04/ 02/ 2008
53 million represented by coalition fighting for affordable healthcare
In January 2008, Divided We Fail marked its first anniversary as the premier coalition dedicated to making access to quality, affordable healthcare a top issue in the national political debate.
Divided We Fail launched in January 2007 with three partners--AARP, The Service Employees International Union and Business Roundtable. Labeled a group of "strange bedfellows" back then, the coalition represented America's big business, consumers and labor groups. But one critical element was missing--small business.
So, in November 2007, NFIB--the largest small business association--joined the coalition. Together, we represent more than 53 million people, including employees and dependents. Working together we seek to engage the American public, elected officials and the business community to find broad-based, bipartisan solutions to address what has become a national crisis, especially for America's job creators--healthcare and its impact on our nation's long-term economic competitiveness.
By joining Divided We Fail, NFIB is making its voice stronger … because all four organizations are joining together to speak for change and action. Together, our four organizations are speaking loudly and clearly about these issues. And together, we are showing our commitment to intensify the national debate on healthcare.
Discussing NFIB's role in DWF, Todd Stottlemyer, president and CEO of NFIB, said, "For 20 straight years, small businesses have said that healthcare costs are their No. 1 challenge. But things haven't gotten any better. In fact, they're getting worse. We simply can't say that healthcare is our top priority and be content with the stalemate over reform. We must find a way to fundamentally alter the forces driving up costs, or our efforts will be for naught.
"Small business owners, their employees and dependents make up the largest segment of the uninsured population. So no discussion of healthcare should take place without us at the table. Our four organizations have successfully put aside our ideological differences to truly encourage change, and we will continue to urge politicians to do the same."
The national effort encompasses traditional grassroots and legislative work, speaking engagements, media events, meetings with legislative leaders and opinion leaders, advertising, and online activities to engage the public, business and elected officials in the debate, encouraging public leaders to offer solutions.
Since its launch, Divided We Fail has secured pledges from members of Congress and the presidential candidates who have committed to taking action and breaking the gridlock on healthcare. As of January 2008, a total of 218 members of Congress, including 49 senators and 169 representatives, have expressed support: 177 have signed the pledge, and 41 have sent letters of support.
As this issue went to press, all of the presidential candidates have either signed the pledge or sent a letter of support: Sens. Clinton, McCain (sent letter of support) and Obama. (Six additional candidates who have since dropped out of the race--Huckabee, Gravel, Edwards, Biden, Dodd and Richardson--also signed the pledge.)
This election season, members and representatives of Divided We Fail will ramp up outreach to congressional leaders, opinion leaders and the American public--including top-level speeches at economic clubs nationwide. So keep an eye out for Divided We Fail and DWF's mascot, Champ. And check out the Divided We Fail events coming to your neighborhood!
Find more information about Divided We Fail efforts at www.dividedwefail.org.
