June 9, 2010
1. Organizing for America, June 12
2. County Commissioner Tim Burns 4th Annual Flag Day, Sunday June 13, 2 p.m., Troy Historical Museum
3. John Freeman’s summary of Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Law
4. Judge Sheila Johnson for Michigan Supreme Court fundraiser
5. Our General Meeting Wednesday June 16 with Leyton and Sabaugh
6. Our Picnic Saturday July 17, 1-5 p.m., Raintree Park
Organizing for America, Vote 2010 Michigan Launch
My name is Garrett Arwa and I am the State Director of Organizing for America in Michigan [(517) 761-4558, arwag@dnc.org]]. OFA is a special project of the DNC and a continuation of the grassroots organizing we did during President Obama’s campaign.
After a busy first year of working for Health Insurance Reform, Wall Street Reform, and other issue organizing we are excited to announce the Launch of our Vote 2010 Michigan program. We will be reaching out primarily to folks who voted for the first time in 2008 during the historic election. These voters tend to be younger, more Democratic, and have a strong connection to the President. This is also a group of voters our volunteers and extremely excited to reach out to. For more on the program, check out this web video from David Plouffe where he describes the program and takes questions.
http://my.barackobama.com/2010strategyhighlights
We are excited to start our voter contact on June 12th with a statewide day of action. We will be reaching out to these first time voters and some other surge voters across the state. If you are interested in finding out what is going on in your area, click on the following link:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/2010kickoffeventmap
There is a Vote 2010 Michigan Kick-Off event in Birmingham (756 Abbey, Birmingham, 48009) on Saturday June 12. Canvass in Birmingham neighborhoods to get Democratic households to fill out pledge cards to vote in the midterm elections in November. Canvass as many hours as you want from noon to five.
The Regional Field Director (Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair counties) for OFA is Melissa Bernardi, bernardim@dnc.org, (248) 820-7178.
Sunday June 13, 2 p.m., Flag Day at Troy Historical Museum
Oakland County Commissioner Tim Burns will be hosting his 4th Annual Flag Day Celebration at the Troy Historical Museum on Sunday, June 13 @ 2 pm. The event will feature a special performance by the Troy Community Chorus, a presentation on the history and evolution of the flag by the Clawson-Troy Elks Club, wax museum skit by Barnard Elementary School students, Flag Awards to outstanding local volunteers, and a musical tribute to America by the Larson Middle School orchestral ensemble.
Message from John Freeman, Health Care for Michigan.org
The new health care law, called the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act was enacted into law in late March. This new law makes a number of changes that will benefit people, business and the economy as a whole, to expand and create jobs. Some of the new changes are:
- Insurance companies can no longer deny coverage if you have a pre-existing condition.
- Insurance companies cannot drop your coverage when you get sick.
- Insurance companies cannot charge you significantly higher premiums based on your health status and gender.
- Young adults from 18 to 26 years old, can stay on their parent's policy until age 26.
- Seniors are getting help with the high cost of prescription drugs by eliminating the "donut hole" in Medicare Part D.
- Middle class families receive financial help, to help pay for private sector health insurance.
- Medicaid is expanded to provide health coverage to more lower-income families.
- Creating a more competitive health insurance market place by establishing "exchanges" where insurance companies must list their policies in normal English so people and business can compare price and benefits before making a decision as to which insurance policy to buy.
- Small business receive a tax credit of 35% of the cost of premiums to lower the cost of providing health insurance to their employees.
Click here to find the summary of the new law.
Some of the benefits of this new law begin this year. Checks of $250 will be sent to seniors on June 11, who are in the "donut hole" of Medicare Part D and are therefore paying the full cost of their prescription medicine. This $250 check is being sent by the Federal Government and is the first step in helping seniors with the high cost of medicine. In 2011, 50% of the cost of drugs of drugs will be fully paid by Medicare and by 2020 the "donut hole" will be fully eliminated. This will really help seniors who have to take a lot of medicine.
Click here to get more information on the $250 check and how the "donut hole" will be phased out and eliminated by 2020.
Although the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act is now law, it is critical that it be properly implemented by the Federal and State Government. I would encourage all individuals, families and business to stay involved to make sure that we all benefit from this new health care law.
Please forward this e-mail to your friends and family members. I will be sending updates every so often about this new law and I want as many people to learn about it because this health care reform is really going to help all of us.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
John Freeman
State Director
On Monday, June 7, there was a very successful program on the Health Care Law at the Troy Community Center—“Seniors: How Will the Health Care Reform Law Affect You?” 75 people hungry for information attended.
One of the presenters was our former Chair Sandy Burgess. Look for more on this program in the July newsletter.
Judge Sheila Johnson for Michigan Supreme Court Fundraiser (Please note—The Troy Democratic Club has not endorsed candidates for Michigan Supreme Court)
The Committee to Elect Judge Shelia Johnson for Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court announces a Campaign Kick Off Reception to "Meet and Greet" the candidate on Thursday, June 24 from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the campaign headquarters, 29207 Southfield Rd., Southfield, MI (between 12 and 13 mile roads) next to the House of Watchbands.
Minimum donation is $50.00. No corporate checks please.
TDC General Meeting June 16 at 7 pm
We will hear from two Michigan Democratic Party Endorsed Candidates—David Leyton for Attorney General and from the Jocelyn Benson for Secretary of State campaign, Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh, who will be attending to speak about the campaign. COME OUT TO HEAR OUR ENDORSED STATEWIDE CANDIDATES!
We will also have Jon Levin, candidate for 13th District County Commissioner, and several candidates for the Oakland County Probate Seat.There will be representatives from other campaigns as well.
Meeting at 7-9 PM
Troy Community Center, Room 305
3179 Livernois Rd, Troy 48083
(north of Big Beaver/16 Mile,
east of I-75)
Troy Democratic Club Picnic, Saturday, July 17
The Troy Democratic Club is hosting their annual "Midsummer Soiree—An Afternoon of Picnic & Politics" Fundraiser at Raintree Park, 3775 John R Road (John R between Big Beaver and Wattles Road) .
Join us for a Delicious Potluck Meal – Political Dialogue – and Picnic Fun!! A dish to share would be most appreciated, but not required.
Come see the community leaders and your new and next leaders in the Oakland County Commission, Lansing and listen and support our Congressman Gary Peters.
TIME: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
DONATION: $10.00 Age 11 – Adult / $5.00 Ages 6 – 10 / Tots are free
CONTACT: Cathy Fucinari at dwgbooks@wideopenwest.com for additional information.