In August of 2008, the Central Indiana Jobs with Justice chapter had a critical decision to make: whether or not to seemingly abandon our long time health care reform partners and H.R. 676 and join the national Health Care for America Now Campaign (HCAN), and position ourselves to become part of the largest coalition ever to take on health care reform. But a secondary question lingered too: Could Central Indiana JwJ position itself to become the largest social justice coalition in Indiana?
This decision came about at an interesting time, before the election that turned Indiana “blue” for the first time since 1964. With a limited number of progressive groups in the state, and a history scattered with part-time staff support, the organization decided to join HCAN and launched a state-wide campaign for health care reform.
Fast-forward eight months to a very different situation. Today JwJ leaders wonder how they could not be involved at this critical juncture. More than 22 organizers have been deployed to Indiana by liberal groups and unions with the conservative groups’ count unknown. There have been rallies, candle light vigils, town hall meetings, conference calls, street theatre and literally thousands of hand signed letters and phone calls to members of congress. The “honk for health care” signs seem to deliver the most satisfaction!
As with any coalition, the media can be both our ally and biggest frustration. A prime example is a press conference in Bloomington, Indiana where the Washington Post reporter had to ask us, “where’s the local media?” You win some and lose some, but with long term goals in sight, JwJ members aren’t discouraged.
Central Indiana JwJ can’t talk about health care reform without mentioning the gabillion pound gorilla in the room, WellPoint, the largest insurance company in the nation, which is headquartered in downtown Indianapolis. Serving as a rallying point for anyone wanting any ounce of health care reform, actions on WellPoint always reunite us with our Single Payer friends. For example, the Health Insurance Industry Hall of Shame event delivered the Golden Green Awards to the CEO and Board President, followed by a report release in April 2009 outlining WellPoint’s oversaturation of the Indiana health insurance market which has driven out competition and what little consumer choice remained.
As we near the end of this real health care debate, we’re relying on four guys in this state to deliver on what they’ve promised to our partners in side conversations at fundraisers or behind closed doors over the phone. These Blue Dogs say they’re on our side, but “don’t want to rush anything” and are “worried about the cost.” Not that we don’t trust them, but the letter writing, phone calls and rallies will continue, even when some constituents have been told to stop coming to the congressional offices.
Central Indiana Jobs with Justice, however, is no where near the end of our work. The question now is: can we position ourselves to become the largest social justice coalition in Indiana? Through our year long work on health care, thousands of people have been added to the database and hundreds more to our Facebook group. Something fortunately has been accomplished while we wait for this health care debate to really heat up in Congress. As a principle of direct action organizing, we’re always positioning for the next big Hoosier fight.
