Health Care

Racism and health care

2011-06-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

The Washington Post and other media published a story about the pathetic state of health care on Indian Reservations.

The story is entitled:

Promises, Promises Indian health care needs go unmet

I publish the complete story below or you can click on this link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/14/AR2009061400903.html?hpid=sec-health?hpid=sec-health

The Indian Health Service is in fact a model health care program based upon socialized health care; but, the Indian Health Service, like most public programs in this country is being sabotaged by those politicians who want to privatize everything from health care to education to maintaining our streets and sewers and hydro dams.

These politicians sabotage these public programs first by appointing people to administer these programs who are opposed to the very programs they are administering.

That the United States Congress allowed and enabled a crooked and corrupt racist bigot like Gale Norton out of the law firm to the mafia and lobbyists to politicians--- Brownstein/Hyatt/Farber/Shreck--- to become the Secretary of the Interior overseeing the Indian Health Service is in itself a racist crime of immense magnitude which tells us a great deal about why there are these serious short-comings in the Indian Health Service. No doubt Jack Abramoff carried enough money around in brown paper shopping bags that he distributed to politicians so that the Indian Health Services could have been funded three times over.

The Indian Health Service is one classic example; here in Minnesota the Department of Health and Human Services is an even better example with Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty appointing one of the most racist, bigoted and viciously anti-working class, anti-people, pro-corporate, pro-free enterprise Neanderthals--- Cal Ludeman--- to head up the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services.

When politicians appoint those opposed to public programs to oversee these very programs they are opposed to, this is a recipe for disaster.

One has to ask, since the health care needs of Native Americans has been going unmet for so many years, why then, has it taken so long for the media to bring this matter to the attention of the public and politicians? The answer is very simple: The mainstream media is as viciously racist, biased and bigoted as the very politicians who make the decisions and those they appoint to administer social and public programs which are supposed to be about taking care of the needs of the people but are turned into nothing but big government boondoggles where all the friends of these politicians and administrators end up getting rich as people suffer because instead of, in the case of Indian Health Services, you have all these people scamming the system doing everything except providing the government mandated services.

Anyone can look at the budget of the Indian Health Service and see that the problem is a bunch of racist "entrepreneurs" with their dirty, corrupt fingers constantly in "the cookie jar" enabled by a bunch of uncaring administrators.

Barack Obama could pump billions upon billions--- even trillions--- of dollars into the Indian Health Service and it wouldn't improve the health care Native Americans receive because this excellent system of health care is being intentionally sabotaged by a bunch of greedy, profit gouging swindlers who are stealing the funds before these funds can provide the health services people require.

It is ironic that the same tribal governments who operate the casinos send their emissaries out to plead for more funding for the Indian Health Service when the casinos they operate--- and how they operate these casinos--- are responsible for a good share of the health care problems Native Americans are experiencing which is putting a drain on the Indian Health Service which is plagued with corruption--- on and off the reservations.

Here is an example.

This past spring I responded, on behalf of the Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council as its Director of Organizing, to the Red Lake Tribal Council's presentation to federal government officials who made a presentation at a hearing on the terrible situation regarding Indian health care... I submitted my response to U.S. Senators Amy Kolbuchar (Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party), U.S. Senator Carl Levin (Michigan Democratic Party), U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (Michigan Democratic Party, U.S. Congresspersons Colin Peterson (DFL-Minnesota), James Oberstar (DFL-Minnesota). I would note that these politicians over the combined life of their political careers has solicited, received and accepted MILLIONS of dollars in campaign contributions from the lobbyists of Indian Gaming Industry.

This was my letter to them which received no response:

U.S. Senators Amy Kolbuchar (Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party)
U.S. Senator Carl Levin (Michigan Democratic Party)
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (Michigan Democratic Party
U.S. Rep. Colin Peterson (DFL-Minnesota)
U.S. Rep. James Oberstar (DFL-Minnesota)

April 6, 2009

Senators and Congresspersons,

The Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council was not informed of the March hearings on Indian health care even though each and everyone of you has been repeatedly asked to keep us apprised of hearings which relate to these kinds of issues.

It is with this in mind that I request my comments here be included in the hearing testimony.

You, elected officials, claiming to be public servants with the good of the public at heart in your actions, have gone out of your way to deny us casino workers the right to participate in any hearings relating to labor, health care and environmental issues; and, then, you have the unmitigated gall to preach that we live in the world's greatest bastion of democracy.

As you are fully aware, our Organizing Council consists of Organizing Committees in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa assisting casino workers in their attempts to organize unions in an industry--- the Indian Gaming Industry--- which all of you have had a hand in creating through your support of the most anti-labor, most racist vile "Compacts" which have forced over two-million casino workers (and given the huge employee turnover in this industry, millions more) to work under the most disgraceful and Draconian conditions in loud, noisy, smoke-filled casinos at poverty wages without any rights under state, federal or tribal labor laws in this industry now comprising over 350 casino operations many of which include hotels/motel, restaurants, a variety of small shops and boutiques ranging from hair-dressers to artists and even water parks and various theme parks.

And here you are sitting and listening to those like the spokespersons for the Red Lake Nation Tribal government--- a supposedly sovereign nation, but a government that has to ask the federal and state governments for approval before doing anything and begging for tax-dollars as casino revenues in the billions and trillions of dollars go completely without any accountability to anyone except for a bunch of mobsters who own the slot machines and table games leaving the Indian Nations stuck with nothing but a pile of debt and poverty--- talking about how the Indian Health Service is underfunded.

We agree that the Indian Health Service is underfunded. But, the funds are being stolen in many cases before they ever reach the stage of their intended purpose of keeping Indian people healthy and getting them well when sick.

The Indian Health Service is a model program which should be serving as a guide for the kind of socialized health care system we all need in the United States. Instead, you are allowing it to be sabotaged by greedy profit gougers at every level as your colleagues in Congress then point out "socialized health care doesn't work."

A program is intentionally underfunded and then greed takes over with "administrative supervision, oversight and approval" and here we are with one big mess of sick people who can't get the health care they are entitled to.

And, to make maters worse, the very people who provided this testimony from the Red Lake Nation did not tell you that the primary reason for the very substantial need to increase the funding for the Indian Health Services is the direct result of the Indian Gaming Industry.

Common sense tells us that if you put people to work--- force people to work--- in smoke-filled casinos day in and day out seven days a week 365 days of the year, these employees are going to suffer serious health problems because we all know the scientific and health consequences people suffer working under these conditions.

The cancers, the heart and lung diseases, the ill affect on pregnant women and the damage to their unborn children; and, in talking about health problems and risks, perhaps among no other population in America, is diabetes such a killer than on the Indian Reservations. And the medical and scientific community has long ago shown the severe adverse impact that second-hand smoke has on those with diabetes.

So, while the Red Lake Nation Tribal Council has sent their representative to plead the case for an underfunded Indian Health Service, these representatives have failed to state that it is the very policies of this very Tribal Council who control Red Lake Gaming Enterprises who by allowing smoking in their casinos are contributing to the ill-health of the people of the Red Lake Nation, many, who because of the racist hiring practices of employers in northern Minnesota cannot find employment elsewhere, are forced to work in these smoke-filled casinos making them sick--- or sicker than they already are--- which in turn requires an expanded Indian Health Service, which in turn requires greater funding.

Our Organizing Council and our Organizing Committees take the position that Congress should appropriate every single penny required to provide adequate health care to Indian people through the Indian Health Service.

We also insist that there be accountability in gaming revenues and these revenues should be confiscated by the federal government to cover the health care problems being created by an unhealthy working environment.

To add insult to injury to this racism, the Indian Health Service is not even monitoring the health of those people employed in these smoke-filled casinos.

Therefore, it is our contention, that these casino enterprises like Red Lake Gaming Enterprises should be billed for the health care received through Indian Health Services for whatever treatment casino workers require for anything.

Quite frankly, we consider the testimony offered on behalf of the Red Lake Nation Tribal Council to be deceitful and dishonest in not bringing forward the role the tribal government plays in making people sick. Needless to say, these representatives did not make any mention of the way present funding is abused and misappropriated by crooks and thieves.

We point out that dishonesty has been a hallmark of the Indian Gaming Industry from its very inception which began with all of you taking bribes to create this industry which has now resulted in two-million workers going to work in smoke-filled casinos at poverty wages in an industry where the workers have no rights under state, federal or tribal labor laws--- truth is not one of the virtues of such thieves and those like yourselves who pander to these thieving mobsters for campaign contributions.

It is rather ironic that the Red Lake Tribal Council which is wholly and fully complicit in stealing from, and abusing, their own people and everyone else in quest of greater profits... would, under these circumstances, have the unmitigated gall to come before any Congressional Committee demanding funding to solve problems they have helped to create.

Might we be so bold as to suggest that you and your colleagues in the United States Congress contribute the bribes you take from the National Indian Gaming Association and the various state Indian Gaming Associations like the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association and contribute this money to the Indian Health Service?

And then maybe if you would stop wasting our money on wars and maintaining military bases all over the world you could provide an expanded version of the Indian Health Service to include everyone residing in the United States including the thousands of undocumented workers employed in the Indian Gaming Industry.

In closing, let me just say that we know you will take issue with the tone of this letter; but, it is your continued lack of response to our concerns over problems you created in the first place in the way you intentionally created these "Compacts" creating the Indian Gaming Industry that any thinking person would know was going to result in these problems; problem you now want to pretend you had nothing to do with their creation--- including the health care problems being experienced by Indian people.

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

I then had the following communication with Dr. Nathaniel Cobb of the Indian Health Service:

From: Alan Maki [mailto:amaki000@centurytel.net]

Sent:Wednesday,April 22, 20099:47 PM

To: Kimi De Leon; Joan Kim

Cc:'Jim Hart';'John Kolstad';'Kip Sullivan';'Carl Levin';'Sen.Jim Carlson'; rep.bill.hilty@house.mn; rep.tom.anzelc@house.mn; rep.tom.Rukavina@house.mn; rep.tony.sertich@house.mn; ddepass@startribune.com; mmiron@bemidjipioneer.com; bswenson@bemidjipioneer.com;'Chris Spotted Eagle'; jgoldstein@americanrightsatwork.org; teresa_detrempe@klobuchar.senate.gov;

peter.erlinder@wmitchell.edu; peter.makowski@mail.house.gov; esquincle@verizon.net;'Walter Tillow'; nursenpo@gmail.com; 'Steve Early'; 'Joshua Frank'; 'Ta, Minh'; 'Rhoda Gilman';'David Shove'; 'ken nash'; 'Ken Pentel';WCS-A@yahoogroups.com; MARKOWIT@history.rutgers.edu; tdennis@gfherald.com; 'Myers, John'; loneagle@paulbunyan.net; 'Thomas Kurhajetz'; mhoney@u.washington.edu;moderator@portside.org; debssoc@sbcglobal.net; 'Tom Meersman'; peterb3121@hotmail.com; laurel1@dailyjournal-ifalls.com; jscannel@aflcio.org; rgettel@uaw.net; gdubovich@usw.org; info@jamesmayer.org; mzweig@notes.cc.sunysb.edu; rachleff@macalester.edu; advocate@stpaulunions.org; elizabeth_reed@levin.senate.gov; 'Alan Uhl';'Charles Underwood'

Subject: Re: Question on Indian Health Summit

To whom it may concern;

Could you tell me if there will be a discussion at the Indian Health

Summit---July 7-9, 2009 in Denver,Colorado---concerning the issue of casino workers in the Indian Gaming Industry and the impact to their health of second hand smoke in their workplaces?

Could you advise me if there have been any discussions about this with the American Cancer Society and/or the Heart and Lung Foundation?

I am very concerned since I find nothing on this important topic among any of the materials you are distributing for the Indian Health Summit.

With health care costs become an important topic for discussion it would seem that this issue would at least merit some kind of mention at an Indian Health Summit considering the large number of Native Americans employed in the Indian Gaming Industry.

Perhaps you would be interested in having me address one of the plenary sessions since this topic has not been considered previously.

I would point out that I have contacted my of the local offices and administrators of the Indian Health Services concerning this issue and no one will speak to me.

With the Indian Health Services being part of the Department of Interior and associated with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, it would only seem logical that no further casino "Compacts" would be approved unless they contain provisions banning and prohibiting smoking.

I would also suggest that the Indian Health Services insist that all existing "Compacts" be re-opened so a ban and prohibition on smoking can be inserted into them.

"Compacts" are nothing more than contracts and the Obama Administration has seen fit to insist that previously negotiated contracts with labor unions be re-negotiated so there is definitely a precedent that has been established for doing this and I am sure you will agree with me that there could not be a better argument made for renegotiating these "Compacts" than to protect the health of hundreds of thousands of workers employed in these casinos who, in addition to working in these smoke-filled working environments are not protected under any state or federal labor laws, which makes this problem of being employed in a work environment detrimental to human health even a more serious concern.

Perhaps the Indian Health Services could make a recommendation to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Secretary of the Department of Interior that the Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, becomes involved so that the protection of casino worker's rights under all state and federal labor laws protecting all other workers in the United States be included at the time the Compacts are re-opened to protect the health of casino workers.

If you have any doubts second-hand smoke contributes to an unhealthy work environment and that second-hand smoke is recognized as a leading contributor to a variety of cancers and heart and lung diseases please do not hesitate to request additional information. I will be more than happy to attend your Indian Health Care Summit with the necessary resource materials.

