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Donna Smith, community organizer and legislative representative for the National Nurses United (US largest nurses’ union with 150,000 members)/California Nurses Association, and Congressman Jim McDermott will headline the Fifth Annual Public Meeting of Physicians for a National Health Program - Western Washington Chapter on Saturday February 27 at 7:00 pm at the University of Washington’s Kane Hall.
Smith was recently honored as the National Organization for Women’s (NOW’s) 2009 Woman of Action and first came to the public’s attention in Michael Moore’s 2007 movie, “SICKO.” Despite having health insurance and even a health savings account, Donna and her husband Larry were forced to move into their daughter’s basement after being unable to pay staggering health care costs—and were left in financial ruin. Donna’s husband, Larry, suffered three heart attacks and Donna was diagnosed and treated for cancer. There is a scene in the movie “SICKO” where Michael Moore takes Donna to Cuba to get the necessary treatment their insurance wouldn’t pay for. After the film was released, Smith became a health care activist, taking her story and those of other victims of the badly broken health care system around the country at rallies, teach-ins, seminars and demonstrations. She is a founder of the health care advocacy group American Patients United. She has expressed her views on current health care reform efforts on PBS’s Bill Moyer’s Journal.
Rep. Jim McDermott has represented Washington’s congressional District 7 since 1989 and has been a leading advocate for health care reform. He is the sponsor of HR 1200, the American Health Security Act, which would guarantee health care to every American through universal, single-payer health care. Rep. McDermott will deliver an insider report on health care legislation in Congress.
Smith and McDermott will be joined by state health care reform activist Larry Kalb who will address the moral imperative of universal coverage for guaranteed access to comprehensive, timely health care. He is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Washington’s 2nd District and has been Chair of the Progressive Caucus for the Washington State Democratic Party. Larry also served as the National Coordinator for the Health Care Working Group for the Progressive Democrats of America. He has been a board member of Health Care for All - Washington for six years and its President for the past two years. Kalb has developed a popular health care reform presentation that encapsulates the players and issues in the current U.S. system.
The speakers will each make presentations and take questions from the audience. In his State of the Union address on January 27, President Obama asked, “But if anyone from either party has a better approach that will bring down premiums, bring down the deficit, cover the uninsured, strengthen Medicare for seniors, and top insurance company abuses, let me know.” The presenters at this event will have answers to the President’s challenge.
Also on the program, a representative of the Mad as Hell Doctors will introduce a short video of their caravan trip across the country advocating for single payer Medicare for All. The Bob Wickline family will provide musical entertainment. The PNHP Western Washington Chapter will present its 2010 John Geyman Health Justice Advocate Award.
This is a free event and the public is invited. For more information go to http://www.pnhpwesternwashington.org/
About PNHPWW
Since 1987, Physicians for a National Health Program has advocated for reform in the U.S. health care system and has done some of the most significant research on its deficiencies. A large part of our work involves educating health professionals and the public about the benefits of a single-payer Medicare for All system --including its huge administrative savings ($400 million/year). This reform would guarantee comprehensive health care to all Americans, without increasing costs.
PNHP has more than 17,000 members and chapters across the United States. We organizes rallies, town hall meetings, and debates; coordinates speakers and forum discussions; contributes op-eds and articles to the nation's top newspapers, medical journals and magazines; and appears regularly on national television and news programs advocating for a single-payer system. The Western Washington Chapter was founded in 2005. We meet at the Swedish/Cherry Hill Campus Conference Center Auditorium the 3rd or 4th Wednesday of the month.
The message below is the result of a collaborative effort among Archimedes Movement Community Leadership Council members and staff. Members of Congress are holding town hall meetings all over the country in August. We're maintaining a list of the Oregon ones here.
Now is the time to share your views on health reform.
From our friends at Washington Public Campaign:
Friends,
The tug-o-war over health care reform legislation in the Congress is intimately related to our advocacy of public financing of campaigns in Congress. And it is THE hot issue of the moment. That's why WPC is involved.

Please help to spread the word about these public forums on health care reform.
Seattle - Tuesday, June 30th, 7 PM
Detail about each forum is here, WPC's home page: www.washclean.org/
These events are directly related to WPC's organizing for Clean Elections - including the Fair Elections Now Act (public financing of campaigns) in Congress!
