Health care events 2013

[eridani]

Post any that you know of.

[eridani]

1. Understanding Medicare; Bellingham 1/24

Thursday, January 24, 2013, 7 pm
Lynnette Treen, RN
St. Luke's Community Health Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham WA

Ms. Treen will discuss:
•Understanding Medicare basics
•What does the Affordable Care Act say about Medicare?
•Concerns about the present state of senior health care
•Taking control of your own health future
•How change can happen

Ms. Treen was born in Saskatchewan Canada. Her parents moved the family to Zimbabwe
Africa when she was 18 months old. She lived in Zimbabwe until she was 16, when she was sent to Canada to finish high school and go to Nursing School. She graduated as an RN in Toronto Canada. She worked as an RN for 44 years, for the most part in Intensive care and Emergency Room Nursing. For ten years she was a Director of a Home Health Agency in Sourthern California.

Admission Free. Sponsored by United for National Healthcare. [phone], [e-mail], http://www.unitedforhealthcare.org

[eridani]

2. Meeting on possible sale of public hospital to Catholic hospital in Skagit Valley 1/25

Hello Locals,

Were you aware that there are talks to have Catholic Church owned Peace Health buyout Skagit Valley Hospital, which would mean that the two local hospitals, as UGH has already been bought, would be owned and under the rule of the Catholic church. Come learn about this and what this would mean for your and those you care about as it pertains to health care at these facilities if this were to happen. Friday, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Skagit County PUD Aqua Room 1415 Freeway Drive, Mount Vernon

Peace Hospital has also refused to run lab tests for planned parenthood.

Patti Santangelo [e-mail]

[eridani]

3. The Labor Campaign for Single Payer; 2/28 Bellingham

The Labor Campaign for Single Payer

Thursday, February 28, 2013, 7 pm
Longshoreman Rich Austin
St. Luke's Community Health Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham WA


Rich Austin, President of the Pacific Coast Pensioners of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, will discuss why the federal health care law will not solve the American health care crisis and what Labor is doing to win a national single payer health care program that will cover everyone, eliminate medical bankruptcies and bring national health care costs under control.

A portion of his talk will be about the challenges the federal healthcare law brings to collective bargaining. He will speak about the January 11-13, 2013 Labor Campaign for Single Payer conference in Chicago. He will provide information on the broad coalition of single payer activists in the USA and their consensus on what needs to be done to win health care justice in our land. The exhortation of U.S. Representative John Conyers who said, "We must make some noise" will be an overriding theme of the talk.

He will cite evidence from studies initiated by organizations like Physicians for a National Health Program, California Nurses Association/National Nurses United, and the General Confederation of Labour - Federation of Social Security and Health Care Workers of France. and how those studies portend trouble for the U.S. health care system, even though the federal health care law, the Affordable Care Act, is now the law of the land.

Admission Free. Sponsored by United for National Healthcare. [phone], [e-mail], http://www.unitedforhealthcare.org


Aileen Satushek
Board Member
United for National Healthcare
PO Box 2272
Bellingham, WA 98225 US

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4. Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare in Bellingham 3/28

Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare

Thursday, March 28, 2013, 7 pm
The Lincoln Theater
712 S. First Street, Mt. Vernon
Skagit Human Rights Film Festival

Controlling American healthcare costs is a pressing issue because they are rising so rapidly that they could reach $4.2 trillion dollars in ten years--which is approximately 20% of our domestic product. Escape Fire examines the forces that make American health care profit- driven rather than patient- drive and the reform movement to bring innovative high-touch, low-cost methods of prevention and healing into our high-tech, costly system.

For more information about the film and about the Skagit Human Rights Film Festival: http://skagithrf.wordpress.com/

Admission Free. Co-sponsored by United for National Healthcare. [phone], [e-mail]

United for National Healthcare will organize a car pool from Bellingham to the Lincoln Theater. We will provide specific information in our March newsletters.

[eridani]

5. Physicians for a National Health Program February Meeting 2/20 in Seattle

Introductions – Jim Squire, President PNHPWW

7:05 PM

“The Formation and Early Experience of the Healthcare is a Human Right” Campaign in Maryland?"

Eric Naumberg, MD, MPH – organizer in Maryland Healthcare is a Human Right Campaign – Skyped from home in MD


Coordinator’s Report – David McLanahan, Coordinator, PNHPWW
• Email list – 815
• Web Site - January 2012 – 619 unique visitors

Treasurer’s Report – Sherry Weinberg, Treasurer, PNHPWW

Recent Events
• PNHPWW is participating in meetings with Social Security Works and an anti-austerity coalition coordinated by WA Community Action Network to plan for fighting cuts to our social welfare programs.
• Jan 21st – Martin Luther King Day Celebration events - Theme – “Let Freedom Ring.” PNHPWW participated in a healthcare workshop, tabled, and marched under PNHPWW banner.
• Feb 1st - Hearing on the Washington Health Security Trust (HR 1085) before the House Health Care and Wellness Committee. More than 130 attended in support, several PNHPWW members testified.

Future Events
• Feb 20th – Noon - Anti-corporate action at University Village sponsored by anti-austerity cuts coalition. Details to be announced
• Feb 20th – UW-Tacoma, Philip Hall - 5:30pm - Forum on future of Social Security sponsored by Social Security Works coalition. Dean Baker, nationally known economist and author.

[eridani]

6. Richard Conlin hosting brown bag health care forum 3/14

HEALTH CARE FORUM ON MARCH 14, 12:001:30
On March 14 I will host a panel in the Council Chambers on Health Care Disparities in our region with Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer of Seattle & King County Public Health, Thomas Trumpeter, MPA, Chief Executive Officer for HealthPoint, a Community Health Center, Teresita Batayola, MUSA, Chief Executive Officer of International Community Health Services (ICHS) and Benjamin Danielson, MD, Medical Director of Odessa Brown Children's Clinic.

