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INSIDER NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINES OF THE POLITICAL REVOLUTION

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HEADLINES: Bernie to Reintroduce M4A | Freedom from Medical Debt Launch
| Ro Khanna Joins Patient Advocates | NCLC Policy Breakdown | New Med Debt
Action Team | Share Your Story! | Medical Debt & M4A Stickers | & MORE!

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On Wednesday, we’ll join Bernie Sanders, Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Debbie
Dingell, and healthcare justice leaders to reintroduce Medicare for All!

If you’re near DC, come out and show your support for universal,
single-payer health care in America. This is a chance to show the strength
of our movement and the power of our demand.

[ [link removed] ]JOIN US IN DC
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Become a cosponsor to End Medical Debt and advance the fight for Medicare
for All! Help fund our work as we organize people across the country to
take on price-gouging hospitals, predatory debt collectors, and more!

Pitch in $10 or sign up with a recurring donation of at least $5 and get
these new stickers with our gratitude!

[ [link removed] ]GET YOUR STICKERS

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As we join Bernie and Pramila in the fight for Medicare for All, we also
just kicked off our new campaign to End Medical Debt on our [ [link removed] ]LIVE Town
Hall Monday with US Rep. Ro Khanna and our brave members who spoke out to
share their stories.

“Progressives are beginning a new offensive on Capitol Hill: Taking on
America’s staggering medical debt,” [ [link removed] ]The Independent wrote of our
campaign launch. “Headed up by Our Revolution, advocates around the
country are gathering horror stories where lifesaving treatment often
becomes a financial death sentence.”

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Our patient activists (read some of their stories below) have been meeting
with Ro Khanna and Bernie’s team as they get ready to introduce the
Freedom from Medical Debt Initiative — and our organizers have big plans
around the country.

“It’s time to wipe the slate clean and cancel all medical debt,” Ro said.
“This would pressure Congress and the White House to protect patients from
the horrendous price-gouging and predatory debt-collecting tactics that
bankrupt hard-working Americans every day.”

[ [link removed] ]WATCH OUR FREEDOM FROM MEDICAL DEBT TOWN HALL HERE!

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“The bill will say, if you have medical debt, it’s erased to zero,” [ [link removed] ]Ro
told us Monday. “Hospitals need to wipe it out, they’re making way too
much profit off of it. It’s affordable and it’s the first step to Medicare
for All.”

As OR Executive Director Joseph Geevarghese [ [link removed] ]explained at the town
hall, we also have the leverage of federal funding, which makes up the
majority of hospital revenue, that can be used to stop the pipeline of new
debt.

“Hospitals are federal contractors who receive hundreds of billions of
taxpayer dollars through Medicare and Medicaid,” Joseph said. “That means
we the people have the power to withhold federal funding from hospitals
that hurt patients.”

“The president could sign an executive order that if you get federal
funding, you can’t engage in price gouging, you can’t engage in predatory
collections from individuals or we’re going to stop the hospital from
getting federal funding,” Ro told us Monday.

“We can stop the most egregious practices with the leverage that we have
with federal funds. That’s why we’ve got to push the president to do it,”
he said [ [link removed] ]in this clip.

“You know, as it turns out with a lot of things, good policy that helps
people turns out to be good politics,” Ro said. “If you do things that
help people's lives, people tend to think that’s good politics.”

"Medical debt is the number one reason for personal bankruptcies in the
United States," Our Revolution executive director Joseph Geevarghese told
[ [link removed] ]The Hill. "We can stop that and the president has the power.”

Covid-era Medicaid is drying up for millions, meaning more people will be
pushed into debt, and as Biden gears up for re-election, taking action on
medical debt would be a step toward earning trust and higher approval
ratings. But, mostly, the President should do it because it’s the right
thing.

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Congress and the White House have the power to act. Our Revolution will be
mobilizing actions on the ground and inside the halls of power to: cancel
medical debt, end price-gouging, guarantee the right to free care and stop
predatory collection tactics.

Sign up to plug into this important work and we’ll reach out with an
invite for the first team meeting Wednesday night following the Medicare
for All reintroduction rally with Bernie and Rep. Jayapal!

[ [link removed] ]JOIN US IN THIS FIGHT!

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People are hurting and we know the root causes. An estimated 41% of
Americans are saddled with nearly $200 billion in medical debt. It forces
people to cut back on food and shelter, put off needed care, and put their
lives on credit cards (as you’ll read below).

Berneta Haynes of the National Consumer Law Center [ [link removed] ]talked at our Town
Hall about factors of race, wealth, insurance status, and chronic
conditions, but she also exposed the role of hospitals in America’s
mounting medical debt crisis.

Despite the ACA, hospitals are getting away with price-gouging patients,
failing to inform them about their right to free care and aid, then
resorting to predatory collections practices like placing liens on homes
and wage garnishments.