As you know, we are hearing news daily about the meltdown in Congress over a public plan option (not to mention, single payer). Increasingly, the political power and influence of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries is being revealed.And that's why - regardless of the outcome on health care reform legislation - we can be sure of one "collateral" result by late this year:
More people than ever will understand that we MUST achieve public financing of campaigns (in the U.S. Senate and Congress) in order to see real progress on issues we care about - including, somehow, affordable health care for all.
Congress will act on health care reform in the next 3-4 weeks. It's on a very fast track - and it may shape how health care coverage is financed and delivered in the U.S. for years! These forums we've organized (including the one held in Spokane, May 27th) are designed to provide solid, factual information about the bills in Congress - the actual deliberations going on right now. This information is essentialcitizen-voters is informed, focused and heard by lawmakers. so that the viewpoint of
The essential message (to lawmakers) is: Listen to the voters .. not the special interests!
But as legislation is crafted, details matter - and that's why we've arranged these public forums.
Contact info for federal lawmakers is here: www.washclean.org/contactcongress.htm
Here is background about the health care debate:
WPC's opinion article - What will health care reform look like?
www.washclean.org/healthcare-stolen.htm
WPC's opinion article - "Health care reform - Essential Features":
www.washclean.org/Library/HC-features.pdf
Here are recent news articles, showing the chaotic debate in the Congress:
6-19-09 NYT / Obama on Health Care
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/us/politics/19reform.html?_r=1&th&emc=th
6-19-09 NYT / Dems Scramble to Cut Costs for Health Care Plan
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/us/19health.html?_r=1&th&emc=th
6-10-09 NYT / Dems reaching consensus on health care
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/us/politics/10health.html?_r=1&th&emc=th
In this debate, bystanders won't count. Please stay involved and informed!
~ Craig
______________________________
Craig Salins, Executive Director
Washington Public Campaigns
www.washclean.org
wpc@washclean.org
206-784-2522
From our friends at Washington Public Campaign:
Friends,
The tug-o-war over health care reform legislation in the Congress is intimately related to our advocacy of public financing of campaigns in Congress. And it is THE hot issue of the moment. That's why WPC is involved.

Please help to spread the word about these public forums on health care reform.
Tacoma - Tuesday, June 23rd, 7 PM
Seattle - Tuesday, June 30th, 7 PM
Detail about each forum is here, WPC's home page: www.washclean.org/
These events are directly related to WPC's organizing for Clean Elections - including the Fair Elections Now Act (public financing of campaigns) in Congress!
As you know, we are hearing news daily about the meltdown in Congress over a public plan option (not to mention, single payer). Increasingly, the political power and influence of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries is being revealed.And that's why - regardless of the outcome on health care reform legislation - we can be sure of one "collateral" result by late this year:
More people than ever will understand that we MUST achieve public financing of campaigns (in the U.S. Senate and Congress) in order to see real progress on issues we care about - including, somehow, affordable health care for all.
Congress will act on health care reform in the next 3-4 weeks. It's on a very fast track - and it may shape how health care coverage is financed and delivered in the U.S. for years! These forums we've organized (including the one held in Spokane, May 27th) are designed to provide solid, factual information about the bills in Congress - the actual deliberations going on right now. This information is essentialcitizen-voters is informed, focused and heard by lawmakers. so that the viewpoint of
The essential message (to lawmakers) is: Listen to the voters .. not the special interests!
But as legislation is crafted, details matter - and that's why we've arranged these public forums.
Contact info for federal lawmakers is here: www.washclean.org/contactcongress.htm
Here is background about the health care debate:
WPC's opinion article - What will health care reform look like?
www.washclean.org/healthcare-stolen.htm
WPC's opinion article - "Health care reform - Essential Features":
www.washclean.org/Library/HC-features.pdf
Here are recent news articles, showing the chaotic debate in the Congress:
6-19-09 NYT / Obama on Health Care
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/us/politics/19reform.html?_r=1&th&emc=th
6-19-09 NYT / Dems Scramble to Cut Costs for Health Care Plan
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/us/19health.html?_r=1&th&emc=th
6-10-09 NYT / Dems reaching consensus on health care
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/us/politics/10health.html?_r=1&th&emc=th
In this debate, bystanders won't count. Please stay involved and informed!
~ Craig
______________________________
Craig Salins, Executive Director
Washington Public Campaigns
www.washclean.org
wpc@washclean.org
206-784-2522
I am passing this news on from a rally organizer. For more information go to http://may30march.org
_________________________________________________________
Hi everyone,
Just a quick announcement:
Senator Murray has confirmed her participation in our May 30th March
She will be a part of the opening program at Pratt Park.
