Health care events 2014

[eridani]

Health care events for 2014

[eridani]

1. Obamacare Update: Good News, Bad News, Just plain facts; Bellingham 1/23

Obamacare Update

-Good News
-Bad News
-Just plain facts

Thursday, January 23, 2014, 7 pm

St. Luke's Community Health Ed Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway - Bellingham
Near St. Joseph's Hospital

With all the media hype and political jousting, it is difficult to know just exactly how Obamacare is affecting the American people. Will the troubled rollout of Obamacare help or hinder the future of universal health care? We will answer these questions and more, as well as questions from the audience.

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


United for National Healthcare Veterans Administration Health Care Panel Discussion, November 21, 2013. From left to right: UNHC President Donna Starr, Dr. Bridgett Cantrell, Veteran Bill Distler, and Doris Kent, Gold Star Mother and Veterans Advocate

[eridani]

2. Beyond the complexities of Obamacare; Des Moines 1/23

Ideas for health care systems from around the world in the movie
Sick Around the World (60 min)

Saturday January 25th
2:30pm—4:30pm
Saltwater Unitarian Church
25701 14th Pl S
Des Moines, WA 98198
(for directions, see reverse side)

Health Care for all—WA will present information on the WA State single payer bill, the Washington Health Security Trust. Question and answer period to follow.

In Sick Around the World, FRONTLINE teams up with veteran Washington Post foreign correspondent T.R. Reid to find out how five other capitalist democracies -- the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Taiwan and Switzerland -- deliver health care, and what the United States might learn from their successes and their failures.

See the trailer at

For more information contact Ruth Knagenhjelm at [e-mail]


From I-5 North (coming from Tacoma)
Exit I-5 at 272nd St
Turn left onto 272nd St at the end of the exit ramp.
Cross Pacific Highway S
Turn right on 16th Ave S
Turn left on 14th Pl S
The church is on the right side of the road at 25701 14th Pl S

From I-5 South (coming from Seattle)
Exit at Kent-Des Moines Road.
Turn right onto Kent-Des Moines Road at the end of the exit ramp.
Turn left on 16th Ave S
Turn right on 14th Pl S
The church is on the right side of the road at 25701 14th Pl S

Saltwater Church
A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
25701 14th Pl S
Des Moines, WA, 98198
[e-mail]
[phone]

[eridani]

3. Rally to support WA implementation of ACA in Olympia 1/28

Please help spread the word and tell your organizations, members and friends to come. This is an event coordinated by Healthy WA Coalition Members to applaud the Legislature and the Governor for being a leader in expanding Medicaid - WA Apple Health - to the most vulnerable uninsured families in our communities. Please come express your support for this historic commitment which ensured the lowest income uninsured and underinsured families and individuals now have access to affordable health care options through WA Apple Health.

Washington Has You Covered – Thank You Rally and News Conference
10:30 a.m. TUESDAY, January 28
North Steps of State Legislative Building

New Medicaid enrollees talk about health coverage and
thank Governor Inslee, the Chairs of the Health Care Committees, and the Legislative members who supported
expanding Medicaid in Washington

Last legislative session, Washington state’s policymakers committed to expand Medicaid, providing health care and financial relief to many Washingtonians. In the less than four months since enrollment began, more than 130,000 people have signed up for new Medicaid coverage, and demand continues to grow. Patients and health care advocates will gather to let their policymakers know that Medicaid expansion is working in Washington. Coverage kicked in on January 1, and it’s already making a difference in the lives of Washington residents. Several will tell their stories. Please join in this Health WA event. To help out or for questions, please contact [e-mail].
Thank you,
Teresa Mosqueda
Healthy WA Coalition Chair
[e-mail]
206-353-5276

[eridani]

4. Help with ACA signups

Upcoming Health Insurance Sign-Up Events at a Valley Cities Near You!

•Federal Way- Thursday, Jan. 30th from 12-5 pm
•Auburn- Thursday, Feb. 6th from 1-5 pm
•Kent- Friday, Feb. 21st from 1-5 pm
For more information, call the Valley Cities general information line at 253-833-7444

[eridani]

5. How many are referred to 'collections' from the only local hospital; Pt Townsend 2/25

Tues. Feb. 25, Port Townsend, 8 - 9:30 a.m. - Jefferson County Healthcare Access Committee will hear about local research on how many people are referred to 'collections' from the only local hospital and a description of sliding fees. This information is compiled from open records.

