Nonprofit community health centers and clinics that provide preventive and primary healthcare services for 24 million people – or one in 13 persons in the U.S. – report that the first year of the Affordable Care Act’s implementation had uneven effects, particularly between facilities in Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states.
The findings were released today by Direct Relief in The State of the Safety Net 2014, an annual report that examines issues and trends within the extensive network of nonprofit, community-based health centers and clinics, which are the principal point of access to healthcare and the medical home for persons with low incomes, without health insurance, and among the country’s most vulnerable. Such facilities include Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), nonprofit community-based health clinics, and free and charitable clinics.
Direct Relief’s annual report on Fiscal Year 2014: During this period—July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014—Direct Relief responded to more requests for assistance, fulfilled its humanitarian mission more expansively, and provided more assistance to more people in need than ever before in the organization’s 66-year history.
Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people notice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their ability to function at home or at work or to enjoy lifelong hobbies.
Nonprofit community health centers and clinics that provide preventive and primary healthcare services for 24 million people – or one in 13 persons in the U.S. – report that the first year of the Affordable Care Act’s implementation had uneven effects, particularly between facilities in Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states.
The findings were released today by Direct Relief in The State of the Safety Net 2014, an annual report that examines issues and trends within the extensive network of nonprofit, community-based health centers and clinics, which are the principal point of access to healthcare and the medical home for persons with low incomes, without health insurance, and among the country’s most vulnerable. Such facilities include Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), nonprofit community-based health clinics, and free and charitable clinics.
Direct Relief’s annual report on Fiscal Year 2014: During this period—July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014—Direct Relief responded to more requests for assistance, fulfilled its humanitarian mission more expansively, and provided more assistance to more people in need than ever before in the organization’s 66-year history.
Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people notice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their ability to function at home or at work or to enjoy lifelong hobbies.
The 2015 challenge manifesto sets out what we believe are the essential components of a new health and care system and how they might look and be experienced by people using and working in health and care, and the wider public. It also sets out some shared ‘asks’ of politicians and policymakers that are essential to achieve this vision.
Learn Valuable Information for Getting Paid to Take Care of Your Family Membe...BestHomeCare
The need for home care is constantly growing and, as a result, providing care for a family member or friend has become much more common than it was just a few years ago. Most family caregivers are unaware of the opportunity they have to get paid for taking care of a family member or friend. The state of Minnesota and Federal Government sponsor programs designed to compensate caregivers for their services. This paper outlines these programs to help friend and family caregivers find the appropriate method for getting paid to take care of a loved one.
EOA2015: Providence Institute for a Healthier Community: Scott ForslundPIHCSnohomish
A brief overview of the Providence Institute for a Healthier Community, with Scott Forslund, Executive Director. See what this new entity is working on and how they hope to change the health of Snohomish County, through the promotion of a community based view of vibrant health.
SOCW 6520 WK 5 responses Respond to the blog post of three.docxrronald3
SOCW 6520 WK 5 responses
Respond
to the blog post of three colleagues Has to be responded to separately and different responses in one or more of the following ways:
Name first and references after every person
Respond
to the blog post of three colleagues in one or more of the following ways:
Make a suggestion to your colleague’s post.
Expand on your colleague’s posting.
Peer 1:
Sasha Ritchie -
Infinity Hospice follows the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). The NHPCO offers professionals in hospice care a ‘Guide to Organizational Ethics in Hospice Care as a resource to hospice programs and professionals” (NHPCO, 2016). The organization’s core policies are driven by their values and mission statement. Infinity Hospice priority is to enhance their patient’s quality of life and help them live in dignity and comfort. They offer ‘dependability’ to the patient and to their loved one during their time of need for 24/7 care. Infinity Hospice Care’s mission is to bring comfort and value to our community. Our core values guide our team in providing the best family hospice and palliative care possible. If you and your family find balance with our mission and core values, we encourage you to speak to us.
