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Stacey Abrams Relieves Medical Debt for 108K People, Setting New Precedent for Democrats
Newsweek published a powerful editorial, "Stacey Abrams Just Gave Democrats a Blueprint for Saving Themselves."
New Political Precedent
Stacey Abrams' political organization, Fair Fight, set a new political precedent in October when it wiped out $212 million in medical debt for 108,000 people across five states. Not only did Stacey Abrams help thousands of Americans, she created a new standard for American politics—one in which politicians will be expected to back their talk with real action that uplifts communities.
Other Democrats should follow suit quickly if they want to see election/re-election in the coming terms. Democrats especially will want to follow Abrams’ lead to promote voter enthusiasm and increase voter turnout.
Spend More on People, Less on TV Ads
The traditional solution to turn out voters has been bombarding them with ads right before Election Day. America's political parties spent $14 billion on the 2020 campaign, $8 billion on ads. But for Democrats, it does not work. In the 2020 election, Democrats outspent Republicans almost 2-1 on TV, and 3-1 in the presidential campaign, but it barely changed the margins in polling.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Abrams takes a different approach. Instead of promising people benefits in the future, she engages potential voters by solving their biggest problems upfront.
Help Where You Can While You Advocate for Bigger Fixes
As an advocate for Medicaid expansion to help solve the crippling medical debt crisis in the United States, Abrams did not wait for the policy to change to help people. For $1.3 million, Abrams relieved $212 million in medical debt and made a huge difference in 100,000+ potential voters' lives. Being saved from bankruptcy is not something they will soon forget—something that can be said about very few political ads.
As the party aiming to serve the people, Democrats should follow Abrams’ lead and find creative ways to take action to serve their constituents before they even vote.
*Editorial summary of Matt Robinson's Newsweek Editorial "Stacey Abrams Just Gave Democrats a Blueprint for Saving Themselves."