As Congress is working toward releasing draft legislation, President Obama has stepped up the executive branch’s efforts to encourage the efforts by launching a grassroots advocacy campaign, and using health care reform as the topic of his weekly “YouTube” address.

The campaign is called “Organizing for America (OFA)” and began June 6 with events all over the nation featuring a web address from the president.

Saturday’s events were a precursor to a “national health care day of service” scheduled to take place on June 27, 2009.

The Obama Administration takes a new approach to grassroots advocacy

The administration is taking a new approach to executive branch advocacy, and is working to utilize the millions of grassroots supporters energized and mobilized during the 2008 presidential campaign, to engage in a grassroots lobbying campaigns especially among the president’s goals on health care.

Obama also held a conference call with supporters last week from Air Force One where he said, “We need you to stay involved.”

“The election in November–that didn’t bring about change. That just gave us an opportunity for change,” Obama said.

Coming legislation will heat up the battle in Congress

Congress is in the process of releasing health care reform legislation in the coming weeks, which will set up a Congressional battle on issues such as coverage, health care payment reform and cost reduction.

IHA has outlined health care reform principles that show, from the hospital perspective, what Congress should consider while working on reform efforts this year.

What are your opinions on health care reform?

IHA is interested in hearing from citizens on the topic of health reform.

Leave a comment to tell us what you think!