The organizations second core policy is having a trusting team of experts. They have an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, counselors, and volunteers who work together to support each patient and their family. To accomplish this, Infinity Hospice provides the following hospice home services:
Medical care
Pain management needs
Spiritual counseling
Bereavement and grief counseling
Medical supplies and durable equipment
Every two weeks, all professionals from each discipline meet to discuss cases to find solutions for the challenges to the patients care. The third policy is ‘a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of others.’ This organization understands that at times caring for an individual and providing a supportive system to their family will mean going above and beyond care standards to deliver excellence. Infinity Hospice policy is committed to making the patient’s life better through the following actions:
Assess each patient’s pain and comfort during each in house hospice visit
Attentively listen and take action on family needs
Continually search for creative ways to enhance your loved one’s quality of life
Nurture the desire to make a difference in our team’s lives by supporting a healthy work/life balance
Unavoidably in healthcare there are policy implication and barriers that arise in care. Infinity is driven to enrich the lives of those who are at the end-of-life. However, barriers to Medicaid, Medicare and in the state of Nevada, Culinary Health insurance all have their own policies in which patient eligibility often factors into their quality of life. Social workers could greatly improve the effectiveness of policy and service efforts designed.
Presentation: Health Reform in Massachusettsmasscare
This is a slideshow presentation that looks at the outcomes of the 2006 Massachusetts health reform law. These are major findings related to insurance coverage, access to care, costs, emergency room use, and other select outcomes from the more comprehensive report by Mass-Care and Massachusetts PNHP: "Massachusetts Health Reform in Practice, and the Future of National Health Reform."
This is a training on the financial crisis facing Medicare in the next generation. Are Democratic of Republican proposals for Medicare reform able to address the crisis, or can only single payer save the Medicare entitlement for seniors?
Impact of Health Reform on Racial and Ethnic Inequitiesmasscare
This presentation collects all of the available data on how the 2006 Massachusetts health reform law impacted racial and ethnic inequities. Presentation reviews inequities in health insurance coverage, access to care, and some health outcomes.
This is a training to introduce audiences to the problems with the health care system in Massachusetts, and to describe how a single payer health care system controls costs and saves lives elsewhere in the world.
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New Directions in Targeted Therapeutic Approaches for Older Adults With Mantl...i3 Health
i3 Health is pleased to make the speaker slides from this activity available for use as a non-accredited self-study or teaching resource.
This slide deck presented by Dr. Kami Maddocks, Professor-Clinical in the Division of Hematology and
Associate Division Director for Ambulatory Operations
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, will provide insight into new directions in targeted therapeutic approaches for older adults with mantle cell lymphoma.
STATEMENT OF NEED
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare, aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) accounting for 5% to 7% of all lymphomas. Its prognosis ranges from indolent disease that does not require treatment for years to very aggressive disease, which is associated with poor survival (Silkenstedt et al, 2021). Typically, MCL is diagnosed at advanced stage and in older patients who cannot tolerate intensive therapy (NCCN, 2022). Although recent advances have slightly increased remission rates, recurrence and relapse remain very common, leading to a median overall survival between 3 and 6 years (LLS, 2021). Though there are several effective options, progress is still needed towards establishing an accepted frontline approach for MCL (Castellino et al, 2022). Treatment selection and management of MCL are complicated by the heterogeneity of prognosis, advanced age and comorbidities of patients, and lack of an established standard approach for treatment, making it vital that clinicians be familiar with the latest research and advances in this area. In this activity chaired by Michael Wang, MD, Professor in the Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma at MD Anderson Cancer Center, expert faculty will discuss prognostic factors informing treatment, the promising results of recent trials in new therapeutic approaches, and the implications of treatment resistance in therapeutic selection for MCL.
Target Audience
Hematology/oncology fellows, attending faculty, and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
Learning Objectives
1.) Identify clinical and biological prognostic factors that can guide treatment decision making for older adults with MCL
2.) Evaluate emerging data on targeted therapeutic approaches for treatment-naive and relapsed/refractory MCL and their applicability to older adults
3.) Assess mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies for MCL and their implications for treatment selection
MANAGEMENT OF ATRIOVENTRICULAR CONDUCTION BLOCK.pdfJim Jacob Roy
Cardiac conduction defects can occur due to various causes.
