Health care event thread

[eridani]

What with SiCKO causing so much of a stir, I though that health care events could use a separate thread. Please post any that you know about.

Panel Discussion on Health Care: From "Sicko" To Sanity : Doctors, Nurses, Caregivers and Activists Unite for Universal Health Care

Wed. July 18, 7 PM Seattle Central Community College, room 3202

Contact: Jesse Hagopian,[e-mail], 206-962-1685

Filmmaker Michael Moore's latest work, "Sicko" is opening up a debate across the country about the Health Care Crisis facing America . Seattle Area Doctors,Nurses, Healthcare workers and activists are joining forces to facilitate a panel discussion about how we can be part of a movement for a national healthcare plan that gives everyone the quality care they deserve. Please join the panelists for alively discussion on this important issue!

Featured Panelists: John P. Geyman, MD is professor emeritus of Family Medicine at the UW School of Medicine in Seattle . He is Author of "Falling Through the Safety Net" and " The Corporate Transformation of Health Care" and was founding editor of "The Journal of Family Practice". He also serves on the board of Physicians for a National Health Program Aaron Katz, CPH teaches health policy in the School of Public Health at the U.W., where he headed the Health Policy Analysis Program from 1988 thorugh 2003. He is editor in chief of "Northwest Public Health". Aaron received American Public Health Association's Award for Excellence in 2006 and the UW School of Public Health and Community Medicine's Outstanding Teaching Award in 2004.

Stacie Addison, RN graduated with a BA in Nursing from the University of Colorado in 1975. For the last 32 years, she has dedicated herself to providing quality healthcare--working with such diverse populations as rural migrant workers to the PolyClinic in Seattle 's Capitol Hill .

Sarah Wilhelm, MPH serves on the Board of the Community Abortion Information and Resource (CAIR) Project, a social service organization dedicated to removing barriers to abortion access, through providing financial assistance, information and referrals. Sarah also works developing training materials on HIV/AIDS care and treatment for health care workers in developing countries.

Kate Johnson, NAC is a home healthcare worker for Swedish Hospital, a union member in SEIU 1199 and an activist in the International Socialist Organization. Johnson's experience with grassroots organizing provides a model for how increasing numbers of people can build a movement for a single payer healthcare plan.

Sponsored by: The CAIR Project, The Green Party of Seattle. The International Socialist Organization

[eridani]

1. Olympia event 7/23

With the effective attention to our growing health care crisis raised by Michael Moore’s new movie “SiCKO” and the recent Community Health Care Forum held on July 2nd at The Olympia Center, we want to build on the momentum that has been created towards securing health care for everyone in Washington State and nationally.

Please join us for an open discussion and strategy-building meeting with local health care advocates.


DATE: Monday, July 23, 2007

TIME: 7:00 to 9:00 P.M.

LOCATION: Olympia Timberland Library, 313 8th Ave. SE
(in downtown Olympia)


Let’s keep the energy going and the dialogue flowing!

Contact: Linda Davis at lrsdavis {at} dreamlinque.net or [phone]

[eridani]

2. Help leaflet in Marysville 7/27-7/29

HCFA volunteers needed for Aqua- Fair/fest Marysville- 7/27-7/29

Please contact Rick Dewitt tel# [phone] if you can help with leafletting for Health Care For All Washington (HCFA) or contact me for more info.

Ruth Knagenhjelm HCFA outreach chair, tel # [phone]

[eridani]

3. Demand health care for veterans: Seattle, 7/28

FUND THE WOUNDED, NOT THE WAR! Demand full health care services for veterans.

Saturday, July 28
Noon -- Rally at Beacon Ave. S. and Columbian Way
March to VA Hospital
Proceed to Jefferson Community Center, 3801 Beacon Ave. S
2 p.m. Forum at Jefferson Community Center


Sponsored by: TROOPS HOME NOW COALITION IRAQ VETS AGAINST THE WAR, VETERANS FOR PEACE chapter 92, SEATTLE CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE ISO

The VA hospital is accessible via bus routes 36, 39 and 60

[eridani]

4. Thurston County health care group now meeting

Dear Friends,

Several disparate grassroots advocacy groups and many individuals in Thurston County who support universal health care have come together to form the new collaborative Health Care Coalition of Thurston County. We plan to “act locally” but also in conjunction with the Washington Health Security Coalition (WHSC), as well as our respective “parent” organizations.

I’ve described this Coalition in greater detail below, and I’m hoping that you and your groups and organizations can let others in and near Thurston County know about our Coalition and our upcoming meetings and events, etc. Thanks, in advance!

We’ll be including a link to the WHSC website (once it’s created!) at our eGroup’s web page at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HealthCareCoalition-TC/ , so we look forward to receiving these details once they’re available. Also, our new HCCTC is working on brochures and other public-education handouts which we’ll then share with other WHSC organizations.

Thanks so much for your ongoing involvement and support!

Sincerely,
Linda

~ PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY! THANKS! ~

Dear Friends,

We thank everyone who attended our “Beyond ‘SiCKO’ meeting on Monday, July 23rd at the Olympia Library!

For those who weren’t able to attend (but were with us in spirit!), we truly appreciate your help and interest in securing affordable, comprehensive universal health care for everyone!

At our July 23rd meeting, we formed the Health Care Coalition of Thurston County (HCCTC), which will work in conjunction with the statewide Washington Health Security Coalition (WHSC) on action steps towards our shared goal of universal health care. The WHSC is comprised of groups, organizations and individuals throughout Washington State including Washington CAN, Health Care for All – Washington, Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), We Can Do Better, the OMJP Health Care Committee, and other local and statewide groups and chapters.

The next meeting of our newly-formed Health Care Coalition of Thurston County will be held on Monday, August 20th from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. at the Olympia Timberland Library. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us! Also, please bring interested friends!

To be added to the e-list for our new Health Care Coalition of Thurston County, please go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HealthCareCoalition-TC/ or join by sending an email to HealthCareCoalition-TC-subscribe {at} yahoogroups.com. Yahoo!Groups will then automatically send reminder notices about this and future meetings, as well as notices of other events and actions, etc., to all eGroup members. We’ll also be sending out an agenda to everyone in the HCCTC eGroup in advance of our August 20th meeting.

Our first HCCTC “action step” will be handing out flyers and brochures to moviegoers as they exit the Capitol Theater in downtown Olympia when Michael Moore’s new movie, “SiCKO” is shown from August 11th through the 24th. Please contact me directly if you’d like to help with this leafleting. Also, please spread the word about “SiCKO” and encourage others to see it. It will be shown at the Capitol Theater, as follows:

Saturday, August 11 – 9:00 P.M.
Sunday, August 12 – 5:00 P.M.
Monday, August 13 – 9:00 P.M.
Tuesday, August 14 – 6:30 P.M.
Wednesday, August 15 – 9:00 P.M.
Thursday, August 16 – 6:30 P.M.
Friday, August 17 – 9:00 P.M.
Saturday, August 18 – 6:00 P.M.

Sunday, August 19 – 2:30 P.M. and 7:30 P.M.
Monday, August 20 – 6:30 P.M.
Tuesday, August 21 – 9:00 P.M.
Wednesday, August 22 – 6:30 P.M.
Thursday, August 23 – 9:00 P.M.
Friday, August 24 – 6:30 P.M.

The movie has an actual running time of 2 hours and 3 minutes, so we’ll be distributing our handouts in front of the Capitol Theater about two hours after each of these scheduled times.

Thanks so much for your interest and involvement!

Warmest regards,
Linda
360-918-8889

[eridani]

5. Des Moines 8/30: Sen. Keiser is sponsoring a showing of SICKO

8:15PM, Des Moines Cinema, Thursday August 30th
206-878-1540
22333 Marine View Dr S
Des Moines, WA 98198

Senator Karen Keiser is sponsoring a showing of _SICKO_ (for a voluntary $20 contribution) at the Des Moines cinema next Thursday night! This is great.

[eridani]

8. Additional info--

People should arrive at 8 PM, the movie will start at 8:15 PM
Donation: $20 per person, $25 per couple for her re-election campaign. Checks should be made out to Friends of Karen Keiser.

[eridani]

6. PNHP Western Washington meeting 9/19 in Seattle

Dear PNHPWW Members and Supporters,

It is time to get organized for the fall!

We hope you all have enjoyed your summer and we look forward to this
opportunity on September 19th to gather momentum in the fight to create
justice in health care.

***Mark your calendars... Wednesday, Sept 19th at 7pm, is the Next
PNHPWWGeneral Meeting at Swedish Providence/Cherry Hill Campus in the Medical Staff Auditorium.

Please see the attached summary for an update of current and proposed
activities for fall 2007. The meeting will focus on how we can take
advantage of the real opportunities we have to push HC reform forward in the coming months. Contact [e-mail] with any additional suggestions for meeting agenda. The final meeting agenda will be sent a week or so before the meeting.

Hope to see you all there,

Joanna Garritano, Chair PNHPWW
David McLanahan, Coordinator PNHPWW

[eridani]

7. Tacoma Proposition 1 kick-off event

You're invited to attend the the kick-off event for Tacoma's "Yes on
Propositon 1" campaign.

September 12th, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
IBEW Hall
3049 S. 36th Street
Tacoma, WA


Help Tacoma Send a Message



With strong grassroots support, local action, and advocacy we can
put the right policies in place. Passage of Proposition 1 gives Tacoma
a strong, authentic voice for health care reform.

Language of the Proposition:

The City Council proposes to adopt a Resolution asking State and
Federal
lawmakers to enact legislation providing access to high-quality health
care for all individuals.

Health care is your right!
Join the health reform movement!

Yes on Proposition 1!

Susan Eidenschink
Health Care for All -Washington - Pierce County Chapter
and League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County
253-572-9305

[eridani]

9. Health Security Trust meeting Seattle 9/9

WHSC Coalition membership meeting Seattle 9/9

WHSC will meet on Sunday September 9 at the Horizon House in the new
Social Room from 12:30-2:30 pm.

Agenda to follow soon!

Teleconference info will be sent to those interested.

[eridani]

10. Forums in support of Tacoma Proposition 1

Please join us in support of Propostion 1, Tacoma City Council Health
Care Ballot Measure to the Voters on November 6, 2007. Check out the
website at www.tacomayesonpropostion1.org. We have information cards and yard signs. Contact us to obtain information cards to distribute or yard signs to put in your yard. Attached are flyers for the Campaign Kickoff and the first Tacoma Health Care Forum.

Spread the word about the following upcoming events:

Campaign Kickoff - September 12th, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at IBEW Hall, 3049 S. 36th Street, Tacoma

Tacoma Health Care Forum - September 17th, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at
Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 1115 S. 56th Street, Tacoma

Tacoma Health Care Forum - October 22nd, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at UPS
Rotunda, North 15th Street between Alder and Lawrence, Tacoma

Sponsors of these events are: Health Care for All - WA - Pierce County
Chapter, League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County, America in
Solidarity, and Uplift International.

Many other organizations and individuals co-sponsored or endorsed this
effort from its grassroots beginning. They are Pierce County Central
Labor Council, Tacoma Catholic Worker, St. Leo Parish, Centro Latino,
Community Health Care, Pierce County Human Services Coalition, Pierce
County AIDS Foundation, Planned Parenthood of Western WAshington, Tahoma, Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans, Health Care for All - WA, Associated Ministries, Group HealthCooperative Tacoma Senior Caucus, Korean Women's Association, Micah Project - First United Methodist Church, Physicians for a National Health Program - Western Washington Chapter, SEIU 1199NW, Tacoma National Organization for Women, YWCA, U.S. Representative Norm Dicks, Retired State Senator Lorraine Wojahn, State Senators Rosa Franklin, Debbie Regala, Karen Keiser, State Representatives Eileen Cody, Steve Conway, Jeannie Darneille, Dennis Flannigan, Tami Green, and Steve Kirby.

Susan Eidenschink
Health Care for All - WA - Pierce County Chapter
League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County
253-572-9305

[eridani]

11. Health care forum at Seattle City Club 10/11

http://www.seattlecityclub.org/cpm.html

Thursday, October 11, 2007
A Conversation with Dr. Ezekiel Emmanuel, Chair, Department of Clinical Bioethics, National Institutes of Health
Moderated By Dave Ross, Host and Commentator, 710 KIRO
Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1113 Sixth Avenue Seattle

Registration: 11:30 a.m.Luncheon: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
$35/CityClub Members, $40/Guests and members of co-presenting organizations and $45/General public

Are you dissatisfied with the U.S. health care system? What about the lack of consensus on how to reform it? For most working-age families, health insurance coverage is directly connected to the workplace. But because of structural weaknesses in this traditional form of coverage, it is steadily eroding, especially for workers in the small business sector. Should reform be incremental or comprehensive? Should we build on the current employer system, or dispense with it? And should priority be given to reforming the financing system or to improving organization and delivery? Dr. Emmanuel has a unique diagnosis and prescription for American healthcare. Come and hear his prescription to change US care and coverage to offer true universality, individual choice, effective cost control, and competition based on quality of care and service.

Health Care Series Sponsor: University of Washington Medical Center
Thanks to our event chair: Karen Merrikin

[eridani]

12. Health care forum at Seattle Central CC 10/22

The SiCKO Cure: Building a Movement for REAL Healthcare Reform

MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 7:00PM
Seattle Central Community College, Room BE1110

Since Michael Moore’s latest film SiCKO was released in June, millions of people in the U.S. have reached the conclusion that health care is a basic human right and that it is the government's duty to ensure that all Americans have adequate and affordable health-care.

While all the politicians talk about “universal healthcare”, most of their plans so far are an attempt to funnel public money into greedy private insurance companies and criminalizing people without coverage. This is not what the polls show Americans want!

A debate about REAL healthcare reform in the United States is urgently needed if we are to win a truly universal, single-payer healthcare plan.

Please join us for a panel discussion on how we can build a movement in the US to win REAL healthcare reform that gives Americans what they want – a national health plan that puts patients before profits!

Speakers:
Larry Kalb: He lived in France under their Universal, Single Payer system for several years will provide an inspirational vision for what sane healthcare in the US could look like.

*Topic: The state of healthcare in the US, what is driving the crisis and why a national healthcare plan is the only solution.

Kate Johnson, NAC: Health care worker and activist from the Right to Health Care Now! group will speak on what activists are doing around the country to win single-payer healthcare in the US.

*Topic: the Massachusetts state “reform,” what it has meant for quality of care in that state, and why we should reject individual mandates as a step towards national healthcare.
*speakers to be confirmed

Endorsers: Right to Health Care Now! Seattle NOW, International Socialist Organization.

For more information or to endorse this panel contact: Kate Johnson 206-853-5866; [e-mail]

Seattle Central is located on Pine and Broadway in Capital Hill. There is free on-street parking or $4 garage parking on Pine and Harvard behind the school.