The Affordable Care Act will take effect January 2014 and it will significantly improve peoples' ability to access health insurance. As of today 85% of King County's uninsured adults - 183,800 folks would become eligible for public or subsidized health insurance. The ACA's intent is to provide and improve health care coverage for low and moderate income people; to rein in the cost of health care; and to improve the health of folks by better integrating services and coordinating care. Reform is slated to occur in four areas: insurance reform, delivery system redesign, payment procedure, and coverage expansion. However, health care disparities exist for many in our region. There are gaps in coverage for racial and ethnic minorities, the poor and other atrisk populations. These disparities will be discussed at the brown bag.

[eridani]

7. Improving Health Care Quality While Reducing Costs - A Paradigm Shift; Bellingham 3/16

Improving Health Care Quality While Reducing Costs - A Paradigm Shift is the topic of a public meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 16 in the downstairs conference room of the Bellingham Public Library. Refreshments will be available starting 9:30 a.m.

Hosted by the League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County, it features three accredited professionals: author Naida Grunden, Dr. Jeremy Blanchard and Dr. David Lynch.

“The new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act calls for changes in the way we deliver healthcare by creating incentives to encourage hospitals and doctors to compete on quality and find ways to provide the best care at reduced costs” said Sheri Lambert, Co-chair of the League event. “Our three local experts on healthcare quality will share how we can achieve both quality and cost control as we implement changes in our health care delivery.”

• Naida Grunden, award-winning author of The Pittsburgh Way to Efficient Healthcare, and co-author of Lean-Led Hospital Design, will introduce the lean concept as applied to healthcare, and illustrate with real case studies.

• Dr. Jeremy Blanchard, Vice-President of Quality and Medical Affairs, Peace Health St. Joseph's Hospital, will discuss quality improvement methods, including recent national accolades for reducing readmissions.

• Dr. David Lynch, Vice President for Clinical Process Improvement and Business Development for Family Health Network, will highlight the quality revolution in physician office practices across our region.

In addition a short video will be shown from the PBS NewsHour, Rooting Out Waste in Health Care by Taking a Cue From Toyota Assembly Lines which is about the use of lean practices at Seattle’s award winning Virginia Mason Hospital.

Founded in 1920, the League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization with 800 affiliates across the country. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership is open to men and women of all ages.

[eridani]

8. Sugar Coating a Bitter Pill; discuss Brill Time article in Bellingham 4/25

Sugar Coating a Bitter Pill

Thursday, April 25, 2013, 7 pm
St. Luke's Community Health Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway
Bellingham WA

Cutting health care costs in the USA is a hot topic these days. We will critically evaluate the Time magazine article "A Bitter Pill" by Steven Brill, which brilliantly exposes and dissects the problem, but does not offer an effective solution. We will show how combining Brill's insights with implementing a single payer system will put the USA on the path toward achieving sustainable and affordable health care.

For more information: [phone], [e-mail]

[eridani]

9. Physicians for a National Health Program meets in Seattle 3/20

PNHPWW March 20th Meeting Agenda
7:00PM, Swedish/Cherry Hill Campus, 500 17th Ave, Seattle, Conference Center Auditorium

Introductions – Jim Squire, President PNHPWW

Coordinator’s Report – David McLanahan, Coordinator, PNHPWW
• Email list – 815
• Web Site - February 2012 – 489 unique visitors

Treasurer’s Report – Sherry Weinberg, Treasurer, PNHPWW

President’s Report – Jim Squire
• Health Care is a Human Right Campaign Update.
• Annual Public Meeting planning

Recent Events
• PNHPWW continues to participate in meetings with Social Security Works and an anti-austerity coalition coordinated by WA Community Action Network to plan for fighting cuts to our social welfare programs

Future Events

“Winning the right to heal for service members and veterans”
Alex Bacon
Co-Director, GI Voice - the non-profit service member and veterans rights organization that operates Coffee Strong and the GI Rights Hotline in Washington State

.

[eridani]

10. Panel Discussion on Women's Health & Rights: Tacoma 4/8

Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest is sponsoring a panel of well known community leaders, along with special guest: Elaine Rose, CEO of Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest. Panel members include Judith Billings, Dianne Conway, Kris Edwards, Phyllis Izant, Council Member Ryan Mello, Jeannie Mitchell, Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Art Wang, Ester Wilfong and Yoshie Wong. The focus of the discussion will be "Inside Olympia: what's really happening under the dome and the impact on women's health and rights."

■What: Panel discussion on women's health and rights
■Where: Julie Anderson's home: 4604 N. 38th St., Tacoma
■When: Monday, April 8, 2013 - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m
■Contact: Gina Topp at:[e-mail] or [phone] for more information, reservations, cost, etc.

[eridani]

11. Single payer presentation in Yelm 4/8

Mon. Apr 8 - 6;30 reception, 7pm meeting 2nd LD Democrats, Yelm.

Single Payer presentation by Martha Koester, SE Thurston Fire Authority, 709 Mill Road, Yelm 98597

Those interested in Single payer are invited to attend, learn, ask questions and show support.

[eridani]

12. Jefferson County Citizens for Healthcare Access meets 4/9

Tues. April 9 - 8am to 9:30, Jefferson County Citizens for Healthcare Access
Location: Jefferson County Public Health, QFC mall, Sims Way just S of town.

Discussion: Insurance exchanges.

Last month we heard about a local hospital using a sliding scale. Meetings usually every 2nd Tues: confirm with Jenifer Taylor 360 385 3666 or [e-mail] .

A large contingent from Jefferson county attended the hearing on HB1085 in Olympia on Feb 1. One concern expressed was the lack of GOP committee members at the hearing. How can they expect to make informed decisions if they miss the testimonials?

[April1957]

43. Meetings

I've heard about this group, when's the next meeting? Are they open to the public?