Atrioventricular conduction blocks ( AV blocks ) are classified into 3 types.
This document describes the acute management of AV block.
- Video recording of this lecture in English language: https://youtu.be/lK81BzxMqdo
- Video recording of this lecture in Arabic language: https://youtu.be/Ve4P0COk9OI
- Link to download the book free: https://nephrotube.blogspot.com/p/nephrotube-nephrology-books.html
- Link to NephroTube website: www.NephroTube.com
- Link to NephroTube social media accounts: https://nephrotube.blogspot.com/p/join-nephrotube-on-social-media.html
Ozempic: Preoperative Management of Patients on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Saeid Safari
Preoperative Management of Patients on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists like Ozempic and Semiglutide
ASA GUIDELINE
NYSORA Guideline
2 Case Reports of Gastric Ultrasound
These simplified slides by Dr. Sidra Arshad present an overview of the non-respiratory functions of the respiratory tract.
Learning objectives:
1. Enlist the non-respiratory functions of the respiratory tract
2. Briefly explain how these functions are carried out
3. Discuss the significance of dead space
4. Differentiate between minute ventilation and alveolar ventilation
5. Describe the cough and sneeze reflexes
Study Resources:
1. Chapter 39, Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th edition
2. Chapter 34, Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology, 26th edition
3. Chapter 17, Human Physiology by Lauralee Sherwood, 9th edition
4. Non-respiratory functions of the lungs https://academic.oup.com/bjaed/article/13/3/98/278874
These lecture slides, by Dr Sidra Arshad, offer a quick overview of physiological basis of a normal electrocardiogram.
Learning objectives:
1. Define an electrocardiogram (ECG) and electrocardiography
2. Describe how dipoles generated by the heart produce the waveforms of the ECG
3. Describe the components of a normal electrocardiogram of a typical bipolar leads (limb II)
4. Differentiate between intervals and segments
5. Enlist some common indications for obtaining an ECG
Study Resources:
1. Chapter 11, Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th edition
2. Chapter 9, Human Physiology - From Cells to Systems, Lauralee Sherwood, 9th edition
3. Chapter 29, Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology, 26th edition
4. Electrocardiogram, StatPearls - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549803/
5. ECG in Medical Practice by ABM Abdullah, 4th edition
6. ECG Basics, http://www.nataliescasebook.com/tag/e-c-g-basics
Title: Sense of Smell
Presenter: Dr. Faiza, Assistant Professor of Physiology
Qualifications:
MBBS (Best Graduate, AIMC Lahore)
FCPS Physiology
ICMT, CHPE, DHPE (STMU)
MPH (GC University, Faisalabad)
MBA (Virtual University of Pakistan)
Learning Objectives:
Describe the primary categories of smells and the concept of odor blindness.
Explain the structure and location of the olfactory membrane and mucosa, including the types and roles of cells involved in olfaction.
Describe the pathway and mechanisms of olfactory signal transmission from the olfactory receptors to the brain.
Illustrate the biochemical cascade triggered by odorant binding to olfactory receptors, including the role of G-proteins and second messengers in generating an action potential.
Identify different types of olfactory disorders such as anosmia, hyposmia, hyperosmia, and dysosmia, including their potential causes.
Key Topics:
Olfactory Genes:
3% of the human genome accounts for olfactory genes.
400 genes for odorant receptors.
Olfactory Membrane:
Located in the superior part of the nasal cavity.
Medially: Folds downward along the superior septum.
Laterally: Folds over the superior turbinate and upper surface of the middle turbinate.
Total surface area: 5-10 square centimeters.
Olfactory Mucosa:
Olfactory Cells: Bipolar nerve cells derived from the CNS (100 million), with 4-25 olfactory cilia per cell.
Sustentacular Cells: Produce mucus and maintain ionic and molecular environment.