[eridani]

13. Canvass for Tacoma Proposition 1 in October

Thank you for offering to volunteer for Tacoma Proposition #1. Please be familiar with our web site content which will help you in talking with people. www.tacomayesonproposition1.org

Here is a current list of opportunities:

Sat. 10/6/07 Heart Walk, Tacoma 9AM-12PM at 10th And A St. downtown--Hand out flyers to Tacoma Voters and talk to people about the Proposition. Susan Eidenschenk will meet you there at or before 9 AM. She will have flyers and a sign

Sun. 10/7/07 Pierce County Hunger Walk, Jefferson Park 1-4PM, Hand out flyers and talk with people. Susan Eidenschenk will meet you there around 1 PM with flyers and a sign.

Monday, October 22nd--Health Care Forum at UPS, Rotunda 7PM-8:30PM. This forum will feature information about Tac. Prop. #1 and other measures which have been proposed to change Health Care Financing. Please come and bring any Tacoma Voters you can.

Saturday, October 27th--Doorbelling for Tac. Prop. #1, Meet at the IBEW Hall on 3049 S. 36th, at 11 AM. Reba and Todd will be organizers.

[eridani]

14. Help PNHP with Medical Association booth; Tacoma 10/5 and 10/6

Hello PNHP member and supporters,

This is a last request for volunteers to help out with the WSMA Annual
meeting booth in Tacoma this Friday and Saturday, Oct 5-6, at the Tacoma
Sheraton Hotel, 1320 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma, 98402. We'd like to have 2
people there at all times between 7 AM to 5 PM. So far we have eight people
signed on, but most with limited time availability.

Car pooling will be available.

If you can carve out the time, please join us on a conference call on
Wednesday at 7PM.

Call in # 1 800 444-2801, code 4036792


Regards

David McLanahan
Coordinator, PNHPWW

[eridani]

15. Rally for children's health care; Bellevue 10/2 and 10/3

Children's Alliance, an activist arm of Children's Hospital, plans to join Eastside progressives to hold a health care rally in support of SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) at Bellevue's Overlake Hospital on Tuesday evening.

What: Rally For Children's Health Care.

Where: Overlake Hospital campus in front of the tall office building, near the "Children's Clinic", 1035 116th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

When: Tuesday (Oct 2) evening at 6:00 PM. (An additional rally may be held at the same time on Wednesday evening.)

Contact: Sherry Weinberg, M.D. (206-465-5753) .

Details: President Bush has promised a veto of the SCHIP "State Children's Health Insurance Program" Bill. This is landmark legislation designed to protect America's children. To discourage Bush from vetoing (or to encourage Congress to override the veto, as the case may be), we need you & your family to attend our rally.

Children's Hospital is putting together a publicity package to put out to the media. They're delighted by our support.

Bring your kids! Bring markers & signboards and we'll create signs together!

Please note: this event is being coordinated with the full support of Children's Hospital.

[eridani]

16. Looks llike there were quite a few of these

I'm swing shift, and so could not attend.

SCHIP Rally - Thursday Evening @ 5:30 PM

Hello Everyone!

We have the date and time for our rally settled. It will be:

Thursday, Oct. 4th at 5:30 PM - corner of Sprague & Post

I realize there was some confusion with an email sent out by Noah Winer earlier. There is only one event, and it is at 5:30 PM.

If you haven't already done so, please copy the link below into your browser and sign up.

See you tomorrow!
- Melanie Vance
- 995-7283


heard there were about 200 people who turned out for Move On's local Operation Democracy action last time, so let's do it again!
Lynnette

To my fellow Operation Democracy volunteers:

As you probably already know, the President today vetoed the reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), thereby denying needed health care coverage to 10.4 million children in lower income families nationally.

In response, the Bellingham Council of Operation Democracy (the local action arm of MoveOn.org) has organized an energency rally in front of the Bellingham Herald Building to express our outrage and to demand an override of the veto. That action is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday. Oct. 4) at 6pm.

Please make plans to be there, bringing children and grandchildren with you. A large turnout is necessary to attract press coverage

Again, the details of this important event are:

Rally for Children's Health Care
In front of the Bellingham Herald - Corner of State & Chestnut
1155 N. State. St., at Chestnut
Bellingham, WA 98225
Thursday, 4 Oct 2007, 6:00 PM

There are over 20 of us already signed up. If you have not, you can use the link below to officially sign up or you can simply show up.

http://political.moveon.org/event/childrenshealth/40960

Operation Democracy is not alone in calling for the United States to join ALL of the other civilized nations of the world in guaranteeing ALL of its citizens access to health care. Bellingham's United For National Health Care is a prime mover in the cause. It is holding a rally at the South end of the Farmer's Market, beginning at noon this Saturday (October 6) calling for health care for all. Please make every effort to attend that event as well.

Looking forward to seeing you both tomorrow night and Saturday. Together, as citizen activists, we can make a difference.

Thanks,

Bob Burr


Click to RSVP for an emergency rally:

http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=41010&id=11329-5613343-n5_8RZ&t=9


P.S. Can't make this event? Here are a few other events near you:

Rally for Children's Health Care
Congressman McDermott's Office (on street) - 7th & Olive, Seattle at 5:30 PM—RSVP

Rally for Children's Health Care
The Intersection Of NE 8th St & 116th Ave. NE, Bellevue at 6:00 PM—RSVP

Rally for Children's Health Care
Uptown 4 corners (Bank Rd & Vashon Hwy), Vashon at 6:00 PM—RSVP

Rally for Children's Health Care
Outside Starbucks in Maple Vallley at 4 Corners and Maple Valley Highway, Maple Valley at 6:00 PM—RSVP


http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/index.html?submit=1&search_distance=30&search_zip=98168&action_id=97

[eridani]

17. Senator Keiser to discuss Healthy Washington plan at PNHP-WW meeting; Seattle 10/24

Hello Washington Health Security Coalition.

Mark your calendars for October 24th, 7pm. Washington State Senator Karen Keiser, Chair of Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee, will discuss “Healthy Washington,” a proposal crafted to provide health care coverage to 98% of Washingtonians. Her proposal would expand the Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB) program to cover most residents while creating substantial savings for state and local governments and families with incomes below $50,000.

This meeting will be held at the Swedish Cherry Hills Campus in the Medical Center Auditorium. It is open to the public so please pass the word on to others who might be interested in attending.

Attached is a flier for distribution.

Best wishes to you all!
Joanna Garritano

[eridani]

18. Transgender health fair 10/6 in Seattle

Verbena Transgender Health Fair

Verbena's Transgender Health Fair will be taking place, Saturday, October 6th from 11am-5pm at Seattle Central Community College. This year's fair will include several trans-focused workshops, screenings, and vendor tables!

See the event poster (.pdf) which has much more info.

http://www.verbenahealth.org/thf.pdf

[eridani]

19. Heatlh Care "wargame" in Olympia 10/20-10/21

HEALTH-STRAT
Reforming Washington’s Health Care System
An exploratory wargame
Evergreen State College
Sem II Building, Room B 1107
Olympia, WA

Saturday, 20 October 9-4:30
Sunday 21 October 9-3:30

What will you do? You will join a group of concerned citizens and health care professionals. Working in small teams, each representing one of the sectors of our health care system, your team will grapple, step by step, with the problems of reform. After presenting those ideas to the full group, we’ll take an instant poll to test which ideas have the most oomph. With a series of those steps we’ll have explored many possible elements of a practical health care reform strategy.

What will be done with the results? Two things: We will provide a concise report to all of the participants with a view to enriching the discussion of health reform, and we will take the results to the House leadership with a view to developing concrete legislative proposals.

Why is this being held at Evergreen State College? Evergreen is co-sponsoring Health-Strat as a teaching exercise. About 30 Evergreen graduate students will participate for course credit in public sector strategic planning. The Evergreen students will represent “the public” as well as taking roles in helping conduct the game and writing up the results.

This is not pre-cooked. We’re looking for your creative ideas. One of the advantages of a live wargame-style simulation is that we can take the game in the directions indicated by the dynamics among the players.

What will you get out of this? Participants in these kinds of role-playing simulations can expect to walk away with deep, fresh insights into the paths to practical health care reform. We can almost guarantee you an interesting, stimulating two days.

RSVP. Please confirm your participation to Hannah Johnson at my district office by e-mail to [e-mail] or by phone to our 26th District office 253.858-1013. Please be sure we have your e-mail, phone and mailing address. We also ask that you send us a very short personal bio – one or two sentences to introduce yourself and your role in the overall health care system. We’ll include this material in the game packet.

PS: Bring your game face! We look forward to seeing you at 9 on Saturday, October 20th at Evergreen.

[eridani]

20. Another MoveOn SCHIP vigil 10/16 in Bellevue

Can you attend a local Vigil to Save Children's Health Care in Bellevue this Tuesday at 6:00 PM? Here are the details and a link to RSVP:

WHAT: Vigil to Save Children's Health Care in Bellevue
WHERE: The Intersection Of NE 8th St & Bellevue Way
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct 16 2007, 6:00 PM
RSVP—Click here:
http://political.moveon.org/event/kidshealthvigil/?event_id=41209&id=11396-5613343-D3mWqL&t=3

A veto-proof majority has already voted for kids' health care in the Senate. To win in the House, we need to keep the votes we have and pressure several more members to switch sides. Now is the time to ratchet up the pressure on every member of Congress to override Bush's veto.

Media have already shown interest in reporting on local events that highlight this important issue—so we need good crowds at Tuesday's events. If you have kids, bring them! We'll hear stories from families affected by kids' health insurance and light candles in their honor. Afterward, we'll pass out fliers to the public—asking them to call Congress.

Here are some more examples of MoveOn member stories we'll hear at Tuesday night's vigils:


"Poor children are not disposable. My cousin died at age 16 from a 'cold and cough'...and my aunt's inability to obtain an x-ray that would have shown the tumor crushing his lungs and heart. Despite poverty, his three brothers grew up to be good, productive, and intelligent tradesmen. Who knows what he would have accomplished if he was insured?"
–Christine R., Somerville, MA

"Several years ago my cousin John, then in his early teens, was diagnosed with bone cancer. Today he is 'living strong' and cancer free. Without the Colorado children's health insurance program, he would not be here today. SCHIP provides to poor and working families the hope that children who get sick can have access to quality care and most importantly can get well. Congress should immediately override the president's veto and should pass the children's health insurance program—our kids deserve it."
–Geraldine M., Alexandria, VA

There are literally millions of stories like these. Together, we can pressure every member of Congress to do the right thing and stand up to President Bush on behalf of America's children.
Can you attend a local Vigil to Save Children's Health Care in Bellevue this Tuesday at 6:00 PM? RSVP here:

http://pol.moveon.org/event/kidshealthvigil/?event_id=41209&id=11396-5613343-D3mWqL&t=4

Thank you for all you do.

–Noah, Adam G., Anna, Natalie, Justin, and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team
Monday, October 15th, 2007

[eridani]

21. Health cvare movie and discussion 11/16 in Seattle

Friday, November 16, 2007, 7-9:30 PM
Film: "SALUD!" (93 min, Connie Field, 2006)

With a Panel Discussion on National Healthcare, followed by a community conversation with The Washington Community Action Network (WASHCAN).

SALUD! traces the conflicting agendas in the quest for global health. Filmed in Cuba, South Africa, The Gambia, Honduras and Venezuela, it documents the philosophy and experience of a community-oriented, preventive and universal health care model. . SALUD! explores the curious case of Cuba, a cash-strapped country with what the BBC calls 'one of the world's best health systems. SALUD! challenges us to think about the larger questions: Do governments have a responsibility for the health of their citizens? How do we get enough doctors and health workers to where they are needed most?

The Panel will include Dr. David Mc Lanahan, Western Regional Coordinator for Physicians for a National Health Program; Dr. Michael Lippman, Family Physician with Seattle-king County Public Health and Board member of Western Washington Chapter of Physicians for a National health Program; Tom Warner, long time community activist with Seattle/Cuba Friendship Committee and Patricia Scott with Washington Community Action Network.

Facilitated discussion to follow. (Event is FREE and open to the public! ..but Donations are kindly accepted).


Wallingford Neighbors for Peace and Justice
"Friday Night At The Meaningful Movies"

Social Justice Films & Community Discussion ...Every Friday Night
Always FREE and open to the public (…donations appreciated)

All Films At: Keystone Church, 5019 Keystone Place N., Seattle (Wallingford)

0.4 miles west of the I-5 50th St. Exit - Metro Bus Routes 16, 26 & 44
Free! - Donations Very Much Appreciated!!

www.MeaningfulMovies.org

[eridani]

22. PNHP-WW meeting Seattle 11/14

Agenda for PNHPWW November 14th monthly meeting
Swedish/Providence/Cherry Hill Campus
500 17th Ave, Seattle
Medical Staff Auditorium, 7-8:30 PM


7:00 Introductions – Don Mitchell
Coordinator’s Report – David McLanahan
New chair for PNHPWW Legislative Committee - Don
Update on the Washington Health Security Coalition – Don
Preliminary planning for the 2008 PNHPWW Annual Public Meeting - Don
2007 National PNHP Annual Meeting report– Don, David, Gayle Palmer, Colin Dauria
8:30 Adjourn, set next meeting

[eridani]

23. Bellingham universal health care meeting 11/29

UNHC

November General Meeting - November 29
Healthcare-Now T-Shirts

UNHC General Meeting

Thursday, November 29
Union Center
1700 State Street, Bellingham
7:00 pm

Agenda to include:
new video on HR 767 Congressional Teach-In last April featuring Michael Moore and Senator John Conyers
health care cards
Sicko Road Show in CD2
UNHC Action MLK Day

Get Your Healthcare-Now T-Shirt!!
S, M, L, XL - $15; XXL, XXXL - $18

go to www.healthcare-now.org for picture (scroll way down)

order from Len Surdi at 360-714-8999 or lensurdi {at} gmail.com

[eridani]

24. Donna Smith (SiCKO patient) to be at SCCC movie showing 12/3 in Seattle

Join Donna Smith for a special Seattle screening of SiCKO!

When: Monday, December 3 at 1:00 and 7:00pm
Where: Seattle Central Community College - Room BE1110

Since the release of Michael Moore's expos=E9 of the health insurance industry, SiCKO, it has been making waves around the country. It has shaken the health insurance companies' confidence, inspired outrage in average citizens, and spurred the creation of a host of activist groups organizing for universal, single-payer healthcare. Patients featured in the film, like Donna Smith, have been at the forefront of the healthcare movement.

As we head into the 2008 presidential elections, all the leading candidates are telling us that single-payer health care is unrealistic and unwinnable. But SiCKO shows clearly that single-payer is both necessary and achievable in the United States. Michael Moore's emphasis on building a movement for single-payer universal healthcare is an urgent task for activists and healthcare workers today.

So if you mised SiCKO the first time around or would like to see it again, join Donna Smith and Right to Health Care Now! for this special screening of the film!

Who is Donna Smith?
Donna Smith is a featured patient in the movie SiCKO, and like many of us she is fed up with the state of the health care system in the United States. Since her appearance in the movie, Donna has founded American Patients for Universal Health Care (APUHC), and has been very active in fighting for free and equal health care for everyone. She is currently touring the country and speaking about her experience making the movie and building a movement.