[eridani]

44. Contact phone numbers

Jenifer Taylor, Jefferson County Citizens for Healthcare Access at 360-385-3666
Phyllis Waldenberg, 360-437-9733

[eridani]

13. Physicians for a National Health Program meets in Seattle 4/17

Wed. April 17th - 7pm, PNHPWW monthly meeting with Teresita Batayola

Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill Campus

Speaker - Teresita Batayola, CEO of Int'l Community Health Services and Board VP for the Washington Assn of Community and Migrant Health Centers will talk about how the new health care reform legislation will affect ICHS, its patients and providers, and ICHS's plans for the future.

We hope to have 'streaming capability' by this meeting, so those not able to attend in person will be able to watch and participate through our web site. Stay tuned.

Contact: David McLanahan, Coordinator, PNHPWW [e-mail]

[eridani]

14. More details

We are privileged to have Teresita Batayola with us as our speaker and discussion leader with the topic of “Outlook for Washington’s Community Clinics over the Next Five Years.” She is Chief Executive Officer of International Community Health Services (ICHS) in Seattle, who leads the state’s largest Asian and Pacific Islander non-profit organization providing primary health care services including medical, dental, behavioral health, acupuncture and health education. With a background in economic development, community development and strategic planning, as well as health care delivery, Teresita has led major public initiatives and projects at the international, state and local levels, including comprehensive planning for the City of Seattle. In addition to leading ICHS, she is Immediate Past Board President of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, Board Vice President for the Washington Association of Community and Migrant Health Centers, and an Advisory Committee member for the State Insurance Commissioner’s Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.


We will also be discussing plans for the Alliance for Health Care is a Human Right campaign and the finalized plans for the PNHPWW 2013 Annual Public Meeting on May 4th.


Also, exciting news - we will be streaming this meeting live on the internet. You simply go to the PNHPWW home page and click in the green box for the link. There will be a sidebar for asking live questions or making brief comments. We will be using simple free technology this first time and would appreciate feedback from people able to join to regarding quality of video and sound, ease of use, etc.


Best wishes,


David McLanahan
Coordinator, PNHPWW


ACTION UPDATE - The Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action are holding a demonstration "asking the State Attorney General to initiate an investigation into how the tax-exempt non-profit Providence Corporation can get away with paying millions to execs while people are struggling to afford health care and health care and workers at Providence are being threatened with significant cuts to their health care coverage."


What: Providence: Don't use our taxes for your execs!
When: Thursday, April 11, 1:30 p.m.
Where: 800 5th AV, Seattle

[eridani]

15. How to Get to State-based Universal Healthcare presentation in Bellingham 5/23

The Washington Health Security Trust: How to Get to State-based Universal Healthcare

Thursday, May 23, 2013, 7 pm
St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway (near St. Joseph’s Hospital)
Bellingham WA

Speaker: Marcia Stedman of Health Care for All Washington
Chair of the Writers Team and Convener of the HCFA-WA Sno-King Action Team

The presentation outlines how feasible it is to get to universal coverage for all residents in
the state of Washington while we wait for Congress to pass an Improved and Expanded Medicare for All. Mandatory private health insurance, under the federal Affordable Care Act, is
NOT universal health care. The Washington Health Security Trust bill complies with the Affordable Care Act and details how state-based universal health care would be organized in Washington State.

Sponsored by United for National Healthcare
[phone] [e-mail]

[eridani]

16. Physicians for a National Health Program to hold 8th annual meeting in Seattle 5/4

I would like to let you know about a forum on health care reform that will appeal to many PDA members and supporters during this time of severe budget cuts and threat to our health care safety-nets. The Western Washington Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program holds its Eighth Annual Public Meeting on Saturday, May 4th, at 7PM at Kane Hall Room 120, on the University of Washington Campus. The theme will be “Health Care is a Human Right: Beyond the ACA.”

Keynote speaker will be Gerald Friedman, PHD, Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst). He has been widely featured in the media recently for his economic impact studies of state single payer plans for Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Colorado, as well as one for national PNHP that have shown increased cost savings to the states while covering every resident. Andy Coates, MD, National President of PNHP and Jeff Johnson, President of the Washington State Labor Council will also speak. Congressman Jim McDermott will open the meeting. The 2013 John Geyman Health Justice Award will be presented.

Admission is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

David McLanahan
Coordinator, PNHPWW
[e-mail]
www.pnhpwesternwashington.org

[eridani]

17. Meetings on religious takeover of Skagit County hospitals

The Boards of Commissioners of three public hospitals in Skagit and Snohomish counties are holding community forums to hear from the public about what they think of proposals to affiliate with a larger health care system. These forums are open to public commentary. It is your opportunity to voice your concerns and hear from the commissioners. The commissioners are making choices about the future of Skagit, Island and Cascade Hospitals and need your input.

•What are your concerns about healthcare?
•How will a partnership with a catholic or non-catholic based hospital impact access to care?
•Are you concerned about reproductive health, end of life services or religious ethics in public hospitals?
•No matter what your concern - your voice needs to be heard!

Community Forum with Skagit Regional Health Commissioners
Monday, April 22nd @ 6:00pm
Skagit PUD's Aqua Room
1415 Freeway Drive
Mount Vernon

Island Hospital Community Forum
Tuesday, April 30th @ 5:30 pm
Anacortes Council Chambers
Anacortes City Hall
906 6th Street
Anacortes

The Second People For Healthcare Freedom Public Forum
Friday, May 3rd at 6:00-8:00 PM
In the Aqua Room of the Skagit PUD
1415 Freeway Drive
Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Presentations will include:
•Sarah Dunne and Margaret Chen, Attorneys from the ACLU
•Monica Harrington will share community experiences after the San Juan/PeaceHealth merger and the Swedish/Providence merger.
•Dr. Deborah North is going to speak about her experience with Death With Dignity in Whatcom County.
People for Healthcare Freedom will provide an update on the process at this time and outline the next steps. We are inviting hospital commissioners to join us to answer questions as part of the education around the process for decision-making.

Please note that the Aqua Room can comfortably seat about 100 people so come a little early.