With some two-million workers now employed in the Indian Gaming Industry we want to make sure everything possible is being done to protect the health and well-being of these workers.

If I have addressed this letter to the wrong persons, would you please provide me with the name of the proper person/s and department/s this letter should be sent to.

If you think this issue concerning the impact of second-hand smoke on the health of casino workers is not significant enough to be discussed at the Indian Health Summit would you be so kind as to advise me of your decision and how it was reached?

Thanking you in advance for your timely consideration;

Alan L. Maki

Director of Organizing,

Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road13

Warroad,Minnesota56763

Phone:218-386-2432

Cell phone:651-587-5541

E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Check out my blog:

Thoughts From Podunk

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

Cc: Maggie Bird

President,

Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

Dr. Nathaniel Cobb’s response to me:

Dear Mr. Maki:

Your email (below) was forwarded to me for response, as the Agency lead for tobacco control. Thank you for your suggestions - I completely agree that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in Casinos is a serious health issue for both the employees and the patrons. Labor law is outside my expertise and purview, but I will try to address a few of the many questions you raise:

1. Can we have a session on casino workers and ETS exposure at the Indian Health Summit?

- reasonable suggestion, but the practical answer is that we did invite the public to submit abstracts, that deadline has passed, and we have already finalized the agenda and cannot add another session. We do have a tobacco session scheduled, but nothing was submitted that focused specifically on casinos.

2. Have we discussed this issue with ACS, AHA, or ALA?

- yes. In discussions with ACS, we have agreed that local advocacy may be the most effective way to approach this issue.

3. Can IHS work with BIA to ban smoking in Casinos?

- IHS is an agency of Health and Human Services, not Interior. We have no regulatory role with regard to Gaming compacts, so no direct influence. In our advisory role with regard to health issues, we may make recommendations to another agency. Your suggestion has merit, and I will discuss it with senior leadership within IHS. I note that you have cc'd your email to your congressional delegation. The Congress has much more power to dictate terms of Indian Compacts than we do, so you should continue to work closely with them. A formal letter to a Member of Congress or to an Agency Head, with a clearly worded request, will always get a response.

4. What else can we do?

- It is true that ETS exposure is a health issue, but the solutions are political. We have great respect for Tribal Sovereignty, and unless and until Tribal Leaders support a smoking ban in casinos, it is not likely to happen. So my suggestion is that you contact the National Indian Health Board and ask for a time slot to present the issue at their next Consumer Conference. That meeting is a great opportunity to influence the thinking of Indian Country leadership.

Thank you for your concern, and I look forward to attending your session at the NIHB conference! If you have any educational materials or scientific studies of ETS and casino workers, I would appreciate your sending me copies.

--

Nathaniel Cobb MD

Chief, Chronic Disease Branch

Division of Epidemiology

Indian Health Service

5300 Homestead Rd NE

AlbuquerqueNM87110

(505)248-4132

My response back to Dr. Cobb:

Dr. Nathaniel Cobb, MD

Division of Epidemiology

Indian Health Service

5300 Homestead Rd NE

AlbuquerqueNM87110

(505)248-4132

Dr. Nathaniel Cobb,

Thank you for the quick response.

As I am sure you must have been thinking as you wrote this response to me, I would not find it satisfactory.

I have contacted all the heads of Indian Health at each of the tribes that operate casinos over the last three years on this issue--- NOT ONE SINGLE ONE has responded to my e-mail or been willing to talk to me on the phone.

Quite frankly, I seriously doubt there are circumstances where the impact of second-hand smoke can be dealt with in one fell swoop.

Yet, we both know this is more about casino PROFITS and the way casino PROFITS influence POLITICS.

What are you suggesting, that it will take some kind of revolution in this country before an agency like yours who has a mandate to educate on this serious issue will act?

I find this coming from a medical doctor such as you very strange; that on this one single issue involving human health where so many lives can be saved and health maintained you suggest that it is up to a union to take the action rather than you.

What are you suggesting is that tribal leaderships motivated solely by profits are to be given into on a health care issue so adversely affecting human health as the issue of being forced to work in an environment composed of second-hand smoke because you do not want to rock the boat--- using as your excuse: "sovereignty."

Is human health not an issue for a “sovereign” nation to be concerned about when it comes to the health of its own people?

There seems to be a clear admission here on your part that these tribal governments involved in gaming have been so corrupted by money they don't even care about the health of their own people; let alone the health of anyone else.

As you are fully aware, most of these casinos are run by outside management firms only using sovereignty to bolster their profits in escaping protecting the rights of casino workers to be free from second-hand smoke in their employment.

You come up with this flimsy excuse that the issue of smoke-free casinos cannot be addressed because the details of the conference are already set and established. However, what is preventing those who will be doing the presentations on the serious consequences of tobacco from raising the issue concerning the need for these casinos to go smoke-free because it is a matter of fundamental human rights for workers not to be forced to work in these conditions that we all know are seriously detrimental to human health.

You, as a medical doctor, are requesting that I should send you further information regarding the consequences of working in these smoke-filled casinos?

It is almost unbelievable that you, being a medical doctor, have even written these words.

That you acknowledge you have known about this problem and not insisted the politicians correct this, is a disgrace. You are the expert witness here.

I find it very difficult to understand how the scientific and medical community has managed to turn out the most respected from these professions to testify:

- Against the tobacco companies in law suits;

- At Congressional and State Legislative hearings;

- In support of smoke-free workplaces for everyone else except casino workers.

But, for some reason there is complete, total, overwhelming and absolute silence when it comes to the issue coercing these casinos in the Indian Gaming Industry to go smoke-free to protect the health of two-million casino workers.

At this point, since you agree this is a very serious problem; I would request that you convey my concerns---AND WHAT YOU CLAIM ARE YOUR SHARED CONCERNS--- to each and everyone of those people who will be participating in the tobacco workshops, forums or making any presentations on tobacco and request that they specifically address the problem of second-hand smoke in casinos and make suggestions and recommendations how this issue will be resolved by coercing these casino managements to go smoke-free.

The Manitoba, Canada provincial government has taken the stand that they will not approve any further casino Compacts or upgrades or new licenses for any casino unless it will be smoke-free.

Something is very wrong with the scenario you bring forward here. I find it kind of strange that a public official such as yourself, who has a legislated mandate to provide the leadership in protecting human health, would tell a citizen writing to you to go and do your job for you.

I expect you to communicate your concerns regarding second-hand smoke (environmental tobacco smoke) to each member of the United States Congress, every single state legislator in each and every state; and, I expect that you will convey your concerns as a medical doctor and in your capacity as a public official with the specific mandate to raise this concern with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Secretary of the Department of Interior; and further, that you instruct all of those employed at the local and state levels working for Indian Health Services to immediately undertake discussions about this with their tribal governments.

Sovereignty has nothing to do with this issue.

Can you provide me one single instance where the human health and welfare of a nation’s people is compromised under the guise of “sovereignty” as you are blatantly doing here? No; you cannot provide any such example. How could “sovereignty” possibly be compromised by protecting the health and well-being of any people from any nation? Do you realize how utterly stupid this sounds coming from an educated man like yourself and a doctor on top of that?

Your department and agency is involved in this conference. As a result, you have a mandate to bring this issue forward.

I assume you do not request permission from tribal governments to raise any other issues related to human health; so, why would you conceded your mandate on this vital health issue to tribal governments with no demonstrated concern on this issue or for the human health of their own people?

To suggest that this issue can wait until another conference, where both you and I know that I will never receive permission to speak on this issue, is about as insensitive and uncaring a response that anyone could ever expect to receive from a public official who has the scientific and medical background to know and understand that thousands of casino workers will lose their health while others will die from second-hand smoke they are forced to breath as forced and coerced terms and conditions of their employment.

I am requesting that you carry out the mandate you have from the United States Congress and act to make sure this issue is addressed at your upcoming conference with the aim of resolving this issue once and for all.

I expect to receive written confirmation that you have taken such action.

I assume that President Barack Obama would not appreciate you dragging your feet on this issue since he is so concerned about health care costs; I don't think I have to lecture you, a medical doctor, about the costs involved in trying to cure cancers and heart & lung problems associated with second-hand smoke in the workplace.

With all the attention now focused on accusations of frivolous government spending, I would think you would be more sensitive to the need to bring this issue forward at your upcoming conference.

Respectfully,

Alan L. Maki

Director of Organizing,

Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

Cc: Maggie Bird

President,

Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

With all that has take place, along comes the Washington Post and the rest of the mainstream media acting as if no one has known about the health care problems of Indian people.

I would also note that not one single newspaper, radio or television station has documented what is going on in the Indian Gaming Industry when it comes to the health and welfare of casino workers.

Why didn't the mainstream media examine how the Indian Health Service was doing while Gale Norton was in charge at the Interior Department for so many of the Bush years?

But, the larger question is why has hasn't the mainstream media seen fit to explore the conditions under which two-million people are employed in the Indian Gaming Industry in this country of which Indian Country is a part... if it wasn't, the Red Lake Tribal Council wouldn't have sent its representatives to the United States Congress begging for more health care funding.

The United States government shoved Indian people onto reservations after stealing their land and the natural resources; proclaimed these Indian Reservations to be "sovereign nations," intentionally leaving these "sovereign" nations without adequate resources to create real nations... and then, through the development of these anti-labor, racist "Compacts" designed with intent to allow a group of vicious mobsters to control the political, economic, social and cultural life of these "sovereign" Indian Nations; the politicians of this country stand back and say, "We can't do anything. We don't want to intervene in the affairs of sovereign Indian nations. We don't want to be in the position of creating problems among Indian people."

How racist and arrogant. The politicians set up a system of native "self-government" in a way designed to get people fighting amongst themselves and then these politicians stand back holding their bribes and pay-offs in the form of campaign contributions claiming their hands are tied.

I hope this blog posting has given people something to think about;

Alan L. Maki

PROMISES, PROMISES: Indian health care needs unmet

Note: The slideshow is available at the link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/14/AR2009061400903.html?hpid=sec-health?hpid=sec-health

SLIDESHOW Previous Next
People sit in the waiting room of the Indian Health Service clinic in Crow Agency, Mont., Oct. 16, 2008. The Indian Health Service system serves almost 2 million American Indians in 35 states. An oftt-quoted refrain on some reservations is "don't get sick after June," when the federal dollars run out. (AP Photo/Mary Clare Jalonick) (Mary Clare Jalonick - AP)

This July 2005 photo provided by the Little Light Family shows Ta'shon Rain Little Light in Crow Agency, Mont. Five-year-old Ta'shon had stopped eating and walking, and complained constantly to her mother that her stomach hurt. On her first and subsequent visits to the Indian Health Service clinic on the Crow Agency, Mont., Ta'shon's mother was told her daughter was depressed, when in fact she had cancer, and died some months later. (AP Photo/Little Light Family) (AP)

Ta' Shon Little Light, 5, right, who died of cancer following a misdiagnosis by the local Indian Health Service, is seen with her sisters Thea Little Light, 13, left, and Tia Little Light, 10, at their home in Crow Agency, Mont. in this undated photo. Ta'shon died of cancer some months after a repeated diagnosis of depression by the Indian Health Service clinic. (AP Photo/Little Light Family) (AP)

Ada White talks about her great niece Ta'shon Rain Little Light, seen in the photo, during an interview with the Associated Press in Crow Agency, Mont., Oct. 16, 2008. Ta'shon died of cancer in a matter of months subsequent to a misdiagnosis of depression by the local Indian Health Service. (AP Photo/Mary Clare Jalonick) (Mary Clare Jalonick - AP)

In this photo taken Oct. 14, 2008, pedestrians walk past the Standing Rock Reservation Tribal Headquarters in Fort Yates. N .D. The reservation's Indian Health Service staff say they are trying to improve conditions. They point out recent improvements to their clinic, including a new ambulance bay. But in interviews on the reservation, residents were eager to share stories about substandard care. (AP Photo/Will Kincaid) (Will Kincaid - AP)

In this photo taken Oct. 14, 2008, a small child walks toward the front door of the Public Health Service Indian Hospital on the Standing Rock Reservation in Fort Yates. N.D. The U.S. has an obligation, based on a 1787 agreement between tribes and the government, to provide American Indians with free health care on reservations. (AP Photo/Will Kincaid) (Will Kincaid - AP)

In this photo taken Oct. 14, 2008, people sit in the Indian Health Services waiting room on Standing Rock Reservation in Fort Yates. N.D. Statistics for health and disease in Indian country are staggering: American Indians have an infant death rate that is 40 percent higher than the rate for whites, are twice as likely to die from diabetes, are 60 percent more likely to have a stroke, 30 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, and 20 percent more likely to have heart disease. (AP Photo/Will Kincaid) (Will Kincaid - AP)

In this photo taken Oct. 14, 2008, Rhonda Sandland weeps as she talks about almost losing her fingers to frostbite at Standing Rock Reservation Tribal Headquarters, in Fort Yates. N .D. Sandland says the reservation's clinic decided to remove five of her fingers because of the pain, but a visiting doctor from Bismarck, N.D., intervened, giving her drugs instead. She says she eventually lost the tops of her fingers, and the top layer of skin. (AP Photo/Will Kincaid) (Will Kincaid - AP)