For more information about Donna Smith and APUHC go to:
http://www.apuhc.com
http://www.donnassmith.com

Sponsored by: Right to Health Care Now
Physicians for a National Health Program
Health Care for All - Washington
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society - SCCC Chapter
International Socialist Organization
Seattle/King County Older Womens' League

For more information or to sponsor this event, contact Kate Johnson at 206-853-5866 or email righttohealthcarenow {at} gmail.com

Seattle Central is located at Pine and Broadway in Capital Hill. There is free on-street parking or $4 garage parking on Pine and Harvard behind the school.

[eridani]

25. PHNP-WW meeting in Seattle 12/12

Below is the preliminary agenda for our meeting on the 12th at 7PM at the Swed/Prov/Cherry Hill Campus Medical Staff Auditorium.

The meeting will focus on our plans for the 2008 legislative session and the fall elections. The PNHP national office has been working hard on a strategic plan, as has our PNHPWW Legislative Committee.

We will also discuss plans for the PNHPWW Annual Public meeting that will focus on the community effects of uninsurance. Dr. Brent Asplin, Director of Emergency Medicine at Regions Medical Center in St. Paul, Minn, who has done lots of research in this area will give a presentation. Mike Kriedler has also confirmed his willingness to be a speaker. Hopefully, by the 12th we will be able to confirm Jim McDermott and the date as Friday, Feb 8th or Saturday, Feb 9th.

Attached are some messages forwarded from the national office, including one from Quentin Young commenting on the news that the American College of Physicians has endorsed single payer as one of two options for health care reform. "They noted that single payer systems have the advantage of being "more equitable, have lower administrative costs, have lower per capita health care expenditures, have higher levels of patient satisfaction, and have higher performance on measures of quality and access than systems using private health insurance." The ACP did not endorse the ³marketplace² as a
realistic approach to control costs or improve quality, much less improve access.

Hope to see you on the 12th

David McLanahan
Coordinator, PNHPWW

Agenda for PNHPWW December 12th monthly meeting

7:00 Introductions ­ Don Mitchell

Coordinator¹s Report ­ David McLanahan
Recent Activities
upcoming Activities

PNHPWW Annual Public meeting ­ latest news ­ Don

PNHP national strategy in Congress and for the fall elections ­ David
McL

PNHPWW Legislative Committee report ­ Tina Shereen

8:30 Adjourn ­ set next meeting

[eridani]

26. Health care groups to lobby on January 16th

Various health care advocacy groups, including our statewide Washington Health Security Coalition (WHSC) and others will be participating with the Healthy Washington Coalition and Washington CAN, et al. at the Healthy Washington Lobby Day in Olympia on Wednesday, January 16, 2008. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend and encourage others to join us in Olympia for this important show of solidarity behind the issue of health care reform.

There will be a training workshop at 10:00 AM for all interested participants and then we'll meet with legislators and aides at the State Capitol for the balance of the day (until approximately 4:00 PM). The exact location for the training portion will be provided, as the date approaches, to those who have registered.

In addition, Washington CAN and other organizations will be holding a “People’s Summit & March on the Capitol” and Lobby Day on the Martin Luther King holiday on Monday, January 21, 2008. This all-day event will also have a training workshop (at 9:00 AM in a location to be announced to those who have registered) and then scheduled meetings with legislators, aides and others (until 4:30 PM). This full Lobby Day will also include a March to the Capitol to "End Poverty, Expand Opportunity." Transportation will be provided for those who can't march.

It's important that we health care reform advocates show up in great number to show our support, especially on January 16th, so please forward this email to members of your respective organizations and to family, friends, associates and others.

If you can attend one or both of these Lobby Days, please register through the link provided below by Washington CAN. Also, please download and post flyers for this January 16th event using the link below.


See you at the State Capitol! Thanks for your interest, support and involvement!

Sincerely,

Linda Davis
Co-Chair, WHSC Legislative Committee
[phone] ext. 705 (toll-free)

[uppityperson]

27. ACLU, PP and NwWLC appeal fed judge ruling (Plan B/pharm/moralities)

Not an event to particularly participate in now, but would be good to send letters of support, or donations if wanted (to any of the 3 participants).

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004068628_dige13m.html
Birth-control pill ruling is appealed

Seattle

The American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood and the Northwest Women's Law Center are appealing a federal judge's ruling that Washington pharmacies do not have to sell "morning-after" birth control pills if their pharmacists have moral objections.

A federal court judge in Tacoma issued an injunction last month preventing the state from enforcing a rule that pharmacies make the drug available.

The organizations appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week, saying the ruling misconstrues legal precedent, and they asked the judge to stay the injunction while the appeal is pending.

Critics consider the pill tantamount to abortion, although it is different from the abortion pill RU-486 and has no effect on women who already are pregnant.

[eridani]

28. Health care conference call with Rockridge Institute

From: Eileen Grobecker
Egrobeck {at} aflcio.org

Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 2:27 PM
To: Eileen Grobecker
Cc: Denise Mitchell; Gerald Shea; Heather Booth; Nick Unger; Shannon
Harvey
Subject: Health Care Teleconference with Celinda Lake and George Lakoff
A message from the AFL-CIO
Join us in a Health Care Conversation
on how to have more effective
health care conversations
with Celinda Lake and George Lakoff
Thursday, December 20th
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST.

This special event will be both a teleconference and a conference call.
For those in the Washington, DC area, the teleconference location is the
IBEW Hall at 900 7th St NW at I Street. Seating is limited, so please
rsvp. The call in number will be sent to all who rsvp.

The AFL-CIO has asked our friends and partners Celinda Lake and George
Lakoff to share their expertise on how to have good health care
conversations. Richard Kirsch, working with the Herndon Alliance, will
also be part of the organized conversation, speaking from his organizing
experience. We think having the right conversations is a key to success
in any campaign, but especially for an issue like health care which
touches everyone so personally.

Having effective conversations is not just a challenge for unions, so we
are opening this special teleconference call to all our allies in the
struggle to make sure that In America, No One Should Go Without Health
Care.

Lakoff and Lake have much more to say than we will be able to hear on
December 20th. Here are links to some of the work Celinda and Richard
Kirsch have done with the Herndon Alliance and to some of the work
George and several colleagues have done at the Rockridge Institute.
Check them out before December 20th if possible.

http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/health
http://herndonalliance.org/HA2/pdf/presentationNov2-PWF.pdf
http://herndonalliance.org/HA2/pdf/WinningHC_reform-final.pdf

Setting up a teleconference and a conference call together is a
technical challenge, so please let us know if you will be a taking part
in this vital conversation by responding to this e-mail or calling the
AFL-CIO Health Care Campaign at 202-637-5386.

[eridani]

29. Annual Physicians for a National Health Plan-WW meeting: Seattle 2/10

Hello PNHPWW members and supporters,


Our 2008 PNHPWW Annual Public Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 10th,
at 7PM at Kane Hall on the University of Washington Campus. The focus will
be on "The Community Effects of Uninsurance." We believe that this topic
resonates throughout our communities and has a very wide appeal. Our
keynote speaker will be Dr. Brent Asplin, ER Director at the Regions Medical
Center in St. Paul, Minn. He has done extensive investigation and published
widely on this topic - the so-called "spillover effect." Our other speakers
will be Congressman Jim McDermott and State Insurance Commission Mike
Kriedler (final confirmation pending). Last year, more than 300 people
attended. This year, our goal is 500. We believe that this is the year¹s
best opportunity for PNHPWW to reach out and recruit others to our efforts
to bring comprehensive health care to everyone. In order to attract this
large audience, admission will be free and we will publicize widely.


For this ambitious program to maximize its potential, we do need financial
support for venue and speaker expenses, publicity, literature handouts, etc.
We are asking all our members and friends, who can, to make a tax-deductible
contribution of up to $50 to underwrite this plan. Donations can be mailed
to PNHPWW, 8424 California Ave SW, Seattle, Wa 98136, or contributed online
via credit card through our website -
https://secure.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/PNHP/shop/custom.jsp?
donate_page_KEY=2229&t=WWTemplate.dwt (select "Educational Projects" on the
pull down menu).

We are very excited about the meeting and prospects for advancing health
care for all in 2008.

Happy Holidays

Don Mitchell, Chair, PNHPWW
Hugh Foy, Vice-Chair PNHPWW
David McLanahan, Coordinator PNHPWW

www.pnhpwesternwashington.org

[eridani]

30. Lobby Rick Larsen for HR 676

Please remember to call Congressman Rick Larsen’s office on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 anytime from 6 am to 2 pm Pacific Standard Time. The toll free number is 1-866-338-1015. When the operator answers, ask for Congressman Rick Larsen’s office.

Tell Rick Larsen’s staff that you want him to sign on as a sponsor of House Resolution 676 which would establish single payer health care for all US residents.

If you wish, you can also add the reason why you are concerned. Some possible reasons might be: 100 million US residents either do not have health insurance or the insurance they can afford does not pay for needed medication and medical care. As a result, 18,000 US residents die each year from lack of health insurance or from being underinsured.

You can also add a brief personal reason such as: you or someone you know can’t get health insurance, or that the insurance they can afford is inadequate and does not cover needed medication or medical care.

If you need more information, please e-mail me back or call me at [phone].

Aileen Satushek
United for National Health Care
Board Member

[eridani]

31. PNHP-WW annual public meeting 2/10 in Seattle

http://www.pnhpwesternwashington.org/


Our 2008 PNHPWW Annual Public Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 10th, at 7PM at Kane Hall on the University of Washington Campus. The focus will be on "The Community Effects of Uninsurance." We believe that this topic resonates throughout our communities and has a very wide appeal. Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Brent Asplin, ER Director at the Regions Medical Center in St. Paul, Minn and Vice-Chair Emergency Medicine at the University of Minnesota. He has done extensive investigation and published widely on this topic - the so-called "spillover effect" (see the IOM's "A Shared Destiny" below). Our other speakers will be Congressman Jim McDermott and State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. Last year, more than 300 people attended. This year, our goal is 500. In order to attract this large an audience, admission will be free and we will publicize widely. We do need financial support for venue and speaker expenses, publicity, literature handouts, etc. We are asking all our members and friends, who can, to contribute up to $50, tax-deductable, to underwrite this ambitious program.

Download the Annual Public Meeting flyer
http://www.pnhpwesternwashington.org/PAGES/PNHPWW%20Annual%20Public%20Meeting%20flyer.pdf
--post widely, email to your lists

[eridani]

36. Agenda and resolution

Attached is the Agenda for this Sunday's Annual Public Meeting at Kane Hall,
7PM, on the Community Effects of Uninsurance. Details, directions, and flyer
on our web site at http://www.pnhpwesternwashington.org

Also attached is a resolution for support of HR676 to take to your caucuses
on Saturday. Although resolutions won¹t be discussed at the precinct level,
they will be forwarded to the county level for consideration, and then on to
the state party convention for (hopefully) adoption.

Also consider the following actions:

1. State legislators in the House Appropriations Committee are now considering HB 2536 ­ the ³Working Group² bill that includes a single payer model like the Wa Health Security Trust in a comparative economic analysis of 5 models for state health care reform. The study will be followed by public forums around the state, probably in late summer. This is our highest priority legislation for the current session. To express support for this bill to committee members follow this link to their email addresses:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/APP/members.htm.

2. Pharmaceutical companies spend $3 billion annually to purchase
prescribing histories of physicians strictly for marketing purposes. This
practice, called Data Mining, is usually done without physicians' knowledge
or consent and is overwhelmingly opposed by physicians and patients. Data
Mining erodes patient-doctor privacy, leads to inappropriate prescribing, undermines patient safety and drives up costs.

The Prescription Privacy Bill, HB 2664, would stop pharmaceutical companies
from using the prescribing histories of physicians for marketing purposes.
To send emails to committee members follow this link from WaCAN:
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/2723/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2072

Hope to see you and all your family and friends on Sunday for our biggest
event yet.

David McLanahan
Coordinator, PNHPWW



8424 California Ave SW, Seattle, Washington, 98136
Phone: [phone]
Email: pnhp.westernwashington {at} comcast.net
WebSite: www.pnhpwesternwashington.org


The Community Effects of Uninsurance



• Welcome - Don Mitchell, MD - Chair, PNHPWW

• PNHPWW – Looking back & what’s ahead
David McLanahan, MD, Coordinator PNHPWW

• Presentation "2008 John Geyman Health justice Award" – Don

• Jim McDermott, US Congressman, 7th CD
Introduction - Tina Shereen, MD, Board PNHPWW

• Mike Kreidler, OD, MPH, Insurance Commissioner Wa State
Introduction - Terry Gardiner, Board PNHPWW

• Brent Asplin, MD, MPH, Director Emergency Medicine
Regions Hospital, St. Paul Minn; Vice-Chair Emer Med, U. Minn
Introduction - Hugh Foy, MD, Board PNHPWW

• Closing Remarks – Don



2008 Precinct Resolution to support HR 676


WHEREAS, each person's "pursuit of happiness" depends upon maintaining health; and

WHEREAS, a healthy economy depends upon a healthy and productive population; and

WHEREAS, the present health system leads to 18,000 unnecessary deaths every year from lack of coverage, leaves 47 million Americans uncovered and tens of millions more at risk of bankruptcy in the event of serious illness; and

WHEREAS, half of all personal bankruptcies are caused by medical bills and 75% of those bankrupted had insurance at the time they became sick or injured; and

WHEREAS, managed care and other market-based reforms have failed to contain health care costs, which now threaten the international competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers; and often force small businesses to hire part-time staff with no benefits, or to stop offering health insurance completely; and

WHEREAS, 31% of health spending is spent on private insurance overhead and other bureaucracy associated with our fragmented payment system; and WHEREAS, U.S. hospitals spend 24.3% of their budgets on billing and administration while hospitals under Canada's single payer system spend only 12.9%; and

WHEREAS, Harvard researchers estimate that more than $350 billion can be saved by replacing our fragmented payment system with a single public payer, enough to cover the uninsured and to improve coverage for all those who now have only partial coverage; and

WHEREAS, The US National Health Insurance Act which would assure universal coverage of all medically necessary services, slash bureaucracy, protect the doctor patient relationship, assure patients a choice of doctors, and hospitals and allow physicians a free choice of practice settings;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington State Democratic Party expresses its support for The US National Health Insurance Act (HR 676), and calls upon federal legislators to work towards its enactment within the current Congress.

[eridani]

32. January PNHP meeting; 1/16 in Seattle

Dr. Dale will give a presentation on the American College of Physicians (ACP) new position paper “Achieving a High-Performance Health Care System with Universal Access: What the United States Can Learn from Other Countries” and lead the discussion at the Physicians for a National Health Program, Western Washington Chapter’s January Monthly Meeting. In this paper, the prestigious ACP, the nation's second largest medical association (124,000 members), endorsed single payer national health insurance as "one pathway" to universal coverage. This is the first time the group has endorsed single payer. Open to all.