Basal Cells: Replace worn-out olfactory cells with an average lifespan of 1-2 months.
Bowman’s Gland: Secretes mucus.
Stimulation of Olfactory Cells:
Odorant dissolves in mucus and attaches to receptors on olfactory cilia.
Involves a cascade effect through G-proteins and second messengers, leading to depolarization and action potential generation in the olfactory nerve.
Quality of a Good Odorant:
Small (3-20 Carbon atoms), volatile, water-soluble, and lipid-soluble.
Facilitated by odorant-binding proteins in mucus.
Membrane Potential and Action Potential:
Resting membrane potential: -55mV.
Action potential frequency in the olfactory nerve increases with odorant strength.
Adaptation Towards the Sense of Smell:
Rapid adaptation within the first second, with further slow adaptation.
Psychological adaptation greater than receptor adaptation, involving feedback inhibition from the central nervous system.
Primary Sensations of Smell:
Camphoraceous, Musky, Floral, Pepperminty, Ethereal, Pungent, Putrid.
Odor Detection Threshold:
Examples: Hydrogen sulfide (0.0005 ppm), Methyl-mercaptan (0.002 ppm).
Some toxic substances are odorless at lethal concentrations.
Characteristics of Smell:
Odor blindness for single substances due to lack of appropriate receptor protein.
Behavioral and emotional influences of smell.
Transmission of Olfactory Signals:
From olfactory cells to glomeruli in the olfactory bulb, involving lateral inhibition.
Primitive, less old, and new olfactory systems with different path
micro teaching on communication m.sc nursing.pdfAnurag Sharma
Microteaching is a unique model of practice teaching. It is a viable instrument for the. desired change in the teaching behavior or the behavior potential which, in specified types of real. classroom situations, tends to facilitate the achievement of specified types of objectives.
Explore natural remedies for syphilis treatment in Singapore. Discover alternative therapies, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes that may complement conventional treatments. Learn about holistic approaches to managing syphilis symptoms and supporting overall health.
Prix Galien International 2024 Forum ProgramLevi Shapiro
June 20, 2024, Prix Galien International and Jerusalem Ethics Forum in ROME. Detailed agenda including panels:
- ADVANCES IN CARDIOLOGY: A NEW PARADIGM IS COMING
- WOMEN’S HEALTH: FERTILITY PRESERVATION
- WHAT’S NEW IN THE TREATMENT OF INFECTIOUS,
ONCOLOGICAL AND INFLAMMATORY SKIN DISEASES?
- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ETHICS
- GENE THERAPY
- BEYOND BORDERS: GLOBAL INITIATIVES FOR DEMOCRATIZING LIFE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROMOTING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
- ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN LIFE SCIENCES
- Prix Galien International Awards Ceremony
The prostate is an exocrine gland of the male mammalian reproductive system
It is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system and is located in front of the rectum and just below the urinary bladder
Function is to store and secrete a clear, slightly alkaline fluid that constitutes 10-30% of the volume of the seminal fluid that along with the spermatozoa, constitutes semen
A healthy human prostate measures (4cm-vertical, by 3cm-horizontal, 2cm ant-post ).
It surrounds the urethra just below the urinary bladder. It has anterior, median, posterior and two lateral lobes
It’s work is regulated by androgens which are responsible for male sex characteristics
Generalised disease of the prostate due to hormonal derangement which leads to non malignant enlargement of the gland (increase in the number of epithelial cells and stromal tissue)to cause compression of the urethra leading to symptoms (LUTS
Flu Vaccine Alert in Bangalore Karnatakaaddon Scans
As flu season approaches, health officials in Bangalore, Karnataka, are urging residents to get their flu vaccinations. The seasonal flu, while common, can lead to severe health complications, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions.
Dr. Vidisha Kumari, a leading epidemiologist in Bangalore, emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated. "The flu vaccine is our best defense against the influenza virus. It not only protects individuals but also helps prevent the spread of the virus in our communities," he says.
