Reply #42: Physcians for National Health Care meeting, Seattle 4-18

[eridani]

Dear PNHP members, Coalition Partners and Health Justice Advocates,

The momentum is building in favor of comprehensive health care reform. All across America there is finally talk of attaining high quality health care for all. For too long, millions of Americans have needlessly suffered with inadequate health care. Polls demonstrate that waves of discontent are washing over this country, and show a solid demand for a nation-wide solution rooted in dignity, equality and respect.

Many of you were able to join us on March 16th for the “Health Justice in Action” event at the University of Washington ’s Kane Hall. (Please see the attached editorial by Lance Dickie of the Seattle Times.) Dr. Quentin Young, Congressman Jim McDermott and Washington State Representative Sherry Appleton spoke about the prospects for health justice in our country. Dr. Young, a tireless advocate for universal health care, co-founder of PNHP and a winner of the American Civil Liberties Union’s 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award, spoke about the turning tide of public sentiment in favor of single payer health coverage. Congressman Jim McDermott entreated us to resurrect the idea of the common good in our struggle to promote a stronger and healthier America . Representative Sherry Appleton was recognized with PNHPWW’s Health Justice, “It takes a Spine” award for introducing the Washington Health Security Trust into the Washington State legislature this year. Dr. Bob Fithian offered a wonderful summary of the history of the Washington Health Security Trust (WHST) and Dr. Douglas Conrad gave an excellent presentation of the preliminary WHST Economic study. There were approximately 300 people who attended this event on a beautiful, unseasonable warm Friday evening, which in itself was a testament to the rising public support for comprehensive health reform.

As you know, opposition to major reform of the health care system is fierce, especially from those who profit at the expense of the common good. We recognize that in order to attain high quality health care for all we must remain committed and organized.

So… What is next?

April 18th, 7:00pm-8:30pm at Swedish Providence Medical Center Auditorium, we will gather to discuss and implement strategy. The following are proposed Task Forces through which we can attain focused action. Included is a brief description of potential goals and objectives that may be addressed in each group (certainly there will be room to expand or alter course as needed… the following are only guidelines for the different task forces). Recognizing that we are all busy people who can only achieve so much individually, the main goal of the April 18th meeting will be to organize ourselves into these task forces so that collectively we can make great strides toward comprehensive health reform.

Action Task Forces:

1. National Political Action:
a. Meeting with our Senators and Congressional Representatives to request support for comprehensive health reform.
b. Contact Committee Chairs in D.C. responsible for holding hearings on health reform.
c. Preparatory work for the 2008 presidential election. Support for candidates who offer a plan for comprehensive reform.
2. State Political Action:
a. Gathering support for the WHST bills in the legislature.
b. Meet with key people in Olympia to raise support for the idea of the state funding an actuarial study of the WHST.
c. Meet with Representative Cody and Senator Kaiser and get interim hearings throughout the state on health reform.
d. Communicating with city councils to gather endorsement for WHST
3. Community Action Outreach:
a. Speakers Bureau to engage local groups, legislative districts, community organizations, churches, synagogues, etc and ask for their endorsement of WHST and to join the Washington Health Security Coalition.
4. Outreach to Business Leaders:
a. Increase communication with business leaders to discuss the particular challenges the current health care system poses for businesses.
b. Request business endorsement of the WHST and for National health reform legislation.
5. Media Outreach:
a. Connecting with major media reporters and editors to gain publicity for comprehensive health care reform.
b. Write Editorials
c. Arrange a radio segment to discuss comprehensive health reform.
6. Outreach to Medical Professionals:
a. Contacting Professional organizations across the state seeking endorsement of WHST.
b. Circulating a letter or petition among health professionals calling for comprehensive reform.
7. Organizing Public Events as Fund Raiser:
a. Discuss the current idea of contacting Michael Moore for a film preview of his upcoming movie “Sicko” as a fund raiser.
b. Brainstorm other community education events that could be used to raise funds to help us with further action.

If you are unable to attend this meeting, but are intent on helping further the cause of health justice and comprehensive reform, please send me an email at Joannagarritano {at} yahoo.com describing which task force you would like to participate in and I will direct you to the proper contact person.

Please do not hesitate to join in the action… even if you are only able to dedicate a limited amount of time… there is much to be done and we need your support.

We are looking forward to seeing you on April 18th!

Best wishes,
Joanna Garritano, MD
Chair, PNHP WW

“All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.” - Victor Hugo

Meeting information and Location:
April 18th, 7pm-8:30pm
Swedish Medical Center/Cherry Hill (formerly Swedish/Providence)
500 - 17th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122-5711
(Between Jefferson and Cherry Streets)
To reach the Medical Staff Auditorium, take the stairs one level down from the Cafeteria.