With the August Congressional recess quickly approaching, health care chatter on Capitol Hill has reached a fever pitch. While Republicans fight reform and Democrats fight back, it is easy to forget that the outcome of this debate will extend far beyond the beltway–and it’s the role of the people to remind lawmakers of that.

Regardless of what the Right has to say, the majority of Americans support health care reform. A recent report put out by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that 61 percent of Americans believe that it is more important to take on reform now than ever before.

For those in that majority, here’s how you can lend your voice to the discussion in a meaningful way:

1. GET EDUCATED

If the 1017 pages of the new bill are any indication, the bungled health care system will not be a simple problem to unravel or even understand. The new plan will create a complex mix of physicians, government agencies and private insurers. That means supporters of the bill must remain on top of the different policy arguments to ensure that the health care system they are supporting is the one that they really want.

Learn about the state of the current American health care system with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and read the latest from the country’s most prominent pundits and health care experts.

2. SIGN A PETITION

There is no easier way to show your support than signing one of the many online petitions that have popped up in the past few weeks. Let lawmakers know that you are among the millions of Americans who demand reform now.

State Your Support with the White House’s online petition, or join Organizing for America in their national campaign to reform the American health care system.

3. SPEAK UP

Policymakers need to know that their constituencies want health care reform, and there are many ways to have your voice heard. If you care about reform, so will they.

Write a letter to the editor, or call your local talk radio program. You can also contact your legislators directly.

4. LOG ON

President Obama is the first president to really embrace the internet as a major political tool. Much like the web revolution that was his 08 presidential campaign, Obama is banking on his supporters to not only drum up support for health care reform online, but also contribute to the discussion in a substantive way.

To show your support for the health care reform on your blog or social networking profile of choice, visit the Organizing for America site. You can also share ideas for mobilizing support for health care reform while you’re there.
Or, Tweet your support for reform.

5. TELL YOUR STORY

President Obama made an art form of framing hot-button issues through the stories of downtrodden Americans.  At last week’s prime time press conference, Obama told the story of a middle-aged couple whose daughter has been diagnosed with leukemia, and who have since been struggling to pay for her treatment. It’s a tragic tale of an American family being clobbered by a failing system, but it’s by no means an isolated one.

The president has called on all Americans to share their health care nightmares to build popular support for the measure. To share your stories–or contribute reform ideas–visit healthreform.gov. Non-profit news outlet ProPublica is also collecting health care testimony that it will investigate and publish for its readers online.

6. ATTEND AN EVENT

Obama’s presidential campaign was successful largely because of the grassroots, web-oriented mobilization of his energetic supporters. After Nov. 4, Obama’s massive political infrastructure was retooled to mobilize support for the White House’s policy initiatives. This year, health care leads the ticket.

The organization encourages Obama-supporters to host pro-health care reform events nationwide. To find–or host–an event in your area, visit Organizing for America.

7. BECOME A MEMBER

Sixteen years ago, then-First Lady Hillary Clinton made a push for health care reform without the support of certain key players in the medical industry. Hoping to avoid the failures of the Clinton Administration, this time around, President Obama goes into battle with the backing of the American Medical Association and the influential AARP.

Both organizations have launched campaigns to support the Obama plan, and both are asking its members to join in on the fight to reform health care. AARP members can get involved with Health Action Now! campaign. If you’re a member of the American Medical Association, see what you can do to help with the Heal the Claims Process campaign.

8. EDUCATE OTHERS

Health care reform is by no means a cut and dry issue, and it may be beneficial to speak to the experts to get a full understanding of what exactly is happening on Capitol Hill. Hoping to encourage a healthy conversation on reform, Physicians for a National Health Program sends speakers nationwide to teach community groups, trade associations and offices about the intricacies of the health care system. To invite a speaker, contact the PNHP.

If you’re a physician, you can download the American Medical Association’s Action Kit to take the lead in the health care discussion in your community.

9. GO LOCAL

Technology aside, grassroots organizing is about mobilizing supporters on the streets and in their communities.

Organizing for America is supporting a massive phone bank and canvassing campaign to get the word out about health care reform in communities across the nation. Even if you live in a Red State, interacting with voters may help build the support that the bill needs to pass.

You can also get involved with Health Care for America Now! in your area.

10. DONATE

All this advocacy work does not come cheap. Built on the populist paradigm that put Obama at the head of the fundraising pack, Organizining for America and Health Care for America Now! are asking its supporters for small donations to help keep their campaigns going.

photo credit: ZaldyImg’s Flickr photostream (creative commons)