Our mailing address is:

People For Healthcare Freedom
23262 Meadow View Ln
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

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18. Next meeting 5/3 in Mt Vernon

ACTION ALERT!


The Next People For Healthcare Freedom Public Forum

Friday, May 3rd at 6:00-8:00 PM

The Aqua Room of the Skagit PUD

1415 Freeway Drive

Mount Vernon, WA 98273



FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE HOSPITALS IN YOUR COMMUNITY!

Presentations will include:

•Sarah Dunne and Margaret Chen, Attorneys from the ACLU, will describe the ACLU’s concerns about the upcoming hospitals’ partnerships/mergers.
•Monica Harrington, founder of CatholicWatch.org, will share experiences of the communities after the San Juan/PeaceHealth and the Swedish/Providence mergers.
•Deborah North, MD, a practicing internist, is going to speak about the effects that a faith-based hospital affiliation has on the availability of choices provided by the Death with Dignity Act.
•Linda McCarthy, Executive Director, Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood, will describe her agency’s experience with secular/faith-based affiliations in Whatcom County.
People for Healthcare Freedom will provide an update on the process at this time and outline the next steps. We are inviting hospital commissioners to join us to answer questions as part of the education around the process for decision-making.

Please bring a friend, a neighbor or a family member who also cares about this issue.

People for Healthcare Freedom

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20. Articles on religious hospital takeovers

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/13/us/hospital-mergers-in-northwest-raise-issue-of-abortion-barriers.html?smid=tw-nytimeshealth&seid=auto&_r=1&



New York Times reporter Kirk Johnson describes how the wave of hospital mergers and acquisitions involving Catholic health care systems in the PNW is raising new barriers to abortion access and Death with Dignity.


I find it outrageous that in a state with a Constitution that prohibits public funding of ANY religious establishment, we're turning control of our state's health care over to the moral authority of three Catholic bishops. For anyone who thinks the Catholic bishops should NOT control health care policy in Washington State, now is your time to weigh in. Please share this article as widely as you can, talk with your friends, and send mail to the governor asking that he stand up for Washington patients and taxpayers to stop the bishops from controlling our health care.


Here is the contact info for Governor Jay Inslee:


https://fortress.wa.gov/es/governor/

[eridani]

24. June update

Currently the three hospitals, Skagit Valley, Island, and Cascade, are reviewing proposals from four healthcare systems. The proposals from PeaceHealth, Providence/Swedish, UW medicine, and Virginia Mason include offers of support and governance and are accompanied by private presentations to the commissioners of the three local hospitals.

As a community, we have educated each other and the commissioners about our values for healthcare access and non-discriminatory care. We have attended forums and meetings and signed petitions. We have made our voices heard and the national media listened. Religious hospitals are coming under question all across Washington State, and Northwest Washington has been at the center. Here is a community that stands up for what it believes in and in protecting healthcare access for all.

Although the presentations to the hospital commissioners by UW Medicine, PeaceHealth, Providence/Swedish, and Virginia Mason are closed to the public, we can still have a voice in the process and we still need your help.

Please write letters: letters to your newspaper and to each of the commissioners. Let them know that you are counting on them to make the decision that best represents you and your desire to preserve healthcare choices, protect patients’ rights and meet patients’ needs. We have provided talking points below and we have published all the contact methods on our website for your convenience.

With a possible decision by mid-summer, the fierce urgency to make your voice heard is now! Thank you for your help.

Talking Points for Letters to Editors and Commissioners

1. Catholic health services are required to adhere to the Ethical and Religious Directives of the Catholic Bishops. These Directives prohibit : contraception, sterilization procedures, fertility treatments, abortion, even when the mother’s life is at risk, participation in the Death with Dignity Act (DWDA) provisions, and in any other end-of-life Advanced Directives that the bishops deem to violate the moral teachings of the Catholic Church.

2. Religious hospitals are funded by public monies, directly through levies and indirectly through Medicare and Medicaid payments. This public funding of religious institutions is in violation of Washington State Constitution, which says: “No public money or property shall be appropriated for or applied to any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or the support of any religious establishment”.

3. Washington state laws specifically protect every resident’s right to birth control and every woman’s right to abortion. Washington law also says that the terminally ill have the right to exercise the death with dignity choice. Religious hospitals should not be allowed to “trump the law” by making these services unavailable, especially in communities where these hospitals are the only source of care.

4. Patients in Catholic hospitals and clinics are not advised that the hospital limits healthcare choices based on religious doctrine, so patients do not even know that they have options other than what the Catholic hospital offers them.

[eridani]

26. Please respond to Skagit Newspaper poll

Friends,

If you have interest in keeping our public hospitals free of religious influence as to what healthcare services they deliver, please go to:

http://www.goskagit.com/should-the-state-temporarily-halt-hospital-mergers-while-questions-are/poll_2a413e86-ca80-11e2-bc3f-0019bb2963f4.html

and vote "yes" in the SVHerald poll about whether all hospital mergers/partnerships/affiliations should be put on hold for six months until the effect on availability of healthcare services can be determined.

Ginny



Begin forwarded message:

From: Mary Kay Barbieri
Date: June 22, 2013 9:49:53 PM PDT

Subject: [PHFSteering] Immediate Action Item

Please go to http://www.goskagit.com/should-the-state-temporarily-halt-hospital-mergers-while-questions-are/poll_2a413e86-ca80-11e2-bc3f-0019bb2963f4.html and vote "yes" in the SVHerald poll about whether all hospital mergers/partnerships/affiliations should be put on hold for six months until the effect on availability of healthcare services can be determined. The poll closes at 11:00 on Monday (48 hours from this email). Please forward to your friends.

Thanks,

Mary Kay

[eridani]

19. Physicians for a National Health Program to meet in Seattle 5/15

PNHPWW May 15th Meeting Agenda

Introductions – Jim Squire, President PNHPWW

Coordinator’s Report – David McLanahan, Coordinator, PNHPWW
• Email list – 814 – not including new contacts rom APM
• Web Site - April 2013 – 461 unique visitors

Treasurer’s Report – Sherry Weinberg, Treasurer

President’s Report – Jim Squire
• Health Care is a Human Right Campaign Update.

