The meeting was called to order by R. Graap. A summation of the current status of HR 3220, 676, the Kucinich amendment "allowing" states to develop single payer plans, the Weiner amendment to 3200 to replace it with 676 (have not heard any outcome on this) and the so-called public option in 3220 was given.
Jeff Latas gave an update on his efforts to push the AzDPC (Progressive Caucus) to support a resolution at the state demo meeting; this has since passed the AzDPC steering committee and is in circulation. His further comments during the strategy discussion were very helpful
Multiple strategies to further the pressure for single payer were discussed. These emerged as the ones to do:
1. Set up meeting with the Star editorial board. My thoughts are to try for 2 delegations: one of doctors and one of community activists. 2..Pressure Rep. Giffords to support a strong public option; strategy in part as below. 3. Do street theater presentations to dramatize the problems and get publicity. 4. Circulate and support Jeff's AzPDC resolution which will be presented on Aug 15 at the state meeting.
These are in process to one degree or another. The resolution is meant to convey to Giffords, Mitchell and Kirkpatrick to get on board for 676 or at a minimum, a strong public option. Pastor and Grijalva are 676 co-signers.
An update meeting is scheduled for Wed., July 29 at 7 p.m. at the same 6th Ward location.
Additions are welcomed. I should mention the "Mad as Hell Doctors" project which is another strategy to dramatize the support and need for 676; I'll see where that is going.
Please circulate to the usual groups/ individuals.
The window of opportunity is closing on real health care reform. You know our health care system is broken! Nearly 50 Million uninsured and millions more underinsured. 98,000 die from medial errors. 20,000 die for lack of care. You know the forces that have taken us here. Speak up; join us at Arizona’s Mega Forum on Health Care Reform. Send a clear message to Washington D.C. that Arizonans support a viable public health plan option…comprehensive, affordable, high quality, and open to all…that helps bring economic viability for Arizona’s small businesses.
Let's remind our elected officials that we want health care reform that works, we VOTE, and we will not be ignored. There is significant suffering for millions of Americans under our current health care system. Let’s change that.
Tell Your Story
Doctors, nurses, patients! Do you have a health insurance horror story to tell? Send your story to info@afrhc.net with your contact information. Your story may be selected for reading at the Mega Forum on Health Care Reform.
· Rep, John Conyers, Michign 14th District, live remote feed
· Donna Smith, California Nurses Association
· Kyrsten Sinema, White House Health Reform Task Force member
· Luis Heredia , Executive Director, AZ Democratic Party
· Margaret Flowers, M.D., Physicians for a National Health Program
With a message from Luis Heredia, Executive Director of the Arizona State Democratic Party and presentations by Dr. Jonathan Weisbuch, Peter Cerchiara, and others
Originally aired on PBS's FRONTLINE, Sick Around the Worldchronicles reporter T. R. Reid's travels to five capitalist nations that use a single-payer health finance system - to get treatment for his "bum shoulder". In each country, he gains information from health professionals who are part of a private system financed with public dollars.
Reid's first stop is the U.K., where the government-run National Health Service (NHS) is funded through taxes. "Every single person who's born in the U.K. will use the NHS," says Whittington Hospital CEO David Sloman, "and none of them will be presented a bill at any point during that time." Often dismissed in America as "socialized medicine," the NHS is now trying some free-market tactics like "pay-for-performance," where doctors are paid more if they get good results controlling chronic diseases like diabetes. And now patients can choose where they go for medical procedures, forcing hospitals to compete head to head."
Comparison of countries on health care, click here.
Screening of Bill Moyers Journal "A Medical Dilemma" followed by group planning of local citizen actions in support of single payer HR 676 and SB 703 leading up to August votes in Congress.
This meeting is open to all who are willing to work to enact true universal health care as national law this year. Seating is limited. Please be prompt.
How Can We Get Tax Policy Right?
To whet your appetite on the topic, check out the commentary of investor Irwin Stelzer at the American Enterprise Institute, where he challenges the free market mantras.
