unacceptable that the Congresswoman refuses to take a position on this. I’ll be notifying my friends, family, and local newspaper. Thank you for your time, and for passing this message along in full, [name].
Note: On this last part - it can be as simple as sharing on Facebook the conversation you just had! And you should feel free to write a Letter to the Editor in your local paper if you want to tell more people!
Thanks to our friends at Indivisible Guide and FamiliesUSA for informing parts of this message.
To learn more and follow up your call with an e-mail, go to FamiliesUSA #ProtectOurCare action page.
Want a copy of this resource? Download the file below:
| protectourcarecalldialogue-2.pdf |