Thank you to Dr. Sunny Aslam in Syracuse for compiling these helpful tips for writing Letters to the Editor! Scroll down to see New Yorkers' Letter for New York Health! Sign up here to volunteer with the Letters for New York Health campaign -- as a writer, a letter submitter, or as a regional letters coordinator.
Write a Letter for New York Health
One of the most effective ways of communication about our work to #PassNYHealth and #healthcare4all is by writing letters to the editor of your local daily media. Newspapers and websites appreciate getting letters and printing them, though they often are unable to print all of them. Letters allow us to reach a wide audience, and educate them on critical issues. It can help activate others to get involved and stand up for universal healthcare. We also know that elected officials watch closely when their name is in print. With letters, we can call them out or let them know what we want them to do.
To increase the likelihood of getting printed, it often helps to:
- Refer to a healthcare article recently printed, even if only slightly related to heath care. These days this isn't hard with healthcare in the news so often.
- Follow all guidelines for the letter to be printed, which are often found on the media web site. There is often a word limit. Include your name, address, and phone number so they can confirm you are the writer.
- Tie the healthcare topic in with some education about The New York Health Act #medicare4all and why universal healthcare is such an urgent issue, possibly including a personal experience. For example, a physician will likely have anecdotes about how the broken health system affects their patients.
- Conclude with an ask, typically to activate someone to do something: a politician to support the New York Health Act, or for people to get involved in an upcoming event, etc.
Don't get discouraged if your first submission does not get printed. Like with all revolutions, persistence wins out. I have often even contacted the editor directly and asked why my letters were not printed.
Finally, have fun with it! It's nice to see your name in print.
Letters to the Editor from New Yorkers supporting New York Health (list in progress! Email a link of your published letter to [email protected])
UPDATED LIST AT http://www.nyhcampaign.org/press
- Health care must be a right in the US, Sarah Outterson-Murphy, Oneonta Daily Star, February 2, 2018
- The 3 Giants' Health Plan, Elizabeth R. Rosenthal, New York Times, January 31, 2018 (national focus)
- Support New York Health Act, Sarah Outterson-Murphy, Walton Reporter, January 31, 2018
- Health care is a state issue too, Sunny Aslam, Auburn Citizen, January 30, 2018
- Single payer health care could save state billions, Howie Hawkins, Albany Times-Union, January 29, 2018
- To drive down the cost of care, stay healthy, Tony Del Plato, Finger Lakes Times, January 26, 2018
- Sen. Valesky has abandoned progressive values, Marthe Reed, Syracuse Post-Standard, January 25, 2018
- Health care bureaucracy is killing us softly, slowly, Catherine Wolf, Riverdale Press, January 19, 2018
- A secret about New York Health, Madeline Zevon, Riverdale Press, January 19, 2018
- Representatives need to put our needs first, Katherine Mario, Oneonta Daily Star, January 18, 2018
- Universal healthcare is the key to improving NY's business climate, Howie Hawkins, Syracuse Post-Standard, January 18, 2018
- It's disheartening to see GOP attacking Medicaid, Richard Clements, The Buffalo News, January 12, 2018
- NY Health Act would benefit us all, Barbara Dyskant, Olean Times Herald, January 11, 2018
- Healthcare, right from the source, Helen Krim, Riverdale Press, January 12, 2018
- State Sens. George Amedore, John Bonacic should vote for the New York Health Act, Emilio D. Gironda, Jr., Kingston Daily Freeman, January 11, 2018
- Please keep the health care promise, Deborah Schiavo, The Riverdale Press, January 5, 2018
- Health Care An Important Issue, Bruce and Nikki Willard, Port Washington News, January 3, 2018
- Here's how we protect democracy in NY, Gioia Shebar, Middletown Times Herald-Record, December 27, 2017
- How about a focus on health? Helen Krim, Riverdale Press, December 22, 2017
- Vote for NY Health Act, Lisa Currie, Manhasset Press, December 13, 2017
- Support New York Health Act, Dr. Richard Weiskopf, Auburn Citizen, November 29, 2017
- Revamp health care, Sen. Klein, Barbara Estrin, Riverdale Press, November 17, 2017
- Put doctors back in charge, support New York Health Act, Catherine Wolf, Lohud (Westchester Journal), November 14, 2017
- Support for New York Health Act, Judy Jones, Binghamton Times and Sun-Bulletin, November 13, 2017
- No Copays, No Deductibles, Lower Property Taxes Sound Good?, Judy Jones, Ithaca Times, November 8, 2017
- National health care insurance within reach, Austin Irish, Watertown Daily Times, November 5, 2017