Wednesday, 1/16/08, 7PM
Swed/Prov/Cherry Hill Campus Medical Staff Auditorium

[eridani]

33. Another SiCKO screeing in Seattle (UW) 1/29

UW GROUPS JOIN to OFFER FREE SCREENING OF SiCKO and DISCUSSION of U.S. HEALTH CARE REFORM

When and how will healthcare reform come to the United States? In an attempt to answer these questions, the UW Housestaff Association and SPARX invite University of Washington faculty, students, staff and the local community to come together for a special free screening on the UW campus of Michael Moore's explosive documentary about the US health care system, SiCKO, immediately followed by an interactive audience discussion focused on U.S. healthcare quality and reform with Bob Crittenden, MD, MPH.

When: Tuesday, January 29th, 2008
Time: SiCKO screening 6-8pm; Discussion and Q&A to begin at 8pm.
-The community is invited to attend the movie, the discussion, or both.
Where: Husky Union Building Auditorium, University of Washington Campus

The screening is FREE and open to all. Popcorn and food will be served. Seating is limited to auditorium capacity.

SiCKO examines the quality of healthcare in the United States and compares it with the healthcare systems of other industrialized nations around the world. Studies show that almost every developed nation in the world offers better medical care leading to better health outcomes for less cost for their citizens. The event is intended to raise and answer questions about our current system and possible reform: What does “universal healthcare� truly mean? What are the limits of our current system? What do Americans want out of healthcare? What are the barriers to healthcare reform in this country?

Directions to HUB Auditorium: Husky Union Building (HUB) is located on the east side of the UW Campus. For exact directions, see http://depts.washington.edu/sauf/hub/directions.php.

ABOUT THE UW HOUSESTAFF ASSOCIATION & SPARX: The UW Housestaff Association is the largest organization of medical residents in the Pacific Northwest with nearly 1,000 members. SPARX (Student Providers Aspiring to Rural & Underserved Experience) is an interdisciplinary student community-service organization committed to supporting student interest in service to the medially underserved and addressing health disparities.

-MORE-

ABOUT DR. CRITTENDEN: Bob Crittenden, MD, MPH is a faculty member in the Departments of Family Medicine and Health Services at University of Washington, has practiced as a family physician for over 30 years in Seattle caring mostly for the urban underserved. He is also the Executive Director of the Herndon Alliance, a national coalition focusing on affordable health care for all. He has worked for the Washington State Legislature, been a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow with Senator George Mitchell, and was special assistant to Governor Booth Gardner for health.

For more information, please contact Colin Dauria at ckdauria {at} u.washington.edu.

[eridani]

34. Electronic Town Hall on health care issues

Got an idea to help fix our health care system?

The Washington Senate has scheduled a two-day electronic town hall meeting on health care reform and invites the public to participate in the discussion.

The on-line meeting, held January 22 and 23, will be a comprehensive discussion concerning health care reform in Washington, including issues of affordability, choice, and availability. Participants can ask questions, add comments, share stories and make suggestions on how to improve the delivery of health care in our state. Registration is free and citizens are encouraged to register in advance.

"Health care affects every single person in this state," said Senate Health & Long Term Care Chair Karen Keiser, D-Kent. "This is an excellent opportunity for citizens who can't easily get to Olympia but still want to be involved in the political process."

Panelists will include Keiser, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, members of the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee, and health care professionals.

To participate, please go to: http://www.webdialogues.net/wasen/healthcare.


For more information: Mark Varadian, 360-786-7569
For interviews: Sen. Karen Keiser, 360-786-7664


Mark Varadian
Public Information Officer, Webmaster
Washington Senate Democratic Caucus
[phone]
www.sdc.wa.gov

[eridani]

35. United for National Health Care meeting; Bellingham 1/24

United for National Healthcare Meeting,
Thursday, January 24, 2008, 7 pm
Laborers Hall, downstairs, 1700 N. State St., Bellingham

Agenda:
1) Treasurer’s Report
2) Sicko Road Show Committee Report. How UNHC is going to take the movie on the road in the Second Congressional District.
3) Volunteer sign up for Sicko Road Show.
4) Mini-fund raiser for Sicko Road Show . $3 donation requested but not required. Participants will put themselves in the shoes of the one in three Americans who sometimes must decide whether they will buy food (bagels & cream cheese) or medicine (M&Ms)
5) Martin Luther King day events report

United for National Healthcare has a new e-mail communication tool. Aileen Satushek-UNHC Database Director, will send future communications from/to our new mailing list unhcsupporter {at} unitedforhealthcare.org Please add this address to your address book so that you may continue to receive our important notices of meetings, rallies, workshops and other related events.

Thank You,
Aileen Satushek
UNHC- www.ufhc.org

[eridani]

37. Federal Way showing of Salud! 2/24

Our February movie and discussion will focus on the subject of universal healthcare...

¡Salud!
Sunday, February 24th
5:00 PM
Federal Way REGIONAL Library
34200 1st Way South in Federal Way

Against the alarming backdrop of the global health crisis and deteriorating public health systems in even the richest nations, ¡Salud! tells the little-known story of Cuba: a poor country overcoming its lack of resources to provide universal health care and help other developing nations do the same (from the ¡Salud! website).

http://www.saludthefilm.net/ns/synopsis.html
Running time: 93 minutes
Discussion following the film will be hosted by
Washington Community Action Network
http://www.washingtoncan.org/

[eridani]

38. United for National Health Care meeting in Bellingham 2/28

United for National Healthcare Meeting,
Thursday, February 28, 2008, 7 pm
Laborers Hall, downstairs, 1700 N. State St., Bellingham

Agenda:
1) Treasurer’s Report
2) Healthcare Film: Short features from Sicko
2) Update on Sicko Road Show.
3) Volunteer sign up for Sicko Road Show. We need a wide range of
volunteers. We especially need volunteers to: phone bank, and
operate the DVD player and TV.
4) Whatcom County political party conventions: healthcare plank
for party platforms.
5) Participation in Sea to Ski
6) Fund raiser (participation voluntary): Presidents Day Quiz
and cherry pie raffle.

For more information, call [phone]. Or e-mail: [e-mail]

CHANGE OF MEETING PLACE FOR MARCH MEETING ONLY
March 27, 7 pm, United Steelworkers Hall, 5705 – 3rd Avenue , Ferndale
First Stop of Sicko Road Show program featuring film, discussion, and call for actions you can take to promote national, non-profit, single payer health care.

Films on health care at Western Washington University

Monday, Feb 25: 7 pm, Fairhaven College Auditorium

Salud (90 minutes)
Salud hits the road with some of the 28,000 Cuban health professionals serving in 68 countries, and explores the hearts and minds of 30,000 international medical students in Cuba —including nearly 100 from the USA .

Chris Lindberg, President of United for National Healthcare will facilitate discussion after the film.
For directions and more information, go to: www.whrtf.org/filmfest

February 27: Noon-1:30pm , Fairhaven College Auditorium
“UNNATURAL CAUSES…..Is Inequality Making Us Sick?”
Linn Gould, Managing Director of Population Health Project, Seattle, WA
Going beyond the popular conceptions linking health to medical care, lifestyles and genes, the documentary, UNNATURAL CAUSES, explores evidence of other more powerful determinants: the societal conditions in which we are born, live, and work. The seven-episode documentary examines health inequities in specific population groups who are affected by discrimination, unemployment, education, immigration, socioeconomic status, globalization, etc. Following a viewing of one episode, Liz Mogford, Assistant Professor, Sociology, Western Washington University and colleague in the Population Health Project, will facilitate with Gould a conversation about ways that individuals and groups can get involved and take action to advocate for health equity. To learn more about the documentary, see http://www.unnaturalcauses.org/documentary.html.

[eridani]

39. United for National Health Care meeting in Bellingham 3/27

UNITED FOR NATIONAL HEALTHCARE
MARCH MEETING IS THE FIRST STOP
OF THE SICKO ROAD SHOW!

March 27, 7 pm UNITED STEELWORKERS HALL
5705 – 3rd Avenue , Ferndale

FILM
DISCUSSION
CALL FOR ACTION!

Learn what we can do to convince Congress to enact HR 676, national, single Payer, non-profit health care. Invite your family, friends and neighbors.

[eridani]

40. Health Care for all Snohomish County meets 3/8 in Everett

A new Snohomish County chapter of Health Care for All-Washington will hold a public forum on health care reform at 1 p.m. March 8 at the Everett Labor Temple , 2812 Lombard Ave. Health Care for All is an advocacy group seeking comprehensive coverage for all Washington residents. Information: http://www.healthcareforallwa.org.

[eridani]

41. Health care activists to lobby Rick Larsen 3/15 in Bellingham

Saturday, March 15, 3 pm
Garden Street Family Center
Corner of Holly and Garden Streets
Bellingham

This Saturday Congressman Rick Larsen is meeting with local Democratic Party Precinct Committee persons. This is our opportunity to show him that there is public support for HR 676, national, single payer health care.

Join the rally and hold a HEALTHCARE NOW! banner. Help convince Congressman Larsen to sign on as a sponsor of HR 676.

For more information call [phone] or [phone].

[eridani]

42. Snohomish LVW to sponsor health care forum in Everett 4/26

On April 26, 2008, the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County will conduct a public forum entitled "Universal Health Care -- What Should it Be and How Do We Get It?" This forum will bring together national and local opinion leaders to discuss major problems with the current health care system in the U.S and what must be done to repair it.

Our panelists include: John Geyman, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Family Practice, University of Washington School of Medicine; Grant Hendrickson, Ph.D., former Trustee of Group Health Cooperative; Don Howard, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman of Cellnetix Pathology and Laboratories; Kathleen O'Connor, founder and CEO of Code Blue Now!; and Karen Keiser, State Senator, 34th Legislative District (invited). Jay Inslee, U.S. Congressman, First Congressional District, hopes to attend if his schedule permits.

This forum, free to the public, will take place in Everett, Washington, at the New Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave., on Saturday, April 26 from 1:30 - 4:30 P.M..

To date, the following groups have agreed to co-sponsor: American Association of University Women, Everett Branch; Communities of Color Coalition; Washington State Council of County and City Employees; and Health Care for All - Washington.

Sincerely,


Margaret Johnson, President
League of Women Voters of Snohomish County

[eridani]

48. More info--

PULITZER PRIZE WINNING CARTOONIST'S DESIGN OFFERED FOR LOCAL UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FORUM

A Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist created a design specifically commissioned by the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County for their universal health care forum. Mike Luckovich won the national prize in 2006 for his editorial cartoons in the Atlanta Constitution. The Pulitzer Prize Board through Columbia University granted this award for a distinguished example of a cartoonist’s work. The League along with its co-sponsors is very proud to receive this work supporting a national agenda item.

"Universal Health Care: What Is It and How Do We Get It?" a forum free to the public will be held Saturday, April 26, 2008, from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM at the Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Avenue, Everett. The lineup of speakers includes John Geyman, M.D., Professor Emeritus of the University of Washington School of Medicine-Family Practice; Grant Hendrickson, Ph.D., former Trustee of Group Health Cooperative, Don Howard, M.D., Ph. D., CEO of CellNetix Pathology and Laboratories, and Kathleen O'Connor CEO of CodeBlueNow! Following a roundtable discussion with the speakers, the audience will then have a chance to question the members about universal health care in Snohomish County and Washington state. Aides from the US Congress of the 1st and 2nd District have also been invited to the program.

Thirteen additional organizations are co-sponsoring this event: AAUW-Everett Branch, Communities of Color Coalition, Everett Theatre, Health Care for All Washington (state), Health Care for All Washington (Snohomish County), KSER 90.7 FM Everett, League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County, Kitsap County, Seattle, and Skagit County, Snohomish County Medical Society, Washington State Psychological Association, and Washington State Council for City and County Employees, Council 2.

Contact: Michelle Valentine
LWV of Snohomish County
425-350-5969

[eridani]

43. Tacoma City Council to discuss implementing health care resolution 3/25

Dear Supporters of the Tacoma Health Care Resolution,

I'm sure you remember the huge victory in November 2007 when over 71% of
Tacoma voters supported the Tacoma Health Care Resolution. The time has come for the Tacoma City Council to do their part as a result of that success. At the Tacoma City Council meeting on March 25th beginning at 5:00 pm, the City Council will consider Resolution 37226. This resolution outlines the intent of the City Council to consider the actions that can be taken locally to support access to appropriate, high quality health care for all individuals.

I hope you will be able to attend this Tacoma City Council meeting on March 25th. Let's celebrate together!

Susan Eidenschink
Health Care for All - Washington - Pierce County Chapter
and League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County
253-572-9305

[eridani]

44. Whatcom County SiCKO tour in April and May

CHANGE OF MEETING PLACE FOR MARCH MEETING ONLY
March 27, 7 pm, United Steelworkers Hall, 5705 – 3rd Avenue , Ferndale
First Stop of Sicko Road Show. See program below

SiCKO ROAD SHOW

The SiCKO Road Show opens March 27 in Ferndale . United for National Healthcare is bringing an education program on national, non-profit single payer health care to the communities of the Second Congressional District. The programs feature films followed by discussion and a call for action. We plan to do at least eight shows. Here are the shows scheduled to date:

March 27, 7 pm, Ferndale . United Steelworkers Hall, 5705-3rd Avenue . SiCKO Special Features and HR 676: The Single Payer Solution.

April 18, 7 pm, Deming. Mt. Baker High School Library, 4936 Deming Road
(off Mt. Baker Highway ) Showing the film SiCKO.

April 26, 2 pm, Lynden. Lynden Library, 216-4th St . Showing the film SiCKO

May 3, 7 pm, Bellingham . Labor Center (upstairs), 1700 N. State. Showing the
film SiCKO.

May 17, 2 pm, Burlington . Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave.
SiCKO Special Features and HR 676: The Single Payer Solution.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHATCOM COUNTY CONVENTION APRIL 5, 2008

If you are a delegate or an alternate for the Whatcom County Democratic Party
Convention for April 5, it is extremely important that you attend the Platform session, and especially the Health Care session.. You should check the exact time when you arrive at the Convention, but it appears that it will take place at approximately 3 pm. The Whatcom Democratic Party platform currently endorses a national, single payer non-profit health care system, and specifically mentions HR 676. We need to be present to vote for keeping national single payer health care in the party platform and to present our arguments for it.

Aileen Satushek
Board Member
United for National Healthcare
[phone]

[eridani]

45. Don't forget to call Rick Larsen

Please remember to call Congressman Rick Larsen’s office on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 anytime from 6 am to 2 pm Pacific Standard Time. The toll free number is 1-866-338-1015. When the operator answers, ask for Congressman Rick Larsen’s office.

Tell Rick Larsen’s staff that you want him to sign on as a sponsor of House Resolution 676 which would establish single payer health care for all US residents.

If you wish, you can also add why you want to have him sign on. For example, you could tell him that the national health plans proposed by Hillary Clinton and Barack
Obama won’t work because they keep insurance companies as the payers for health care Six states have tried similar plans, and all have failed to reduce the number of uninsured. < Massachusetts (1988, 2006), Washington (1993), Oregon (1989), Tennessee (1992), Minnesota (1992), Vermont (1992)> While subsidies were available to help low income citizens pay for insurance, the states could not afford to subsidize all of the uninsured. The result is that the number of uninsured did not decline because the available plans were unaffordable for median and low income persons. HR 676 would guarantee health care to all citizens as it would reduce administrative overhead by 28%, negotiate bulk purchasing, and coordinate with providers and thus save $387 billion per year—enough to cover all of the uninsured.