In this photo taken Oct. 14, 2008, Ron His Horse is Thunder, chairman of the Standing Rock tribe, talks about the Indian Health Service at Standing Rock Reservation Tribal Headquarters, Fort Yates. N.D. His Horse is Thunder says his remote reservation on the border between North Dakota and South Dakota can't attract or maintain doctors who know what they are doing. (AP Photo/Will Kincaid) (Will Kincaid - AP)

In this photo taken Oct. 14, 2008, Dr. Vincent Barnes points out the great distance he and his staff must travel to treat people on the Standing Rock Reservation at Fort Yates, N.D. Barnes is a psychologist with the U.S. Public Health Service. (AP Photo/Will Kincaid) (Will Kincaid - AP)

In this photo taken Oct. 14, 2008, sisters Marcella Buckley, left, and Tracy Castaway pose at Standing Rock Reservation Tribal Headquarters, Fort Yates. N .D. Castaway says her sister is in $40,000 of debt because of treatment for Stage 4 stomach cancer after being misdiagnosed for years by the local health clinic, including for the possibility of a tapeworm and stress-related stomachaches. (AP Photo/Will Kincaid) (Will Kincaid - AP)

In this photo taken Oct. 14, 2008, Marcella Buckley talks about her medical condition at Standing Rock Reservation Tribal Headquarters in Fort Yates. N .D. Buckley says she visited the local clinic for four years with stomach pains and was given a variety of diagnoses, including the possibility of a tapeworm and stress-related stomachaches. She was eventually told she had Stage 4 cancer that had spread throughout her body. (AP Photo/Will Kincaid) (Will Kincaid - AP)

In this photo taken Oct. 14, 2008, Victor Brave Thunder talks about his medical condition at Standing Rock Reservation Tribal Headquarters, in Fort Yates. N .D. The reservation's clinic failed to diagnose Victor Brave Thunder with congestive heart failure, giving him Tylenol and cough syrup, when he told a doctor he was uncomfortable and had not slept for several days. He eventually went to a hospital in Bismarck, which immediately admitted him. Brave Thunder, 54, died in April while waiting for a heart transplant. (AP Photo/Will Kincaid) (Will Kincaid - AP)

By MARY CLARE JALONICK
The Associated Press
Sunday, June 14, 2009

CROW AGENCY, Mont. -- Ta'Shon Rain Little Light, a happy little girl who loved to dance and dress up in traditional American Indian clothes, had stopped eating and walking. She complained constantly to her mother that her stomach hurt.

When Stephanie Little Light took her daughter to the Indian Health Service clinic in this wind-swept and remote corner of Montana, they told her the 5-year-old was depressed.

Ta'Shon's pain rapidly worsened and she visited the clinic about 10 more times over several months before her lung collapsed and she was airlifted to a children's hospital in Denver. There she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, confirming the suspicions of family members.

A few weeks later, a charity sent the whole family to Disney World so Ta'Shon could see Cinderella's Castle, her biggest dream. She never got to see the castle, though. She died in her hotel bed soon after the family arrived in Florida.

"Maybe it would have been treatable," says her great-aunt, Ada White, as she stoically recounts the last few months of Ta'Shon's short life. Stephanie Little Light cries as she recalls how she once forced her daughter to walk when she was in pain because the doctors told her it was all in the little girl's head.

Ta'Shon's story is not unique in the Indian Health Service system, which serves almost 2 million American Indians in 35 states.

On some reservations, the oft-quoted refrain is "don't get sick after June," when the federal dollars run out. It's a sick joke, and a sad one, because it's sometimes true, especially on the poorest reservations where residents cannot afford health insurance. Officials say they have about half of what they need to operate, and patients know they must be dying or about to lose a limb to get serious care.

Wealthier tribes can supplement the federal health service budget with their own money. But poorer tribes, often those on the most remote reservations, far away from city hospitals, are stuck with grossly substandard care. The agency itself describes a "rationed health care system."

The sad fact is an old fact, too.

The U.S. has an obligation, based on a 1787 agreement between tribes and the government, to provide American Indians with free health care on reservations. But that promise has not been kept. About one-third more is spent per capita on health care for felons in federal prison, according to 2005 data from the health service.

In Washington, a few lawmakers have tried to bring attention to the broken system as Congress attempts to improve health care for millions of other Americans. But tightening budgets and the relatively small size of the American Indian population have worked against them.

"It is heartbreaking to imagine that our leaders in Washington do not care, so I must believe that they do not know," Joe Garcia, president of the National Congress of American Indians, said in his annual state of Indian nations' address in February.

When it comes to health and disease in Indian country, the statistics are staggering.

American Indians have an infant death rate that is 40 percent higher than the rate for whites. They are twice as likely to die from diabetes, 60 percent more likely to have a stroke, 30 percent more likely to have high blood pressure and 20 percent more likely to have heart disease.

American Indians have disproportionately high death rates from unintentional injuries and suicide, and a high prevalence of risk factors for obesity, substance abuse, sudden infant death syndrome, teenage pregnancy, liver disease and hepatitis.

While campaigning on Indian reservations, presidential candidate Barack Obama cited this statistic: After Haiti, men on the impoverished Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota have the lowest life expectancy in the Western Hemisphere.

Those on reservations qualify for Medicare and Medicaid coverage. But a report by the Government Accountability Office last year found that many American Indians have not applied for those programs because of lack of access to the sign-up process; they often live far away or lack computers. The report said that some do not sign up because they believe the government already has a duty to provide them with health care.

The office of minority health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Indian Health Service, notes on its Web site that American Indians "frequently contend with issues that prevent them from receiving quality medical care. These issues include cultural barriers, geographic isolation, inadequate sewage disposal and low income."

Indeed, Indian health clinics often are ill-equipped to deal with such high rates of disease, and poor clinics do not have enough money to focus on preventive care. The main problem is a lack of federal money. American Indian programs are not a priority for Congress, which provided the health service with $3.6 billion this budget year.

Officials at the health service say they can't legally comment on specific cases such as Ta'Shon's. But they say they are doing the best they can with the money they have - about 54 cents on the dollar they need.

One of the main problems is that many clinics must "buy" health care from larger medical facilities outside the health service because the clinics are not equipped to handle more serious medical conditions. The money that Congress provides for those contract health care services is rarely sufficient, forcing many clinics to make "life or limb" decisions that leave lower-priority patients out in the cold.

"The picture is much bigger than what the Indian Health Service can do," says Doni Wilder, an official at the agency's headquarters in Rockville, Md., and the former director of the agency's Northwestern region. "Doctors every day in our organization are making decisions about people not getting cataracts removed, gall bladders fixed."

On the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota, Indian Health Service staff say they are trying to improve conditions. They point out recent improvements to their clinic, including a new ambulance bay. But in interviews on the reservation, residents were eager to share stories about substandard care.

Rhonda Sandland says she couldn't get help for her advanced frostbite until she threatened to kill herself because of the pain - several months after her first appointment. She says she was exposed to temperatures at more than 50 below, and her hands turned purple. She eventually couldn't dress herself, she says, and she visited the clinic over and over again, sometimes in tears.

"They still wouldn't help with the pain so I just told them that I had a plan," she said. "I was going to sleep in my car in the garage."

She says the clinic then decided to remove five of her fingers, but a visiting doctor from Bismarck, N.D., intervened, giving her drugs instead. She says she eventually lost the tops of her fingers and the top layer of skin.

The same clinic failed to diagnose Victor Brave Thunder with congestive heart failure, giving him Tylenol and cough syrup when he told a doctor he was uncomfortable and had not slept for several days. He eventually went to a hospital in Bismarck, which immediately admitted him. But he had permanent damage to his heart, which he attributed to delays in treatment. Brave Thunder, 54, died in April while waiting for a heart transplant.

"You can talk to anyone on the reservation and they all have a story," says Tracey Castaway, whose sister, Marcella Buckley, said she was in $40,000 of debt because of treatment for stomach cancer.

Buckley says she visited the clinic for four years with stomach pains and was given a variety of diagnoses, including the possibility of a tapeworm and stress-related stomachaches. She was eventually told she had Stage 4 cancer that had spread throughout her body.

Ron His Horse is Thunder, chairman of the Standing Rock tribe, says his remote reservation on the border between North Dakota and South Dakota can't attract or maintain doctors who know what they are doing. Instead, he says, "We get old doctors that no one else wants or new doctors who need to be trained."

His Horse is Thunder often travels to Washington to lobby for more money and attention, but he acknowledges that improvements are tough to come by.

"We are not one congruent voting bloc in any one state or area," he said. "So we don't have the political clout."

On another reservation 200 miles north of Standing Rock, Ardel Baker, a member of North Dakota's Three Affiliated Tribes, knows all too well the truth behind the joke about money running out.

Baker went to her local clinic with severe chest pains and was sent by ambulance to a hospital more than an hour away. It wasn't until she got there that she noticed she had a note attached to her, written on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services letterhead.

"Understand that Priority 1 care cannot be paid for at this time due to funding issues," the letter read. "A formal denial letter has been issued."

She lived, but she says she later received a bill for more than $5,000.

"That really epitomizes the conflict that we have," says Robert McSwain, deputy director of the Indian Health Service. "We have to move the patient out, it's an emergency. We need to get them care."

It was too late for Harriet Archambault, according to the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, who has told her story more than once in the Senate.

Dorgan says Archambault died in 2007 after her medicine for hypertension ran out and she couldn't get an appointment to refill it at the nearest clinic, 18 miles away. She drove to the clinic five times and failed to get an appointment before she died.

Dorgan's swath of the country is the hardest hit in terms of Indian health care. Many reservations there are poor, isolated, devoid of economic development opportunities and subject to long, harsh winters - making it harder for the health service to recruit doctors to practice there.

While the agency overall has an 18 percent vacancy rate for doctors, that rate jumps to 38 percent for the region that includes the Dakotas. That region also has a 29 percent vacancy rate for dentists, and officials and patients report there is almost no preventive dental care. Routine procedures such as root canals are rarely seen here. If there's a problem with a tooth, it is simply pulled.

Dorgan has led efforts in Congress to bring attention to the issue. After many years of talking to frustrated patients at home in North Dakota, he says he believes the problems are systemic within the embattled agency: incompetent staffers are transferred instead of fired; there are few staff to handle complaints; and, in some cases, he says, there is a culture of intimidation within field offices charged with overseeing individual clinics.

The senator has also probed waste at the agency.

A 2008 GAO report, along with a follow-up report this year, accused the Indian Health Service of losing almost $20 million in equipment, including vehicles, X-ray and ultrasound equipment and numerous laptops. The agency says some of the items were later found.

Dorgan persuaded Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to consider an American Indian health improvement bill last year, and the bill passed in the Senate. It would have directed Congress to provide about $35 billion for health programs over the next 10 years, including better access to health care services, screening and mental health programs. A similar bill died in the House, though, after it became entangled in an abortion dispute.

The growing political clout of some remote reservations may bring some attention to health care woes. Last year's Democratic presidential primary played out in part in the Dakotas and Montana, where both Obama and Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton became the first presidential candidates to aggressively campaign on American Indian reservations there. Both politicians promised better health care.

Obama's budget for 2010 includes an increase of $454 million, or about 13 percent, over this year. Also, the stimulus bill he signed this year provided for construction and improvements to clinics.

Back in Montana, Ta'Shon's parents are doing what they can to bring awareness to the issue. They have prepared a slideshow with pictures of her brief life; she is seen dressed up in traditional regalia she wore for dance competitions with a bright smile on her face. Family members approached Dorgan at a Senate field hearing on American Indian health care after her death in 2006, hoping to get the little girl's story out.

"She was a gift, so bright and comforting," says Ada White of her niece, whom she calls her granddaughter according to Crow tradition. "I figure she was brought here for a reason."

Nearby, the clinic on the Crow reservation seems mostly empty, aside from the crowded waiting room. The hospital is down several doctors, a shortage that management attributes recruitment difficulties and the remote location.

Diane Wetsit, a clinical coordinator, said she finds it difficult to think about the congressional bailout for Wall Street.

"I have a hard time with that when I walk down the hallway and see what happens here," she says.

something to think about...

2011-06-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

For somewhere between the cost of Postal Service and Public Education we could get a National Public Health Care System.

Think about it; for the price of a couple first class stamps per day, per person, we could fund Primary Health Care for everyone--- completely free. For the cost of about six first class postage stamps per day, per person, we could fund a complete National Public Health Care System from pre-natal to burial, comprehensive and all inclusive.

The only thing standing in our way is a bunch of greedy Wall Street coupon clipping vultures and the government they manipulate and control.

Funding and financing is simple--- we tell the generals and the merchants of death and destruction, the same Wall Street crowd, to go fund their dirty wars by selling seeds and candy bars from door-to-door and with millage elections so we can fund health care. If we don't have quite enough we can tax the rich and/or institute a pay-roll tax just like we fund Social Security only make the corporations pay a little more.

Something to think about.

A letter to David Swanson

2010-03-01T21:10:00.001-08:00

David,

John Marty’s healthcare legislation is anything BUT single-payer universal healthcare.

Certainly nothing like Canadian-style healthcare.

John Marty is using this as an election gimmick pure and simple.

You obviously haven’t bothered to ask how much this healthcare will cost someone of very modest means.

