The healthcare debate is top of news and tip of tongue across the nation right now--and MomsRising is working hard to make sure mothers are part of that dialogue. After all, over 80% of American women become mothers by the time they are forty-four years old. Yet frankly, all too often, the stories and needs of mothers and families are left out of those conversations, and, well, we all lose out when that happens.

Why do we lose out when we overlook the voices of mothers? The stories of mothers and families provide valuable real life lessons about the shortcomings of our nation’s healthcare system; and their voices will lead us to a healthier America.

To get those important stories heard, the MomsRising Team just put together an amazing book of personal healthcare stories submitted by MomsRising members from across the nation. This book of stories is going to be delivered in-person, in-district to U.S. Senate offices in every state by MomsRising members in the coming weeks; and the stories will also be delivered to all the U.S. Senators at the capitol in D.C. via volunteers later this month.

During these meetings, MomsRising members will be sharing their own stories and experiences with the healthcare system with U.S. Senate staff, as well as sharing the stories of the moms who can’t be at the meetings in person. (More specific info will be up on our blog soon about how you can be involved in these meetings. Stay tuned. To get involved now--or to find out more--email healthcare@momsrising.org ).

*Check out the MomsRising book of member healthcare stories at:

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/images/SenateMeeting_MomsRising%20Book%20Color%20Low.pdf

Our stories booklet starts with an image of a rising children’s pacifier along with the following statement, “We won’t be pacified until our broken healthcare system is fixed! Mothers know best: MomsRising members share their personal healthcare stories.” Please take a moment to open the link to the book of stories above and read the powerful stories of courage from MomsRising members in your state, as well as, from across the nation.

Stories from moms like Nancy in Florida, mother of three and a cancer survivor, who lost her job and now cannot pay for the potentially lifesaving test to determine whether she is in remission or not. Or Elizabeth in Michigan whose husband works for one of the Chrysler dealerships that just got “the letter” and fears bankruptcy because of continuing medical problems due to meningitis and encephalitis. Or Renee from Ohio who runs a small family business and has a beautiful 5 year old boy with hydrocephalus who needs a shunt to drain fluid down from his brain to his belly, and is without healthcare because no insurance company will insure him.

*Take a moment to share your healthcare story here

Why share our stories? Frankly, the voices and needs of mothers and families are too often ignored. But we ignore them at our peril. Moms know first-hand what it’s like to have a sick child who can’t get adequate care, and what it’s like to have to go off to work sick because you can’t afford to see a doctor or to pay for medication without prescription coverage. Nationally, seven out of ten working-age women have no insurance, are underinsured, or are in debt because of medical bills. And more than 40 million Americans – including millions of children – are still uninsured. For moms and families, the status quo is not an option.

Sadly, stories of struggling mothers and families aren’t unusual. They are far too common. It’s why we need health care reform now. And it’s why moms can’t afford to remain on the sidelines and are stepping forward now.