You can also add a brief personal reason such as: you or someone you know can’t get health insurance, or that the insurance they can afford is inadequate and does not cover needed medication or medical care.
_______________________________________________________________________

WE NEED YOUR HELP AT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHATCOM COUNTY CONVENTION APRIL 5, 2008

If you are a delegate or an alternate for the Whatcom County Democratic Party
Convention for April 5, we need your help to:

1) Attend the Platform session, and especially the Health Care session. You
should check the exact time when you arrive at the Convention. The
Platform session is currently scheduled to take place at 3:30 pm. The
Whatcom Democratic Party platform currently endorses a national, single
payer non-profit health care system, and specifically mentions
HR 676. We need to be present to vote to keep national single payer
health care in the party platform and to present our arguments for it.

2) Be a mobile spokesperson for HR 676 on the convention floor. We will
wear orange Healthcare-NOW! T shirts and pass out a piece of literature
to Convention attendees. (We have T-shirts & literature available.) We
will be low-key, polite, but also very visible. If you are interested in being
a mobile spokesperson, please contact me (Aileen Satushek) by return
e-mail or call me at [phone].

SiCKO ROAD SHOW

The SiCKO Road Show opened March 27 in Ferndale . United for National Healthcare is bringing an education program on national, non-profit single payer health care to the communities of the Second Congressional District. The programs feature films followed by discussion and a call for action. We plan to do at least eight shows. Here are the remaining shows scheduled to date:

April 18, 7 pm, Deming. Mt. Baker High School Library, 4936 Deming Road
(off Mt. Baker Highway ) Showing the film SiCKO.

April 26, 2 pm, Lynden. Lynden Library, 216-4th St . Showing the film SiCKO

May 3, 7 pm, Bellingham . Labor Center (upstairs), 1700 N. State. Showing the
film SiCKO.

May 31, 2 pm, Everett . Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt. Program to be
announced

June 7, 2 pm, Burlington . Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave.
SiCKO Special Features and HR 676: The Single Payer Solution.
DATE CHANGED (previously scheduled for May 17)

June 21, 2 pm, Oak Harbor . Oak Harbor Public Library, 1000 SE Regata Dr .
Program to be announced.

Aileen Satushek
Board Member
United for National Healthcare

[eridani]

50. Some event dates have been changed

Please remember to call Congressman Rick Larsen’s office on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 anytime from 6 am to 2 pm Pacific Standard Time. The toll free number is 1-866-338-1015. When the operator answers, ask for Congressman Rick Larsen’s office.

Tell Rick Larsen’s staff that you want him to sign on as a sponsor of House Resolution 676 which would establish single payer health care for all US residents.

If you wish, you can also add why you want to have him sign on. You could mention that the United States is the only industrialized country that does not have a national, non-profit health delivery system that covers all of its residents. As a result the United States has higher infant mortality and lower life expectancy than 36 other nations. As the largest economy in the world, the United States needs to provide health care for all of its residents.

You can also add a brief personal reason such as: you or someone you know can’t get health insurance, or that the insurance they can afford is inadequate and does not cover needed medication or medical care.
_______________________________________________________________________
SiCKO ROAD SHOW
United for National Healthcare is bringing an educational program on national, non-profit single payer health care to the communities of the Second Congressional District. The programs feature films followed by discussion and a call for action.

The SiCKO Road Show opened March 27 in Ferndale . On April 18 we traveled to Deming and on April 26 to Lynden. Here are the remaining shows scheduled to date:

May 3, 10 am, Bellingham , Western Washington University ,
Communications Facility 225. SiCKO Road Show and Social Action
Work. The event is free and open to the public. It is part of the CASCAID
Social Justice Conference. Registration begins at 9 am at the
Communications Facility at the south end of the campus. (see directions
below*)

May 3, 7 pm, Bellingham . Labor Center (upstairs), 1700 N. State. Showing the
film SiCKO.

June 7, 2 pm, Burlington . Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave.
SiCKO Special Features and HR 676: The Single Payer Solution.
DATE CHANGED (previously scheduled for May 17)

We have postponed the Everett and Oak Harbor shows while we regroup to raise funds and form a strategy for approaching more populated communities. Some interest in the SiCKO Road Show in the Everett area has been expressed by citizens and venue managers, so we are optimistic that we will be traveling to Everett in the near future.

If you would like to serve as a volunteer for the Burlington SiCKO Road Show or a possible Everett SiCKO Road Show, please contact me at [phone] or e-mail me at: [e-mail]

*Directions to Western Washington University and Communications Facility 225:
When approaching Bellingham from the north or south on Interstate 5, take Exit 252, marked Samish Way and WWU. Turn west onto Samish Way and take the signs to Bill McDonald Parkway and the University Campus. From Bill McDonald Parkway take a right onto South College Drive. Then take a right onto East College Drive.
You will come to a construction zone. The Communications Facility is the first building after the construction zone.


Aileen Satushek
Board Member
United for National Healthcare


web site www.ufhc.org
New content is often added to the website. You can bookmark our calendar.

[eridani]

46. Physicians for National Health Care meets in Seattle 4/23

Below is the tentative agenda for the PNHPWW April Monthly Meeting, Wednesday, 7PM, April 23rd at Swed/Prov/Cherry Hill Campus (directions - http://www.pnhpwesternwashington.org/PAGES/swed_prov_directions.htm

Please let me know if you have any other matters to discuss.

Don Mitchell, Chair PNHPWW


PNHPWW April 23rd Meeting Agenda

7:00PM: Introductions

Coordinator's Report -- David McLanahan

Healthy Washington Coalition Plan regarding the Working Group –- David McLanahan

Viewing of Paul Hochfeld's DVD "Health, Money, and Fear" (45 minutes)

8:30PM Adjourn & set next meeting date

[eridani]

47. Physicians for National Health care to meet in Seattle 4/23

Hello PNHPWW Members and Supporters,

Below is the agenda for the PNHPWW April Monthly Meeting, Wednesday, 7PM, April 23rd, at Swed/Prov/Cherry Hill Campus. (Directions to Swedish Cheery Hill Campus - http://www.pnhpwesternwashington.org/PAGES/swed_prov_directions.htm)

We will focus on two topics at this meeting:

1) The Healthy Washington Strategy and Timeline for the next 12 months for building toward health care reform in Washington State

2) The DVD "Health, Money, and Fear" created by Paul Hochfeld, Emergency Room physician from Oregon.


Best wishes,

Don Mitchell
Chair, PNHPWW


PNHPWW April 23 Meeting Agenda

7:00PM: Introductions

Coordinator's Report -- David McLanahan

Healthy Washington Coalition Plan regarding the Working Group –- David McLanahan

Viewing of Paul Hochfeld's DVD "Health, Money, and Fear" (45 minutes)

8:30PM Adjourn & set next meeting date

[eridani]

49. United for National Healthcare Meeting 4/24 in Bellingham

United for National Healthcare Meeting,
Thursday, April 24, 2008, 7 pm
Laborers Hall, downstairs, 1700 N. State St., Bellingham

Agenda:
1) Treasurer’s Report & Fund Raising Report
2) Update on SiCKO Road Show.
3) Volunteer sign up for SiCKO Road Shows. 1) phone bank for B'ham
Show, 2) Burlington show – we need a wide range of volunteers such
as distributing posters, set up and clean up, operating TV & DVD,
phone banking.
4) Volunteer to coordinate SiCKO Road Shows in Snohomish County .
5) Participation in Sea to Ski
6) Short films on US health care crisis and its solution.

For more information, call [phone] or [phone].

SiCKO ROAD SHOW

The SiCKO Road Show opened March 27 in Ferndale . We had our second show on April 18 at the Mt. Baker Senior High School Library. United for National Healthcare is bringing an education program on national, non-profit single payer health care to the communities of the Second Congressional District. The programs feature films followed by discussion and a call for action. We hope to do at least eight shows. Here are the remaining shows scheduled to date:

April 26, 2 pm, Lynden. Lynden Library, 216-4th St . Showing the film SiCKO.
Discussion of HR 676.

May 3, 7 pm, Bellingham . Labor Center (upstairs), 1700 N. State. Showing the
film SiCKO. Discussion of HR 676.

June 7, 2 pm, Burlington . Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave.
SiCKO Special Features and HR 676: The Single Payer Solution.
Please note change of date. (Was scheduled for May 17)


Aileen Satushek
Board Member
United for National Healthcare
www.ufhc.org

[eridani]

51. Clinic dedication in Tacoma 5/9

From Health Care for All -WA Pierce County chapter--

On Friday, May 9th, there will be a dedication of a new Community Health
Care Clinic at 1720 E 44th Street, at 1:30 pm. This clinic will be dedicated in honor of George Tarbara, a physician who strongly supports universal health care. Others of you know him better than I do. I spoke with him when I was trying to get more endorsers for the Tacoma Health Care Resolution. He was very supportive and said that he would help in whatever way he could.

Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend this event, but I hope others of you are able to attend and be supportive of George and Community Health Care.

Susan

[eridani]

52. Washington CAN health care advocacy training in Seattle 5/17

The way we're going to win quality, affordable health care for everyone is by building a grassroots movement of people in our state organizing together and taking action. That's why we're launching a summer of Health Care House Parties. It's a way to build the movement and have fun at the same time.

You're invited to join Washington CAN! on Saturday, May 17th for a fun and informative Health Care House Party Training. In this training, you'll learn how to host your own values-based dialogues to educate friends, neighbors, family, and co-workers about the health care crisis and build the movement for comprehensive reform.

Don't worry - it's not all stats and policy papers. We've designed a new board game -- The Health Care Game: Organize to Beat the Insurance Industry! -- so, you can have fun while you're making a difference.


Health Care House Party Training
Saturday, May 17th
1 - 4 PM
Seattle Labor Temple, Hall 6
2800 1st Ave, Seattle 98121

Space is limited. Register today. Contact Diana Rashid at diana {at} washingtoncan.org or 206-389-0050 x111 to register or learn more.

[eridani]

53. Physicials for National Health Care meets in Seattle 5/22

Hello PNHPWW Members and Supporters

Here is the Agenda for our PNHPWW Monthly Meeting, Thursday, May 22nd, 7PM, at the usual place – Swed/Prov/Cherry Hill Conference Center – accessed by stairs near first floor cafeteria (directions - http://www.pnhpwesternwashington.org/PAGES/swed_prov_directions.htm).

We need to be familiar with and comfortable responding to the ideas that we will see out there in the “marketplace of ideas” during the political season when health care reform will be a hot topic at lots of different kinds of public meetings.

At this meeting we will focus on how ’free-market solution” advocates attempt to defend themselves when their position is criticized and how they attack single payer. Attached is a file of FAQ’s produced by the Galen Institute “a public policy research organization that promotes an informed debate over free-market ideas for health reform.” It was put together by Galen President Grace-Marie Turner, a very prominent spokesperson for this point of view and an advisor to John McCain on his health care platform. It documents how free-market advocates respond to various criticisms of their position. It’s very valuable. For-warned is for-armed.

We will get the juices flowing with 5 – 10 minutes of video excerpts from John Stossel’s 20/20 program that extols the market solution and endorses single payer myths. Then we’ll discuss each of the FAQ’s and how we can follow up after free-market advocates attempt to defend their position. Sherry Weinberg has agreed to be moderator and keep us focused.

The requests to give presentations on HC reform are increasing rapidly. We need a speakers training seminar. The PNHP New York Metro Chapter does this frequently. I have been in contact, but so far haven’t received their curriculum & info.

Another question - should we try to attract an intern to do a project this Summer? We could use some help with outreach, database organizing, or could sponsor a project the intern would cook up. PNHP national is offering $100/wk for 4-6 weeks & we could probably add another $100/week. If so, how can we attract candidates?

Hope to see you at what promises to be a lively and useful meeting.

David McLanahan
Coordinator, PNHPWW


Agenda for PNHPWW December 12th monthly meeting

7:00 Introductions – Don Mitchell

Coordinator’s Report – David McLanahan
Recent Activities
Upcoming Activities

Report on Healthy Washington Coalition Town Hall Meeting plans – David

Speakers Seminar discussion – Don

PNHPWW Summer Intern possibilities - Don

The Free-Market Solution to Our Health Care Crisis – Discussion led by Sherry Weinberg

8:30 Adjourn – set next meeting

[eridani]

54. United for health care May meeting in Bellingham 5/22

United for National Healthcare Meeting,
Thursday, May 22, 2008, 7 pm
Laborers Hall, downstairs, 1700 N. State St., Bellingham

Agenda:
1) Planning for Ski to Sea – May 24 - Bellingham
2) Short films on US health care crisis and its solution.

For more information, call [phone] or [phone].

PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL NOT BE MEETING IN JUNE, JULY OR AUGUST. WE WILL, HOWEVER, SPONSOR ACTIONS SUPPORTING SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, AND WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE SKI TO SEA PARADE

If you would like to participate in our Ski to Sea Parade presentation “Transporting Health Care Into the 21st Century”, please attend our meeting on May 24 (see above for details). You can also call [phone] for more details.

SiCKO ROAD SHOW

The SiCKO Road Show opened March 27 in Ferndale . We have had five shows— Ferndale , Deming, Lynden, and two in Bellingham . United for National Healthcare is bringing an educational program on national, non-profit single payer health care to the communities of the Second Congressional District. The programs feature films followed by discussion and a call for action. We are having our last show of the season in Burlington :

June 7, 2 pm, Burlington . Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave.
SiCKO Special Features and HR 676: The Single Payer Solution.
Please note change of date. (Was scheduled for May 17)


Aileen Satushek
Board Member
United for National Healthcare
www.ufhc.org

You can e-mail me at: supporter {at} unitedforhealthcare.org

[eridani]

55. Join the parade for universal health care in Bellingham 5/24

We need you to march with us in the Ski to Sea Parade this Saturday, May 24. The more supporters we have in the parade, the merrier it will be for us and the parade goers. We want to show Ski to Sea parade goers that there is already a lot of support for HR-676, but that we need to have them join us to convince Congress to enact this bill into law.

United for National Health Care (UNHC) will be "float" #89. We will meet at 11:30 am at Grant Street just south of Alabama. We suggest you arrive early--perhaps by 11 am--so that you can find a parking spot and walk to the site.

The parade starts at 12 noon and ends two miles and maybe two hours later. The parade theme is transportation, so there will be two "stretchers" consisting of two "bearers" and one "patient" for each, as well as lots of people carrying signs and banners explaining how HR 676 and Single Payer Health Care is such a great idea for America. Anyone can join us, just show up and we'll give you a sign to carry, etc. Jon and Jane Shaughnessy will be there (weather permitting) on their tandem bicycle with their two dogs, Chika and Marley, in the basket in the back. It's mostly fun, but with a purpose.