Recent Events
• PNHPWW continues to participate in meetings with Social Security Works and an anti-austerity coalition coordinated by WA Community Action Network to fight cuts to our social welfare programs.
• May 1st – Immigrants and Workers’ Rights March
• May 4th – PNHPWW Annual Public Meeting Update, 7PM, Kane Hall. Theme - “Health Care is a Human Right: Beyond the ACA.”
• May 13th – SP presentation at University House

Discussion:

Critique of APM Weekend: What went well? What can be improved?

HCHR Campaign – Next Steps?

[eridani]

21. Spokane universal health care study group to meet 5/20

C Elizabeth Clark posted on Health Care for All - Washington's timeline

"Spokane universal health care study group hosts two speakers of Health Care For All-Washington: Monday May 20 at 6:30 pm at Jewett Hall of St. John's Cathedral, 127 E. 12th Avenue. Christine Clark discusses Health Care For All-Washington and the Washington Health Security Trust, HB 1085. Martha Koester presents the how-to -start a Local Action Group for state-based universal healthcare legislation. A single payer information table will be hosted by Health Care For All-WA. RSVP: 509-599-6881 or email: [e-mail]

[eridani]

22. The Human Chain Against the chained CPI; Olympia 7/2

Save the date
The Human Chain Against the chained CPI
July 2ND, 2013

Where:
Capitol Campus, Olympia
11am to 2 pm

What: National Day of Action to create a HUMAN CHAIN
against the Chained CPI


Contact: Leslie Liddle, Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans Field Consultant,
360-701-6615 or [e-mail]


On Tuesday July 2nd, WSARA will sponsor a National Day of Action in which we focus specifically on elevating grassroots voices in the battle to protect and enhance retirement and disability security. We will work together to create a HUMAN CHAIN in front of our State Capitol as others around the country join in similar events. It would be a Human Chain against the Chained CPI. Our National Alliance will host a mediaevent in DC with a smaller chain to create powerful symbolism of what the States are doing, spotlighting the national day of action.

[eridani]

23. PNHP to meet in Seattle 6/19; discuss how social movements effect change

This is to let you know of a special program we have planned for our PNHPWW Monthly Meeting, Wednesday, June 19th, 7PM, at Swedish/Cherry Hill Campus Conference Center Auditorium. Peter Bohmer has agreed to share his knowledge on how social movements effect change (tentative title -"Building Power from Below for Universal Health Care&quot . Peter teaches political economy as a longtime faculty member at the Evergreen State College in Olympia. He has been an organizer and participant in the struggle for social and economic justice since the 1960s. In recent years, his political activities have taken him to Venezuela, Cuba, Greece and a number of US cities - most recently, in his own backyard in supporting the workers' picket lines at Evergreen.

Continuing on from the ideas about how social change happens expressed by Andy Coates and Gerald Friedman at our Annual Public Meeting a few weeks ago, Peter's perspective from a lifetime of teaching theory and practice, and his own experience as an activist, will help us in our discussions about our assumptions and in charting our course as we move ahead with the Health Care is a Human Right campaign this summer.
.

Best wishes

David McLanahan
Coordinator, PNHPWW

[eridani]

25. Event will be livestreamed

For those who can't be there in person, we are going to be live streaming the meeting "Building Power from Below for Universal Health Care," with Peter Bohmer this Wednesday, June 19th, at 7PM. This will be "no frills," with one camera and no call-in available at this point. The meeting should be very interesting, focused on how social movements have and can bring change.


You can click the link from our PNHPWW web site home page, or put this URL link in you browser - http://www.pnhpwesternwashington.org/index%20-%20old_copy.html

[eridani]

27. New Spokane universal health care group to meet 8/12

We are excited to welcome Chuck Richards, president, and Sherry Weinberg, vice president, of Health Care for All-WA to Spokane on Monday, August 12, 2013. Chuck and Sherry lead the Western chapter
of Health Care for All-WA in Seattle. You won't want to miss this presentation and discussion as we strategize together to form an active group of Eastern Washington health care advocates. Please mark your calendars and join us at 6:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, 4340 Fort George Wright Drive


Please respond to our website ([e-mail]) if you're
able to attend so that we can prepare for setup, coffee and refreshments.
You can also email: Jill Williams, [e-mail]. All are welcome.

Hope to see you there.

Mary Huntington
Kelly Hunt
Jill Williams

Core Group members -- Dan Schaffer, Bruce Becker, Denny Dellwo, Lynette Vehrs, Judy Page, Steve Page, Christine Clark


Dues paid 6/27/2013:
Barbara Ann Olsen 32926 NE 140th Pl, Duvall, WA 98019,
[e-mail]

Rosemarie C. Schmidt 4114 E. Regina Ave, Mead, WA 99021, (509) 466-619

[eridani]

28. Overpriced Healthcare Exposed:; Bellingham 7/25

Overpriced Healthcare Exposed: On the Road to Effective Reform or Last Ditch Attempts to Save our Collapsing System

Thursday, July 25, 2013, 7 pm

St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway - Bellingham
Near St. Joseph’s Hospital

With all the media coverage about overpriced health care, it appears that most solutions offered, especially the experimental measures contained in the Affordable Care Act, won’t save our overpriced, collapsing system. Instead of “reinventing the wheel”, we should utilize tried and proven health care cost containment measures.

We will show why the cost containment measures utilized by other developed nations result in per capita costs one-half those of the United States and why we should adopt those measures instead of embarking on costly experiments in a futile attempt to save our collapsing, over-priced health care system.