A working person making around $35,000.00 a year will be paying a premium of about $750.00 a month. I lived in Canada for ten years, and I seriously doubt even Conrad Black paid that much into the healthcare system every month. With Social Insurance (pretty much like Social Security here) and Canada Health Care combined, about $62.00 was deducted from my pay-check every month while I lived in Manitoba.

You may hold John Marty up as some kind of progressive, in fact, this past weekend he had op-ed pieces published explaining the military budget is robbing us of things like healthcare placing the blame for these wars on Bush--- never mentioned Obama.

In fact, I think if you do a survey of most unions, you will find none supporting this Marty proposal.

In fact, I asked the national PNHP to certify this legislation as authentic single-payer universal healthcare… they have refused to state this.

In fact, anyone taking the time to read this legislation quickly finds out that it will relieve the burden of healthcare costs for business--- especially small business and well-heeled professionals while placing a greater burden for healthcare costs on the backs of the poor and working people.

John Marty can’t even protect the interests of the poor in a Democratic controlled Minnesota legislature which is essentially veto-proof on this issue.

Minnesota Democrats passed the strongest resolution in support of single-payer universal healthcare in the nation--- I wrote it; John Marty and almost every single sitting Democrat in the Minnesota State Legislature opposed it… 72% of the 2006 State DFL Convention delegates supported it. A resolution based on the understanding that what was being supported was Canadian-style healthcare.

PDA and PNHP stopped referring to John Marty’s “Minnesota Health Act” as single-payer; now, here you come claiming that it is single-payer. In fact, because of my objections stated very publicly including in newspaper op-ed pieces, John Marty had to rename his legislation--- he initially called it Single-Payer.

The “Minnesota Health Act” is a most reactionary and regressive piece of healthcare legislation; if the legislation in these other states is anything remotely similar, they are not single-payer.

You need to be up-front with your readers and tell them that you think this is single-payer by explaining the atrocious premiums that will come with this legislation and then state you support this as the kind of single-payer you have in mind.

John Marty has refused, time and time again to state the costs associated with this. In fact, John Marty cancelled a series of campaign events after I stated to the media that I would be present to question him about the costs associated with this legislation.

John Marty is now pushing this as legislation “supplemental” to Barack Obama’s and the Democrat’s health insurance “reforms.”

In fact, John Marty’s primary supporter for this has been the Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition whose head, John Kolstadt ran for Mayor of Minneapolis with support from the Republicans, the John Birch Society and the Ron and Rand Paul supporters. Kolstadt’s main platform was support for the Minnesota Health Act… boasting that he led the efforts for it’s passage.

I am posting this to my blog… I make the same offer to you I have made to John Marty… I will be happy to publish your response.

I can assure you that if you bother to ask working people if they want a $750.00 health care premium they will tell you in no uncertain terms, “no.”

If anyone challenges my figure of $750.00 a month; I suggest that you get the figures directly from DFL gubernatorial candidate John Marty who is viewed as a washed up loser when it comes to running for governor and publish these figures. Let’s have a complete breakdown of premium fees beginning at $4,000.00 going up to $250,000.00 a year incomes.

Together with Marty’s premium fees and Obama’s mandatory insurance, Minnesotans are going to have it socked to them real good--- fortunately John Marty will never become governor and his Minnesota Health Act doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of ever passing so why is anyone wasting our times on this when real healthcare reform is what is needed--- John Marty just abhors me talking about single-payer as a step towards socialized/public healthcare, but, this is what is really needed.

John Marty is the epitome of an opportunist politician the American people and Minnesotans are fed up with.

Alan L. Maki

Single-Payer Healthcare Coming to Missouri
http://afterdowningstreet.org/node/50429
By David Swanson

Canada did not create a civilized healthcare system nationally until its provinces led the way. Clearly Congress is dragging behind the states in our country, and it is through state successes that we will eventually compel the U.S. government to provide our people with this basic human right.

Hawaii has a single-payer healthcare system. California's legislature has passed a single-payer bill three times but not yet found a governor to sign it into law. Single-payer healthcare bills are advancing in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and a growing list of states, including New Mexico, where State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino, a long-time supporter of single-payer healthcare, is running for Lieutenant Governor. In Minnesota, single-payer champion John Marty is running for Governor.

I recently wrote about North Carolina house candidate Marcus Brandon, who has pledged to introduce a bill to create single-payer healthcare in that state as his first act in office. Now a formidable candidate for state representative in Missouri has made a similar commitment.

Byron DeLear, whom I have known and learned from for years, said on Monday: "If elected, I will sponsor the 'Melanie-Care for All Act', providing a simple plan to get all of our Missourian families the coverage, protection and care we deserve." DeLear, is a state rep. candidate in the 79th District of Missouri. (See http://www.ByronDeLear.org ) and who is Melanie?

DeLear explains: "A dear friend of mine, Melanie Shouse, recently passed away from breast cancer. She found a lump in her breast but couldn't afford to see a doctor. Through the course of her disease she tirelessly continued to advocate for healthcare for all as a moral imperative. I met her through our shared work as concerned citizens and like many of her friends and colleagues was inspired by her unbridled energy and enthusiasm to effect positive change. Even in the midst of great personal suffering, Melanie selflessly put it all on the line and did the best she could to help us all. Her story was propelled to the national stage with President Obama mentioning her in a speech and culminating with 'Melanie's March' from Philadelphia to Washington DC, ending with a rally attended by Senate leader Harry Reid and other members of Congress."

DeLear is proposing to accomplish something, however, that neither Obama nor Reid will even entertain any discussion of: taking the profit-motive out of healthcare coverage. "If Melanie had access to affordable healthcare," DeLear says, "her untimely death might have been prevented. Seeing a doctor was simply too expensive, just as it is for tens of thousands of Missourians, whose fear of skyrocketing healthcare costs are justified. Health insurance premiums in Missouri have risen 82.5% in the last decade, consequently, the vast majority of all personal bankruptcies are due to medical costs, for both the insured and uninsured alike. This creates a specter of fear for families all across our state. Melanie's death is one of thousands of needless lives lost due to our current broken and inhumane healthcare insurance system."

DeLear provides the statistics for the nation and his state: "According to a recent Harvard Study, 45,000 Americans perish each year due to lack of preventive or primary healthcare. This equals approximately 800 Missourians like Melanie. 800 Missourians die each year due to our broken healthcare system. This is a moral crisis, and suggests that we should all take a step back from the raging debate to ask ourselves, in a perfect world, what would our ideal system be? What do we want for the family of Missouri? And then takes steps to make that ideal a reality, or get as close to it as possible."

DeLear proposes something that has never been mentioned in over a year of endless, tireless, and tiresome healthcare debating in Washington, namely looking for a minute at all the nations that have already solved this problem and asking how they have done so: "Many nations have struggled with the health-care debate before us. What's the best way to adopt complete healthcare coverage for all? The world is full of examples of different solutions to this question. But the trends over time are very specific. What they show is that . . . universal coverage, regardless of class distinctions, is the desirable end result. This goes to the heart of what insurance is and mathematically what 'risk pools' are all about. Pooling risk makes a community, state, and nation stronger. It protects us all against personal catastrophe. Currently, in the United States, health insurance corporations cherry pick through the populace to determine who's worthy of coverage, or how to deny care once you become sick. This is at odds with the healing mandate of the medical profession, and has to be turned around."

DeLear makes an unequivocal commitment, saying "The right thing to do, is to cover all our citizens with healthcare. Medicare covers and protects more than 800,000 Missourians. The first bill I will support will be a Medicare-for-All type plan for Missouri. In honor of our local heroine, Melanie Shouse, if elected, I will sponsor the 'Melanie Care for All Act', providing a simple plan to get all of our Missourian families the coverage, protection and care we deserve."

Byron DeLear's website is at
http://www.ByronDeLear.org

He needs all the help he can get, and there is a little button on his site reading "Make Donation". Those who want a real healthcare system in this country would be wise to pour money into his campaign and those of other state leaders across the country.

Alternatively we could keep putting all our eggs in the basket of fantasies about the United States Senate getting its act together and fixing bills after they're passed.

Alan L. Maki
58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell Phone: 651-587-5541

E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Please check out my blog: http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

Mouse-land and healthcare reform

2010-02-23T15:39:00.001-08:00

Mr. Boston;

This is an outright lie and you know it:

“Like the Democrats after their 2008 victory, the CCF moved slowly at first to implement its plan, a delay that emboldened the opposition. In an attempt to win the support of doctors, the government created an advisory panel for their concerns. Doctors used the panel to stall, and the government waited more than a year to pass its reforms, with the start date delayed until July 1, 1962. The province's doctors responded with a vote to strike if the plan was implemented.”

The Democrats have proposed nothing like the CCF or NDP and is in no way like them.

This is dishonest to assert this.

Maybe you should check out this speech out by socialist Tommy Douglas and circulate it to your e-mail list:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqpFm7zAK90

Mouseland by Tommy Douglas.

Tommy Douglas was an ardent proponent of socialized healthcare from the very beginning of his political career… plus, the Liberal Party in Canada which you cite correctly as being an opponent of healthcare reform (and still is) is more akin to the Democratic Party than the Republican Party… but, alas, the Liberal and Conservative parties in Canada are the parties of big-business just like their Democratic and Republican Party counterparts here in the United States… we need a party similar to the socialist New Democratic Party (CCF) if we are ever going to achieve real progressive healthcare reform.

Again, your assertion that Democrats are doing anything like the NDP did in Canada is an out-right lie and you should correct this for those on your e-mail list… but, alas, it has been your purpose from the very beginning to serve to disorient and confuse working people when it comes to healthcare reform. You think you are being real “cute” in engaging in your despicable tactics of deceit… par for the course for the way Democrats operate.

The American people are going to give the Democrats the just trouncing they deserve at the polls come Election Day 2010 and Election Day 2012 and this kind of blatant dishonesty you promote will prove to be the Democrat’s own undoing because the American people are fed up with the kind of shenanigans you are engaged in here looking to confuse and disorient working people on the issue of healthcare reform.

It is dishonest people like you who fuel the fascist and racist Tea-bagger movement which makes working people so cynical they don’t want to participate in politics.

In this article you provide, this is a fine example of what all demagogues do; they include a little bit of truth with their pack of lies to justify giving the working people a good shafting.

Alan L. Maki

58891 County Road 13

Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432

Cell Phone: 651-587-5541

E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Please check out my blog: http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

From: mark boston [mailto:markmabmab@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 1:25 PM
To: markmabmab@gmail.com
Subject: Fwd: Tea Party, Canada-Style

Tea Party, Canada-Style!

America's battle over health care reform started in Saskatchewan.

By Christopher Flavelle Posted Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, at 6:51 AM ET

Nearly 50 years before Sarah Palin gave us "death panels," the American Medical Association was testing the limits of health care scare tactics in the Canadian prairies. During the 1960 provincial election in Saskatchewan, the AMA helped fund an advertising campaign aimed at defeating the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, a quasi-socialist party whose leader, a former Baptist minister named Tommy Douglas, had promised to introduce universal, government-funded health care in the province.

Protesting the implementation of medicare in Saskatchewan, July 11, 1962 The AMA, together with Saskatchewan's College of Physicians and Surgeons, warned that if the CCF won, doctors would leave the province in droves. But here was the kicker: As Dave Margoshes writes in his 1999 biography of Douglas, the campaign told voters that if the state were permitted to take over health care, "patients with hard-to-diagnose problems would be shipped off to insane asylums by bungling bureaucrats."

The campaign failed. Douglas won the election, and the CCF government went on to introduce his health care plan in 1962, creating the model that the rest of Canada would later follow. (So far as we know, insane-asylum panels did not come to pass.) But the fight for health care reform in Saskatchewan, which the AMA worried could spark change in the United States, was a precursor to the battle in America today—a mix of populist anger, political opportunism, and disinformation. As Democrats debate whether to pursue health care reform in the face of growing opposition, they might consider the lessons of Saskatchewan.

Like the Democrats after their 2008 victory, the CCF moved slowly at first to implement its plan, a delay that emboldened the opposition. In an attempt to win the support of doctors, the government created an advisory panel for their concerns. Doctors used the panel to stall, and the government waited more than a year to pass its reforms, with the start date delayed until July 1, 1962. The province's doctors responded with a vote to strike if the plan was implemented.

The events of the next 10 months were ugly by Canadian standards. Douglas' push for health care reform "lit the fuse of the incendiary bomb that would tear Saskatchewan apart into its two opposing elements," wrote Doris French Shackleton in her 1975 biography of Douglas.

Part of the unrest came from doctors themselves. In the months leading up to the new plan, physicians across Saskatchewan put up office signs reading, "Unless agreement is reached between the present government and the medical profession, this office will close as of July 1." Douglas' wife, Irma, described how a doctor would tell his pregnant patient, after a check-up, "I'm afraid this is the last time I'll be able to see you."

The doctors' worries about being paid by the province, rather than patients, may have been genuine. But those concerns were amplified by Saskatchewan's opposition Liberal Party, which had been shut out of power since 1944. Like the American Republicans 50 years later, the Liberals fought health reform in two ways: directly, by opposing it in public; and indirectly, by supporting groups that could provide the appearance of broad-based public anger. In Saskatchewan, the public opposition to health reform came in the form of a movement called Keep Our Doctors, which organized rallies and protests across the province.

