- Blog
Taking the power to D.C. to build a bigger “We”!
- By Staff
To win progressive change, including a healthcare system that puts people over profit, we need to build a bigger “we” — a broad and powerful base of people who will fight for democratic control and systems that work for all of us. Center for Health Progress staff and eight of our leaders recently joined 900+ organizers in Washington DC for People’s Action’s Convention to hone our organizing skills and participate in four direct actions, with every member of our team taking on a role. Scroll down to learn more about what we were up to!

Senior Community Organizer, Yesenia Beascochea grounded us at the opening session by memorializing those we recently lost to oppression and violence. Sitting alongside people who had lost family and friends to the drug war, police violence, for-profit healthcare, and more, connected us all to our personal stake in the fight for liberation.
Margaret Comstock, Community Organizer who has been leading our #CareOverCost campaign in Pueblo, co-facilitated a workshop session on the campaign strategy and tactics used to force private health insurance companies to approve previously denied claims, and to stop their greedy practices. The Care Over Cost campaign is one part of a larger strategy to get everyday people to understand the intentional and toxic practices of corporate healthcare, and to build more power to finally win health care for all. Margaret also took the lead on the megaphone for our direct action targeting AHIP, private healthcare lobbyists, demanding they put people over profits! Fernanda Herrera, 15-year old leader from Pueblo, powerfully read People’s Action’s public demands for Care Over Cost.
Our organizers and leaders took their energy from the streets, straight to the Capitol, where they met with staff from Representatives Joe Neguse’s and John Hickenlooper’s offices, and the Senate Finance Committee on how we can get a healthcare system that works FOR THE PEOPLE, not for healthcare executives and corporations!
Y’all, we are bringing more knowledge, determination, and rigor back from DC, as we get ready to launch our campaigns in Fort Morgan, Pueblo, and across Colorado!
Want to support this incredible experience for our leaders? You can still donate!