Location: Jefferson County Public Health, Conference room, 615 Sheridan St. (QFC mall, Sims Way just S of town). Confirm with Jenifer Taylor, [phone], [e-mail]

[eridani]

6. PNHP-WW meeting in Seattle 2/19

The meeting will be held as usual in the Swedish Medical Center/Cherry Hill Campus Conference Center Auditorium

We are fortunate to have Laurie Simons and Terry Sterrenberg as our speakers for this meeting. They are well known as producers of The Health Care Care Movie which shows how the US and Canadian health care systems evolved so completely differently, the personal and emotional impacts on Canadians and Americans today, and how public relations campaigns in the US seek to dissuade the public from supporting national health care.

Laurie and Terry's project for the last year is the Drive for Universal Healthcare (DUH). They have been traveling across the country to promote and help establish a tax-supported, fully comprehensive, non-discriminatory health care system for all residents of the U.S. Supporters drive along with them for various days and distances.

Their West Coast adventure will start out in San Diego on April 13 and trek north with several stops in California. At the end of April, they will cross over into Oregon for 5 or 6 stops, and then on to Washington where they have plans to visit Fox Island and proceed to Seattle before returning home on May 4. We will have a chance to organize a program in Seattle, and maybe other areas of the state.

[eridani]

7. Mar. 2, “Beyond the ACA: Is There Anything Better?” Mountlake Terrace

Sun., Mar. 2, “Beyond the ACA: Is There Anything Better?” Mountlake Terrace, 2:00 p.m.


The Affordable Care Act contains important health insurance reforms and protections for patients, but it does nothing to lower health care costs and nothing for those who cannot afford the premiums yet do not qualify for premium subsidies. Vicki Decker of Health Care for All-Washington will talk about the Washington Health Security Trust: How to Get to State-based Universal Healthcare, with questions and answers to follow.



Location: Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043-4630. Phone [phone] Directions and Bus Routes: http://www.sno-isle.org/?ID=1394

[eridani]

8. Health Law Advocacy group celebrates 15 year anniversary in Seattle 4/22

You're Invited to Celebrate 15 Years of NoHLA's Advocacy

Please join us for reception to toast our fifteen year history of advocacy to ensure access to health care for all Washington residents.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014
5:30pm to 7:30pm

FareStart
700 Virginia Street (7th & Virginia)
Seattle, WA 98101

map directions

Please RSVP by April 11th to [e-mail]

and include number of guests who
will be attending.

[eridani]

9. Learn how to speak effectively about single payer health care

Thursday, April 24, 2014, 7:00 pm
St. Luke's Community Health Ed Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway - Bellingham
Near St. Joseph's Hospital

We are going to have fun developing and practicing our story telling skills so that we can provide human interest in our communications about single payer health care. We will learn and practice our skills in small, friendly groups where we will give each other supportive feedback.

We will learn how to speak effectively when talking to family, friends, elected officials and when doing informational tabling.

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

[eridani]

10. Showings of The Healthcare Movie in May

http://thehealthcaremovie.net/home/

The lack of a national health care system is one of the greatest financial burdens America faces.
Kiefer Sutherland, Narrator

I just watched your wonderful movie and I think it’s a gift to all of us who have been working to bring true universal healthcare to the U.S. What a great tool to break through all the noise and nonsense surrounding this issue. Now it’s our job to make this movie more widely seen than SICKO, because while SICKO woke a lot of people up, this movie is so much better.
B.W., Pepper Pike, Ohio

The producers of The Healthcare Movie will be leading a caravan named Drive for Universal Healthcare (DUH) from southern California to Seattle in April. They will be in our state for at least two showings of the movie:

 Seattle: May 3, 2014, 7-9 pm at Swedish Cherry Hill Campus, SECC Rooms A&B.
 Spokane: May 6, 2014, 6:30 pm at the Bing Crosby Theatre 901 W. Sprague Ave.
Audience discussion will be planned to follow the movie, which takes about an hour

Admission Free

[eridani]

11. Talking to Business People About Single Payer Health Care; Bellingham 5/22

Talking to Business People About Single Payer Health Care

Prestentation by
Patrick Noonan
Health Care for All Washington


Thursday, May 22, 2014, 7:00 pm
St. Luke's Community Health Ed Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway - Bellingham
Near St. Joseph's Hospital


Patrick Noonan of Health Care for All Washington will provide information and train us to speak to business people regarding the benefits of single payer health care.