This year, the flu season is expected to coincide with a potential increase in other respiratory illnesses. The Karnataka Health Department has launched an awareness campaign highlighting the significance of flu vaccinations. They have set up multiple vaccination centers across Bangalore, making it convenient for residents to receive their shots.
To encourage widespread vaccination, the government is also collaborating with local schools, workplaces, and community centers to facilitate vaccination drives. Special attention is being given to ensuring that the vaccine is accessible to all, including marginalized communities who may have limited access to healthcare.
Residents are reminded that the flu vaccine is safe and effective. Common side effects are mild and may include soreness at the injection site, mild fever, or muscle aches. These side effects are generally short-lived and far less severe than the flu itself.
Healthcare providers are also stressing the importance of continuing COVID-19 precautions. Wearing masks, practicing good hand hygiene, and maintaining social distancing are still crucial, especially in crowded places.
Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated. Together, we can help keep Bangalore healthy and safe this flu season. For more information on vaccination centers and schedules, residents can visit the Karnataka Health Department’s official website or follow their social media pages.
Stay informed, stay safe, and get your flu shot today!
1. UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE EDUCATION FUND ~ VOLUME 3, NUMBER 2 ~ SPRING 2009
CommonHealth
Mass-Care & UHCEF's Challenges for 2009 What We Can Do Now to Achieve
National health reform is back on the table for the first time in almost a Single-Payer Health Care
generation, and the Massachusetts reform law of 2006 is already 1. Volunteer for Mass-Care!
beginning to buckle under the financial pressures of a terrible recession
• We need office volunteers to make phone calls,
as state legislators have now proposed to make documented immigrants
write letters, stuff envelopes for special mailings
ineligible for the state's subsidy program to save money. Mass-Care and
• We need volunteers who will work on the
UHCEF, along with our grassroots activists and coalition partners, have
Legislative Committee of Mass-Care to support
our work cut out for us in the coming year! Here are some upcoming and
the bills we have helped sponsor, organize the
ongoing campaigns that we hope you will get involved with:
districts of key legislators to support our bills, go
to the legislature and lobby legislators, develop
• Mass-Care has joined a national movement to have the single-payer
perspective heard during national deliberations on health reform, legislative strategy with the committee
including at President Obama's public forums and Congressional • We need volunteers to work on fundraising: grant
briefings. Here in Massachusetts, Senator Kennedy is leading health writers, event planners, single payer signs,
reform deliberations in the Senate, while Senator Kerry is a senior stickers and posters, house parties for “SiCKO”,
member of the Finance Committee that will vote on health reform. and any new ideas.
Additionally, three of our Representatives - Markey, Neal and Tierney • We need volunteers to help on broadening our
- sit on committees of jurisdiction in the House, which will also vote on access to the media; new contacts with
health reform. We need to ensure that Congress hears the full range newspapers, TV and radio stations, local access
of health reform options available to residents of the US, and bases TV, press releases
its deliberations on what will provide the most equitable and • We need volunteers to be speakers for Single
comprehensive access to care in an affordable and sustainable manner. Payer when groups ask us to come and give a
• Mass-Care is attempting to build a network of business people presentation. We are going to have a speaker’s
representing small- and medium-sized firms. We know from surveys training session soon.
that a large portion of the business community supports 2. Go speak to your legislators and be sure they
comprehensive reform of the health care system, including single understand what single payer can do for health care
payer, but they are not represented by the dominant business in Massachusetts. Keep them informed about new
associations. We will be launching a pilot project in Cambridge. developments on single payer and cost control bills
• Mass-Care hopes to develop an online tool allowing Massachusetts that need their support.
residents to publicly tell their stories of being denied care, struggling 3. Work on the political campaigns of candidates
to access or afford the care they need, fighting through health that support single payer
bureaucracies, and facing the high costs of the care we do receive. We 4. Host a house party and show “SiCKO” or “Sick
hope to make this web-site a powerful tool for collecting, in a single Around the World” on DVD. Mass-Care will provide
place, the testimony that virtually all of us hear from our families, our speakers to discuss the movie
neighbors, our co-workers and others, and to translate this testimony
5. Work with your local Town Democratic
into an effective voice for patients in the health reform process.
