Right to Health Take Action Guide and Resource List

If you have 10 minutes…

• Learn the Facts.  Read our fact sheet on the right to health and then test your knowledge with our short quiz at www.discoverhumanrights.org/toolkit.html.
• Join a List-serv.  Sign up for news and action information on the right to health in the U.S from these health care advocates:
  • National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare www.nichq.org/listserv.html
  • Families USA Health Action Network http://ga3.org/familiesusa/join.tcl
• Take Action Online.  Send an e-mail to your representative online. Check out these sites:
  • www.capwiz.com/ams/home/
  • www.nationalpartnership.org/site/PageServer?pagename=takeaction
• Sign a Petition. Sign on to Amnesty International USA’s Health Care is a Human Right petition at http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=12025. 

If you have a few hours...

• Write a Letter.  Research and write a personal letter to your federal representative urging them to ensure that every American has access to adequate and affordable health care. Visit Families USA at www.familiesusa.org/resources/action-center/ for up-to-date information on health legislation.
• Host a Speaker.  Find a local health care advocate to talk about the uninsured, universal health care, international health care systems, or issues with public and private health insurance in the U.S. Panel discussions by uninsured individuals sharing their experiences can also have a tremendous impact.
• Educate.  Download our lesson plan and PowerPoint on the right to health and organize an interactive workshop for members of your community at http://discoverhumanrights.org/Right_to_Health.html.  

If you have a month...

• Host a Film Screening.  Invite members of your community to watch a documentary on the right to health in the U.S. For a great list of documentaries on the right to health available for free download, visit http://freedocumentaries.org/.
• Organize a Call-in Day.  Flood Congress with calls to advocate for a specific legislative action. To learn about current action issues related to health, check out the Families USA Action Center at
  www.familiesusa.org/resources/action-center/.
• Provide a Forum.  Organize a community meeting between health care professionals and low-income, minority or other under-represented groups. Discuss the obstacles and potential solutions for meeting everyone’s health care needs.
• Hold a Fundraiser.  Raise money and raise awareness for an organization that is addressing important health care concerns. Ideas include a bake sale, dinner, dance, car wash, pancake breakfast, silent auction, walkathon, bingo night, or anything that sounds fun for you and your community.

If you have a year or more...

• Join a Campaign.  Consider how you can influence change in a system that can sometimes be discriminatory. Get involved and volunteer your time for a national campaign on the right to health.
  • www.standupforhealthcare.org/
  • www.covertheuninsuredweek.org/
  • www.coveringkidsandfamilies.org/
• Volunteer Regularly.  Donate your time to a local hospital or health care nonprofit. Escort hospital visitors, provide support to cancer patients, or work as a community health educator. Find opportunities at www.volunteermatch.org or www.healthcarevolunteer.com.
• Document.  Monitor the right to health in your community. Gather stories from individuals about their experiences with the health care system. Document their stories through film or a written report and use it to educate local health care professionals and governments officials.