Divided We Fail Welcomes Leaders' Project to National Health Care Debate

By Nancy LeaMond

Divided We Fail has been working for more than a year to generate the political will so our leaders can bring forward specific policy ideas to address our health care and financial security crises. And our efforts are paying off.

We welcome the addition of the bipartisan Leaders' Project to the policy debate, and hope that others meet the challenge they have set and offer their own policy solutions to the health care and financial security crises we face today.

Bipartisan policy discussion, however, will not be enough to break through the gridlock of Washington. We need our elected leaders to realize that the political environment exists for serious discussion to take place. That instead of groups working to kill reform, we will all agree to sit down at the table and work toward solutions.

To that end, Divided We Fail is engaging individuals across the country. A half million people have signed our pledge, including the three presidential candidates and hundreds of their colleagues in Congress. Community forums are being held across the country to ensure that wherever a candidate goes, they are reminded of the importance of health care and financial security issues. Additionally, polling has shown that the issues of health care and financial security are among the top domestic issues when voters make their decision.

Bringing together these different organizations is sending a message that America is ready to break Washington's gridlock. Groups like the Leaders' Project – as well as the groups that make up Divided We Fail – will be critical as our movement continues to grow.

Nancy LeaMond is Executive Vice President, Social Impact at AARP.