If you have an orange Healthcare-NOW! T-shirt, wear it--and comfortable shoes. If not, wear what you like.

If you are interested and have questions, please call Jon Shaughnessy at 671-0248 or Chris Lindberg at 714-8999, or just show up at Grant Street just south of Alabama and look for the orange T-shirts and/or Group #89.

If you're late you can probably still join us before the parade starts and you can even join us on the route if you are REALLY late getting there. We got a great response from the crowd last year and expect the same this year. If you or your kids have never been IN a parade before - here's your chance!

Join us this Saturday, May 24, to march for national single payer health care and have some fun in Bellingham's Ski to Sea parade.

Aileen Satushek
Board Member
United for National Healthcare
You can e-mail me at: supporter {at} unitedforhealthcare.org
You can call me at [phone]

[eridani]

56. Children's health care forum; Puyallup 6/9

WHOSE CHILD WILL HAVE HEALTH CARE?

Free and open to the public

Monday, June 9, 2008, 7 – 9 PM
Puyallup United Methodist Church
1919 W. Pioneer Ave., Puyallup

--Why should every child have access to health care?
--What are the implications of the “Cover All Kids” law?
--What resources are available to me and others?
--Ample opportunity to ask questions

PANEL
Teresa Mosqueda, WA State Children’s Alliance
Cindi Simmons, Outreach, Tacoma-Pierce Co. Health Dept.
Ovidio Penalver, M.D., Puyallup pediatrician
Beth Bailey, R.N., MSN, School Nurse, Puyallup School District

--Free. Open to the public.
--Child care available, through the 4th grade.
--Light refreshments provided.
--Materials available on parenting, food, nutrition and health care resources.

Further information on directions or the program: 253-845-0547, umcpuy {at} qwest.net

[eridani]

57. Scheduling for statewide health care caucuses set

http://www.washingtoncan.org/caucus/caucus.shtml

You're invited to speak up for quality, affordable health care at The Washington Health Care Caucus!

Join us for the kick-off in Seattle on Thursday, June 19th at 6:30 PM. Register today at www.washingtoncan.org/caucus

Health care costs are skyrocketing and every day an uninsured Washington resident dies because of lack of insurance and proper medical care. It's time to reform our broken health care system to give us all the peace of mind we deserve.

The Washington Health Care Caucus is a series of seven townhall meetings throughout Washington state to provide Washingtonians the opportunity to speak up for what we deserve in our health care system and learn about options for reform. The Washington Health Care Caucus is being organized by the Healthy Washington Coalition, a coalition of over 90 labor unions, community organizations, health care providers, and businesses working for quality, affordable health care for everyone.

Following the kick-off in Seattle, The Health Care Caucus will tour the state for three months, visiting Tacoma (July 1), Yakima (July 15), Spokane (July 29), Bellevue (Aug 12), Everett (Sept 9), and finishing in Vancouver (Sept 23). Information on Caucus dates and locations is below, or you can download this flyer.

Register today at www.washingtoncan.org/caucus

The Washington Health Care Caucus
Speak Up for Quality, Affordable Health Care
Presented by: The Healthy Washington Coalition

Seattle :: Thursday, June 19
6:30-8:30 PM
University Christian Church

4731 15th Avenue NE Tacoma :: Tuesday, July 1
6:30-8:30 PM
Temple Beth El
5975 S. 12th St

Yakima :: Tuesday, July 15
6:30-8:30 PM
Holy Family Catholic Church
5315 Tieton Dr Spokane :: Tuesday, July 29
6:30-8:30 PM

First Presbyterian Church
318 S. Cedar St
Bellevue :: Tuesday, August 12
6:30-8:30 PM

Temple Bnai Torah
15727 NE 4th St Everett :: Tuesday, September 9
6:30-8:30 PM
Everett Station, Weyerhauser Room
3201 Smith Avenue

Vancouver :: Tuesday, September 23
6:30-8:30 PM
Clark PUD Community Room
1200 Fort Vancouver Way

[eridani]

58. Pass HR 676! Slide show at the Dem convention in Spokane

PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE SLIDE PRESENTATION

June 13, 2006
4:00pm-5:00pm

The Community Building
35 West Main St., Spokane

Martha Koester of Health Care for All-WA will discuss strategies for passing HR 676 at the national level and working for health care reform at the state level.

HOSPITALITY SUITE WITH MOVIES

5:00pm-9:00pm

Your choice of Salud, a video about health care in Cuba, or Uncounted, about the need for election reform.

Snacks provided. Please bring some more if you can, and if you have a video that you think others would be interested in, bring that too.

Drop in any time before or after the Friday evening convention events, or during if you missed getting (or couldn’t afford) tickets.

Contact: fomalhaut {at} yahoo dot com

[eridani]

59. PNHP-WW meeting in Seattle 6/26

Our June monthly meeting will be on THURSDAY, June 26th, instead of Wednesday once again this month due to a scheduling conflict in our usual location (directions to Swed/Prov/Cherry Hill Conference Center: http://www.pnhpwesternwashington.org/PAGES/swed_prov_directions.htm.

In this meeting we will detail the recent Healthy Washington Health Care Caucus where 300 people turned out to discuss the values they think most important in health care reform legislation (see PNHPWW website, to be update today, for photos). It was a successful and important meeting bringing together lots of different organizations with the same goal of providing health care for ALL Washingtonians. I agree with Robby Stern, HWC President, that “the discussion of the values was heart felt, insightful, passionate, and articulate. It could have gone on longer but many many people got the opportunity to speak.” Although not focused on the 5 specific reform proposals in the Health Care Working Group legislation at this point, it was very encouraging to single-payer advocates in that it was obvious that SP was the overwhelming favorite solution of the participants. The next round of public meetings early next year, after the economic/quality analysis is completed, will focus on the specific proposals. This round will be financed by the HCWG legislation and should draw significant attention from our legislators and media.

We will briefly look at the new iMedExchange website - live if the wireless hookup is working. This is a forum/info exchange/blog site that might be of interest to us. But to participate would require some work.

We will show 20 minutes of video excepts from John Stossel’s ABC 20/20 report on HealthCare in America – that pushes Consumer Directed Health Care and other offensive ideology. This will segue into a discussion continuing from the last meeting of the Galen Institute’s defense of market based solutions this time focusing on their CDHC FAQ’s, again led by Sherry Weinberg (see attachment).

Hope to see you there for lots of multimedia and discussion.

David McLanahan
Coordinator, PNHPWW

[eridani]

60. Bellevue Healty Washington event 8/12

Hello PNHPWW Members and Supporters

There was a very nice and important Opinion Piece by Lance Dickey in the Seattle Times today (Friday, Aug 8) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008098461_lance08.html, strongly supporting single-payer national health insurance – see attached. All of the recent literature and evidence pointing to the groundswell for SP NHI are covered. You can post a comment at http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/edcetera/2008/08/rethinking_health_care.html

There are three events next week you may be interested in attending:

1. Healthy Washington Coalition Health Care Caucus in Bellevue – Tuesday, August 12, 6:30- 8:30 PM at the Temple Bnai Torah, 15727 NE 4th St. This is the 5th such meeting. All have been very encouraging for single-payer supporters. Guaranteed, you will be glad you attended to watch and participate in democracy in action!

2. Washington Community Action Network’ Summer Conference takes place Friday, Aug 15-17 at Seattle University, 901 12th Ave, Seattle (see attached for information, including workshops). This is a great change to meet with other social justice grassroots organizers. Several of the workshops are on health care reform. You can register at www.washingtoncan.org.

3. WaCAN is also organizing a demonstration in front of the Regence BlueShield headquarters, 1800 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, at 3:30PM, Friday, Aug 15th. They have asked for a meeting with the new President to answer a list of questions regarding rate hikes, rejected coverage and claims, and executive pay. This will be a very lively event!

Best Wishes

David McLanahan
Coordinator, PNHPWW

[eridani]

61. Bellingham single payer candlelight vigil 9/26

United for National Healthcare (UNHC) continues our local grass roots fight for single payer, non-profit, universal health care for all who live in the United States. We are sponsoring a candlelight memorial Vigil on Friday, September 26th at 7 pm, at the Bellingham City Hall, to honor and demand justice for the victims of the current health care insurance system in America.

We need your help to make the Vigil a success. Here’s how you can help.

Stories of Persons Affected by the Health Care Crisis

If you or someone you know has suffered because timely or adequate health care was not available, please contact UNHC at [phone]. We would like to hear your story. If you are not comfortable sharing your story with a large crowd, we will have someone read your story to those who attend the Vigil.

Phone Calling and Distributing Posters

We also need your help to reach others with this message by making phone calls or distributing posters. If you can make even ten local phone calls or put up five posters, this will make it possible for us to reach hundreds of more people in this area with this important information.

We will supply the phone lists, the phone script (if you want to use one), and locations for putting up posters. To volunteer, please call us at [phone] or e-mail us at supporter {at} unitedforhealthcare.org

Thank you for any help you can give us.

Aileen Satushek
Board MemberUnited for National Healthcare
web site www.ufhc.org
New content is often added to the website. You can bookmark our calendar.

[eridani]

64. Update--more help needed

Health Care Justice Candlelight Vigil

The information below repeats what you received previously. It would be great if you could attend the vigil.

Also, we still need stories of persons who have suffered because of our dysfunctional health care system.


Candlelight Vigil to Honor Victims of Our National Health Care Crisis.
Sept 26, 7 pm, Bellingham City Hall ( 210 Lottie Street ).


You are invited to the Vigil. Please bring a candle and clothing/umbrella etc. for possible wet weather. Even if it rains, we will go ahead with honoring those who have suffered and even died due to our dysfunctional health care system.


We need your help to make the Vigil a success. Here’s how you can help.

Stories of Persons Affected by the Health Care Crisis

If you or someone you know has suffered because timely or adequate health care was not available, please contact UNHC at [phone]. We would like to hear your story. If you are not comfortable sharing your story with a large crowd, we will have someone read your story to those who attend the Vigil.

Phone Calling and Distributing Posters

Some of you have volunteered, but we still need more help.

You can help us by making phone calls to turn out supporters who don’t have e-mail or distributing posters. If you can make even ten local phone calls or put up five posters, this will make it possible for us to reach hundreds of more people in this area with this important information.

We will supply the phone lists, the phone script (if you want to use one), and locations for putting up posters.

To volunteer, please call us at [phone] or e-mail us at supporter {at} unitedforhealthcare.org

Thank you for any help you can give us.

Aileen Satushek

Aileen Satushek
Board Member
United for National Healthcare
You can e-mail me at: supporter {at} unitedforhealthcare.org.
You can call me at [phone].
web site www.ufhc.org
New content is often added to the website. You can bookmark our calendar.

[eridani]

62. Oops. Wrong thread. n/t

[eridani]

63. United for Health Care meeting in Bellingham 9/18

United for National Healthcare Meeting,
Thursday, September 18, 2008, 7 pm
Laborers Hall, downstairs, 1700 N. State St., Bellingham


Agenda:
1) Report on UNHC summer activities
2) Health Care Justice Vigil Update
3) Nominations Accepted for New Board Members
4) Short Health Care Educational Program
5) National Health Care Strategy Conference in November
6) Treasurer’s Report


For more information, call [phone] or [phone].

[eridani]

65. PNHP Speakers Workshop 9/28 in Seattle

I am sending this to all who have indicated a desire/intention to participate in the PNHPWW Speaker Workshop on, Saturday, September 27. David McLanahan and I are working on the details. David has reserved the Swedish/Cherry Hill auditorium (where we have our monthly meetings) for the workshop and we tentatively plan for the workshop to be from 1:00 – 5:00 PM.

A book has just come out, "10 Excellent Reasons For National Health Care," consisting of 10 essays by people most of whom are connected with PNHP. Rep. John Conyers, Jr., has written the Forward. Its 150 pages are a quick read. David ordered enough for all of us participating in the workshop, and they arrived on Monday. It would be worthwhile and great if each of you could read the book before the 27th. The immediate question is how to get a copy to each of you. The best thing is for you to give me your home address, and I can either deliver them or mail them. (I live in the South End of Seattle.) The status of our planned monthly PNHPWW meeting next Wednesday, September 17, is uncertain, and so I hesitate to plan to bring them there until I am definite about the meeting.

Therefore, please provide me with your home address and whether or not you plan to attend the September 17 meeting if we have it. I will get the book to you most expeditiously.

If any of you plan to attend the Legislative District Health Care Action Group meeting at the Green Lake Branch of the Seattle Public Library this Sunday, September 14, let me know. I will be attending and can bring your copy along.

Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you at the workshop.

Don Mitchell
Chair, PNHPWW

Donald W. Mitchell
6016 Upland Terrace So.
Seattle, WA 98118
[phone]
dwmitchell {at} stanfordalumni.org

[eridani]

66. Conference call on state level health care reform 9.18

conference call on health insurance reform

WHAT: Conference call to discuss the role of state health insurance reform in the broader national health care reform effort.
WHEN: Thursday September 18, 2008, 1pm EDT
WHO: Sen. Karen Keiser, Washington State Senator
Kathleen Stoll, Deputy Executive Director, Families USA
Robyn Martin, Senior Policy Analyst, Americans for Health Care - SEIU
Joel Barkin, Executive Director, Progressive States Network
Adam Thompson, Health Care Policy Specialist, Progressive States Network
DIAL-IN: [phone], Login Code 709424
RSVP: http://www.progressivestates.org/conferencecallrsvp



Please read more below. Thanks!
Together, we can make a difference!

Sincerely,
Linda Sternhill Davis
Vice-Chair, Board Member and
Co-Chair, WHSC Legislative Committee



Washington Health Security Coalition (WHSC)
P. O. Box 19631 - Queen Anne Station
Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: [phone] (toll-free)

Email: legislative {at} wahealthsecurity.org
Website: http://www.wahealthsecurity.org


Steering Committee Member
Health Care Coalition of Thurston County (HCCTC)
Email: healthcarecoalitiontc {at} yahoo.com

[eridani]

67. Oopsie--2PM

Correction: Thurs 9/18 Conf Call at 2pm EDT
In today's Stateside Dispatch, we incorrectly listed the time for this Thursday's conference call on the role of state insurance reform in the drive for national health care reform.

The call will start at 2:00pm EDT this Thursday, Sept. 18th.

For more information about the call or to RSVP, please visit www.progressivestates.org/conferencecallrsvp.

[eridani]

68. South Seattle 9/28: organize for universal health care by legislative district

Calling all single payer health care advocates! Now forming lobbying teams for state legislative districts 11, 34 and 37.

Health Care for All—WA is now planning for the Washington State Legislature’s 2009 session. We are organizing by legislative districts to lobby our state legislators to support single payer next session.

Many of them saya they do, but do not think that the support from the public is out there. We have to show them otherwise. Please attend our organizing meeting for supporters of single payer at

Beacon Hill Seattle Public Library
2821 Beacon Ave S
Sunday September 28, 2-4PM
For more information (or to be added to our citizen lobbyist email list), please call Mary Margaret Pruitt at 206-382-3785 or email Chuck Richards at csrichards {at} msn.com

Health Care For All—Washington
Tel.: [phone]
Toll Free: 1 [phone]
Email: info {at} healthcareforallwa.org

[eridani]

69. PNHP meeting 10/15 in Seattle

This message is just a quick announcement about our October 15th monthly meeting program. A full agenda will follow next week.

