"Of all forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane." HOME
---Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Health care is an essential safeguard of human life and dignity and there is an obligation... to ensure that every person be able to realize this right." ---the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin
The backdrop to the October 18th PA Conference on the Healthcare Crisis was a presidential campaign offering two competing programs, one abysmal, the other inadequate. Neither addresses the basic problem: how the chokehold of HMOs, insurance and pharmaceutical industries threatens our very lives with grotesque inefficiencies skyrocketing costs and profits 45 million lacking coverage; others losing benefits while everyone pays more.
Is there no way out? Only if we give up
Dr. Quentin Young, over fifty years a doctor coordinates Physicians for a National Health Program [www.pnhp.org/] In a lively keynote address said that we have resources to provide everyone with prescription drugs, mental health care for the aged and disabled. We have facilities, a trained workforce, high-tech capability, but the "free-market" overhead grabs one dollar in four for bureaucracy, advertising, profits, executive salaries, and fines for corporate violations.
We're already paying for national health insurance but we just don't get it.
Dr. Walter Tsou, President, American Public Health Association noted that U.S. corporations can't afford to compete with those in nations with universal healthcare. General Motors pays $60 billion for health benefits so it's cheaper to export jobs. "Ideology trumps rationality" when, despite all evidence, we believe "the market solves all problems." Small businesses and non-profits are being forced to cut or drop benefits. Wal Mart forces taxpayers to pay for workers' benefits so competing companies must cut workers' benefits.
But there are hopeful signs at the state and grassroots level.
California and Maine have passed bills. Lawrence Lavin, Director, National Health Law Program, and Chris O'Neill discussed these innovative approaches. And fifteen other states have bills in the hopper.
If there is to be real change "We must do away with the ideological Holy War," says O'Neill. Maine is costing out models, including a universal plan with a Health Action Team to bring together stakeholders who will work together to define problem areas.
Philadelphia Rep. Kathy Manderino touched off a lively discussion about the dilemma between support for a single-payer system and an incremental approach. The danger is accepting a plan that puts off true reform rather than moving toward it.
O'Neill reminded us to "keep the eyes on the prize" and keep it simple. Manderino will work with us as we take on the task of finding sponsors within both parties for our own bill.
Steven Thomas, Director for Minority Health at Pitt, reminded us of civil rights and workers' struggles. "Our weapon is moral suasion" as race and other disparities are put front and center. The study, Unequal Treatment, demonstrates how white patients received very different treatment than blacks with similar economic status and symptoms. Robert Torres, Deputy Secretary, PA. Department of Health, cited health disparities faced by Hispanics.
This piece offers only highlights of an incredibly rich learning experience. Thanks to Charlie Crystle and Pam Oddo for the inspiration and work to pull of a most successful . PUSH and others plan to come together and build a statewide coalition to press for universal healthcare in Pennsylvania.
Join us! www.geocities.org/molly_rush