Committee to support single payer
• Mass-Care will continue its close collaboration with Physicians for a
6. Give generously to support Mass-Care financially
National Health Program, organizing medical professionals for a
because this is a crucial year to elect progressive
national health program, and with the Cape Care Coalition, working
candidates who will support single payer when
towards community-run public health care for all on the Cape. We look
Chapter 58 unravels. to volunteer!
forward to building our coalition with every year, and keeping up our
education and mobilization-oriented campaign work.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing
over and over again and expecting different results.
- Albert Einstein
PAGE 1
2. UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE EDUCATION FUND ~ VOLUME 3, NUMBER 2 ~ SPRING 2009
Massachusetts Single Payer Health Care Trust Bill Business for Single Payer
Revised, Refiled as HB 2127 with 49 Co-sponsors! Mass-Care has started an outreach project to
engage the business community in a Business for
Thanks to the hard work of many Mass-Care volunteers before and after Single Payer group. Businesses that have in the
the January filing date, 49 legislators became co-sponsors of HB 2127, the past been reluctant to support Single Payer are
Single Payer Massachusetts Health Care Trust bill. The bill, when enacted finding that the high cost of providing health
and implemented, will provide all Massachusetts residents with quality, insurance for their employees has left them
affordable and accessible health care, end insurance premiums, deductibles with the nasty choice of dropping healthcare
and co-pays, and save the Commonwealth about $9 billion per year! coverage altogether or losing the business.
To help guarantee health coverage as a right for all Massachusetts Single Payer should appeal to businesses
residents, please check our website (www.masscare.org) to see if your because all employees will have guaranteed
State Senator and State Representative have signed on as co-sponsors. If health care coverage through the Health Care
your Representative and/or State Senator is missing from the list, please Trust and won’t need coverage through their
explain that while the deadline has passed to sign on as co-sponsors they employer. Under Single Payer, employers will no
can still sign on as supporters by calling Peggy Connor in Representative longer have to spend money and time selecting
Patrick’s office. If your Representative or Senator is on our list, please and managing health plans for their employees,
thank them and ask them to please talk to their colleagues about and health care costs will no longer cause a
supporting HB 2127. competitive disadvantage with other companies
or countries.
If you feel you need more information to convince your legislators, please
look at our website for supporting facts and excellent articles or contact Mass-Care’s new project, Business for Single
Mass-Care and one of our volunteers will be glad to go with you to talk to Payer seeks to engage and organize businesses
your legislator. Common reasons that legislators have used for not interested in supporting Single Payer in order to
supporting the Health Care Trust bill include “it’s not politically possible”, develop an activist business lobby to work with
“we need to continue to support the reform law of 2006”, “it will cost too the legislature, the Governor, and other
much”. The answer is that we are the grassroots political force that will coalition members to adopt a Single Payer
make it possible by making our voices heard. We can convince the system. The first phase of this project will be
legislature that it is time to dump the 2006 reform law and support Single carried out this spring and involves conducting a
Payer which costs less than what we have now, is sustainable for the long survey to assess the views of local small
term, and guarantees coverage for everyone. business owners on health care and health
insurance as well as to identify businesses we
HB 2127 was referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health. Co-
can partner with in the future. Mass-Care is
sponsors of our bill who are on that
currently in the process of testing and
committee are Senator Susan Fargo
implementing this survey, targeting members of
(chair) and Representatives Balser,
the Cambridge Local First (CLF) business
Toomey and Lewis. Other members
organization. In the future, we will be
of the Joint Committee on Public
expanding this network to include other
Health are: Senators Montigney,
communities around Massachusetts.
Buoniconti, Chandler, Flanagan,
Hedlund and Representatives If any business owner is interested in joining
Sanchez (Chair), Quinn, Murphy, this project we welcome you! If there are
Turner, Aguiar, Brady, Evangelido. It volunteers who would like to help by
is really important to organize visits participating in focus group discussions or doing
to these legislators now and in the some on the ground interviewing of selected
coming weeks! businesses, please contact Ben Day, Director of
Mass-Care via email at director@masscare.org.
