Our Effort re: HB 2644 is in trouble; YOU are the answer!
From: Peter McCarthy, ND Chair, TX Health Freedom Coalition
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A quote this evening from our lobbyist, James Jonas: "The grassroots needs to inspire, at least, one legislator to call the Governor. I am most disappointed in the lack of results."
Folks, we are at a critical moment in the Texas Health Freedom movement. As of today, not ONE state representative or legislator has been inspired by the grass roots to contact the Governor and ask for a veto of HB 2644. If we are to survive as a credible Coalition in the future, and do more than oppose bad bills,
we all MUST directly contact our state representative and senator and tell them we want them to ask
Gov. Perry to veto HB 2644. James Jonas has been able to get three personal friends in the legislature to contact the Governor. That is HIS doing alone. He's doing way more than his part. We need to do ours.
We have all been lulled into a sense of complacency that a single phone call, fax or e-mail is all we need to do to protect health freedom of choice in Texas. Nothing could be further from the truth. The citizenship model has forever changed. If we want to be a member of the complementary and alternative health care community in Texas, by definition we MUST take a more active role. That means we ALL have to do this!
I will be completely frank: our effort re: HB 2644 is in real trouble. There is an element in the legislature that believes ALL health care should be licensed, and they currently have the upper hand. I spoke with the chief of staff of one member who supports HB 2644 today, and was asked "Don't you think EVERY health care professional, for the safety of the public, should be licensed?" That's the mindset out there among some legislators. I was actually invited to a meeting Friday where the Texas Dept. of Health will supposedly decide who will be licensed, and who not, under this bill. They are already assuming they have won.
Why? Because we haven't been able to convince our legislators that this bill is very bad.
The onus is on us, and only us.
I know there is an intimidation factor at work here, as in… "What do I say when I call?" It's very simple. When you make the call, identify yourself as a constituent and tell whoever answers the phone that you want your Rep. (or Senator) to contact the Governor and ask him to veto HB 2644. Then, speak from the heart. Tell that person why this bill adversely affects you and your family PERSONALLY. Tell them how much you value your freedom to choose. Tell them how much good what you do gives to the community. Speak from the heart, and ask that your legislator ask the Governor to veto this bill.
For the last 2-1/2 years, a small group of dedicated people have given everything they have to defend and protect your right to choose. We are about to have much of that taken away by this bill. I personally don't want my own effort to mean nothing, simply because others choose not to act. I'll be perfectly blunt:
I and my colleagues have busted our butts for you. I'm asking you personally to return the favor, this once. It's your choice: apathy or activism. You decide.
Peter McCarthy, ND
Chair, TX Health Freedom Coalition