Admission Free

Sponsored by United for National Healthcare [phone] [e-mail] http://www.unitedforhealthcare.org

[eridani]

29. The Healthcare Movie ; Blaine 7/27

The Healthcare Movie
Saturday, July 27, 2013, 1 pm
Blaine Library - 610 Third Street
Blaine WA

This documentary tells the story of how the health care systems of Canada and the United States developed and how they affect the well-being of people in their respective countries. In the United States each year 45,000 people die and over 931,000 go bankrupt due to non-existent or inadequate health care coverage. In Canada everyone has access to health care when they need it and at a cost they can afford, so that Canadians live longer than Americans and no one goes bankrupt because of medical bills.

The Healthcare Movie was produced by Laurie Simons and Terry Sherrenberg and it is narrated by Kiefer Sutherland.

The film will be followed by a question and answer period and audience discussion.

Admission Free. Sponsored by United for National Healthcare.
[phone],

[eridani]

30. PNHP-WW July meeting ageinda; Seattle 7/17

Introductions – Jim Squire, President PNHPWW

Coordinator’s Report – David McLanahan, Coordinator, PNHPWW
• Email list – 848
• Web Site - June 2013 – 466 unique visitors

Treasurer’s Report – Sherry Weinberg, Treasurer

President’s Report – Jim Squire
WA State Alliance for Health Care is a Human Right status

Recent Events
• June 21-23 - Fremont Solstice Fair and Parade.
• July 2nd – “Human Chain Against the Chained CPI”
• PNHPWW continues to participate in meetings with Social Security Works and an anti-austerity coalition coordinated by WA Community Action Network to fight cuts to our social welfare programs. See events below planned for July.
• Meeting with members from National Association of Social Workers to explore networking with them.
• Joie Meissner had the first of a three-part series “Unraveling the Crisis in American Healthcare,” published in the Spring issue of the Official Newsletter of the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Future Events
• July 27th – Medicare Birthday Celebration – 3-5 PM, meet at flagpole, SE of fountain Seattle Center. Skits, marching band, speakers TBD – Contact: Kathleen Myers
• November 2 – PNHP Annual Meeting in Boston


Planning for the initial WA State Health Care is a Human Right meeting

[eridani]

31. Spokane Health Care Advocates to meet 8/12

August 12 6:30 pm Spokane Healthcare Advocates:

Why Not U.S? will host Health Care For All-Washington President Chuck Richards and Vice President Sara Weinberg to provide the nuts and bolts of forming an affiliated Spokane Area Action Team at Spokane Universalist Unitarians.

[eridani]

32. Physicians for a National Health Plan Western WA to meet in Seattle 8/21

PNHPWW August 21st Meeting Agenda

Introductions – Jim Squire, President PNHPWW

Coordinator’s Report – David McLanahan, Coordinator, PNHPWW
• Email list – 849
• Web Site - June 2013 – 446 unique visitors
New Lending Library; new Search function

Treasurer’s Report – Sherry Weinberg, Treasurer

President’s Report – Jim Squire
WA State Alliance for Health Care is a Human Right status report
Board Retreat – Sept 29th

Recent Events
• July 27th – Medicare Birthday Celebration – see video of the event
• Joie Meissner had the second of her three-part series published in the Summer issue of the Official Newsletter of the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Part 2 - Single Payer: A Universal Plan that Curbs Obscene Costs – Part 3 in press - "How Natural Medicine May Fare in the Universal Single-Payer Plans that Are Currently Being Proposed "

Future Events
• HC Now national meeting in Nashville – October 5-6th
• PNHP Annual Meeting in Boston - November 2


Coalition Building for Single Payer in California

Paul Song, MD (Skyped in from Southern California)
Executive Chairman, Courage Campaign; Board of Physicians for a National Health Program California;
Visiting fellow, Office of the California Insurance Commissioner

[eridani]

33. New Health Care is a Human Right coalition forming; 1st meeting Seattle 9/12

Just another reminder that the WA State Alliance for Health Care is a Human Right exploratory meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 12th, 6-9pm in the Social Room in Horizon House, 900 University Street, next to VM Medical Center.

So far, members of our PNHPWW board have met with 14 organizations which have expressed interest in attending. Eight have recently confirmed that they will send a representative on the 12th (WA-CAN, HCFA-WA, WA State Labor Council, PS Advocates for Retirement Action, WA State Nurses Ass'n, SEIU, PNHPWW, United for Single Payer). The other six (OneAmerica, Backbone Campaign, Real Change newspaper, NW Health Law Advocates, Church Council of Seattle, National Lawyers Guild) will be re-contacted individually and, hopefully, will be able to designate a representative on that date.

The meeting room will hold about 30 representatives around a rectangular arrangement of tables, with another 20 seats for observers. We are asking the organizations to designate one or two attendees as representative/speakers and any others attend as observers. Therefore, we need to know how many people will attend as space is limited & we will be providing snacks.

If you haven't already done so, please let me know who will be representing your organization.

Thanks

David McLanahan
Coordinator, PNHPWW

Based on some feedback, the latest draft agenda is:

•6:00pm - Snacks, mingling
•6:30 - Betty Capehart, PNHPWW Board member and professional facilitator, acting as a neutral moderator, will describe the agenda and flow of the meeting. If someone has a question before the general discussion, it will be written on a white board to be discussed at that time
•6:35 - Marti Schmidt, PNHPWW Board member and attorney, will introduce the human rights approach and how it's different from what we have done in the past. Assisted by a white board with HCHR principles
•6:45 - Mike Huntington will share how the Oregon alliance for health care is a human right (80 member organizations) got started, what organizations are members, and what it has accomplished
•6:55 - Going around the table, representatives from the separate organizations speak to how their organization's mission relates to:
•a) working for health care as a human right
•b) how the new alliance might be useful in its work
•7:25 - General Discussion (moderated by Betty)
•a) could the HCHR alliance do something valuable and different than other organizations working for health care reform
•b) could the HCHR alliance help build and amplify a grassroots movement for health care for all (as well as other social justice issues)?
•c) other issues, time permitting
•8:45 - Wrap Up
• a) what should be the agenda for the next meeting (assuming many organizations would commit to a second meeting)
• b) next meeting date
• c) choose moderator for next meeting

