This morning, as I listened to NPR's coverage of yesterday's momentous override vote, I was struck by the significance of this moment for U.S. healthcare.

If you have ever doubted the idea that healthcare workers can build power to elect the next President and Congress—and win healthcare reform in 2009—yesterday's override of Bush's veto should leave no doubt in your mind of just how powerful an organized movement can be.  In the past month, healthcare workers rallied together and sent their message to Congress—that enough was enough, that a Medicare bill rewarding insurance companies while short-changing patient care is unacceptable. 

In the end, Congress listened to healthcare workers—not the insurance industry—with droves of Republicans in both the House and Senate reversing their earlier votes to join in on yesterday's override.  Thanks to all of you (more than 800 total!) who took part in our action to contact Sen. McCain and other members of Congress.

As I travel the country speaking to nurses, doctors, personal care assistants, pharmacists, acupuncturists and countless others, I'll be reflecting on what each of us, as part of Healthcare United, can achieve in the weeks and months ahead.

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