Labor group touts 50k letters to lawmakers for health reform

A labor group is promoting a high water mark Tuesday of handwritten letters that have been delivered to lawmakers in favor of healthcare reform.

Working America, a labor group which is a community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, said in a release that it had now delivered 50,000 handwritten letters to members of Congress to support efforts to overhaul the U.S. health system.

“Fifty thousand people have taken time out of their evening to write a letter to their Senator or Representative telling their personal health care horror story,” said Karen Nussbaum, Executive Director of Working America. “Health care reform isn’t controversial -- there’s a consensus among almost every person we talk to in working class neighborhoods. People want health care reform. It’s time for Congress to act.”

The letters are part of a broader push by labor groups to bolster reform efforts as the House and Senate prepare highly-anticipated votes on the legislation. Working America will also work with the AFL-CIO this Thursday during the union's "national day of action" to drive support for the bills.