[eridani]

34. The Affordable Care Act 2014; Bellingham 9/26

Thursday, September 26, 2013, 7 pm
St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway - Bellingham
Near St. Joseph’s Hospital

Lynnette Treen, RN

This is your opportunity to learn how the federal health care law, the Affordable Care Act will affect you.
•Are you required to purchase health insurance?
•How do you purchase health insurance?
•Are you eligible for financial help with your insurance premium?
•How to apply for health insurance premium financial help.
•Timeline for applications and health insurance benefits

Admission Free

Sponsored by United for National Healthcare [phone]
[e-mail] http://www.unitedforhealthcare.org

[eridani]

35. Alternative Medicine Update; Bellingham 10/24

Thursday, October 24, 2013, 7 pm

St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway - Bellingham
Near St. Joseph’s Hospital

Bellingham Massage Therapists William and Cheryl Hockett-Prelle will head a panel of Alternative Medicine practioners who will update us on how health care reform affects their work.

Admission Free.

Sponsored by United for National Healthcare [phone] [e-mail] http://www.unitedforhealthcare.org

[eridani]

36. Complementary Healthcare Practitioners to Speak About their Experiences; Bellingham 10/24

Complementary Healthcare Practitioners Alliance (CHPA) Members to Speak About their Experiences in Healthcare in Whatcom County and What the Future May Hold

Thursday, October 24, 2013, 7 pm

St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway - Bellingham
Near St. Joseph’s Hospital


Sponsored by United for National Healthcare [phone]
[e-mail] http://www.unitedforhealthcare.org

Having noticed a general hub-bub in Whatcom County's medical community in the last two years as we were given the directive of "creating the best healthcare for all Whatcom County", a group of complementary health practitioners decided to form an Alliance. Many of us are motivated to help create a more effective and efficient healthcare system. Our current U.S. health care system is the most expensive in the world but is ranked #37 among the world's countries.

In our presentation we will explain why we choose our respective fields and share our experiences in Whatcom County as practitioners of acupuncture, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy, and chiropractic. We will talk about what we find is important for healthy living and best healthcare.


A new development for us has been that we are meeting with allopathic medical practitioners more than ever before. We will discuss how we see ourselves dovetailing more with the "main" medical system and what changes we hope for in health care in Whatcom County.

There are about 650 licensed complementary healthcare practitioners in Whatcom County . We are hoping that by joining together we will have a larger voice in how we are included and regarded by the "main" medical establishment. Thousands of people of all ages in Whatcom County have been using complementary healthcare services since the 1970s; and the number of people who use our services continues to grow.
Cheryl Hockett-Prelle, Bellingham Massage Therapist

[eridani]

37. Become safe and savvy health-care consumers! And get a free lunch in Seattle 9/30

http://cu.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=spp_Seattle_meeting&autologin=true


Join Consumers Union and Washington Advocates for Patient Safety for a free event in Seattle featuring experts and advocates in patient safety, hospital infection reporting, medical accountability and improving the safety of hip and knee implants.

We’ll also have information from Consumer Reports’ “Choosing Wisely” effort about the overuse and misuse of medical tests and procedures, and how to choose appropriate care.

Please RSVP for this event because we will be serving (FREE!) lunch. We look forward to seeing you there!

Questions? Contact Daniela Nunez, Consumers Union, [e-mail]

Washington Patient Safety event
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30

[eridani]

38. Health Care for All--WA annual meeting to be held in Seattle November 9th

Health Care for All - Washington
Working for high quality, sustainable, publicly funded
health care coverage for ALL Washingtonians
P.O. Box 30506 Seattle, WA 98113

23 October 2013

The Board of Health Care for All-Washington invites you to our 2013 program and annual meeting November 9, 2013, 1-4:30 pm at Plymouth Church UCC, 1217 6th Avenue, Seattle.

The keynote speaker Dr. John Geyman will discuss “Single Payer in Washington State: Challenges and Approaches.” Dr. Geyman, professor emeritus of family medicine at the University of Washington, has written numerous books on health care issues, the latest of which are Souls on a Walk: An Enduring Love Story Unbroken by Alzheimer's and Health Care Wars: How Market Ideology and Corporate Power Are Killing Americans

Our second speaker, Sandra VanderVen, is senior organizer with the progressive advocacy group Fuse Washington. Her talk will be "Our Path to Winning Is Paved with Values."

The business agenda includes a review of our 2013 campaign to reach single payer advocates in all 49 legislative districts and a preview of our 2014 campaign to enlist additional legislators as co-sponsors of the Washington Health Security Trust, HB 1085/SB 5224. Join us and be a part of the final push to get beyond the Affordable Care Act and finally win high quality, affordable, sustainable, publicly funded health care for all Washington residents.

Plymouth UCC is in downtown Seattle, across from the Seneca Street I-5 off-ramp. Free parking is available in the church's garage, between 5th and 6th streets on University Street. The Metro No. 2 bus runs on Seneca; many other bus routes run nearby.

Please register at our website www.healthcareforallWA.org. For more information, email [e-mail]. If you have not yet become a member, now is the perfect time to do so.

We look forward to seeing you.

Regards,


Chuck Richards, president
Health Care for All-Washington

[eridani]

40. Check out the links at PRWeb

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11249136.htm

Obamacare and Single-Payer Universal Health Insurance: Nationally Recognized Physician to Speak Saturday, November 9 in Seattle. No Charge, All Are Welcome!

Dr. John Geyman, professor emeritus of family medicine at the University of Washington and author of "Health Care Wars: How Market Ideology and Corporate Power Are Killing Americans" (2012), will give the keynote address at the annual meeting of Health Care for All Washington: “Single-Payer in Washington State: Challenges and Approaches” - Saturday, November 9 at Plymouth Church in downtown Seattle. Free and open to the public - refreshments provided.