“Charity care accounts for about 1-4% of expenses at private, tax-exempt,
nonprofit hospitals. We see top hospitals hounding patients for $1800
while raking in billions and sending people into a debt spiral,” Berneta
said. “Then they claim that as part of their charity care - after ruining
people’s credit, maybe their ability to get housing or a job.”

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OUR REVOLUTION PATIENT ACTIVISTS

“Elizabeth McLaughlin shared her account on the town hall of how treatment
in 2017 put her tens of thousands in debt as she put utility bills and
groceries on credit rather than face medical debt collectors,” wrote
[ [link removed] ]Independent.

“I got injured, then got sick. I was afraid they’d stop seeing me, so I
paid the doctors and put my life on credit cards,” [ [link removed] ]Betsy told us. “I
pass the debt from one card to another. In the meantime, I’m just grateful
I’m employed, insured, and can keep making the payments.”

“Every time you go it’s going to cost you more money, so it’s been drilled
into all of us not to go to the doctor like we don’t deserve it,” said
Betsy, who’s 62 and lives in Indiana. “It all comes down to one thing:
healthcare costs too much and we can’t all get it.

Denise Lyons, 70, of Michigan, spoke at our [ [link removed] ]Town Hall of her inability
to retire from nursing or get the care she needs for multiple serious
health issues.

“I was diagnosed with diabetes and the second stage of kidney failure,”
she said. “Now, she’s putting off biopsies and canceled her appointments
with the cardiovascular specialist and the dentist because of high
copays.”

“I know putting off care is dangerous, but I can’t afford treatment or to
go into more debt,” Denise told us.

Kristin Noreen, 59, of Washington, [ [link removed] ]told us of her harrowing experience
of being hit by a car while riding her bike in 2010, which led to
traumatic brain injury, getting her hand reattached, and barely survived.

“Like anyone, I thought I would be set for life,” she said. “If I’d have
known how it was going to be, I might have given up. I’m glad I didn’t,
but there’s no end in sight for this debt cycle.”

Insurance failed to cover 100 percent of the $1 million total and
subsequent care, so Kristin racked up $60k on credit cards. “I sold my
home, my retirement account is gone, and I declared bankruptcy,” she told
us.

“I’m back up to $10k in debt, and I can’t work as much as I need,” Kristin
said. “My parents took out a home equity loan, my friend paid for some
dental care I needed. it’s a vicious cycle.”

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“Sharing your stories is so important,” Ro Khanna told our members.
“Congress members across the country need to realize that medical debt
affects real people — it’s affecting their constituents and they should
sign on.”

Do you owe money for medical care that you couldn’t afford? Have you put
life expenses on credit cards to pay medical bills? Share your story!

Our goal is to feature voices from every congressional district in
America. Join the hundreds of people already speaking out through our
survey.

[ [link removed] ]TELL YOUR STORY

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Bernie, AOC, and Our Revolution are all-in for Helen Gym for Philly Mayor!
Our Philly members will join them for a rally for Helen in Philadelphia on
Sunday, hoping to repeat the magic progressives pulled off to elect new
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson last month.

“Just like we saw in Chicago, this contest in Philadelphia will come down
to big money versus grassroots organizing,” Joseph Geevarghese, executive
director of Our Revolution, told [ [link removed] ]The Hill this week.

The Hill noted that Our Revolution is getting to work, putting our
“mobilization muscle of 40,000 members in the city behind Gym.” And now,
Helen is polling in the lead of this crowded race!

“What we know is that progressives’ messaging on issues from public safety
to education to good jobs and housing has resonated with the Democratic
base in key cities, from Chicago to St. Louis,” Joseph said. “We are
confident that this message, championed by Helen Gym, will resonate with
Philadelphians on election day.”

A former public school teacher and community activist, Helen said on our
recent [ [link removed] ]Live Call: “When we win on the ground in our cities, that’s the
blueprint, because we cannot wait for Congress.”

It’s time to turn out progressive super voters in Philadelphia, where
we’ll be mobilizing our 42k members and making 300k voter contacts in the
city.

“Our theory of change,” Joseph said, “is if we can get that slice of the
electorate out, through multiple contacts, that can be a game changer.”

[ [link removed] ]JOIN OUR ELECT PROGRESSIVES TEAM

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Also in Philly, Our Revolution is proudly supporting Amanda McIllmurray, a
working-class organizer who would be the first openly queer Council Member
ever in the city!

In 2016, Amanda was working as a nanny, a law firm clerk, and a softball
umpire when she began organizing for Bernie Sander's presidential campaign
and building local progressive power.

“I’m running to win good jobs, affordable housing, worker’s rights, and
universal family care,” Amanda said. As the daughter of union members, she
knows “everyone deserves the chance to have just ONE job, a
family-sustaining job.”

