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Melissa Gordon, left, and Laura Barnett spoke to Joy Bland as they campaigned door to door against the language proposal.

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On January 26th, 2007, over two hundred Nashville residents joined in solidarity with the Vanderbilt workers, participating in a candle light vigil to commemorate the struggle for worker's justice at Vanderbilt and around the world.

Essential Readings

HealthCare Reform Campaign

Urban EpiCenter has been an integral part of the fight for healthcare reform form the very start.

Working as part of a coalition of organizations, including Center for Community Change, SEIU, Tennessee Healthcare Campaign, the EpiCenter has helped to bring the campaign for affordfable, accessible healthcare to to the edge of reality. The Urban EpiCenter’s involvement in this issue has had an impact both locally and nationally. Below is a list of some of our activities and achievements:

 

2009 

 

August  –

  •  Urban Epicenter representatives Elizabeth Buckanon, and Doug Walker took part in the Boost Maine Project in Portland, and other cities in the state of Maine in a successful campaign to help target Sen. Olympia Snowe’s support of healthcare reform legislation in the senate.

 

September   –

  •  Began organizing on the campus of American Baptist College
  •  Lead HCAN Send Off Rally in Nashville, TN in front of the office of Congressman Jim Cooper
  •  Shared in Send Off Rally in Murfreesboro,TN
  •  Featured on the Kenny Geter Radio Program on WNAH 910 AM
  • Organized ABC students to attend HCAN Rally/Action at the offices of CIGNA Health Insurance

 

October –

  • Mobilized students to take part in THCC Rally/Action against United Healthcare
  • Organized students for healthcare reform forum at American Baptist College, for students and Pastors of the Pastoral Excellence Institute
  • Congregational mobilization education for pastors from 28 states including, IL, CA, NY, LA, TX, and TN
  • Helped organize meeting with Rep. Jim Cooper at American Baptist College

 

November –

  • ABC students Congressional drop-in at Rep. Jim Cooper’s office to thank him for his support of the House reform bill
  • Continue to share statewide HCAN Coalition
  • Shared in news conference in held by TN NAACP in Jackson, TN
  • Co-sponsored books of constituent healthcare stories specifically designed for the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th congressional districts

 

December –

  • Continued e-mail and letter writing campaign
  • Planned  and participated in Participated in OFA National Day of Service

 

2010 

 

January 

  • UEC participated in the Healthcare Reform Affordability Summit “Affordability is the Key” as part of a coalition of partners from across the United States to push for strong affordability protections in the current comprise reform legislation being considered in Washington D.C.

 

Next steps include:

 

  • we are organizing in the West TN in our efforts to develop statewide capacity
  • Continue to support supporters of reform in the U.S. House and Senate
  • Increase pressure on opponents of reform in the U.S. House and Senate

 

 

As we near the end of this healthcare campaign, we are not deterred by the developments of the recent days and weeks. We know that the goal has not yet been reached and are not discouraged by the results of the Massachusetts special election. Rather we are encouraged at the dissatisfaction with the continuation of business as usual in the nation and in our communities here in Tennessee. This will play a pivotal role in our ultimate success as we continue the struggle for  economic justice, of which a fair and economical healthcare system is a vital part.