- Green party not getting coverage, Jim Brown, Newsday, October 30, 2017
- Health care for all, Barbara Nimri Aziz, Walton Reporter, October 25, 2017 (national focus)
- New York Health Act can protect state seniors, Elyse Segelken, Oneonta Daily Star, October 24, 2017
- Here's one senator's finest hour, Jerrold Goodman, Riverdale Press, October 20, 2017
- Don't be gun-shy on health care, Norman Danzig, Riverdale Press, October 20, 2017
- Klein is not helping Democrats, Jacqueline Gold, Annemarie Golden, Sarah Hughes, Judith Minkoff-Grey, Ruth Mullen, Dale Wolff, Sue Dodell, Riverdale Press, October 20, 2017
- Editorials are simply not emergencies, Ron Wegsman, Riverdale Press, October 13, 2017
- Klein drags down senate, Peter Beitchman and Judy Fletcher, Riverdale Press, October 13, 2017
- Big push for universal health care, Dr. Jack Gorman, Riverdale Press, October 13, 2017
- Pay less with single-payer, Betsey Knapp, Riverdale Press, October 13, 2017
- NY must embrace single-payer health care, Jennifer Kemp, Oneida Daily Dispatch, October 11, 2017
- Attend Galef Health Care Town Hall, Tracy Basile, Cortlandt Daily Voice, October 10, 2017
- Health care is being undermined, Edith Frank, Riverdale Press, October 6, 2017
- Passing health care reform in New York isn't easy, Senator Jeffrey Klein, Riverdale Press, October 6, 2017
- A secret about New York healthcare, Madeline Zevon, The White Plains Examiner, October 5, 2017
- Bringing single payer to New York, Patricia Mann, Cortlandt Daily Voice, October 3, 2017
- Universal healthcare would solve crisis of uninsured, Dr. Richard Weiskopf, Kaye Jager RN, Dr. Joel Potash, Syracuse.com, September 26, 2017
- Speaking in support of New York Health, Betty Gallagher, Glens Falls Post-Star, September 26, 2017
- Galef hosting forum on health care, Assemblywoman Sandra Galef, Cortlandt Daily Voice, September 25, 2017
- National health care program would benefit all, Anne Coen McCabe, Poughkeepsie Journal, September 22, 2017 (national focus)
- Can a "single-payer" health system work in America? letters by John R. Wisdom, Chris Protopapas, Judith Greene, and Marian Solomon Libinsky, New York Times, September 19, 2017 (national focus)
- Canadian health model would work in America, Richard Clements, Buffalo News, September 18, 2017 (national focus)
- We need to take the profit out of health care, Michael J. McGraw, Albany Daily Gazette, September 17, 2017 (national focus)
- Why Medicare for All Will/Won't Work, letters by Ellen Oxfeld and Elizabeth Rosenthal, New York Times, September 13, 2017 (national focus)
- Universal health care would save businesses billions, Dr. Sunny Aslam, Syracuse Post Standard, September 8, 2017
- Health care is a human right (pdf), Catherine Wolf, Examiner (Long Island), September 5, 2017
- Medicare for all is the solution, Dr. Sunny Aslam, Auburn Citizen, September 2, 2017
- Working Americans need affordable health care, quality education, Dennis Nave, Syracuse Post Standard, September 1, 2017 (national focus)
- Americans tired of unjust health care debate, Jocelyne Jesenof, Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin, August 21, 2017 (national focus)
- Stand up for single-payer health care, Renee Shanker, The Riverdale Press, August 18, 2017
- Health care in New York, Richard Gottfried, New York Times, August 16, 2017
- Single-payer system provides care incentives, Steve Keller, Albany Times-Union, August 11, 2017
- Profits should not drive health care, Ahmed Nizar, Auburn Citizen, August 10, 2017
- Support 'single-payer' health care in New York, Catherine Wolf, Albany Times-Union, August 7, 2017
- Time for health care for all, Helen Krim, The Riverdale Press, August 4, 2017
- Adopt Medicare for all as a solution to health care issue, Bryan Bunch, Poughkeepsie Journal, August 2, 2017 (national focus)
- Health care story was informative, Betty Gallagher, Glens Falls Post-Star, August 2, 2017
- Give universal health care a chance, Muguette Martel, Albany Times-Union, July 30, 2017
- Health care story was thought-provoking, David Bunn, Glens Falls Post-Star, July 27, 2017 (screenshot)
- Single-payer plan best health care delivery, Lawrence Cutter, Middletown Times Herald-Record, July 26, 2017 (national focus)
- A call to sponsor the NY Health Act, Dr. Sunny Aslam, Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin, July 23, 2017
- NY Health Act isn't so scary, Sarah Outterson-Murphy, Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin, July 23, 2017
- NY Health Act would save billions, David F. Lehmann, Auburn Citizen, July 21, 2017
- Single-payer health care would save money, lives, Sarah Outterson-Murphy, Oneonta Daily Star, July 20, 2017
- Senate should pass NY Health Act, Ethan Bodnaruk, Auburn Citizen, July 19, 2017
- Single-payer health care would benefit business, Carla Nordstrom, Oneonta Daily Star, July 18, 2017