In 2005, the citizens of Seattle passed a Universal Health Care Advisory Ballot Measure by a wide margin, and requested the City “take the necessary steps to help realize this (health care) right for Seattle residents and others, including but not limited to the following:
· Ask Washington State representatives and senators in the U.S. Congress to adopt legislation that provides universal access to quality health care.
· Ask the Washington State legislators to support our efforts and work toward this goal”
· (plus 4 other steps)

We are privileged to have Nick Licata, City Councilmember and Chair of the Culture, Civil Rights, Health & Personnel Committee discuss how the City Council has and will continue to follow up on the voters’ intent and other actions to ensure the availability of health care to Seattle residents. The Council’s 2008 Work Program lists “review ongoing work related to Universal Health Care Advisory Ballot including review of other health care models” as one of its tasks for which Nick has primary responsibility.

Also, we are pleased that Brian King, of Health Care for All – Washington, who was a chief architect and organizer for the ballot measure will discuss how the resolution was successfully passed and how it might be pursued at this point in time.

PNHPWW believes that our Council should pass a resolution endorsing HR 676, The United States National Health Insurance Act (Expanded and Improved Medicare For All), following the lead of the US Council of Mayors (Mayor Greg Nichols a signer) and at least 32 other cities and counties across the country including Baltimore, Boston, Detroit and our neighbor Bellingham, Wa.

Please help with publicity to ensure a good turnout for this appealing discussion. See attached flyer.

Best wishes,

David McLanahan
Coordinator, PNHPWW

[eridani]

70. United for National Healthcare Meeting 10/23 in Bellingham; Call Rick Larsen 10/7

Please remember to call Congressman Rick Larsen’s office on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 anytime from 6 am to 2 pm Pacific Standard Time. The toll free number is 1-866-338-1015. When the operator answers, ask for Congressman Rick Larsen’s office.



Tell Rick Larsen’s staff that you want him to sign on as a sponsor of House Resolution 676 which would establish single payer health care for all US residents.



If you wish, you can also add why you want to have him sign on. For example:

The Urban Institute estimates that 22,000 Americans died in 2006 because they were denied adequate coverage by their private health insurance. Up to 101,000 fewer people would die prematurely in the U.S if health care standards matched those of countries with national health care systems.

You can also add a brief personal reason such as: you or someone you know can’t get health insurance, or that the insurance they can afford is inadequate and does not

cover needed medication or medical care.



Please mark your calendars for:



United for National Healthcare Meeting,

Thursday, October 23, 2008, 7 pm

Laborers Hall, downstairs, 1700 N. State St., Bellingham



Aileen Satushek
Board Member
United for National Healthcare
You can e-mail me at: supporter {at] unitedforhealthcare.org. You can call me at [phone].
web site www.ufhc.org
New content is often added to the website. You can bookmark our calendar.

[eridani]

71. One more Healthy Washington event in Wenatchee 10/30

Dear Fellow Health Care Reform Supporters,


Following the success of the seven Health Care Caucuses presented by the Healthy Washington Coalition (HWC), an eighth Caucus is planned by the HWC and the Community Choice Healthcare Network on Thursday, October 30, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Wenatchee School District Commons, located at 1101 Millerdale, Wenatchee, WA 98801.

[eridani]

72. Washington Health Security Trust meeting 10/19 in Seattle

After taking the summer off, I look forward to seeing you all again and discussing how the results of the national and local elections could affect our strategy in the next year.

What - Monthly Membership Meeting of the Washington Health Security Coalition
When - Sunday, October 19th, at 12:30 pm.
Where - Horizon House, 900 University Street in Seattle.

Teleconference Number – If you are unable to attend on Sunday you can still call our toll free number to join us by teleconference.

1-877-211-5249 + Guest code: 40.

I’m looking forward to seeing you again Sunday,

Dwight McCabe
Chair, Washington Health Security Coalition
206-784-3209 | 206-579-8070 cell

dwightmccabe {at} comcast.net
board {at} wahealthsecurity.org

[eridani]

73. Blaine Road Show 11/1

United for National Healthcare Annual Meeting,

Thursday, October 23, 2008, 7 pm
Laborers Hall, downstairs, 1700 N. State St., Bellingham


The purpose of this meeting is to inaugurate our new year, review our accomplishments during the past year, elect new Board members, and set our direction for the coming year.



Agenda:

1) Treasurer’s Report
2) President’s Report on Past Year’s Activities
3) Election of New Board Members
4) Member Input on Coming Year’s Activities and Direction

For more information, call [phone] or [phone].

Blaine Road Show


Let’s Solve Our National Health Care Crisis
Saturday, November 1, 2 pm
Blaine Public Library,
610 E. Third Street, Blaine WA


Showing of HR 676, the Single Payer Solution, and other short films

that provide an in-depth explanation of our national health care crisis and how it can be solved through establishing a national, single payer, non-profit health care system.


Literature regarding the health care crisis problem and its solution will be available to the audience, as well as the opportunity to sign the HR 676 petition to Congressman Rick Larsen.

After the film, there will be audience discussion and a question and answer period.

Report on the Candlelight Vigil

United for National Healthcare held a Candlelight Vigil on September 23 at 7 pm in front of Bellingham City Hall . Considering that this was the night of the first presidential debate, we had a good sized crowd of fifty persons. The ceremony was solemn and beautiful, with bagpipe music, candle light, speeches by community leaders, and many stories honoring those who have suffered and even died due to our dysfunctional health care system.

For your information, I have printed the Vigil program at the end of this e-mail.

I hope to see you at the Annual Meeting on October 23 (see top of this e-mail for details). We need your ideas and your energy! Thank you for all that you do in the movement to reform and revitalize health care in the United States .


Aileen Satushek
Board Member
United for National Healthcare

You can e-mail me at: supporter {at} unitedforhealthcare.org.
You can call me at [phone].
web site www.ufhc.org

[eridani]

74. Try out new PNHP legislator contact tool

Hello PNHPWW members and supporters,

Here’s a chance to do something to resist the proposed King County public health drastic budgets cuts and to try out the new “Send a Message to Your Representatives” feature of our PNHPWW web site. If you don’t live in King County, you still can send messages to your state reps. We can add this messaging function for other localities in the future.

First, please read the message below from Mike Lippman, PNHPWW Board member and physician at one of the clinics affected. I have edited his info into default messages for 1) your one King County Rep and 2) your two State Reps & one Senator based on the Legislative District where you live. You can edit the content of this message (if you are a health care professional, be sure to add that) and need to add the name of your Rep and your name and address.

Instructions for State Reps:


Go the the web page http://www.pnhpwesternwashington.org. At the top click on “Send a Message to your Representatives.”
On the next page click on TO SEND MESSAGES TO YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS CLICK HERE.

On the next page click on “CLICK HERE TO FIND ...” In the pop-up window, type in your address to find your district and the legislators’ names. Note the “position” number of each Rep.
Select your District in the pull-down menu
For each Rep message box, be sure to edit the name of the Rep in position 1 into the Rep 1 message box, etc.

After you’ve edited the message, click the “submit” button for each message.


Instructions for KC Councilmember:


Go the the web page http://www.pnhpwesternwashington.org. At the top click on “Send a Message to your Representatives.”
On the next page click on TO SEND A MESSAGE TO YOUR KING COUNTY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE CLICK HERE.

On the next page click on “CLICK HERE TO FIND ...” In the pop-up window map, find your District and the legislator’s name.
Select the councilmember’s name in the pull-down menu.
After you’ve edited the message, click the “submit” button.


That’s all there is to it!? Easy and intuitive, once you get the hang of it.

While you are at it, you can go to the new “Join PNHPWW Email List” page where we are updating our database with more complete information. -

http://www.pnhpwesternwashington.org/Forms/join_email_form/pnhpww_join_form.htm

Thanks to Daniel Silverman for all the hard and expert work he’s put to these new interactive functions. If you have any problems with the forms or suggestions please let us know.

Best Wishes,

David Mclanahan
Coordinator, PNHPWW

Mike Lippman’s message:

The proposed King County Budget will be a disaster for Public Health. As proposed, there will be a cut of $11 million dollars going into effect January 1 and an additional $8 million in a second set that will go into effect on June 30. 2009. These reductions will result in a loss of 142 positions in the Public Health Department, and will have serious impacts on the health of our community.

Programs that will be affected include:

Closure of the Northshore Clinic, and elimination of White Center, North, Renton & Columbia Public Health Family Planning Clinics
Reduction in funding to safety net clinics
Decreased funding for TB control, Communicable Disease and Emergency Medical Services
Reduction in Application workers who assist people in filling out insurance forms enabling them to obtain low cost insurance
50% decrease in immunization clinics
Decrease in food safety inspection in public schools
Elimination of outreach services to needy pregnant women
At my clinic: elimination of pharmacist, lab tech & nurse practitioner


And the list goes on for 8 pages. But in short, this is aserious blow to the health & safety of our community. In a time of economic uncertainty and growing unemployment, more people are losing their health insurance and relying on the very system that willbe decimated by these cuts,

Please, take action. The County Council is very sensitive to public comment on the budget. You can help by

1) Call or e mail your County Councilperson ASAP.
2) Call or e mail your state representative or senator urging them to dedicate stable long term funding for statewide public health (money that was lost due to Tim Eyman's car tab initiative in 2001)
3) Send this on to 10 more people. Only a massive public outcry will save this system

[eridani]

75. Health care reform action teams

Health Care Reform Action Teams
Update No. 2
24 October 2008


The Health Care for All – Washington Board of Directors approved a “Health Care Questionnaire from HCFA-WA and PNHP-WW” at its monthly Board Meeting Sunday, Oct. 19. A copy is attached to this Update. It contains 6 questions which are useful for candidates running for office as well as with elected officials preparing for the January 2009 legislative session.

Health Care Questionnaire from
HCFA-WA and PNHP-WW

Dear -----------,

Many supporters of single-payer health care in the Puget Sound area are members of either Health Care for All – Washington or the Physicians for a National Health Program – Western Washington chapter. They and allies with whom they work in health care reform coalitions believe the coming session of the legislature will be crucial in shaping health care reform for the residents of Washington State. We are eager to work with you in bringing about effective reform, such as in the Washington Health Security Trust, SB 5756/HB 1886, which last session had 25 co-sponsors. To that end we would be glad to circulate to all our readers by website your views if you can return your responses electronically. Thank you.

Today our health care system is controlled by the for-profit insurance industry. Health care costs are unsustainable. Individuals, families and businesses as well as city, county, and state governments are adversely affected by these costs. Democrats cherish the values of our publicly-funded education system. However, operating budgets for all educational programs are critically jeopardized by unsustainable health care costs.

Escalating health care costs hurt schools. When there is a budget shortfall, positions for teachers, classroom aids, crossing guards and even school nurses are cut. Classroom supplies, textbooks and technology are eliminated. Band and swimming programs are discontinued. Building maintenance is deferred. Then health care benefits are trimmed back and employees are told to suck it up and pay more. School districts are then forced to go to the voters to approve an increase in the tax levy to recover the lost operating revenue. As a result, our property taxes go up. And, now, taxpayers worry about balancing their household budgets as well as watching the state budget sink into the red.

1. How could you help us not sacrifice our children’s education for the sake of insurance companies’ putting their financial interests first?
2. Will you support a state health plan, available to everyone, which offers comprehensive coverage to all consumers at affordable rates regardless of employment or financial status?
3. Will you support a state health plan, available to everyone, that keeps down costs by using community-wide risk pools to prevent private insurance companies from profiting on covering only the young and healthy, while having the taxpayers cover all those sick and elderly?
4. Will you support a state health plan, available to everyone, that provides free choice for consumers among all licensed health care professionals in the state?
5. Will you support a state health plan, available to everyone, that reduces cost by eliminating bureaucratic red tape of private insurance companies trying to reject pre-existing conditions, designing wasteful product advertising, and processing hundreds of alternative benefit plans?
6. Are you willing to co-sponsor the single-payer Washington Health Security Trust legislation in Olympia in 2009? If so, why, and if not, why not?

Upcoming Events
Sun Nov. 9 – Annual Meeting of HCFA-WA
1-4 pm @ Horizon House
900 University Street, Seattle WA


Wed Nov. 19 – Program Meeting of PNHP-WW
7-8:30 pm @ Swedish/Providence campus
17th & E. Cherry entrance, Seattle WA

Sun Nov. 23 – South King County
Action Team
2-4 pm @ Kent Regional Library
212 2nd Ave N, Kent WA

[eridani]

76. Health care meeting in Blaine on 11/1

Let’s Solve Our National Health Care Crisis
Saturday, November 1, 2 pm
Blaine Public Library,
610 E. Third Street, Blaine WA

Showing of HR 676, the Single Payer Solution, and other short films that provide an in-depth explanation of our national health care crisis and how it can be solved through establishing a national, single payer, non-profit health care system.

Literature regarding the health care crisis problem and its solution will be available to the audience, as well as the opportunity to sign the HR 676 petition to Congressman Rick Larsen.

After the film, there will be audience discussion and a question and answer period.

Election of Board Members

At our October 23 membership meeting, the following new Board Members were elected:


Jean Brechan
Andrew Davis
Rich McConchie
John Munson
Donna Starr


The following Board Members were re-elected:

Linda Larkin
Chris Lindberg


The following Board Members will continue in office and be up for election next year:

Aileen Satushek
Len Surdi

OUR NEXT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING WILL BE IN JANUARY AND WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A DECEMBER OR EARLY JANUARY E-MAIL


Aileen Satushek
Board Member
United for National Healthcare


You can e-mail me at: supporter{at} unitedforhealthcare.org.
You can call me at [phone].
web site www.ufhc.org

[eridani]

77. Call Rick Larsen on 12/2 to cosponsor HR 676

Please remember to call Congressman Rick Larsen’s office on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 anytime from 6 am to 2 pm Pacific Standard Time. The toll free number is 1-866-338-1015. When the operator answers, ask for Congressman Rick Larsen’s office.

Tell Rick Larsen’s staff that you want him to sign on as a sponsor of House Resolution 676 which would establish single payer health care for all US residents.

If you wish, you can also add why you want to have him sign on. For example:

HR 676 will lift the economy by making businesses more competitive. Currently General Motors pays over $1500 per car in health care benefits whereas Toyota of Japan only pays $90. In addition, employees of the 40% of companies that do not provide health insurance, will have fewer sick days and be more productive because they will be able to get health care immediately instead of waiting until their condition is serious and difficult to treat.

You can also add a brief personal reason such as: you or someone you know can’t get health insurance, or that the insurance they can afford is inadequate and does not cover needed medication or medical care.