Sometimes, the Liberals blurred the line between political opposition and rabble-rousing. At a Keep Our Doctors rally outside the provincial legislature, Liberal leader Ross Thatcher used the occasion to call for a special session of the legislature, which wasn't sitting at the time. To illustrate his point, he invited TV cameras to follow him up to the locked doors of the legislature, which he then made a show of trying to kick down.

But in another precursor to today's Tea Party movement in the United States, the unrest over health reform in Saskatchewan proved to be more than just political theatrics. "The fears inspired by the doctors and fanned by the Liberal party," Shackleton writes, "convinced many people at least briefly that the CCF was a dictatorial, power-mad, ruthless group of politicians who would rather see people die for lack of medical care than back down." Shackleton described "a sense of civil war." (Read more about the unrest in Saskatchewan.)

Public anger against the plan found its lightning rod in Douglas, who had resigned as Saskatchewan's premier to run for federal office as the member of Parliament for Regina. Election Day was June 18, 1962—just two weeks before the new health care plan was to take effect. A woman who worked on Douglas' election campaign recalled the venom of the time. At night at the campaign office, "teenagers would come up and hiss at us through the glass," she remembered later.

"The city's residents had been whipped into a near-hysteria by the doctors' anti-medicare campaign," Margoshes writes, adding, "There were graffiti threats on city walls and calls in the middle of the night to Tommy's house. His campaign manager, Ed Whelan, got frequent calls from a man threatening to 'shoot you, you Red bastard!' A few homeowners placed symbolic coffins on their front lawns."

As in the United States today, opponents of the health reform plan weren't sure whether to denounce the CCF as Communists or Nazis, so they did both. Protesters greeted Douglas' motorcade with Nazi salutes—when they weren't throwing stones at it. Other opponents painted the hammer and sickle on the homes of people thought to be associated with the party.

The doctors made good on their threats: When the new health care plan was introduced on July 1, doctors across the province walked off the job. But the government was ready, flying in replacement doctors, mostly from Britain. The strike ended after three weeks, the health care plan stayed in place, and four years later, the Canadian government passed the Medical Care Act, which provided funding for every province to create a similar plan

Douglas and his party were vindicated. Once their plan took effect, Shackleton writes, it "was soon so well accepted that no political party had the temerity to suggest its abolition."

But that vindication came too late. Douglas, who had led the CCF to five straight provincial victories, lost his federal campaign that June, receiving barely half as many votes as his opponent. Two years later, the Liberals defeated the CCF for the first time in 20 years. The party that passed health care reform would spend the next seven years out of power.

The events leading up to the 1962 doctors' strike in Saskatchewan are different from today's Tea Party movement in important ways, of course. Saskatchewan wasn't seized by the same level of broad distrust for government that U.S. opinion polls show today. The idea of a government role in health care was already accepted, to a degree: Saskatchewan had already passed the Hospital Insurance Act in 1947, which paid for hospital care. And the changes Democrats have called for stop well short of single-payer health care, notwithstanding the charges of their critics. Even the AMA supported Obama's plan.

But the anger of those months in Saskatchewan undermines a key belief in the debate over health care reform. When confronted with the overall success of Canada's brand of government-funded health care—better health outcomes at much lower cost—Americans tend to respond that such a broad government role is anathema to American culture. This has the ring of an excuse—after all, the idea was apparently somewhat anathema to Canadian culture in 1962. As Douglas said then, "We've become convinced that these things, which were once thought to be radical, aren't radical at all; they're just plain common sense applied to the economic and social problems of our times."

The point isn't that U.S. and Canadian cultures aren't different. Rather, it's that cultural attitudes aren't static. However much some segments of U.S. culture may resist Obama's proposals, the Saskatchewan experience suggests that resistance will dissipate if the plan produces a system that works better than the status quo—especially since, as in Saskatchewan, the government was elected on a promise to make that change.

The other lesson of Saskatchewan is less exciting for Democrats: Even if people come around to the reform itself, they may not come around to the party that pushed it through. If they want to achieve health care reform, that may be a chance that Democrats have to take. But re-election qualms shouldn't be dressed up with bromides about the limits of what's possible. As Canadians can attest, health care reform takes a little more backbone than that.

The U.S. Health Care System - Values, Priorities, and Rankings

2009-10-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

A guest blog...

The U.S. Health Care System - Values, Priorities, and Rankings

Written by Brian McAfee

The current battles over American health care system are indicative of a wider philosophical and social divide. What is at stake and what is the desired outcome of each side?

First we must look at the current health care system as it exists in the United States. The World Health Organization ranks the U.S. health system well below most of Europe, Canada and Japan. France and Italy rank at number one and two while the U.S. is at #37. Most of the countries that rank above the U.S. have some form of socialized health care system. Japan,which ranks 10th on the WHO list, is at #1 in life expectancy at 74.5 years, while the U.S. is 24th in life expectancy, again below Europe, Canada and Australia as well. An oft repeated declaration is that the U.S. has the best health care in the World, also that people from all over the World come to the U.S. for health care, such as the King of Jordan who went to Mayo Clinic recently for surgery. This happens, if they can afford to do so. U.S. citizens do the same, Richard DeVos, co-founder of AMWAY and a staunch Republican went to England for a heart transplant and talk show host Charlie Rose went to France for heart surgery. These options of course do not exist for most Americans. The disruptions and shows of righteous indignation" at town hall meetings need a closer look. News reports indicate that those disrupting the town halls of specific Democratic Congress men and women were largely staged by combination's of HMO employees bussed to the town halls for the purpose of disruption and distortion and "FOX NEWS" zealots who believe capitalism and business interests should come before people's health. Misinformation and lies about Obama's health care plans swayed a lot of opinion polls as well as a lack of knowledge about the benefits of Universal health care. The Rights repeatedly comparing Obama's proposed changes as comparable to Nazism was especially ridiculous. The Nazi comparisons are generally a bad idea for public discourse but there is an area that somewhat fits. During the Nazi era particular businesses were given greater privilege and leeway over the well being of people and their rights, the most well known of these were I.G. Farben and Krupp. It was a clear cut idea and system where profit (and of course power) took precedence over people. Like a boomerang the Nazi comparison idea...well you get the idea.

In a recent interview with Dr James Jackson, a well known Muskegon physician and community activist, Dr Jackson stated that the problem in America's health care is that "it is based on capitalism, it puts people second and money fist." When asked if HMOs had a legitimate place in American health care he said "absolutely not." About Obama's health care ideas Dr Jackson said it was not without problems. He said "if it does not include single payer it will continue the same problems that we currently have."

In the ongoing battle for truth, justice and values people should always be valued before and above profits.

Below are charts from the World Health Organization ranking health care systems and
life expectancies from around the World.

The World Health Organization's ranking of the world's health systems  was last
produced in 2000, and the WHO no longer produces such  a ranking table, because
of the complexity of the task. 

World Health Organization's (WHO) Ranking of the World's Health Systems.
1 France 65 Uruguay 129 Peru
2 Italy 66 Hungary 130 Russia
3 San Marino 67 Trinidad and Tobago 131 Honduras
4 Andorra 68 Saint Lucia 132 Burkina Faso
5 Malta 69 Belize 133 Sao Tome and Principe
6 Singapore 70 Turkey 134 Sudan
7 Spain 71 Nicaragua 135 Ghana
8 Oman 72 Belarus 136 Tuvalu
9 Austria 73 Lithuania 137 Ivory Coast
10 Japan 74 Saint Vincent & the Grenadines 138 Haiti
11 Norway 75 Argentina 139 Gabon
12 Portugal 76 Sri Lanka 140 Kenya
13 Monaco 77 Estonia 141 Marshall Islands
14 Greece 78 Guatemala 142 Kiribati
15 Iceland 79 Ukraine 143 Burundi
16 Luxembourg 80 Solomon Islands 144 China
17 Netherlands 81 Algeria 145 Mongolia
18 United Kingdom 82 Palau 146 Gambia
19 Ireland 83 Jordan 147 Maldives
20 Switzerland 84 Mauritius 148 Papua New Guinea
21 Belgium 85 Grenada 149 Uganda
22 Colombia 86 Antigua and Barbuda 150 Nepal
23 Sweden 87 Libya 151 Kyrgystan
24 Cyprus 88 Bangladesh 152 Togo
25 Germany 89 Macedonia 153 Turkmenistan
26 Saudi Arabia 90 Bosnia-Herzegovina 154 Tajikistan
27 United Arab Emirates 91 Lebanon 155 Zimbabwe
28 Israel 92 Indonesia 156 Tanzania
29 Morocco 93 Iran 157 Djibouti
30 Canada 94 Bahamas 158 Eritrea
31 Finland 95 Panama 159 Madagascar
32 Australia 96 Fiji 160 Vietnam
33 Chile 97 Benin 161 Guinea
34 Denmark 98 Nauru 162 Mauritania
35 Dominica 99 Romania 163 Mali
36 Costa Rica 100 Saint Kitts and Nevis 164 Cameroon
37 United States of America 101 Moldova 165 Laos
38 Slovenia 102 Bulgaria 166 Congo
39 Cuba 103 Iraq 167 North Korea
40 Brunei 104 Armenia 168 Namibia
41 New Zealand 105 Latvia 169 Botswana
42 Bahrain 106 Yugoslavia 170 Niger
43 Croatia 107 Cook Islands 171 Equatorial Guinea
44 Qatar 108 Syria 172 Rwanda
45 Kuwait 109 Azerbaijan 173 Afghanistan
46 Barbados 110 Suriname 174 Cambodia
47 Thailand 111 Ecuador 175 South Africa
48 Czech Republic 112 India 176 Guinea-Bissau
49 Malaysia 113 Cape Verde 177 Swaziland
50 Poland 114 Georgia 178 Chad
51 Dominican Republic 115 El Salvador 179 Somalia
52 Tunisia 116 Tonga 180 Ethiopia
53 Jamaica 117 Uzbekistan 181 Angola
54 Venezuela 118 Comoros 182 Zambia
55 Albania 119 Samoa 181 Lesotho
56 Seychelles 120 Yemen 184 Mozambique
57 Paraguay 121 Niue 185 Malawi
58 South Korea 122 Pakistan 186 Liberia
59 Senegal 123 Micronesia 187 Nigeria
60 Philippines 124 Bhutan 188 Democratic Republic of the Congo
61 Mexico 125 Brazil 189 Central African Republic
62 Slovakia 126 Bolivia 190 Myanmar
63 Egypt 127 Vanuatu