Please spread the word. This will be up on http://may30march.org shortly.
And just a refresher of the speakers already confirmed from before:Featured Speakers
Emcees
Entertainment
--
Lynne Nguyen
May 30th March Coordinator
Organizer, Washington CAN!
www.washingtoncan.org
office: 206-389-0050 x232
On Saturday, May 30th, more than 150 organizations have come together to organize a major march and rally in Seattle to support the goal of winning quality, affordable health care for everyone in 2009.
Our theme, "Health Care for All in 2009 - Mothers Leading the Way," is a powerful message that makes it clear that we are determined to support the goal set by President Obama to achieve health care reform this year. Join the movement today.
March with us on May 30th, starting at 12:30pm at Pratt Park
(20th & E Yesler)
Email lynne@washingtoncan.org for more info!
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PLEASE CIRCULATE WIDELY and PLAN TO ATTEND!
On Saturday, May 30th, more than 75 organizations have come together to organize a major march and rally in Seattle to support the goal of winning quality, affordable health care for everyone in 2009.
Our theme, "Health Care for All in 2009 - Mothers Leading the Way," is a powerful message that makes it clear that we are determined to support the goal set by President Obama to achieve health care reform this year. Join the movement today.
Email lynne@washingtoncan.org for more info!
Additional flyers are available at http://www.may30march.org/ under Spread the Word.
Join us and bring friends, neighbors and family. Show our lawmakers that "we, the people" want effective health care reform now!
Together, we can make a difference!
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: (877) 502-1873 (toll-free)
Email: legislative@wahealthsecurity.org
Website: http://www.wahealthsecurity.org
|
Are you a health reform "Maverick" filled with "Hope"? Want John Kitzhaber In Your Living Room? You got it! » Sign-up to host a house party If this link doesn't work, please email Matt Webber of the Archimedes Movement staff (matt@wecandobetter.org).
It's Real Simple:
What You'll Then Need:
These house parties will occur all over Oregon and will give people a chance to come together around a common goal: working to fix a broken health care system trough grassroots education and mobilization. With your help this event accomplishes the following:
» Sign-up to host a house party If the above link doesn't work, or if you have a question, please send a note to Matt Webber at matt@wecandobetter.org. |
John Kitzhaber invites you to join him at our 1st Annual Membership Conference. You can see Gov. Kitzhaber's invitation in his blog.
Agenda
9:30 am - Pre-conference workshops (optional, but pre-registration is required)
12:00 pm - Registration and lunch, and bumper sticker contest
1:30 - Plenary Session and Member Convention with John Kitzhaber and the Interim Steering Committee (see grassroots structure document here)
2:45 - Concurrent workshops
4:30 - Looking Forward: Our Next Steps, John Kitzhaber
5:30 - 7:00 pm - Members-only Reception with John Kitzhaber: Appetizers, no-host bar and live music by the Bobby Torres Ensemble - Fun!
» Workshop details (tentative)
Accommodations
Lewis and Clark is making dorm rooms available for those who wish to spend the night Friday and/or Saturday evenings. The lodging must be pre-arranged and costs between $22-$27 per person.
Cost
$30 - Conference sessions, materials and lunch
$35 - The above, plus the Members-only Reception and 1-year membership
A limited number of scholarships are available. You may also inquire about a travel stipend.
For more information or to reserve a room or to arrange to pay onsite, please contact Matt Webber at 503-860-5854 or matt@wecandobetter.org.
To register and pay for the Conference, please use our secure online process. To reserve a place now, but register and pay on-site, or to request a scholarship. Please contact Matt.<!-- (c) 2006. Authorize.Net is a registered trademark of Lightbridge, Inc. -->
You can listen online by clicking the triangular "play" button above or download the MP3 as a podcast using the link below. This event was hosted by the Eastside Portland Chapter.
35:05 minutes (8 MB)Hi to all those who want to become a part of the Bellingham chapter! This is a great start to get the word out and action going to a better health care system here at home. I think we still need a leader for this chapter, is anyone interested? Also, ideas for a possible first meeting and maybe another showing of the Dr Kitzhaber DVD. Lets get this started!
– Sarah
To join this chapter, click the subscribe link in the right column. (You must be registered and logged-in to see the subscribe link.)
This chapter is looking for a leader. Email us if you'd like to take this on.