Arizonans for healthcare freedom

the arizona strategy

 
 

The fight to protect your basic health care rights in Arizona isn’t new. It dates back to 2006, when Dr. Eric Novack set down the framework for what was initially called “The Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act.”

That proposal, broader than the current initiative, appeared on Arizona’s November 2008 as Proposition 101. With a modest budget, this truly grassroots effort drew some big name opposition: Then-Gov. Janet Napolitano, who engaged in a 24/7 radio campaign against the proposal.

The “no” side didn’t stop there – more than 1.8 million pieces of direct mail with blatant lies were sent out in 5 weeks.  The state Medicaid department was directed to circulate memos implying that the Medicaid system would be decimated, and vendors to the Medicaid system were pushed to fund an opposition.

Eventually, we on the “yes” side were outspent by a margin of 5 to 1.



Despite all this, and with extremely limited funds to get our message out to early voters, Proposition 101 lost by less than 0.5%, or just over 8,000 votes out of 2.1 million votes cast.



The New Effort

Unlike most of the country, the political landscape has improved in Arizona. 

We now have a Republican governor who will be supportive of this push to ensure patients’ rights (including exercising her considerable influence over Arizona’s Medicaid department).  Real discussions with various stakeholder groups have allowed us to significantly “tighten” the proposal’s language, allaying concerns while standing by our principles.  While we may not get the support of every group, we know where they stand, and why.



The leadership of the campaign remains with Bert Coleman of Coleman and Dahm. Bert has a long track record of successful initiative and candidate campaigns in Arizona, including leading Steve Forbes to his primary win here in 1996.  Dr. Eric Novack and Dr. Jeff Singer remain the chairman and treasurer.  Clint Bolick, of the Goldwater Institute, and co-founder of the Institute for Justice, is again providing legal advice.



What Will Victory Take?

With the revised Arizona Health Care Freedom Act having already gathered enough signatures to make the 2010 ballot, we can turn our attention to the tough work ahead. Without a doubt, we’re in for serious opposition – the kind that demands a serious campaign effort.

Based on the fervency of the national health care debate and the political landscape, we believe several different budgets are possible, ranging from $1 million on the low end to as much as $2.5 million.  Regardless of the dollars we have in the bank, a victory at the polls will require engaging more support not just from our base, but from groups who in 2008 didn’t have enough information to fully understand our proposal. We’ve already commenced an aggressive outreach effort directed toward social conservatives, seniors, women and the many thousands of Arizonans who every day seek alternative medical care.  We will also focus on grassroots efforts in Pima County, where Prop 101 fared the worst in 2008.



Why Freedom? Why Now?

Freedom and liberty in every facet of our lives has never been under such assault in America.


Standing up for principles – a government with limited power; health care centered on patients, not Washington; the right to be in control of your own health and your own life – has never been more important.

Think about it:



Health care is 16% of the U.S. economy.

1 in 8 Americans works in the health care sector.

Washington wants to control it all.

We must act decisively, honestly and boldly. But, above all, we must act now.