The date of the hearing on HB
We need to build support from the business
2127 will be October 20 at
community in order to broaden our grassroots
10:00. Save the date to support
effort for Single Payer! - Brett Schmitz
PAGE 2
3. UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE EDUCATION FUND ~ VOLUME 3, NUMBER 2 ~ SPRING 2009
Real Health Care Reform ... Single Payer HR.676
Among the many issues President Obama has pledged to
address in his first 100 days in office is the battle to
reform healthcare. The question is: What defines reform?
Over a warm weekend back in January, I traveled to Saint
Louis, courtesy of SEIU 509’s COPE Committee, as one of
150 delegates from 31 states to participate in the “Labor
for Single Payer Health Care” conference. I was greeted by
Spring Fundraiser at Ryles a Huge Success! brothers and sisters from every labor union imaginable
The Spring Gala/Ben Gill Memorial Event was a rollicking success! representing a true grassroots gathering of labor activists.
First of all $13,200 was added to MassCare/UHEF coffers, the The group discussed strategy regarding coordination of
most money raised at the annual event in recent memory. The efforts across our country to bring the issue of single
vibrant atmosphere at Ryles was enhanced by the presence of payer to the table of every working man and woman, to our
President Obama (life-size cutout), balloons and a raffle table. neighbors, and also to our elected officials, both in
Approximately 100 attendees, including state Senators Eldridge government and in our unions.
and Galluccio and Representatives Toomey and Wolf, munched on a
variety of tasty snacks catered by S&S Deli while they listened Dues-paying union members are only too familiar with our
and danced to the music of the Joe Lillyman Band. constant struggle regarding the cost of our health
insurance. The price of health insurance begins to soar and
Our keynote speaker, Dr. Gordon Schiff, Past President of we hear from our union leadership to “lace up your sneakers
Physicians for a National Health Program, gave a riveting ‘cause we’re going to Beacon Hill to beat back the attempts
presentation, explaining some of the “dirty words” of the health to shift the cost increases to the workers!” We have had
care industry including “pre-existing condition”, “rescinded tremendous success lobbying our state reps and senators in
policies”, and “cherry picking”. He urged us to make our voices this area, but the real issue - why costs continue to soar -
heard now to support Single Payer in Massachusetts and in never really gets addressed. We need real Health Care
Congress. Reform!!
Honorees this year were three of Mass-Care’s chapters. Cape Care Representative John Conyer’s HR.676 represents real
has designed a “first in the nation” regional Single Payer model to reform. The bill focuses on a single payer health care
be run by county government. Legislation to establish a Barnstable system through the expansion of our current Medicare
County Single Payer plan was filed in January to provide system. HR.676 ends deductibles and co-payments while
comprehensive, affordable care for all county residents. Cape providing necessary medical care for everything from
Care has built an unprecedented Single Payer grassroots network. primary care to prescription drugs, vision care, dental, and
Berkshire Mass-Care/PNHP has been an incredibly successful local long term care, to name a few.
chapter by getting all but one of the state legislators in Berkshire
county to support Single Payer reform through an active and Don’t just take my word - please do your own research.
persistent grassroots campaign. Franklin Hampshire is the oldest Websites where you can read for yourself and decide
chapter of Mass-Care, providing consistent support through include www.unionsforsinglepayerhr676.org and
organized community events, public forums, lobbying efforts and www.masscare.org, a Massachusetts organization.
coalitions. It has organized several non-binding ballot initiatives
for Single Payer all of which have passed overwhelmingly. Mass-
Care salutes the dedicated volunteers in each of the chapter s
who have made such a difference in educating the public and
getting Massachusetts closer to true health care reform!
To top off the afternoon, comedian Jimmy Tingle provided
everyone with laughs galore. His good-hearted humor ranged from
Single Payer reform to the Pilgrims on Cape Cod and proved that a
good laugh is the best antidote to insurance industry outrages.