OUR NEXT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING WILL BE IN JANUARY AND WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A LATE DECEMBER OR EARLY JANUARY E-MAIL


Aileen Satushek
Board Member
United for National Healthcare

You can e-mail me at: supporter {at} unitedforhealthcare.org.
You can call me at [phone].
web site www.ufhc.org

New content is often added to the website. You can bookmark our calendar.

[eridani]

78. Health care meeting in Olympia 12/16

PLEASE ATTEND and CIRCULATE WIDELY! THANKS!

Here’s a great opportunity for health care reform supporters to speak out and provide valuable input. Please plan to participate!

Health care reform is one of President-elect Obama’s top priorities. Therefore, the Obama-Biden transition team and Tom Daschle, incoming Secretary of Health and Human Services, are asking people from all across the U.S. to provide their input, thoughts and ideas on how to fix our ailing health care system at upcoming Health Care Community Discussions* through the end of December. Our feedback and suggestions will then be sent directly to Daschle and Obama.

Please note that a Health Care Community Discussion will be held in Olympia, as follows:

Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Time: 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Location: Traditions Café, 300 5th Avenue SW, Olympia, WA 98501 (at 5th and Water)

Please bring your ideas and invite family, friends, neighbors and co-workers, etc. to join us. Together, we can make a difference!

Host: Linda Sternhill Davis
Phone: [phone] (toll-free)
Email: idealist {at} comcast. net

*NOTE: These meetings are separate from the Obama “Change” meetings which are being held throughout the U.S. on Saturday, December 13th and Sunday, December 14th. We still encourage health care reform advocates to voice their strong support at these meetings.

1) To access the current Obama-Biden health care plan (and submit your input online), please go to http://change.gov/agenda/health_care_agenda/

2) To sign up to host a similar Health Care Community Discussion in another area, please go to http://change.gov/page/s/hcdiscussion.

[eridani]

79. Bellingham meeting changed from 12/18 to 12/30

Cancellation: December 18 meeting on health care reform (Obama transition team community meeting).

Rescheduled to: December 30, 7 pm, Laborers Hall, 1700 N. State Street See details below.

As you may know, the Obama transition team is seeking input on health care policy. Chris Lindberg, United for National Healthcare President, is hosting a community meeting on Thursday, December 30, 7 pm at 1700 N. State Street, Bellingham (our usual meeting place).

I urge you to attend this meeting and give your input, so that it can be passed on to the Obama transition team. We need to make our voices heard. At the bottom of this e-mail are some talking points that you can use at the Dec 30 or any other Obama transition team community meeting regarding health care reform.

Aileen Satushek

Aileen Satushek

Board Member

United for National Healthcare



You can e-mail me at: [e-mail]. Please do not reply to this e-mail as replies to the e-mail are “bounced” and not received.

You can call me at [phone].

web site www.ufhc.org

New content is often added to the website. You can bookmark our calendar.



Talking Points: Why the mandate plans won't work, and why single-payer "Medicare for All" is what we need

1. Americans are afraid that they can't afford to get sick. Those of us with insurance are paying more and more of the premium and more out-of-pocket as well. Studies show further that we face bankruptcy if we get sick1. Many among us have to choose between paying for medicine and paying for food and housing. And with the recent economic downturn, the ranks of those without insurance are growing.

2. A majority of physicians (59 percent) and an even higher proportion of Americans (62 percent or more) support single-payer national health insurance or "Medicare for All."2 In spite of this, all we are hearing about today are mandate plans that would require everyone to buy the same private insurance that is already failing us. These proposals don't regulate insurance premiums, they don't keep the insurance companies from refusing to pay many of our bills, and they don't improve the insurance we now have. Some offer a "public option," but this will quickly become too expensive as the sick flee to the public sector as private insurers avoid them, abandon them, or make it too difficult for them to get their bills paid.

3. These proposals won't work, either to expand coverage or to contain costs. Plans like these have been tried in many states over the past two decades (Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington State, Oregon, Minnesota, Vermont, Maine).3 They have all failed to reduce the number of uninsured or to contain costs.

4. These mandate plans will add hundreds of billions of dollars to the nation's health care costs. In this economic downturn, we need assure health care for all without adding to the nation's cost and the government's deficit. The bottom line is: these proposals don't reform our fragmented, inefficient system, they just add to its complexity and costs.

5. As long as we continue to rely on private for-profit insurers, universal coverage will be unaffordable. Their administrative costs consume nearly one-third of our health care dollar.4 We will never have enough money to provide everyone with decent care until we eliminate private insurance with its enormous waste and inadequate coverage. And we will never be able to keep costs down and get the care we need as long as the wasteful and unnecessary insurance companies stand between us and our doctors.

6. Every other industrialized country has some form of universal health care. None uses profitmaking, investor-owned insurance companies like ours to provide health care for all their people.5

7. We have an American system that works. It's Medicare. It's not perfect, but Americans with Medicare are far happier than those with private insurance. Doctors face fewer hassles in getting paid, and Medicare has been a leader in keeping costs down. And keep in mind that Medicare insures people with the greatest health care needs: people over 65 and the disabled. We should improve and expand Medicare to cover everyone.

8. A single-payer "Medicare for All" system is embodied in H.R. 676, sponsored by Rep. John Conyers and 92 other members of Congress. It would have:

Automatic enrollment for everyone
Comprehensive services covering all medically necessary care and drugs
Free choice of doctor and hospital, who remain independent and negotiate their fees and budgets with a public or nonprofit agency
Public or nonprofit agency processes and pays the bills
Entire system financed through progressive taxes
Help job growth and the entire U.S. economy by removing the burden of health costs from business
Cover everyone without spending any more than we are now.6
9. The growth in health care costs must be addressed if any proposal is to succeed.

Single payer offers real tools to contain costs: budgeting, especially for hospitals, planning of capital investments, and an emphasis on primary care and coordination of care.
Mandate plans offer only hopes: competition among insurance companies, computerization, chronic disease management. Competition among the shrinking number of insurance companies has already failed to contain costs and, in the absence of single payer and reformed primary care, computerization and chronic disease management will raise costs, not lower them.
10. Single-payer Medicare for All is the right answer:

It is right on choice. It provides free choice of doctor and hospital, the choice Americans want and value. In mandate plans, we lose those choices.
It is right on efficiency. Single payer would slash administrative costs and promote efficient primary care. It would also enhance evidence-based quality assurance.
It is right on accountability. It will be a public, nonprofit system that will respond to what doctors and their patients need, not what corporate executives and their stockholders want.

1. "Illness and Injury as Contributors to Bankruptcy," D. Himmelstein et al., Health Affairs Web Exclusive, February 2, 2005.

2. Carroll, A., Ackerman, R., "Support for National Health Insurance Among U.S. Physicians: 5 Years Later," Annals of Internal Medicine, 148(7), April 1, 2008; ABC News/Washington Post, Oct. 9-13, 2003, Associated Press/Yahoo News Poll, Dec. 14-20, 2007.

3. S. Woolhandler, et al., "State Health Reform Flatlines," International Journal of Health Services, 2008; Marcia Angell, "Health Reform You Shouldn't Believe In," The American Prospect, April 21, 2008.

4. S. Woolhandler, et al., "Costs of Health Care Administration in the U.S. and Canada ," New England Journal of Medicine, Sept. 21, 2003; J.G. Kahn et al., "The Cost of Health Insurance Administration in California : Estimates for Insurers, Physicians, and Hospitals," Health Affairs, 2005.

5. Reid, T.R., "Sick Around the World," PBS, April 15, 2008; Thompson, S., Mossialos, E., "Private Health Insurance and Access to Health Care in the European Union," Euro Observer, Spring 2004.

6. United States National Health Insurance Act (or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act), H.R.676, www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.676 ; "Health Care for All Californians Act: Cost and Economic Impacts Analysis," The Lewin Group, January 2005

By Len Rodberg, PhD, Co-chair, PNHP NY Metro Chapter





Physicians for a National Health Program
29 E Madison Suite 602, Chicago , IL 60602
Phone [phone] | Fax: [phone]
www.pnhp.org | [e-mail]
© PNHP 2008

[eridani]

80. Meetings in both Ferndale and Bellingham

n a previous e-mail, I announced that the Obama transition team is seeking input on health care policy. As an update, I am letting you know that now there are two meetings scheduled on December 30 at 7 pm. If possible (though not required), please either call the host beforehand to let them know that you are attending or sign up at: www.my.barackobama.com



I urge you to attend one of these meetings and give your input, so that it can be passed on to the Obama transition team. We need to make our voices heard. At the bottom of this e-mail are some talking points that you can use at the Dec 30 meetings.





1) Barbara Daugert (Meeting) Ferndale

A meeting at my home to discuss ideas about viable health care plans (single payer vs. private plans) as well as delving into the governments role in encouraging personal responsibility in a healthy lifestyle.

Light refreshments and snacks will be served. Time:
Tuesday, December 30 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Host:
Barbara Daugert

Contact Phone:
360-380-1264

Location:
Barbara and Larry Daugert ( Ferndale , WA )

5031 Elder Rd.
Ferndale, WA 98248


Directions:
Take I-5 to Lummi Island/Slater Rd. exit. Head west on Slater Rd. for 5 miles. Turn right on Elder Rd. This is an 18 acre farm on the left (west) side of the road "Broken Auger Farm". Address on corner fence posts.

Associated Groups:
Whatcom County for Obama




2) Bellingham Meeting

Time:
Tuesday, December 30 from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Host:
Chris Lindberg/Sue Ellen Lawton

Contact Phone:
360.714.8999

Location:
Labor Center ( Bellingham , WA )

1700 N. State
Laborer’s Hall
Bellingham , WA 98225

Maps:

· Google Maps

· MapQuest

· Yahoo! Maps







Aileen Satushek

Aileen Satushek

Board Member

United for National Healthcare



You can e-mail me at: [e-mail]. Please do not reply to this e-mail as replies to the e-mail are “bounced” and not received.

You can call me at [phone].

web site www.ufhc.org

New content is often added to the website. You can bookmark our calendar.

Talking Points: Why the mandate plans won't work, and why single-payer "Medicare for All" is what we need

1. Americans are afraid that they can't afford to get sick. Those of us with insurance are paying more and more of the premium and more out-of-pocket as well. Studies show further that we face bankruptcy if we get sick1. Many among us have to choose between paying for medicine and paying for food and housing. And with the recent economic downturn, the ranks of those without insurance are growing.

2. A majority of physicians (59 percent) and an even higher proportion of Americans (62 percent or more) support single-payer national health insurance or "Medicare for All."2 In spite of this, all we are hearing about today are mandate plans that would require everyone to buy the same private insurance that is already failing us. These proposals don't regulate insurance premiums, they don't keep the insurance companies from refusing to pay many of our bills, and they don't improve the insurance we now have. Some offer a "public option," but this will quickly become too expensive as the sick flee to the public sector as private insurers avoid them, abandon them, or make it too difficult for them to get their bills paid.

3. These proposals won't work, either to expand coverage or to contain costs. Plans like these have been tried in many states over the past two decades (Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington State, Oregon, Minnesota, Vermont, Maine).3 They have all failed to reduce the number of uninsured or to contain costs.

4. These mandate plans will add hundreds of billions of dollars to the nation's health care costs. In this economic downturn, we need assure health care for all without adding to the nation's cost and the government's deficit. The bottom line is: these proposals don't reform our fragmented, inefficient system, they just add to its complexity and costs.

5. As long as we continue to rely on private for-profit insurers, universal coverage will be unaffordable. Their administrative costs consume nearly one-third of our health care dollar.4 We will never have enough money to provide everyone with decent care until we eliminate private insurance with its enormous waste and inadequate coverage. And we will never be able to keep costs down and get the care we need as long as the wasteful and unnecessary insurance companies stand between us and our doctors.

6. Every other industrialized country has some form of universal health care. None uses profitmaking, investor-owned insurance companies like ours to provide health care for all their people.5

7. We have an American system that works. It's Medicare. It's not perfect, but Americans with Medicare are far happier than those with private insurance. Doctors face fewer hassles in getting paid, and Medicare has been a leader in keeping costs down. And keep in mind that Medicare insures people with the greatest health care needs: people over 65 and the disabled. We should improve and expand Medicare to cover everyone.

8. A single-payer "Medicare for All" system is embodied in H.R. 676, sponsored by Rep. John Conyers and 92 other members of Congress. It would have:

Automatic enrollment for everyone
Comprehensive services covering all medically necessary care and drugs
Free choice of doctor and hospital, who remain independent and negotiate their fees and budgets with a public or nonprofit agency
Public or nonprofit agency processes and pays the bills
Entire system financed through progressive taxes
Help job growth and the entire U.S. economy by removing the burden of health costs from business
Cover everyone without spending any more than we are now.6
9. The growth in health care costs must be addressed if any proposal is to succeed.

Single payer offers real tools to contain costs: budgeting, especially for hospitals, planning of capital investments, and an emphasis on primary care and coordination of care.
Mandate plans offer only hopes: competition among insurance companies, computerization, chronic disease management. Competition among the shrinking number of insurance companies has already failed to contain costs and, in the absence of single payer and reformed primary care, computerization and chronic disease management will raise costs, not lower them.
10. Single-payer Medicare for All is the right answer:

It is right on choice. It provides free choice of doctor and hospital, the choice Americans want and value. In mandate plans, we lose those choices.
It is right on efficiency. Single payer would slash administrative costs and promote efficient primary care. It would also enhance evidence-based quality assurance.
It is right on accountability. It will be a public, nonprofit system that will respond to what doctors and their patients need, not what corporate executives and their stockholders want.

1. "Illness and Injury as Contributors to Bankruptcy," D. Himmelstein et al., Health Affairs Web Exclusive, February 2, 2005.

2. Carroll, A., Ackerman, R., "Support for National Health Insurance Among U.S. Physicians: 5 Years Later," Annals of Internal Medicine, 148(7), April 1, 2008; ABC News/Washington Post, Oct. 9-13, 2003, Associated Press/Yahoo News Poll, Dec. 14-20, 2007.

3. S. Woolhandler, et al., "State Health Reform Flatlines," International Journal of Health Services, 2008; Marcia Angell, "Health Reform You Shouldn't Believe In," The American Prospect, April 21, 2008.

4. S. Woolhandler, et al., "Costs of Health Care Administration in the U.S. and Canada ," New England Journal of Medicine, Sept. 21, 2003; J.G. Kahn et al., "The Cost of Health Insurance Administration in California : Estimates for Insurers, Physicians, and Hospitals," Health Affairs, 2005.

5. Reid, T.R., "Sick Around the World," PBS, April 15, 2008; Thompson, S., Mossialos, E., "Private Health Insurance and Access to Health Care in the European Union," Euro Observer, Spring 2004.

6. United States National Health Insurance Act (or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act), H.R.676, www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.676 ; "Health Care for All Californians Act: Cost and Economic Impacts Analysis," The Lewin Group, January 2005

By Len Rodberg, PhD, Co-chair, PNHP NY Metro Chapter





Physicians for a National Health Program
29 E Madison Suite 602, Chicago , IL 60602
Phone [phone] | Fax: [phone]
www.pnhp.org | [e-mail]
© PNHP 2008