Category: Public Policy

This is, many of us keep saying, the moment we have been waiting for, the transformative moment in our politics when dramatic change is possible, when we will finally guarantee quality affordable health care for all. As we keep saying it, we hear the other voices tell us that, no, we have to wait, that the economic crisis we face is too severe, requires too much attention, and will be too costly. But a close look at history, at our present crisis and our politics, should teach all of us, including President-elect Obama that the pessimistic voices are wrong. This is the moment for health care reform. And that is one reason you should come to the Neighborhood Networks Town Hall meeting tomorrow. For whether we actually we take advantage of this moment for health care reform is, in large part, up to us. Continue reading

Today, at noon, I’m going to be appearing on Labor to Neighbor, the radio show hosted by my friends Pat Eiding and Janet Ryder of the AFL-CIO on WURD 900 am I will be talking about the Health Care For America Now campaign, about the McCain and Obama health care plans, as well as about health care reform efforts in Pennsylvania. You can listen on the web at http://900amwurd.com/2008/. Continue reading

Hope, Change, and Health Care Whatever their party and whatever their preference between one candidate and another, most Americans have been supporting change in this election year. And they have been embracing hope for the future, hope that our government can once again address our deepest problems with innovative solutions that serve us all. We know, however, that real change won’t occur just by electing a new President and Congress. Powerful forces stand in the way of the change we need. A new President and Congress will need a movement of people committed to real change in order to overcome that opposition. So, I’m asking you to join, a new movement for one of the changes we need, Health Care For America Now (HCAN)! Continue reading

Today, July 8, in Washington and about 50 cities around the country, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Erie, a new movement for health care reform will be born, Health Care for America Now! (HCAN). The Philadelphia HCAN kickoff will be held at 1 pm in the Caucus Room (Room 401), at City Hall. Confirmed speakers include • Liz McElroy, political director, AFL-CIO Central Labor Council. • Randy Barge a Presbyterian minister and board member of the Philadelphia Unemployment Project. • Carolyn Banks, a member of Acorn who has had issues related to access to health care. • David Grande, MD, of National Physician’s Alliance We have invited the members of City Council, and Philadelphia State house and Senate members. HCAN is being created by a large number of organizations nationally and in Pennsylvania. It is co-chaired nationally by SEIU and AFSCME and our Pennsylvania organization is being brought together by SEIU,… Continue reading

I wrote this op-ed for Antoinette Kraus, who signed it when it was published by the Pottsville Mercury on June 30, 2008. Poll and poll shows that, after the economy, health care is the issue of greatest concern to people in our state. It doesn’t really matter whether people have health insurance or don’t have it; whether people are poor or rich; whether they are Democrats or Republicans. So why is the Republican leadership of the State Senate standing in the way of SB 1137 and HB 2005, two bills that would expand health insurance for the uninsured and reduce health insurance costs for those of us who have health insurance? Continue reading