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

Admission Free

[eridani]

12. "Tabling 101" by Sno-King HCFA chapter Lake Forest Park 5/22

Thurs, May 22, Lake Forest Park, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. -
"Tabling 101" course for summer markets and festivals, Sno-King HCFA-WA

Local Farmers Markets are gearing up for the summer season, and so are we. In addition to edibles and crafts, these community gatherings are natural places to share good ideas and conversation. Come and meet other Single Payer activists as we plan for our summertime outreach events on July 6 and Sept. 28 at the Lake Forest Park Sunday Farmers Market.

Contact: [e-mail]
Lake Forest Park Library, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Town Center

[eridani]

13. Rep Kristine Lytton to present update on WA health care progress 6/26 in Bellingham

On June 26 Washington State Representative Kristine Lytton will present an
Update on Washington State Health Care Programs. She will discuss how the last legislative session impacted health care programs--especially those for mental health. She will also tell us how Washington State is implementing the Affordable Care Act.

For more information on this event see Coming Events

Representative Lytton supports health care for all residents of Washington State; and I encourage you to attend her presentation.

The Update on Washington State Health Care Programs will be the last public event that United for National Healthcare will present for several months.

This summer we will staff educational tables at public locations and events in Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties. We will continue to lobby our Washington State legislators to sign on to the Washington State single payer bill the Washington Health Security Trust

In collaboration with Health Care for All Washington we are developing a lecture-slide show for business people to demonstrate how the Washington Health Security Trust would increase the profitability of their businesses and lessen their administrative burden.


If you would like to attend one of our monthly Board meetings or if you would like to volunteer, please contact us at: 360-398-2295 or [e-mail].

[eridani]

14. Health Care for All North Seattle Action Team to meet 6/15

North Seattle Action Team meets Sat. June 14th for summer work plans


Strategy Session discusses legislative scorecard and upcoming in-district interviews

North Seattle supporters of HCFA-WA and state-based universal health care will meet next Sat June 14th, 2-4 pm, at the Greenwood branch, Settle Public Library.

Members from Seattle’s 36th, 43rd and 46th will lay plans for building support for the Washington Health Security Trust (the WHST) in the new legislative session in January, 2015.

We will go over materials for phone scripts calling our supporters to make constituent visits, rehearse our ‘elevator speeches’, and plan constituent appointments and conversations with our legislators.

In addition, there are opportunities for building support with the public this summer at community festivals and farmers markets.

In the 46th LD there is a table for Sun July 6th at Lake Forest Park Sunday Market. Contact Marcia at [e-mail] if you are interested in taking at teaming with others staffing the table.

In the 36th LD there is a table set aside for us at the Phinney Ridge Farmers Market on Fri Aug 1st. For a turn at staffing the table contact Kim at [e-mail].

Volunteers are still needed to organize a table in the 43rd LD.

The Action Team will begin with those 60 second personal stories to win over neighbors and legislators alike. There will also be time to polish answers to those “Ten Most Difficult Questions”

And, finally if you enjoy public speaking, there will be a training put on by our Speakers Bureau presenting the business case for the WHST 102 on Wed. July 23rd at the Northgate branch, Seattle Public Library. For more information contact [e-mail].

Come join us to make it happen. Everybody In; Nobody Out!



Join HCFA-WA as a 2014 member and help us grow.

· We are adding a new Spokane chapter and holding speaking engagements in more LD’s around the state.

· The Writers Team is finishing its PowerPoint for small businesses, our “WHST 102”.

· We now have speakers trained to join you for a house party showing a copy of The Healthcare Movie, or our WHST 101 presentation, WHST: How to get to state-based universal health care.

Become a member and help us pave the way for what comes after the Affordable Care Act!

[eridani]

15. Summer Informational Tabling in Whatcom and Skagit

This summer United for National Healthcare is staffing informational tables in Whatcom and Skagit Counties to educate the public about single payer health care and to collect signatures for our Washington State single payer petition to our legislators as follows:

•Every Friday, downtown Community Food Co-op, 1220 N. Forest, Bellingham, 4-6 pm
•Most Saturdays, near Bellingham Farmers Market, Chestnut and Railroad in front of Woods Coffee
•Various locations in Skagit County
•Contact us for more information.

