Affordable health care for all Americans is one of the goals of America In Solidarity. Every time we meet with a member of Congress, this issue is brought up as it alones bankrupts, kills or severely disrupts the quality of life for thousands of working families in Washington State. HR 676 is the gold standard of progressive legislation proposed in Congress that would provide a single-payer national plan for every American. This past Monday, there was a message left on our voicemail that stated "Congressman Dicks has signed on to be a cosponsor of HR 676, thought you should be one of the first to know."

After several meetings with his staff and the Congressman himself over the past several years, this was a rewarding day. This announcement follows a Tacoma rally and march for affordable health care where nearly 400 people showed up. Dicks was not present, but his staff members were and saw the dozens of homemade signs and banners that called for single-payer.

America needs to have a single-payer debate. This may not be where we end up, and it certainly will not be a first step. But Congress and the people of this country (not the insurance companies) need to have this discussion.

America In Solidarity thanks Congressman Dicks for exhibiting the leadership to cosponsor this bill. We encourage all of our volunteers to contact their member of Congress today and ask them to cosponsor HR 676. Take two minutes to call or email and ask them to make a difference for the 45 million Americans who lack health care insurance.