But the work is just beginning!

Although it’s Christmas Eve, I wanted to share some exciting news: The Senate just passed a historic health reform bill. In all the back and forth, it’s easy to lose sight of what this incredible breakthrough really means. But consider this: This Christmas, there are millions of Americans without health insurance who risk losing everything if they get sick. There are mothers and fathers who wonder how they’ll provide for their children because an illness has wiped out their savings. There are small business owners who worry that they’ll have to lay off a long-time employee because the cost of insurance is rapidly rising. If we finish the job, all this can change. We will have beaten back the special interests who have for so long perpetuated the status quo. We will have enacted the most important piece of social policy since the Social Security Act in the 1930s, and the most important health reform since Medicare in the 1960s. In Decembers to come, millions more will have access to affordable coverage. Parents will have the security and stability of knowing their insurance can’t be revoked at a moment’s notice. And the skyrocketing costs plaguing our small businesses will be brought under control. When you make calls, write letters, organize, this is the change you’re making — a better life for your family and for men and women in every state. There is still more to do before I can sign reform into law — a last round of negotiations and final votes in the Senate and the House — and I’m counting on your help every step of the way. But for now, I hope that as you celebrate this holiday season, you remember that the work you are doing is making our union more perfect, one step at a time. For that, I am grateful to you. Merry Christmas and happy holidays, President Barack Obama P.S. — Organizing for America supporters are signing a note of appreciation to all the senators who have worked so hard to make this possible. I hope you’ll join them: http://my.barackobama.com/SenateLetter

I received this letter from SEIU. The letter should have also stated that all of us who truly understand this issue has the duty to explain to all our neighbors, acquaintances, and everyone we come in contact with the reason why healthcare reform as being constructed by this Congress is essential and in their best interest.

"We may not cure this crisis today, but we must start toward that end," said Sen. Harry Reid moments before a vote on the Senate floor. The Senate just passed their health care bill on a 60-39 party line vote. With this historic vote, we stand closer today than ever before to delivering the type of health insurance reform our members and every American across this country deserve. The Senate has taken the first step towards passing its health care bill. Now, the Senate, the House and the White House have an opportunity to deliver real reform, worthy of every American’s support. The next two weeks will be our last chance to fix the final bill. Start by signing onto an open letter. The House and Senate bills will shortly head into "conference," where Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Harry Reid and President Obama will hammer out a final bill by merging the two. Conference is an opportunity to fix what’s wrong with the Senate bill. It is also, in no uncertain terms, our last chance to do this right. Send a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid and President Obama, telling them to finish reform right. The final bill coming out of conference requires passage in the Senate and House, but no changes are allowed, so conference is the last chance we have to make things better. Today is the beginning of an aggressive campaign to put a good bill on the President’s desk. Two major issues must be addressed in conference: Health care must be affordable: Low and middle income families must be able to afford health insurance if they do not get it through work, and employers must be asked to provide good health coverage for their employees so health care is affordable on the job. We should not finance reform on the backs of middle and lower income Americans – but should instead incorporate provisions in the House bill that ask the wealthiest 5% of Americans to pay their fair share. We must hold insurance companies accountable: If the insurance companies win, we lose. Insurance companies must be held accountable with strong regulations and consumer protections, and we must be given the choice of a national public health insurance option available on day one. We must finish reform right. Sign now. Happy holidays, Jessica Kutch Online Campaign Manager SEIU.org P.S. Members of Congress use personal stories from constituents to decide their votes and illustrate why certain provisions are important. We’re looking for stories of financial hardship that illustrate why health insurance must be affordable. Do you or a family member have a story to share with Congress? Click here.