64 Kazakhstan 128 Guyana

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Healthy life expectancy (HALE) at birth (years)
DEFINITION: Average number of years that a person can expect to live in "full health" by
taking into account years lived in less than full health due to disease and/or injury.
Country
Rank Member
State Total Pop.
(Years) Male Femalee Country
Rank Member
State Total Pop
(Years) Male Female
1 Japan 74.5 71.9 77.2 95 Belize 60.9 58.5 63.3
2 Australia 73.2 70.8 75.5 96 Lebanon 60.6 61.2 60.1
3 France 73.1 69.3 76.9 97 Iran 60.5 61.3 59.8
4 Sweden 73.0 71.2 74.9 98 Samoa 60.5 58.7 62.3
5 Spain 72.8 69.8 75.7 99 Guyana 60.2 57.1 63.3
6 Italy 72.7 70.0 75.4 100 Thailand 60.2 58.4 62.1
7 Greece 72.5 70.5 74.6 101 Uzbekistan 60.2 58.0 62.3
8 Switzerland 72.5 69.5 75.5 102 Jordan 60.0 60.7 59.3
9 Monaco 72.4 68.5 76.3 103 Albania 60.0 56.5 63.4
10 Andorra 72.3 69.3 75.2 104 Indonesia 59.7 58.8 60.6
11 San Marino 72.3 69.5 75.0 105 Micronesia 59.6 58.7 60.6
12 Canada 72.0 70.0 74.0 106 Peru 59.4 58.0 60.8
13 Netherlands 72.0 69.6 74.4 107 Fiji 59.4 57.7 61.1
14 United Kingdom 71.7 69.7 73.7 108 Libya 59.3 59.7 58.9
15 Norway 71.7 68.8 74.6 109 Seychelles 59.3 56.4 62.1
16 Belgium 71.6 68.7 74.6 110 Bahamas 59.1 56.7 61.6
17 Austria 71.6 68.8 74.4 111 Morocco 59.1 58.7 59.4
18 Luxembourg 71.1 68.0 74.2 112 Brazil 59.1 55.2 62.9
19 Iceland 70.8 69.2 72.3 113 Palau 59.0 57.4 60.7
20 Finland 70.5 67.2 73.7 114 Philippines 58.9 57.1 60.7
21 Malta 70.5 68.4 72.5 115 Syria 58.8 58.8 58.9
22 Germany 70.4 67.4 73.5 116 Egypt 58.5 58.6 58.3
23 Israel 70.4 69.2 71.6 117 Viet Nam 58.2 56.7 59.6
24 United States 70.0 67.5 72.6 118 Nicaragua 58.1 56.4 59.9
25 Cyprus 69.8 68.7 70.9 119 Cape Verde 57.6 54.6 60.6
26 Dominica 69.8 67.2 72.3 120 Tuvalu 57.4 57.1 57.6
27 Ireland 69.6 67.5 71.7 121 Tajikistan 57.3 55.1 59.4
28 Denmark 69.4 67.2 71.5 122 Marshall Islands 56.8 56.0 57.6
29 Portugal 69.3 65.9 72.7 123 Kazakhstan 56.4 51.5 61.2
30 Singapore 69.3 67.4 71.2 124 Kyrgyzstan 56.3 53.4 59.1
31 New Zealand 69.2 67.1 71.2 125 Pakistan 55.9 55.0 56.8
32 Chile 68.6 66.0 71.3 126 Kiribati 55.3 53.9 56.6
33 Cuba 68.4 67.4 69.4 127 Iraq 55.3 55.4 55.1
34 Slovenia 68.4 64.9 71.9 128 Solomon Islands 54.9 54.5 55.3
35 Czech Republic 68.0 65.2 70.8 129 Turkmenistan 54.3 51.9 56.7
36 Jamaica 67.3 66.8 67.9 130 Guatemala 54.3 52.1 56.4
37 Uruguay 67.0 64.1 69.9 131 Maldives 53.9 54.4 53.3
38 Croatia 67.0 63.3 70.6 132 Mongolia 53.8 51.3 56.3
39 Argentina 66.7 63.8 69.6 133 Sao Tome Princi 53.5 52.1 54.8
40 Costa Rica 66.7 65.2 68.1 134 Bolivia 53.3 52.5 54.1
41 Armenia 66.7 65.0 68.3 135 India 53.2 52.8 53.5
42 Slovakia 66.6 63.5 69.7 136 Vanuatu 52.8 51.3 54.4
43 Saint Vincent & The Grenadines 66.4 65.0 67.8 137 Nauru 52.5 49.8 55.1
44 Georgia 66.3 63.1 69.4 138 Bhutan 51.8 51.4 52.2
45 Poland 66.2 62.3 70.1 139 Myanmar 51.6 51.4 51.9
46 Yugoslavia 66.1 64.2 68.1 140 Bangladesh 49.9 50.1 49.8
47 Panama 66.0 64.9 67.2 141 Yemen 49.7 49.7 49.7
48 Antigua+Barbuda 65.8 63.4 68.3 142 Nepal 49.5 49.4 49.5
49 Grenada 65.5 62.4 68.5 143 Gambia 48.3 47.2 49.4
50 U.A. Emirates 65.4 65.0 65.8 144 Gabon 47.8 46.6 49.0
51 North Korea 65.1 51.4 53.1 145 Papua New Guinea 47.0 45.5 48.5
52 Venezuela 65.0 62.9 67.1 146 Comoros 46.8 46.1 47.5
53 Barbados 65.0 62.4 67.6 147 Lao 46.1 45.0 47.1
54 Saint Lucia 65.0 62.4 67.6 148 Cambodia 45.7 43.9 47.5
55 Mexico 65.0 62.4 67.6 149 Ghana 45.5 45.0 46.0
56 Bosnia Herzegovina 64.9 63.4 66.4 150 Congo 45.1 44.3 45.9
57 Trinidad+Tobago 64.6 62.8 66.4 151 Senegal 44.6 43.5 45.6
58 Saudi Arabia 64.5 65.1 64.0 152 Equatorial Guinea 44.1 42.8 45.4
59 Brunei 64.4 63.4 65.4 153 Haiti 43.8 42.4 45.2
60 Bulgaria 64.4 61.2 67.7 154 Sudan 43.0 42.6 43.5
61 Bahrain 64.4 63.9 64.9 155 Co˘te d'Ivoire 42.8 42.2 43.3
62 Hungary 64.1 60.4 67.9 156 Cameroon 42.2 41.5 43.0
63 Lithuania 64.1 60.6 67.5 157 Benin 44.2 41.9 42.6
64 FYRO Macedonia 63.7 61.8 65.6 158 Mauritania 41.4 40.2 42.5
65 Azerbaijan 63.7 60.6 66.7 159 Togo 40.7 40.0 41.4
66 Qatar 63.5 64.2 62.8 160 South Africa 39.8 38.6 41.0
67 Cook Islands 63.4 62.2 64.5 161 Chad 39.4 38.6 40.2
68 Kuwait 63.2 63.0 63.4 162 Kenya 39.3 39.0 39.6
69 Estonia 63.1 58.1 68.1 163 Nigeria 38.3 38.1 38.4
70 Ukraine 63.0 58.5 67.5 164 Swaziland 38.1 37.8 38.4
71 Paraguay 63.0 60.7 65.3 165 Angola 38.0 37.0 38.9
72 Oman 63.0 61.8 64.1 166 Djibouti 37.9 37.7 38.1
73 Turkey 62.9 64.0 61.8 167 Guinea 37.8 37.0 38.5
74 Colombia 62.9 60.3 65.5 168 Afghanistan 37.7 36.7 38.7
75 Tonga 62.9 61.4 64.3 169 Eritrea 37.7 38.5 36.9
76 Sri Lanka 62.8 59.3 66.3 170 Guinea-Bissau 37.2 36.8 37.5
77 Suriname 62.7 60.2 65.2 171 Lesotho 36.9 36.6 37.2
78 Mauritius 62.7 59.0 66.3 172 Madagascar 36.6 36.5 36.8
79 Dominican Republic 62.5 62.1 62.9 173 Somalia 36.4 35.9 36.9
80 Romania 62.3 58.8 65.8 174 Dem. Rep. Congo 36.3 36.4 36.2
81 S. Korea 62.3 59.9 64.7 175 Ctral African Rep 36.0 35.6 36.5
82 China 62.3 61.2 63.3 176 Tanzania 36.0 35.9 36.1
83 Latvia 62.2 57.1 67.2 177 Namibia 35.6 35.8 35.4
84 Belarus 61.7 56.2 67.2 178 Burkina Faso 35.5 35.3 35.7
85 Algeria 61.6 62.5 60.7 179 Burundi 34.6 34.6 34.6
86 Niue 61.6 61.0 62.2 180 Mozambique 34.4 33.7 35.1
87 St.Kits & Nevis 61.6 58.7 64.4 181 Liberia 34.0 33.8 34.2
88 El Salvador 61.5 58.6 64.5 182 Ethiopia 33.5 33.5 33.5
89 Moldova 61.5 58.5 64.5 183 Mali 33.1 32.6 33.5
90 Malaysia 61.4 61.3 61.6 184 Zimbabwe 32.9 33.4 32.4
91 Tunisia 61.4 62.0 60.7 185 Rwanda 32.8 32.9 32.7
92 Russian Federation 61.3 56.1 66.4 186 Uganda 32.7 32.9 32.5
93 Honduras 61.1 60.0 62.3 187 Botswana 32.3 32.3 32.2
94 Ecuador 61.0 59.9 62.1 188 Zambia 30.3 30.0 30.7

189 Malawi 29.4 29.3 29.4

190 Niger 29.1 28.1 30.1

191 Sierra Leone - 25.9 25.8

Time to talk about socialized health care

2009-08-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

This is an excellent article (see below). I would encourage its widest possible distribution while noting several points that are not included based upon what I think is the most important point mentioned in this article other than what is demonstrated, the continued widespread support for single-payer universal health care which Obama and the Democrats have so effectively killed while manipulating public opinion to believe they would like to go with single-payer but they can't--- using a variety of lame excuses... the issue I think needs to receive greatest attention from this article is this statement:

“I’ve never had an insurance company even talk to me on the quality of services I delivered,” he said. “But I have been nudged by Medicare.” Government responsiveness to demands for quality, he added, had turned around the VA hospital in Butler from what was once “basically a detox center for alcoholics 30 years ago” to what is now a medical center with some of the highest quality care in the country. “And remember,” he concluded, “with the VA, you’ve got socialized medicine that reaches beyond single payer. It refutes the claim that government can’t do anything positive.”

The statement above also provides a very important opportunity to expand the movement for real progressive health care reform, if, picked up with single-payer some kind of "people's lobby" were to be created advocating single-payer as a first step towards socialized health care which could bring the required and needed maximum participation in this struggle by the American people to force this corporate bribed U.S. Congress to for once act in the best interest of the American people instead of the corporate interests they have been bribed to serve.

In addition, at this point, single-payer may not even receive the fake hearing that Nancy Pelosi originally agreed to give it since the only U.S. Congressman, House member Weiner, now appears to be reneging on the commitment he made to bring single-payer forward in Committee.

And this, below, is a very important statement as it completely refutes the lies begun by Sarah Palin now being peddled by the racist and fascist Tea Baggers and their Birchite and Klan backers:

Bob Schmetzer from the IBEW spoke up next. “People need health care. But they don’t need insurance companies taking more than 20 percent in administrative costs while single-payer plans like Medicare take two or three percent. “Real death panels exist already; they’re called insurance companies denying coverage.”

Unfortunately, Schmetzer proclaimed the following, below, which we all know is not true and will not happen unless there is a massive organized rank-and-file awakening across this country demanding such action because to date such talk has been just that--- talk, with no action to back it up:

Then Schmetzer delivered the warning of the hour from labor. Referring to both the outgoing and expected incoming presidents of the AFL-CIO, he added that “both John Sweeny and Richard Trumka have been very clear. We’re going to examine every vote in Congress, and those that don’t come through for us shouldn’t expect any support when reelection time comes around.”

I would encourage each and every single worker paying union dues going to support the AFL-CIO to closely monitor this "warning" while taking action--- including open letters to Richard Trumka and petitions based upon this "warning"--- insisting that the leadership of the AFL-CIO makes good on this threat.

What are the issues not addressed in this article:

There is not a single mention by any of those quoted here, that these wars and militarization along with squandering trillions of tax-payers dollars building and maintaining over 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil is the single largest contributor to "deficit spending."

Perhaps Congressman Altmire had been challenged when he stated this; but, if he was, Davidson certainly was remiss in not reporting what exchange, if any, developed:

At this point, Altmire engaged the discussion. “When it comes to health care, first of all, I’m a ‘deficit hawk,’” he led off. “Any plan that increases our deficit, I will oppose. Any plan that doesn’t, I will give a fair hearing.” The “deficit hawk” label is one Altmire pinned on himself when he recently joined the ‘Blue Dog’ caucus of right-leaning House Democrats, a move that didn’t sit well with the local labor forces who helped his campaign.

Obviously, with Obama himself acknowledging that he has plunged our Nation on course towards a $9 trillion dollar federal deficit throughout his term of office should it be two terms, there is no government spending of any kind which would not rise to Congressman Altmire's definition of "increasing our deficit." Although, as previously stated, Congressman Altmire has no objections what-so-ever when it comes to squandering our tax-dollars on any and every military expenditure. .. all of which contribute to increasing the federal deficit.

It would have been very simple to have challenged Altmire at this point by insisting that he explain his complete and total disregard for using the same thinking regarding health care and militarism and war.

Let us be perfectly clear:

Single-payer universal health care is, for all intents and purposes, legislatively dead... dead because, with the help of the Progressive Democrats of America, Barack Obama killed single-payer at the time he made sure single-payer was not included in the National Democratic Party Platform.

The issue before single-payer advocates is not PROVING single-payer is a best alternative to anything that anyone in Congress or Obama has brought forward to date...

Like the 72% of the delegates to Minnesota's Farmer-Labor State Convention who endorsed a resolution for single-payer universal health care one can go to any nook and cranny in this country and find solid and unwavering support for single-payer universal health care.

Now, what we need is the kind of movement taking the kind of required action... some kind of very well organized massive "people's lobby" which brings forward into action all those supporting single-payer and the only way to get this kind of momentum is by expanding beyond the demand for single-payer to include a vastly expanded public health care sector, the cheapest and most efficient way to deliver health care: publicly funded, publicly administered and PUBLICLY DELIVERED... it is this public delivery we need to include to bring Americans out in full force to win progressive health care reform... and, let us be perfectly clear: public delivery of health care services has nothing in common with Barack Obama's and the Democrat's public option which will only benefit the middle class and the wealthy but will be of no use or value to the working class--- at least those workers making less than $60,000.00 a year... and I don't see many workers around making that kind of money in America today with so much of our basic industries having moved into high-profit areas over-seas.

The one and only real issue before us as liberals, progressives, the left and the entire working class is this:

How do we force Barack Obama and the United States Congress to pass HR 676 along with vastly expanding public health care? This is the only question remaining.

We know those Blue-Dogs like Altmire and most of the rest of the United States Congress including both the House (and more-so) the Senate are completely and totally opposed to single-payer. .. there is not going to be any "convincing" them that single-payer is anything other than the first step towards solving this health care mess... these health industry and wholly corporate bribed politicians are going to have to be forced to pass single-payer; my gosh, that won't even adequately fund VA, the Indian Health Service or even the National Public Health Service as mandated by the very laws they passed.

Given that Barack Obama's popularity in the polls is rapidly dropping; we have a "window of opportunity" of only about 14 months before we end up with a substantially more reactionary congress.

Actually, it wouldn't be a bad idea for the AFL-CIO and Richard Trumka to not only withdraw their funding from these crooked and corrupt politicians who are only swayed by corporate bribes... but use these funds to create a worker's party free from the corruption of the Democratic Party, and build this new party on the basis of reordering the priorities away from war and military spending and towards meeting the needs of the people--- beginning with real health care reform... and, this is the message that working people should be delivering to the politicians of this country whether-or-not labor officialdom is prepared to act... there is no reason grassroots and rank-and-file activists who have been working for single-payer universal health care and peace and social and economic justice can't put what they have learned in these struggles together and come up with a very credible political alternative to this two-party trap that is only heald together by corruption, racism and war--- all those dirty things that every decent American is opposed to.