[eridani]

39. Veterans Health Care -The Best Care Ever; Bellingham 11/21

Veterans Health Care -The Best Care Ever
Thursday, November 21, 2013, 7 pm

St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway - Bellingham
Near St. Joseph’s Hospital

Featuring:
•Dr. Bridget Cantrell, internationally known author and psychologist specializing in the treatment of veterans and their families.
•Doris Kent, a Gold Star mother working with homeless veterans at the Whatcom County Opportunity Council and volunteering as a navigator for accessing health and support services at the Bellingham Veterans Center

Sponsored by United for National Healthcare [phone]
[e-mail] http://www.unitedforhealthcare.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Articles of Interest

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The Best Health Care In America

Monday, October 28, 2013
Senior Veterans Service Alliance

To read the complete article, go to:
http://www.veteransaidbenefit.org/va_healthcare_system.htm

It comes as a surprise to some people who had experience with VA health care during the 1970s and 1980s, that this same system is now considered the best medical care in the United States. To illustrate this we quote below articles and comments from the several sources. . . . (Editor's note: To read quotes from Business Week, NBC News, and Families USA, click on link above.)

Why the VA Health Care System Works so Well

Actually it's not that VA is such a marvelous system since any large-scale organization employing over 200,000 people is bound to have its inefficiencies. VA simply comes closer to the mark of providing excellent care than the rest of the health-care providers in the country. One big reason is the veteran system does not rely on insurance reimbursements so money saved through efficient operation remains in the system and does not transfer to insurance companies. This type of operational structure encourages innovation and change.

However, being a single-payer health plan alone would not necessarily result in a better system. The outstanding reawakening of VA health care is largely a result of the vision and leadership of Doctor Kizer and his successor. Here are some of the operational advantages that make VA health care so successful.

As a government entity, the agency cannot be sued by patients who have been mistreated. This obviously saves the time and money involved in lawsuits. However, in order to be responsive to medical errors, doctor Kizer instituted the "Sorry Now" program that holds staff accountable for their actions and provides damage awards to patients.

Veterans who are part of the system have the opportunity to remain with the system throughout their lives. This allows VA to practice preventative medicine by scheduling regular checkups, performing regular lab tests and intervening before a medical condition becomes too advanced. The provider/contractor insurance reimbursement model used in the United States typically does not allow for this type of preventative medicine.

An electronic records system provides the opportunity to practice outcome based medicine which has become the Holy Grail of all health-care systems. The computerized records allow tracking outcomes for various medical conditions and finding those that work best. This weeds out expensive procedures that are no more effective than other less expensive ones. Prescriptions for medications are also tracked on the computer and potential drug interactions are avoided. According to studies, VA has the lowest drug interaction incidents and deaths in the country.

The electronic records also prevent duplication of expensive medical tests. Some surveys indicate that, 60% of the time, private sector providers order duplicates or triplicates of the same test. This is because paper records make it difficult or almost impossible to track tests between different care providers. Even in the same hospital, estimates are that one out of five tests are unnecessarily reordered.

Finally, electronic records help the veterans health system to maintain a more cost effective and smaller drug formulary. Fewer categories of drugs allow VA to negotiate with drug companies for larger quantities at a lower price. If an existing, less expensive drug is proven through electronic records computer data to be just as effective as newer more expensive medicines, then obviously the older medicine will be favored.

Proponents of the new Medicare drug plans criticize VA for limiting drug choice to only about 1,300 medications where some Medicare plans allow 4,500 different drugs or more. VA would probably argue that such a wide choice is unnecessary and that many newer more expensive drugs are simply analogues of less expensive versions that have been around for a long time.

Cost of overhead and administration is another issue that makes VA a better system. Our country's private insurance model results in insurers eating up a great deal of their premium income in unproductive overhead costs. It is estimated that private insurers spend anywhere from 20% to 30% of their premium income on advertising, agent commissions, insurance administrative oversight costs, expensive claims and records tracking systems, taxes, profit, and dividends for shareholders. VA has none of these additional cost burdens except for administrative costs associated with maintaining the system.

[eridani]

41. Affordable Care Act Forum - League of Women Voters of Bellingham 11/16

United for National Healthcare advocates for Health Care for All through establishing a state and/or single payer health care system. As we are waiting for the dust to settle from the Obamacare roll out, we are laying our plans for our next step in organizing and educating the public to demand a better system.

In the meantime we are presenting information about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) because we recognize that it might provide health care to the 16% of Americans currently without health insurance. In that spirit, here is information on the Bellingham League of Women Voters forum on the Affordable Care Act.

LWV League of Women Voters®
of Bellingham/Whatcom County

What do Whatcom families want from the Affordable Care Act: Will it deliver? Special guest speakers will address this and more at the League of Women Voters® of Bellingham/Whatcom County meeting at the Bellingham Public Library starting at 10 AM, Saturday Nov 16.

Speakers include:

•Elya Moore - Deputy Director, Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement
•Desmond Skubi - Executive Director, Interfaith Community Health Center
•Bertha Safford - Family Physician, Family Care Network
•Bill Gorman - Interim Director, Bellingham Chamber of Commerce
Along with a video of interviews with local "people on the street" about their healthcare needs, speakers will discuss both the need and impacts the Act has already had, and likely future impacts on patients, healthcare practitioners and businesses. The Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement has partnered with the League to produce this program.

Doors open at 9:30 AM and coffee and treats will be served.

Whatcom Alliance for Health Care (WAHA) is a nonprofit organization based in Bellingham, Washington whose mission is to connect people to health care and facilitate transformation of the current system into one that improves health, reduces cost and improves the experience of care.

Founded in 1920, the League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization with 800 affiliates across the country. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership is open to men and women of all ages.

United for National Health Care
P.O.Box 2272
Bellingham, 98227
360-398-2295
[e-mail]

[eridani]

42. Phone in single payer conference calls 11/12 and 11/19

http://www.healthcareforallwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/11-Call-In-Nov-12-19th.pdf