- Sen. Little numbers are questioned, Agata Stanford et al, Glens Falls Post-Star, July 17, 2017
- Health care needs to be a priority, Charles A. Gowing, Auburn Citizen, July 12, 2017
- Single payer health plan would benefit our area, Michael Kaufman, Oneonta Daily Star, July 11, 2017
- Truly try to fix US healthcare, Ron Widelec, Long Island Newsday, July 11, 2017
- Senators should back progressive bills, Julienne Verdi, Staten Island Advance, July 6, 2017
- Argument against single-payer health care flawed, David Craig, Ithaca Journal, July 6, 2017
- We can reduce drug prices with single-payer program, Kathleen Warren, Buffalo News, July 6, 2017 (national focus)
- National health care makes the most sense, Sean Kaczmarek, Buffalo News, July 6, 2017 (national focus)
- Seeking aid through proposed health bill, Agata Stanford, Glens Falls Post-Star, July 3, 2017
- Senate bill shows need for single payer, Esther Confino, The Island Now, June 29, 2017
- Health Insurance is important, Judith Esterquest, Manhasset Press, June 28, 2017
- Nation needs a single payer health care system, David Minch, Poughkeepsie Journal, June 26, 2017 (national focus)
- Single-payer healthcare would benefit Americans, Richard Clements, Buffalo News, June 27, 2017
- The time has come for universal healthcare, Susan Woods, Syracuse Eagle News, June 23, 2017
- New York Health Act needs a public push, Terri Roben, Schenectady Daily Gazette, June 22, 2017
- Understanding various health care options, KJ Walters, Middletown Times Herald-Record, June 21, 2017 (national focus)
- Consider the savings with single-payer care, Judith Esterquest, Washington Post, June 20, 2017 (national focus)
- Urging Senator Bonacic: Support NY Health Act, Dr. David Nidorf, Middletown Times Herald-Record, June 20, 2017
- NY Health Act is the best option, Patricia Sprott, Schenectady Daily Gazette, June 19, 2017
- Single-payer is the way to go, David Minch, Middletown Times Herald-Record, June 18, 2017 (national focus)
- Lawmakers should pass New York Health, Kathleen Haggerty, Buffalo News, June 16, 2017
- Thanks to Trumpsters, people will die, Justin Latus, Utica Observer-Dispatch, June 15, 2017
- Healthcare Debate Misses Key Point, Gioia Shebar, Middletown Times Herald-Record, June 14, 2017 (national focus)
- Urge lawmakers to support single-payer, Glenn Sanders, Schenectady Daily Gazette, June 13, 2017
- Single Payer Health Care is Doable, letters by Myra Saul, Joanne Currie, and Jonathan Reiss, The New York Times, June 12, 2017
- Time for single payer health care, Esther Confino, The Island Now, June 8, 2017
- Medicare for all is the healthiest solution, Tom Ellis, Schenectady Daily Gazette, June 8, 2017 (national focus)
- NY State's Health Act could be answer, Tony Del Plato, Finger Lakes Times, June 6, 2017
- Ask senators to approve New York Health, Laura Potts, North Country Now, June 6, 2017
- Ritchie should support NY Health Act, Karen M. Johnson-Weiner, Watertown Daily Times, June 3, 2017
- Urge Sen. Ritchie to vote yes on NY Health Act, Michele O'Donnell, North Country Now, June 1, 2017
- Health care is a right, not a privilege, Scott Brinton, Long Island Herald, June 1, 2017
- GOP healthcare bill leaves too many uninsured: Urge elected officials to support 'Medicare for all' at state, national levels, Dr. Sunny Aslam, Syracuse.com, May 30, 2017
- Push State Senate to pass healthcare bill, Peter Looker, Schenectady Daily Gazette, May 29, 2017
- Faso must change ways regarding single payer system, Michael Kaufman, Oneonta Daily Star, May 26, 2017
- NY Health Act bill could benefit many, Gary Siegel, Middletown Times Herald-Record, May 15, 2017
- Senate should vote for NY Health Act, Tracy Frisch, Glens Falls Post-Star, May 13, 2017
- Sign for NY Health Act, Sarah Outterson-Murphy, Walton Reporter, May 10, 2017
- Single-payer health care advancing in New York State, Gary Siegel, Daily Freeman, May 10, 2017
- Universal Healthcare is the Best Bet for Us, Sarah Outterson-Murphy, Oneonta Daily Star, April 27, 2017
- Support universal health care in New York State, June Finer, Daily Freeman, April 15, 2017
- New York Health Act would expand coverage for all, Linda Resnick, Daily Freeman, April 13, 2017
- Sen. Seward must step up to protect upstate interests, Leslie Berliant, Oneonta Daily Star, March 24, 2017
- All people are entitled to quality healthcare, Sandy Przbylak, Buffalo News, February 2, 2017
- Trump needs to fix health insurance, Betty Gallagher, Glens Falls Post-Star, December 28, 2016 (national focus)
- A real gem, N.A. Harvey, MD, Glens Falls Post-Star, June 27, 2015 (national focus)
- Socialized insurance, not socialized medicine, Betty Gallagher, Glens Falls Post-Star, June 19, 2015 (national focus)
- U.S. Health care system is broken, Betty Gallagher, Glens Falls Post-Star, June 7, 2015 (national focus)
- You can't make this stuff up, Betty Gallagher, Glens Falls Post-Star, June 5, 2015 (national focus)