I notice from this article by Carl Davidson that the health related issue of some two-million casino workers emloyed in smoke-filled casinos at poverty wages without any rights under state and federal labor laws in the Indian Gaming Industry is still not being addressed even though if anyone in this country seriously wants to talk about cutting health care costs, making these casinos smoke-free would be the place to begin.

I am convinced that our Organizing Council has always had the most appropriate position when it comes to single-payer universal health care and that it should be viewed as a first step towards socialized health care... had the entire movement for single-payer taken this stand, we probably wouldn't be "in a pickle today"... perhaps the difference between winning and losing this struggle for real progressive health care reform since Barack Obama and most of those in congress have been working for the Wall Street crowd so lavishly bribing them.

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Check out my blog:
http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

Cc: Maggie Bird
President,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

Western PA vs. Blue Dogs:

Progressive Democrats

Take ‘Medicare for All’

To Congressman Altmire

By Carl Davidson

Beaver County Blue

Progressive Democrats and labor unions in the 4th Congressional District west of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania held a special meeting on health care reform Aug 20 with Congressman Jason Altmire at the Beaver County Community College Student Union in Center Township. The roundtable discussion with Altmire was pulled together by the 4th CD Progressive Democrats of America (PDA).

The discussion was civil but the issues were sharply posed. If Altmire votes against the Weiner Amendment for single-payer health care (HR 676) when it comes to the floor in Congress in a few weeks, it won’t be because he hasn’t heard strong and passionate arguments for “Medicare for All.”

Seated around a large conference table were nearly 20 representatives of important grassroots players in the district’s politics—the Beaver County Labor Council, United Steel Workers union, the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, the Electrical Workers Union (IBEW Local 712), Western PA Progressive Network, Western PA Coalition for Single Payer Health Care, the PA Association of Staff Nurses, PDA, Beaver County Peace Links, and several others.

“We all know why we’re here,” stated Tina Shannon, 4th CD PDA Chairperson. “Our people are hurting. The economic crisis is taking away our jobs and health care, and the insurance companies are making matters worse. We want everyone here to speak their minds, so Congressman Altmire knows exactly what we want from him.”

Lou Hancherick from Democracy for America in Butler County started off by denouncing the current health insurance system as a “trap of the insurance companies.” “It’s really modeled on slavery, at least for many of us. You’re bound to your employer, even if it’s a lousy job and you have better prospects elsewhere. If you’re older or have what they call a ‘pre-existing’ condition, you often can’t get insured with a new employer. You can’t start a business, so it hurts job creation as well.”

Bob Schmetzer from the IBEW spoke up next. “People need health care. But they don’t need insurance companies taking more than 20 percent in administrative costs while single-payer plans like Medicare take two or three percent. “Real death panels exist already; they’re called insurance companies denying coverage.”

Then Schmetzer delivered the warning of the hour from labor. Referring to both the outgoing and expected incoming presidents of the AFL-CIO, he added that “both John Sweeny and Richard Trumka have been very clear. We’re going to examine every vote in Congress, and those that don’t come through for us shouldn’t expect any support when reelection time comes around.”

“I know you’ve stated your concern for health care costs,” said Tina Shannon to Altmire when her turn came. “So I’ve done some research about how single payer has been rated over the years.” She delivered a wealth of statistics and a timeline going back decades showing that proposed legislation on single payer scored better than private insurance every time for delivering wider coverage at less cost.

Why does single payer win on costs, Shannon asked? “Because single payer doesn’t have to deliver profits to insurance companies. From 2000 to 2006, the insurance companies’ profits doubled. Kaiser alone reported that it paid some $96 million just to its top four consultants. For what? Think of what could have been done with that!”

Shannon was followed by Dr. Joe Talarico, an anesthesiologist from Zelienople in Butler County, and chair of the Western PA Progressive Network. Talarico focused on the quality of health care, arguing that the insurance companies had little regard for it.

“I’ve never had an insurance company even talk to me on the quality of services I delivered,” he said. “But I have been nudged by Medicare.” Government responsiveness to demands for quality, he added, had turned around the VA hospital in Butler from what was once “basically a detox center for alcoholics 30 years ago” to what is now a medical center with some of the highest quality care in the country. “And remember,” he concluded, “with the VA, you’ve got socialized medicine that reaches beyond single payer. It refutes the claim that government can’t do anything positive.”

“It’s been downhill ever since Reagan,” followed Sandy Moore, a nurse from New Castle, PA and a member of the Lawrence County Progressive Democrats. “Under our existing privatized system, we’re faced with more sick people and fewer nurses. From the things I’ve seen with school children ill and with no insurance, doing away with school nurses is truly frightening.” Addressing Altmire directly, she concluded with, “What’s the problem with people having an option to the insurance companies?”

Cathy Gatian, a PDA steering committee member and lab technician residing in Center Township, reminded Altmire of a recent painful episode in local health care, the closing of the former Aliquippa Community Hospital.

“Like the No Child Left Behind Act, this legislation you’re proposing, the ‘Quality First Act,’ would reward state-of-the- art, well-endowed urban hospitals and penalize already distressed small rural and non-urban hospitals. Quality healthcare is needed in rural and non-urban areas too. In Aliquippa, we benefitted from access to a community hospital built by the steelworkers. In the current market-based medical system, this gem in our industrial community was swallowed up and spit out by UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center). Aliquippa Community Hospital is gone. It no longer exists. The building it once occupied is vacant.”

“By contrast,” Gatian added, “HR676 provides for regional allocation of operating budgets, capital expenditure budgets and reimbursements to clinicians. It also establishes the Office of Quality Control. Therefore with Medicare for All, small communities like Aliquippa, rather than being punished could enjoy the highest quality healthcare service.”

Next up was Janet Hill, from the USW staff and also a PDA member from Beaver, PA.

“We have a healthcare emergency,” Declared Hill. “Fifty million people have no health insurance, and lack of economic security has led to even more people having their care delayed or denied. Many companies are going bankrupt, and anyone employed at a bankrupt company loses their insurance.”

“Insurance companies are inefficient and wasteful,” Hill continued. “Twenty to 30 percent of health care dollars are going to administration and profit – not to health care. This is just a private tax by insurance companies on the majority of people who have health insurance. The American people wouldn’t accept that kind of overhead in charities so why should we in health care? Is there any benefit for the people being taxed? At least with gas taxes, I get to drive on the roads. No, it goes to people like Dale Wolf, the head of Coventry Health Care who made 20.86 million last year.”

Randy Shannon, PDA’s Treasurer, focused on the role of health care in the economy. “About 10 percent of all jobs, and 12 percent of all wages,” he explained, “are part of providing health care and maintaining its infrastructure. But the existing setup is irrational. If we had single payer over private insurance, the extra money going to healthcare instead of insurance would create 2.6 million new jobs and $317 billion in new business revenues. Direct healthcare spending of one dollar creates three dollars in the economy.”

Del Linville, a former Obama campaign volunteer, pointed out that most young adults do not have healthcare, but in other countries everyone is covered. “Where is our compassion? This is an uncaring system. Congress is not cutting costs by leaving the insurance companies in the system.”

Maryanne Weaver, a Democratic Committee member from New Castle pointed out that Altmire needs to take into account the needs of the people if he wants to get re-elected. She pointed out that his election was won by a coalition that included progressive and center Democrats that he cannot afford to lose. She also condemned the waste in insurance company advertising and profits and the $1.5 million per day lobbying expenses to prevent health reform.

Ed Grystar, the co-chair of the W. PA Coalition for Single Payer Healthcare, and an organizer for the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Associated Professionals pointed out that private corporations are taking over community hospitals and eliminating nursing staff and cutting pay and benefits to nurses. He added: "Real reform just can't happen under the domination of the insurance companies. They'll turn any public option into what we call 'junk insurance.' It's got so many holes in it and so pay co-pays that it's
worthless.”

"Their idea of reform,” Grystar continued, “is to force those without insurance to buy ‘junk’ insurance. More guaranteed customers for insurance companies, less real coverage, and more profits. It's a welfare program for them, while we get nothing worthwhile."

At this point, Altmire engaged the discussion. “When it comes to health care, first of all, I’m a ‘deficit hawk,’” he led off. “Any plan that increases our deficit, I will oppose. Any plan that doesn’t, I will give a fair hearing.” The “deficit hawk” label is one Altmire pinned on himself when he recently joined the ‘Blue Dog’ caucus of right-leaning House Democrats, a move that didn’t sit well with the local labor forces who helped his campaign.

“To your credit, you’ll get an up-or-down vote on single payer” Altmire continued, referring to the recent deal struck by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with the twenty percent of Congress backing HR 676 and the movement behind them. “You’ve won that. But that also means HR 676 will be ‘scored’ by CBO, the Congressional Budget Office, as to what it would cost. They are tough, but fairly objective. If HR 676 comes out as not increasing the deficit, then I will have to look long and hard at it. But until it’s scored, we’re in a holding pattern.”

“Many of you here think I’m in the pocket of the insurance companies because of their donations to my campaign,” Altmire continued, dealing with that topic. “But let me assure you, that’s not the first thing I think of when the words ‘insurance companies’ crosses my mind.” He went on to tell how he was denied coverage for reconstructive knee surgery from old sports-related injuries.

Altmire also insisted he wasn’t simply a nay-sayer on health care reform. “I don’t want us to end up with nothing, for all the reasons stated here tonight.” He shared a story of a confrontation at a Town Hall session where “a very angry woman got in my face, very upset. She didn’t want to pay for anything for people who had no insurance. ‘It’s their tough luck, she said, they should have made better choices in life.’ I decided to reply by telling her that she was already paying for the uninsured, in the most inefficient and most costly way, when they showed up at emergency rooms.”

“She suddenly softened,” Altmire added, “and told me she had learned that was true after examining a bill for a recent hospital procedure she had been through. ‘I checked every item, and every one was way overcharged. When I asked why, they told me they had to charge more from those who could pay, to make up for those who couldn’t pay.’ So in this way, I could find some common ground that things couldn’t stay as they are.”

Despite being interesting and insightful, Altmire’s comments were hardly disarming to those at this meeting.

Tina Shannon responded that the true cause of the high hospital and other medical bills is the for profit delivery of healthcare and the insurance company overhead. Charlie Hamilton responded that we have a really good single payer system already – Medicare.

“We understand deficits, borrowing from the future,” said Randy Shannon, replying to Altmire’s central argument. “We also know that they’re not always bad. It’s one thing to go out and run up the credit card buying cases of beer. It’s something else altogether to spend and invest the public’s money in providing medical care and building new health facilities. The latter has a multiplier effect, adding new value and new growth in the economy that brings back two or three times the amount initially laid out.” Shannon referred Altmire to a new study on the role of health care spending as a positive economic stimulus.

Marion Prasjner, a PDA steering committee member from Raccoon Township, and president of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), followed up. “It’s not just about money. All these 45 or 50 million people uninsured—this is all wrong. In the steelworkers, we learn that we help each other, and only by helping each other, do we all get ahead. There’s a moral question here. It’s terrible, all these ads they’re running on TV—Me, me, me, it’s all about ‘me.’ All then all these people getting rich from it. It’s not about cost; it’s about greed. And that makes it a class struggle. If that’s what they want, so be it. They’re not going to win that battle. But thank you for listening, Congressman.”

As the session was winding down, Geri DeSena, a PDA activist from Aliquippa, took the floor. “We want to remind you that the city councils of both Aliquippa and Ambridge have passed resolutions in favor of HR 676, and they urge you to vote for it.” She handed Altmire his own official copies of the text.

Although Congressman Altmire was warned by several people not to support a bill that mandates citizens to buy private insurance without a low cost public option, he did not commit to voting against such as bill. He also did not commit to supporting the Weiner amendment. When reminded that HR 676 was actually a net revenue saver, Altmire stated that previous versions of HR 676 had spending caps while the present version did not. This statement is untrue, as there has never been a limit to healthcare benefit coverage under HR 676. Altmire also stated that a health insurance co-op would have the same value as a public Medicare option, although this position has been thoroughly discredited because the coops will not have the size to compete with private insurance.

Although the meeting did not move Altmire, it did show him that there was a wide and deep alliance of progressive Democrats and union members who expect him to support serious healthcare reform by expanding Medicare. It also served to strengthen the unity of the coalition fighting for healthcare reform in the 4th Congressional District. And it enabled the groups to come together and argue their positions for single payer healthcare.

Through efforts like these, and more to come, the popular alliance for decent health care for all becomes more conscious, more united and stronger and keeps drawing more allies to its side. Meanwhile those on the other side are more constrained, less credible and wind up painting themselves into a corner. It’s time for Altmire to consider the class nature of the vast majority of his constituents. Their interests are not the same as the insurance companies and banks that would sabotage and deny public health care for all. Otherwise he might find that his ticket of admission to the Blue Dogs has a very steep and not-so-hidden delayed price to pay.

[Carl Davidson is a National Co-chair of Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism--- a small splinter group broken from the Communist Party USA as well as webmaster for ‘Progressives for Obama’

The United States has 800 military bases on foreign soil...

