Kudos to Congresswoman Suzan DelBene for being even more accessible by holding multiple town hall meetings during this Congressional recess. (‘Congresswoman DelBene hosts town hall event’ by Catherine Krummey, the Bothell Reporter, April 19, 2017.)

Her encouragement for us to speak out is truly the most effective way for constituents to make a difference, according to a recent study by the Congressional Management Foundation.

Speaking to, writing, or calling our elected representatives is most influential on their decisions. This was true early on with the passing in January of the READ Act by the House, to focus America’s effort to work with other countries to make sure all children get an education. As the Congresswoman mentioned, it was what made the difference in stopping the recent attempt to pass a health care bill that would have been a catastrophe for Americans, 24 million of them would have lost their health care insurance.

So how about we call, write, and v isit our representatives asking for affordable health care for all? Together we can effectively raise our voices to bring about this change.

Willie Dickerson, Snohomish