Watch live on the Web Thursday at 6:35pm MT

LATEST UPDATE: The event will start in 5 minutes, at 6:35pm MT

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Sharon Bridgeforth 303-294-9102 and 720-933-5156

June 30, 2009

400 People Expected for Meeting with Sen. Michael Bennet to Discuss Affordable Healthcare

Metro Organizations for People (MOP) will hold a public meeting July 2 to advocate for an affordability standard in healthcare reform

Following today’s launch of radio ads that will air in Colorado and other states featuring local faith leaders urging their Senators to support affordable healthcare for every American family, MOP will hold a large public meeting with Senator Bennet to advocate for an Affordability Standard in healthcare reform. The faith-based push for healthcare reform includes meetings in multiple states with Members of Congress from both parties.

WHO: Faith communities, families and Senator Michael Bennet; families, clergy and members of MOP who are working toward quality, affordable healthcare for all, along with Senator Michael Bennet.

WHAT: Public Meeting Broadcast Live on the Web; more than 400 people will gather to provide testimonies highlighting the problems individuals and families face when faced with unaffordable healthcare options, examine research about affordability reflecting the stories of families in 26 states and discuss with Sen. Bennet his plan for affordable healthcare. The meeting will be streamed live on the web.

WHEN: 6:15-7:45 pm on Thursday July 2, 2009

WHERE: Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church (1980 Dahlia St. Denver, CO 80220)

WHY: This month, Congress will be releasing preliminary versions of healthcare reform legislation. It is critical that legislation address the primary reason individuals struggle with healthcare – affordability. Since it is likely that legislation will include a requirement for people to get coverage, addressing affordability is even more critical.

VISUALS: More than 400 people will gather in Montview Presbyterian Church with quotes and stories from real individuals struggling with health care costs prominently displayed.

MORE INFORMATION

MOP, as part of the PICO National Network campaign to cover all families, is working together with consumer groups and lawmakers to ensure that final legislation includes an Affordability Standard that clearly limits what families could be charged to receive the care they need. The standard would include a sliding scale for moderate- and middle-income families; capping the portion of income they would have to pay for premiums and out of pocket expenses. The standard would also protect lower-income families with limited or no spare incomes from being charged premiums.

BACKGROUND ON PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

MOP is an inter-faith organization composed of 37 local organizing committees located in congregations and schools throughout Metro Denver. MOP is also a member of PICO National Network, a coalition of 53 faith-based organizations comprising 1,000 congregations nationwide and representing one million families in 17 states.

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