PAGE 3
4. UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE EDUCATION FUND ~ VOLUME 3, NUMBER 2 ~ SPRING 2009
How to help Mass-Care!
Mass-Care and UHCEF need your financial support
now to make our voices heard in this extremely
important year – the year of healthcare reform!
We want true Single Payer reform, not just more
incrementalism. We don’t want our present
Massachusetts health reform law to become the
“model” for the nation because it doesn’t cover
everybody; it isn’t continuous; it is not affordable
National Focus for individuals, families, municipalities, businesses or
Both anticipation and anxiety are running high as Congressional leaders the state; it is not sustainable over time; and it is
confer with industry “stakeholders” on national health reform, declaring not patient-centered. It is outrageous that there
single payer off the table and barring advocates from any meaningful are 50 million uninsured in the US, 22,000 people die
presence within the Beltway. Yet pressure for real healthcare reform each year only because they have no health
intensifies, reflected in civil disobedience in the Senate Finance insurance, and the quality of care is the lowest in the
Committee chambers and increasingly militant demonstrations. Here are OECD nations. Your financial support is crucial to
a few of the actions Mass-Care has been involved in: achieve Single Payer reform here in Massachusetts
and nationally.
• January 10-11: Labor for Single Payer formed, with Massachusetts
represented by a diverse fifteen-member delegation. Marianne Kiely’s We are very fortunate that we have matching funds
write-up for 509 News is reprinted here on Page 3. for the first $7000 contributed in this fundraising
campaign. Please be as generous as possible and
• February 7: Teach-In on Single Payer & Chapter 58 at Harvard
Medical School sponsored by PNHP & Mass-Care. every dollar given up to $7000 will be doubled. Your
gifts will save lives and help build a healthier and
• February 25: Congressional briefing on Chapter 58, organized by Ben
more humane America! Thank you so much for your
Day, hosted by Donna Smith, chaired by Representative Eric Massa
support!
(D-NY); panelists: David Himmelstein, Sandy Eaton, Senator Jamie
Eldridge, Mary Ford, Peter Knowlton & Arthur MacEwan;
Representatives John Conyers & Dennis Kucinich came to testify as
well. (See photo above.)
• March 17: White House Regional Forum on Health Reform in
Burlington, Vermont, co-hosted by Governors Jim Douglas & Deval
Patrick; vigorous single-payer rally outside, highly structured format
inside; Ben Day, Sandy Eaton, Peter Knowlton & Bill Walczak allowed
in, never called upon to present their views.
• March 20: Representative John Conyers visited Northampton, CommonHealth, Volume 3, Number 2:
speaking to packed auditorium on prospects for HR.676, Medicare for Director: Benjamin Day
All. (Photo at right, compliments of Andrea Burns, PDA) Editor: Sandy Eaton
Production: Erin Servaes
• April 19: Senator John Kerry hosted “stakeholders” forum on
Copy: Pat Berger, Ben Day, Sandy Eaton, Marianne Kiely,
healthcare reform at BC Law School; Pat Berger, Benjamin Day, Sandy
Bea Mikulecky, Brett Schmitz
Eaton and Julie Pinkham raise problems with individual mandate.
Photos: Andrea Burns, Ben Day, Sandy Eaton, Rand Wilson
• May 20: Fifteen-person delegation met with Representative Ed Printing compliments of Massachusetts Nurses Association
Markey’s staff at his Medford office, pressing him to endorse HR.
676; follow-up demonstrative actions planned at Markey’s Framingham
and Medford offices, and at Representative Richard Neal’s
Universal Health Care Education Fund c/o Mass-Care
Springfield office, if endorsements not forthcoming.
33 Harrison Avenue, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02111
• May 30: Health reform teach-in at Harvard Medical School, P: 617-723-7001, F: 617-723-7002
cosponsored by Mass-Care, Jobs with Justice and Health Care for info@masscare.org http://www.masscare.org
America Now.
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