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That's Mary-Sharon Howland, director of a food bank near New Orleans.[1] But the same problem is plaguing food banks and soup kitchens across America. This winter, a record 49 million Americans are going hungry because of the economy.[2]

Our country needs change that gets to the root of the problem, but we also need to help people survive the immediate crisis.

Here's a way to help: Feeding America is the nation's leading network of food banks—including one near you. For every $1 you donate, Feeding America can help provide 7 meals to men, women, and children facing hunger in our country.

Please contribute to Feeding America as generously as you can. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation before the end of the year:
http://bit.ly/7EOXWR

As progressives, we share a core belief that we're all in this together. We'll continue to fight for lasting change—and help each other weather this economic downturn.

Thanks for all you do, and happy New Year!

–Justin, Adam, Amy, Anna, Annie, Carrie, Christopher, Daniel, Danielle, Eli, Emily, Gail, Ian, Ilya, Ilyse, Joan, Jodeen, Kat, Keauna, Laura, Lenore, Marika, Matt, Matthew, Melanie, Michael, Nita, Noah, Peter, Scott, Stephen, Steven, Susannah, Tim, and Wes

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*Please click 'Like' below -- then 'Share' this with your friends*

Become a fan of MoveOn on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/MoveOn

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Sources:
1. "Kenner Food Bank may have to turn away needy," WWLTV Eyewitness News (Louisiana), December 23, 2009
http://www.wwltv.com/news/Kenner-Food-Bank-80023467.html

2. "Hunger in U.S. at a 14-Year High," The New York Times, November 16, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/us/17hunger.html

But lately it seems like we might as well have: news broke last night that Senate Democrats, under pressure from White House staff, cut a tentative deal to drop yet another piece of their health care bill—the Medicare buy-in—to make Joe Lieberman happy.

First the public option, now the Medicare buy-in—what's next?

This isn't what 70 million of us voted for last year. And it's time that the man we did vote for steps up to insist on real reform, rather than allowing Joe Lieberman to run the show.

Can you call President Obama immediately? Tell him that you're extremely disappointed in how the health care fight is going, and that it's time for him to stand up to Joe Lieberman and fight for real health care reform, including a strong public option.

Here's where to call:

The White House
202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414

After you call, 'SHARE' this note with your friends. They need to call President Obama too.

Thanks for all you do.
-Marika & the MoveOn Facebook team.


(Busy signal? Email the White House here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact)
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*Please click 'Like' below -- then 'Share' this with your friends*

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You've probably heard about a possible "deal" in the Senate to do away with the public option.

I'm here to tell you that this is no deal: it's a gift to Big Insurance, plain and simple.

The details are sketchy. The only thing that's really clear is the deal would drop the public option from the bill. With no public option, there's no guarantee of real competition. And without real competition, health care costs will continue to be out of control.

But the deal is far from done. If voters generate a massive outcry around this and progressive leaders in Congress fight back, we can fix it.

Can you sign a petition to leaders in Congress and the White House right away? Click here to add your name:
http://bit.ly/5210M5

The petition says: "You must make sure health care reform includes a real public option—it's what the majority of Americans want. Anything less is a gift to Big Insurance."

With no public option, the Senate "deal" is a giveaway to Big Insurance—and industry insiders admit it! One recently wrote "We WIN," in an email about the "deal."[1]

What's in this "deal"? Like I said, almost no one knows the details. That means that progressives who embrace it right now may be giving away the store without getting anything in return.

But here's what we do know: First, it might allow some 55-64 year-olds to buy into Medicare. Second, it might allow those without employer health insurance to buy private insurance the way federal employees do.[2]

So what's the problem here? A system of only private insurers simply will not control costs. Without competition from a public option, insurance companies have no incentive to compete—just like now.[3]

Enlarging Medicare is no answer. The Senate bill slows Medicare's costs only if they're rising faster than total health spending. But with private insurers running the show, total health spending will still be out of control.[4] Plus, we have no idea how many people might be allowed to buy into Medicare, or if it will be even close to affordable for them.

Health care reform must include a strong public option. It's key to controlling costs, expanding coverage, and forcing Big Insurance to compete. Without it, we'll end up with a national health care system controlled by a handful of very large corporations accountable neither to American voters nor to the market. And that is not even close to real health care reform.

Please sign the petition to House and Senate leadership and the White House today. The deal is still up in the air. If congressional progressives hold strong—and public demand for a public option is clear—then White House and congressional leaders will have to do what they haven't: put pressure on the few conservative Democrats to get on board and help pass real health care reform with a public option.

Click here to sign your name:
http://bit.ly/5210M5

Thank you for all you do.

–Robert Reich

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*Please click 'Like' below -- then 'Share' this with your friends*

Become a fan of MoveOn on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/MoveOn

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Sources:
1. "Insurance industry insider: 'We win,'" Politico, December 7, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85731&id=&t=13
2. "How a Few Private Health Insurers Are on the Way to Controlling Health Care," Robert Reich, December 10, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85742&id=&t=14
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.