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

[eridani]

16. Learn to use the Health Care for All business-oriented Powerpint; Seattle 7/23

You are cordially invited to view our newest PowerPoint presentation: “The Business Case for Universal Health Care: the Washington Health Security Trust.”

We will view the new PowerPoint presentation, share speaking tips, and go over the script and handouts. The business community is the next frontier in our journey to universal health care in Washington State. Come join us!

Date and Time: Wed., July 23rd - 5:45 - 7:45 p.m. -
Location: Northgate (Seattle) Branch Library - Northgate Branch Library

Please RSVP by July 20 to [e-mail] so that we know how many copies of the materials to prepare. (No need to RSVP again if you have already done so.)

I hope to see you on the 23rd!


Marcia Stedman
Health Care for All-Washington
www.healthcareforallwa.org
206-261-1759

[eridani]

17. Videos from PNHP-WW annual meeting

Videos from PNHPWW 9th Annual Public Meeting - July 19, 2014
Health Care is a Human Right: Making It Real in Washington State


•Health Care is a Human Right! - A Principled Approach
Martha Schmidt, LL.M.

•Guest Speaker
Philip Caper, MD

KEXP radio interview
http://hotpotatomedia.com/mpgs/071914cf.mp3


•Congressman Jim McDermott
Presenting the 2014 Dr. John Geyman Health Justice Advocate Award

•The Health Care is a Human Right - Washington Campaign
Statement from Jeff Johnson, President WA State Labor Council,
read by David McLanahan, Co-Founder & Coordinator, PNHPWW

•Keynote Address
Kshama Sawant, PhD, Seattle City Councilmember

•Remarks from a Canadian/American Perspective
Randall White, MD, Director, British Columbia Psychosis Program

[eridani]

18. More coverage

Radio Interview at KEXP - Seattle Community Radio

This is a link to a radio interview I did this weekend on the "Mind Over Matters" show on KEXP radio in Seattle about health care reform and the need for single-payer. I usually don't like listening to my own interviews, but this one seems to have come together pretty well and is, I think, worth listening to.

http://hotpotatomedia.com/mpgs/071914cf.mp3

Glimmers of healthcare politics at meeting of Western Washington docs

http://crosscut.com/2014/07/23/health-medicine/121125/western-wa-physicians-national-health-program/?utm_source=Crosscut+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=c3e38e3057-Crosscut_Daily_Newsletter_July_23_20147_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_efe7a35aed-c3e38e3057-278982081

The Western Washington Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program, which advocates for a universal, comprehensive single-payer national health program, held its annual public meeting last Saturday evening at Kane Hall on the University of Washington campus. The event provided a useful snapshot of things to come in healthcare politics nationally, but also here in Washington State.

The meeting, held before a nearly full house that included numerous practicing doctors and nurses, also provided its share of surprises. Here are some highlights:

There was consensus that a single-payer plan is at least several years away and that state- rather than national-level organizing efforts to institute one would bear the most fruit over the next two years.

The Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare) allows states, beginning in 2017, to seek exemptions from its provisions provided they present a credible alternative plan to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. The meeting’s speakers agreed that between now and 2017 lobbying efforts to enact single-payer alternatives should focus on governors and state legislators. (Such HHS approvals, Rep. Jim McDermott pointed out, would likely occur only during the administration of a President sympathetic to the idea).

[eridani]

19. Don McCanne of national PNHP comments on this article

Comment by Don McCanne

Socialist Kshama Sawant, a member of the Seattle City Council, came to national attention by leading her fellow council members in passing a $15/hour minimum wage for their city. Having shown that political activism can still be effective, she has important advice for us in our efforts to enact single payer reform.

Currently attention has been diverted from single payer, as most progressives are celebrating the supposedly great successes in implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Even the Republicans in Congress who have voted several times to repeal ACA, are now suing President Obama for not implementing it fast enough.

Those of us who continue to adamantly support single payer are facing criticism for not joining the ACA bandwagon. This is where Sawant’s message is so important. Whether “ACA delivered something good” is not the point. The point is, we have to inform the public on “what are we not getting from it.” And what we are not getting is most of the goals of reform! The accomplishments are extremely modest compared to the reform that we need.

