With Congress returning from August recess today, a more complete narrative of what Members of Congress heard from their constituents at home regarding health care reform is emerging.

While much of the mainstream media focused on conflict at some town hall meetings in August, another story has begun to breakthrough.  Hundreds of thousands of people of faith took action over the recess to demonstrate that religious voters of all political backgrounds in fact hold a common belief - that making quality health care affordable for all families is a moral imperative.

Over August recess, PICO together with other national religious groups and denominations, including Faith in Public Life, Sojourners, and Catholic in Alliance for the Common Good, launched "40 Days for Health Reform," a massive campaign that:

• Engaged 300,000 people of faith in a national call with President Obama;
• Brought together 12,000 people at more than 100 pro-reform events reaching 100+ Members of Congress;
• Launched a national TV Ad from the faith community that ran on CNN and MSNBC;
• And generated hundreds of local and national news stories, including a great story on CNN last week. Watch the CNN story here.

Now, to keep up the momentum this fall, PICO is encouraging people of faith to watch President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9 at 8:00 p.m Eastern.  You can watch the speech at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live.  You can also go to PICO's Facebook page and share comments about the speech both during and afterwards.

On September 16, PICO, Community Catalyst and other organizations are holding a national lobby day on health care affordability on Capitol Hill, with approximately 150 people expected to visit 80+ offices to ensure that reform legislation includes a strong Affordability Standard that makes insurance affordable for moderate- and middle-income families.

To build support for this visit, tens of thousands of people of faith will be calling their Members of Congress on Tuesday, September 15 to tell them that religious voters support health care reform that makes insurance affordable for families.  Tell your family, friends, neighbors, and fellow congregations members to make the call. The toll free call-in number is 866-279-5474.

For more information about PICO's health care campaign, visit www.coverallfamilies.org