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Our Revolution backed Rep. Sara Innamorato in her run for PA House in 2018
alongside now-US Rep. Summer Lee, and now we’re proud to endorse for
Allegheny County Executive - a key seat in Pittsburgh!

With the progressive movement at her back, she’s now leading the
establishment favorite by double digits in the polls, but we’re taking
nothing for granted.

As State Rep, Sara led dozens of bills for affordable housing, higher
wages, environmental protections, reproductive healthcare, and much more.

As County Exec, she’d have the power to directly affect people’s lives —
from county-wide housing to addressing human rights violations in the
county jail to protecting abortion care.

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VICTORY! With the support of the progressive movement, community
organizers and San Antonio Council Members Teri Castillo (D-5) and Jalen
McKee-Rodriguez (D-3) won their races for re-election! 

Teri and Jalen helped pass a $17.50 minimum wage in the city and worked
with the community to secure permanent affordable housing measures that
passed by one vote on the council.

“We’re bringing more people into the process for solutions on housing,
workers' rights, and more,” [ [link removed] ]Teri told us. 

Also in Texas, Our Revolution-backed ballot measure Prop A passed in
Austin, showing voters want to hold police accountable and deter the use
of excessive force. 

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NEW ENDORSEMENT! Our Revolution is backing Aaron Regunberg for US Congress
in a crowded race to replace outgoing David Cicilline in RI-1.

"I’m proud to have earned the endorsement of Our Revolution, which was
founded by Bernie Sanders and supports progressive leaders with track
records of organizing broad coalitions to make a difference for everyday
people,” Aaron told [ [link removed] ]The Boston Globe. 

“That’s what I’ve done here in Rhode Island by helping secure passage of
paid sick days, higher wages, harm reduction strategies, and new clean
energy programs — and that's what I'll do in Congress.”

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We have a chance to elect several great progressives in Virginia on
Election Day June 20th!

For the State Senate, Our Revolution is backing Ben Litchfield (SD-27),
Heidi Drauschak (SD-35), and Elizabeth Guzman; and for the State House,
we’re backing Rozia Henson (HD-19).

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We have a chance to build out progressive power at the city and state
level where it can directly affect lives. The best way to make an impact
on these races from anywhere in the country is to sign up to make calls
with our team of volunteers. 

[ [link removed] ]PHONEBANK THIS WEEK!

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On Monday of this week, Our Revolution NYPAN activists were arrested
alongside Susan Sarandon and OFW President Saru Jayaraman at an action
calling for New York to raise the minimum wage and end the subminimum wage
for tipped workers. 

Our state bill there has 33 cosponsors and growing because of all of you
and your support, so we look forward to seeing NY step up and do what’s
right.

A reminder, if you want to get involved with our [ [link removed] ]Raise the Wage Team
to organize state by state for better pay and an end to subminimum wages
for tipped workers.

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On Monday, Our Revolution will join another global day of action to Make
Amazon Pay. This time, we’re demanding Amazon pay its writers as we
support striking members of the Writers Guild of America! 

[ [link removed] ]Get involved with our global coalition holding demonstrations and
showing solidarity across the internet with the hashtags #MakeAmazonPay
and #WGAStrike.

This struggle highlights how Amazon’s business extends across the global
economy and threatens working conditions everywhere. It can also teach us
the power we can build when allies stand together along supply chains and
across borders. 

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Become a co-sponsor for our campaign to End Medical Debt, and Stand with
Bernie and Rep. Jayapal in the fight for Medicare for All. Chip in $10 (or
$5 recurring) and we'll send you these two new stickers with our
gratitude. Members get both stickers with any donation of $5 or more.

[ [link removed] ]GET YOUR STICKERS

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Congress and the White House have the power to act. Our Revolution will be
mobilizing actions on the ground and inside the halls of power to: cancel
medical debt, end price-gouging, guarantee the right to free care and stop
predatory collection tactics. 

Sign up to plug into this important work and we’ll reach out with an
invite for the first team meeting Wednesday night following the Medicare
for All reintroduction rally with Bernie and Rep. Jayapal!

[ [link removed] ]JOIN US IN THIS FIGHT!

★ ★ ★

On Wednesday, we’ll join Bernie Sanders, Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Debbie
Dingell, and healthcare justice leaders to reintroduce Medicare for All!

If you’re near DC, come out and show your support for universal,
single-payer health care in America. This is a chance to show the strength
of our movement and the power of our demand.

[ [link removed] ]JOIN US IN DC

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Join us next Monday, May 22nd for our LIVE National Organize-to-Win
Broadcast with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to discuss his new
book Break the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police.

[ [link removed] ]RSVP

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[ [link removed] ]WHEN WE ORGANIZE, WE WIN!

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