What are we not getting from ACA that we would be getting from single payer?

* Truly universal coverage
* Dramatic reduction in administrative waste
* Removal of financial barriers to care
* Coverage of all essential health care services
* Free choice of hospitals and health care professionals
* Removal of the interventions and excesses of the private insurers
* Taxpayer financing based on ability to pay
* Infrastructure reform that would slow spending to sustainable levels

And what successes are the ACA supporters touting (though using different rhetoric)?

* Coverage of only about half of the uninsured
* Shift to underinsurance products
* Guaranteed issue of these underinsurance products
* Deductibles that keep patients away from care by erecting financial barriers
* Insurance subsidies that are inadequate
* Ultra-narrow networks that take away choice
* Insurance marketplaces that increase administrative complexity and waste
* Inadequate cost containment policies (except for perverse higher deductibles)

Sawant delivers a very strong leftist message on social justice issues, and includes in her comments the failures of the Democratic Party to act. But this point on what we are not getting from ACA and why we need single payer is not a leftist message. It is a call for all of us from across the political spectrum who support single payer to take control of the message. We can no longer allow ourselves to be a meek voice silenced by those who, for noble and ignoble reasons, celebrate the paltry successes of ACA.

Again, the something good that ACA did is not the point. The point is what we are not getting from ACA and would be getting under a single payer system. Let’s drown out the message of the ACA supporters who wimped out on real reform.

[eridani]

20. Advocate for single payer at the WA State Medical Association meeting in SeaTac 9/20

Below is a letter from Dr. Don Mitchell about an opportunity for you to help make single payer history. If you would like to see the attachment referred to in the letter, please contact me at:[e-mail] or 360-398-2295

Dear PNHPWW members and supporters:

Great news! We have an opportunity to make history! On Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21, 2014, we encourage you to consider joining us at the SeaTac Hilton hotel near Seattle. The Washington State Medical Association House of Delegates (WSMA HOD) will be considering a resolution to support single payer health insurance. If the resolution passes, it will probably be the first state medical association in the United States to take such an action. It could help tremendously in our efforts to create a single payer system in the next few years.

URGENT REQUEST: Please let us know ASAP (preferably before Saturday, September 13) if you will be able to come to the SeaTac Hilton hotel any time on Saturday and/or Sunday, September 20-21 (morning, afternoon, or evening).

WHAT TO DO: Please click "Reply All" to let us know if you may be able to come Sept 20 and/or 21.

We need people to help with a number of tasks. In part, we need people to be available to answer questions from WSMA members and delegates about single payer.

If you are a physician, it will be especially helpful for you to join us on Sept 20-21. It is not necessary for you to be a WSMA member to help. Non-physicians may also be able to provide valuable assistance.

This is a great opportunity - and a rare chance to make a difference. Please let us know if you can help.

The WSMA resolution calls for the WSMA to "support legislation in the Washington state legislature that would create a single payer health coverage system at the state level." Such legislation is already in the Washington legislature, House Bill 1085. It uses the part of the Affordable Care Act (Section 1332) which allows all 50 states to request a waiver to create a state-based system such as a single-payer system, starting in 2017.

See attached file, which is the Supplement which the WSMA has provided to all delegates regarding this single-payer resolution (including a copy of the resolution itself).

Thanks!

Sherry Weinberg, MD, President, PNHP-WW
Don Mitchell, MD, Past-President, PNHP-WW
David McLanahan, MD, PNHP Board of Directors
Chuck Richards, President, Health Care for All - Washington
Hal Stockbridge, MD, Board of Trustees, Health Care for All - Washington

[e-mail]

[eridani]

21. Fight for fair health care contract for St Joseph worker; 9/18 in Bellingham

LEARN ABOUT ST. JOSEPH (PEACE HEALTH) WORKERS FIGHT FOR A FAIR CONTRACT
Thursday, September 18 7 pm
Whatcom Democrats Meeting
Bellingham Public Library, Downtown
Lower Level of the Library

Come and hear about the fight for a fair contract by Peace Health workers, members of SEIU 1199NW. Workers voted for a union nearly a year ago and are still fighting for a first contract with the hospital. Peace Health is a non-profit that had a $30 million operating profit in 2012, enjoys several publicly-provided tax preferences and richly compensates its senior executives.*

Peace Health caregivers will discuss their struggle for a fair first contract with Peace Health. This issue has far-reaching impacts in our community, affecting hundreds of our friends and neighbors who are Peace Health employees, as well as all of us who depend upon Peace Health services in our community.

The program will precede the Whatcom Democrats' regular business meeting so that interested folks can hear the presentation but do not have to sit through the meeting. You do not need to be a Democrat to attend!

*See state government website to learn about executive compensation at Peace Health:

http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/5300/Comp2013-PeaceHealth.pdf

[eridani]

22. Visit 40th LD legislators to advocate for the Washington Health Security Trust

GETTING INVOLVED

October and November: visit our legislators


To achieve Single Payer health care in Washington State, we urgently need supporters of our state single payer bill HB 1085 (The Washington Health Security Trust) to meet with our 40th Legislative District legislators over the next three months before the 2015 legislative session begins. It is crucial to show your support and ask legislators to co-sponsor our bill when it is introduced in the next legislative session.

Contact us if you would like to join our delegation to as our 40th Legislative District legislators to sponsor HB 1085. We will meet beforehand to prepare our group presentation. Contact: Aileen Satushek, 360-398-2295, [e-mail] or [e-mail]

[eridani]

23. Heath Care for All-Wa annual meeeting 11/8 in Seattle

Two-up flyer for event
http://www.healthcareforallwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014-mtg-invite.pdf

Health Care for All–Washington

2014 Annual Meeting
Saturday, November 8
1 to 4 p.m.

Horizon House
900 University Street, Seattle

Keynote speaker:
Jeff Johnson
Chair, Health Care Is a Human Right campaign
President, Washington State Labor Council
“Universal Health Coverage: A Key to
Fighting Income Inequality”

RSVP:
707-742-3292 [e-mail]

[eridani]

24. Who Benefits and Who Doesn't Benefit From The Affordable Care Act; Bellingham 11/20

Please join us for the following program presented by United for National Healthcare:

WHO BENEFITS AND WHO DOESN'T BENEFIT FROM THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Thursday, November 20, 2014 - 7 pm
Whatcom Democrats Meeting
Bellingham Senior Center
315 Halleck - Bellingham WA

Who is benefiting and who isn't from the ACA
The political future of the ACA
Defects of the Affordable Care Act
How Single Payer can remedy ACA defects and provide health care for all

For more information 360-398-2295 - [e-mail]
[e-mail]

How We Are Reinventing United for National Healthcare

You might be wondering what United for National Healthcare is doing these days since you haven't heard much from us recently. We are in the process of re-inventing ourselves to develop different ways of advocating for single payer healthcare.

You may recall that from about 2006 through 2010 we were a street heat activist organization that sponsored many rallies, vigils, and marches. After the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in March 2010 we discovered that there wasn't much enthusiasm for street heat, but that there was interest in education on health care reform. So from 2010 through the first half of 2014 we sponsored many public educational events.

Recently we have discovered that there isn't much enthusiasm for public educational events on single payer healthcare, but that our supporters who have generously donated time and money to our cause would like us to continue our work. In the coming year we will:

--Present health care reform educational programs to community groups upon request
--Do extensive educational tabling in public locations
--Present a slide show program on the benefits of single payer to business upon request of businesses and community groups
--Hold supporter meetings that provide training and volunteer opportunities.

We will keep you informed and invite you to participate in and volunteer for our coming schedule of activities. We would particularly like you to attend our supporter meetings that will begin in January and hear your ideas and suggestions.

[eridani]

25. Rally to Support Healthcare Workers' Strike: Tacoma 11/18

Posted: 13 Nov 2014 08:38 PM PST

What: Rally to support healthcare workers of St. Joseph Medical Center striking for 24 hours on November 18th.
When: November 18th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: The corner of 19th and I Street in Tacoma.

Join healthcare workers of St. Joseph Medical Center as they demand safe staffing ratios, a living wage, quality health coverage, and access to charity care for eligible employees. St. Joe’s, a non-profit hospital, has earned more than twice the profit margins of the average hospital in Washington State. Unfortunately, most of this margin has been spent on buying additional hospitals, while working conditions and patient care continue to suffer. These healthcare workers are striking so that they may provide the best care possible for our community. In turn, we must stand with them in solidarity!