2009-03-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

What we need--- instead--- is 800 public health care centers spread out across the United States where people can universally access, for free, all their health care needs from pre-natal care, to general health care to eye, dental and mental care right through to burial.

Instead of moving in this progressive direction, President Barack Obama and the United States Congress are moving in a most reactionary direction towards establishing military bases in outer space as they seek to insure the profits of both the merchants of death and destruction and the profit-driven health care industries... talk about skewed priorities and your wacky ideas devoid of common sense.

In addition to these 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil, Barack Obama and the United States Congress continue funding--- with our tax-dollars--- the Israeli killing machine to the tune of tens of billions of dollars.

A network of 800 public health care centers spread out across the United States would create over four-million good-paying, decent jobs--- talk about your "economic stimulus" package!

We would be planting the seeds of socialism while helping to eradicate poverty as we keep people healthy and get them well when sick.

Think about this kind of solution in relation to what Barack Obama, the U.S. Congress and the Wall Street bankers and coupon clippers are offering the American people, and the peoples of the world... just what is the reason for bailing out the banks and AIG and maintaining more than 800 expensive U.S. military bases of foreign soil?

The Mt. Carmel Clinic in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada offers us a glimpse at what militarization and wars continue to rob us of.

The problems created by Wall Street will not be solved as long as the military-financial-industrial complex is allowed to squander human and natural resources on militarism and wars... we might just as well be dumping these resources out into the ocean... at least no one would die in wars.

These merchants of death and destruction must be stopped if humanity is to survive in a livable world.

The time has come to talk about the working class Marxist politics and economics of livelihood... capitalism has failed humanity miserably and left us a real mess.

Something for working people to think about and discuss around the dinner table... the capitalist sooth-Sayers certainly are not going to broach such solutions to the problems of working people as they hide behind the skirt of Rosy Scenario as this global capitalist economic depression intensifies.

Alan Maki

Why we need a comprehensive all inclusive People's Bailout

2009-03-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

From school children going hungry to people without access to health care all complicated by a capitalist economic system on the "skids to oblivion," we need a National "People's Bailout" in keeping with the "Minnesota People's Bailout" to begin solving the problems of the working class.

This article appeared today...

As we travel down this short, bumpy road to perdition, the needs of working people are only an after-thought, when thought about at all, by Barack Obama and the Democrats...

Republicans have never had concern for anyone except the National Association of Manufacturers and the Chamber of Commerce...

Obama and the Democrats are now directly looking after the needs of Wall Street bankers and coupon clippers in a way these business organizations never could.

Here is one of thousands of such articles appearing about health care:

Obama's Billions for Health Care leave unemployed workers sick in the cold---

"Uncertainty over new health safety net for jobless"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090301/ap_on_go_pr_wh/stimulus_health_insurance

Associated Press Writer Erica Werner,

Sun Mar 1, 2009

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration rushed to include a health care safety net for laid-off workers in the recently signed stimulus bill, but has not told employers exactly how to make it work.

As a result, tens of thousands of jobless people could wait months before getting help paying for health insurance that their employers previously had covered.

"Too many people are still trying to figure this out," said Heath Weems, director of human resources policy at the National Association of Manufacturers. "There is a lot of confusion."

At issue is the program called COBRA, the acronym for the law that allows workers to keep their company's health insurance plan for 18 months after they leave their job, if they pay the premiums.

The policies are so expensive that only a minority of eligible workers sign up, often those with medical conditions that demand attention. Costs for a family of four can top $1,000 per month.

A $25 billion provision in the stimulus bill aimed to cut COBRA's price tag, reducing its cost by 65 percent for workers laid off as far back as Sept. 1.

The bill gives eligible workers 60 days to apply. Then they get the reduced-cost premium for nine months.

But it's not going to happen right away.

Employers are waiting for instructions from the Labor Department and the Internal Revenue Service on how to put the program into place. Both agencies posted some information online Thursday.

Until employers get the guidance they need and notify potentially eligible ex-employees, most workers will not apply for the new benefit. Many probably will not know it exists.

Left waiting are people such as Cassandra J. Kelsey, 55. The District of Columbia resident lost her job with Verizon in January. She says she can barely pay her rent and is eating less to save money to cover the $550 a month premium to keep her health coverage under COBRA.

Kelsey walks with a cane and lists a litany of ailments, including degenerative arthritis and hypertension. For her, going without health insurance is unthinkable.

Outside a D.C. career center on a recent morning, Kelsey clutched copies of her COBRA invoice, clippings from a local newspaper about the stimulus bill and a form letter she received from the White House after writing to Obama about her troubles.

Kelsey knew about the reduced premium and said it would bring her COBRA costs below $200 a month. But when she called her benefits department, she was distressed to learn that she would not be able to get the reduced cost immediately, probably not until May.

"I can't take advantage of it now which I think is totally unfair," Kelsey said. "I don't know how I'm going to make it."

The stimulus bill contemplated that workers might not get the reduced premium immediately, and contains a provision that would allow them to be reimbursed later on.

That would be little help to Kelsey and others who need the benefit now.

An IRS spokesman said the agency is moving as fast as it can. A Labor Department spokeswoman responded to questions with an e-mail linking to a short agency fact sheet.

One question that employers are struggling with is how to go back and find employees who were laid off as far back as September.

Also, the legislation says only workers who were "involuntarily terminated" are eligible, but never defines that term. Does it include only people who are laid off? Or those who take buyouts offered by their employers?

No one knows how many people will actually seek a share of the stimulus money to pay their COBRA premiums. Congressional experts estimated 7 million, but that may be too high.

Advocates fear that even cut-rate COBRA could prove too little, too late for some jobless Americans.

"For many people it will remain unaffordable," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA.

Organizations and Government Bodies Endorsing HR 676

2008-11-13T12:40:00.000-08:00

Contact Barack Obama... tell him you will settle for nothing less than H.R 676, Single-payer universal health care.

Tell John Conyers not to back out from supporting HR 676 like he did on Bush/Cheney impeachment proceedings.

Support single-payer universal health care as a first step towards socialized health care.

Organizations and Government Bodies Endorsing HR 676

Medical Organizations

1. American Medical Student Association (AMSA) (link)

2. Falls City Medical Society, Kentucky

3. Kentucky Psychiatric Medical Association

4. Health Care for All Texas (link)

5. National Health Care for the Homeless Council (link)

6. Health Care for the Homeless, Inc. (link)

7. American Association of Community Psychiatrists

8. American Medical Women’s Association

9. National Medical Association

10. American Nurses Association

11. American Public Health Association

12. California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee

13. National Association of Social Workers

Faith Organizations

1. Assembly of the Urban Caucus of the Episcopal Church

2. General Board on Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church

3. Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

4. Church Women United

State Governments

1. Kentucky House of Representatives

2. New Hampshire House of Representatives

Local Governments

1. Erie, PA

2. Baltimore, MD

3. Morehead, KY

4. Warren County, TN

5. Wilmington, DE

6. University City, MO

7. Lorain, OH

8. Oberlin, OH

9. Lorain County, OH

10. Louisville, KY

11. Santa Cruz, CA

12. Tuskeegee, AL

13. West Hollywood, CA

14. Ithaca, NY

15. Wilkinsburg, PA

16. Cortland County Legislature, NY

17. Bloomington, IN

18. Ulster County, NY

19. Indianapolis City-Marion County Council

20. Allegheny County, PA

21. Austin City Council, TX

22. Chicago, IL

23. Alachua County, FL

Political Organizations

1. Woolwich, Maine Democratic Committee

2. Single-Payer Action Network (SPAN), Ohio

3. Chester County Pennsylvania Democratic Committee

Civic/Community Organizations

1. League of Women Voters

2. Americans for Democratic Action

3. US Public Interest Research Group

4. OWL

5. Peace, Living Wage, Universal Health Care Coalition (Wilmington, DE)

6. Women’s Community Cancer Project (Cambridge, MA)

7. Patriots for Change (Chagrin Falls, OH)

8. Consumer Federation of America

9. Consumers Union

10. National Council of Senior Citizens

11. National Family Farm Coalition

12. The U.S. Conference of Mayors

13. American Library Association

14. Results

Labor Organizations

State AFL-CIOs:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland-District of Columbia
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Resolutions endorsing HR 676, Universal Single Payer Health Care, have been passed by the following union organizations:

1. Duluth (Minnesota) AFL-CIO Central Labor Body

2. American Federation of Government Employees Local 2028, Pittsburgh, PA, representing 1,700 nurses, other professionals & service workers at two Veterans Administration Hospitals

3. Plumbers and Steamfitters HVAC, Local 188, United Association, Savannah, GA.

4. United Steelworkers of America, Local 1693, Louisville, KY, amalgamated local representing 1,700 workers

5. Local 2322, United Automobile Workers, representing 3,800 workers in Holyoke, Massachusetts

6. Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech), Communications Workers of America (CWA), Local 37083, Seattle, WA

7. Local 576, Laborersâ€™ International Union of North America (LIUNA), Louisville, KY

8. United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 630, West Palm Beach, FL

9. Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), National Convention, Oct. 2003

10. Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), National Convention, May 2006

11. Jefferson County Teachersâ€™ Association (National Education Association), representing teachers in the public school system, Louisville, KY

12. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2629, AFL-CIO, representing Louisville Metro Government Employees, Louisville, KY

13. Northwest Indiana Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Hammond, IN

14. Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical, Energy International Union (PACE) Local 5-2002, Louisville, KY

15. United Steelworkers of America, Local 6787, representing over 3,000 steelworkers in Burns Harbor, IN

16. Local 506, United Electrical Workers, Erie, PA, representing 4,000 workers at GE.

17. Plumbers, Steamfitters, and Refrigeration Fitters, Local 393, AFL-CIO, San Jose, CA.

18. California State Pipe Trades Council, United Association, AFL-CIO, Sacramento, CA

19. Local 576 Laborersâ€™ International Union Retireesâ€™ Council, LIUNA, AFL-CIO, Louisville, KY

20. Nurses Professional Organization, Louisville, KY

21. Independent State Store Union (ISSU) Harrisburg, PA

22. Local 2320, United Automobile Workers, Chicago, Illinois, representing nearly 4,000 workers across the country, primarily in legal services and human services.

23. Washington Chapter 10, The Retired Public Employeesâ€™ Council of Washington, AFSCME, Convention September 2004.

24. Steelworkers Active Organization of Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 31-9, Chicago, IL

25. Local 3310, Communications Workers of AmericaÂ (CWA), representing workers at Bell South in Louisville, KY

26. St. Joe Valley Project Jobs with Justice, South Bend, IN

27. United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers (UE), Pittsburgh, PA

28. American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), Chicago/Midwest Region

29. California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, Oakland, CA

30. National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Branch 84, Pittsburgh, PA

31. Local Lodge 794, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Albuquerque, NM

32. South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council, San Jose, CA, April 2005

33. Community Action Program (CAP), 3rd & 4th Areas, Kentucky, United Automobile Workers (UAW)

34. Community Action Program (CAP), Southern Indiana, United Automobile Workers (UAW)

35. Local 1375, United Steelworkers of America (USWA), Warren, OH, April 19, 2005

36. Western Connecticut Central Labor Council, Waterbury, CT

37. Local 619, Graphic Communications Conference/IBT, Louisville, KY

38. Local 409, Plumbers and Pipefitters, United Association, San Luis Obispo, CA

39. Local 6355, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Missouri State Workers Union

40. District Council 62, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) representing public employees in Indiana and Kentucky, October, 2005.

41. Kentucky State AFL-CIO, Convention, October 2005

42. Local 6000, United Auto Workers (UAW), State of Michigan Employees, Region 1A, Retiree Chapter

43. Local #36, Sheet Metal Workers, St. Louis, Missouri

44. New York Professional Nurses Union (NYPNU), New York, NY

45. Central New Mexico Labor Council, Albuquerque, NM

46. Building and Construction Trades Council of St. Louis, AFL-CIO, St. Louis, MO

47. Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans

48. Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO Central Labor Council

49. Southeast Missouri Building and Construction Trades Council, Cape Girardeau, MO

50. District Council 5, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, St. Paul, Minnesota

51. Local 2222, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Boston, MA. Representing 4000 Verizon workers in the Greater Boston area.

52. South Central Federation of Labor, Madison, Wisconsin

53. Local 675, United Steelworkers (USW), Carson, CA, representing workers in Southern California and Nevada

54. Greater St. Louis Labor Council, AFL-CIO, St. Louis, Missouri

55. Allegheny County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Pittsburgh, PA

56. Division 4, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Rail Conference, IBT, Toledo, OH

57. Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), Chapter 20-20, Aliquippa, PA

58. Local 2320, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Manchester, NH

59. Local 2321, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), North Andover, MA

60. Local 2322, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Middleboro, MA

61. Local 2323, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Cranston, RI

62. Local 2324, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Springfield, MA

63. Local 2325, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Northborough, MA

64. Local 2326, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Essex Junction, VT

65. Local 2327, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Augusta, ME

66. Kentucky Jobs with Justice, Louisville, KY

67. Lorain County AFL-CIO Federation of Labor, Lorain, OH

68. Beaver-Lawrence Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Beaver, PA

69. Troy Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Troy, NY

70. Southwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council Collinsville, IL

71. United University Professions, Local 2190 AFT, New York State United Teachers Albany, NY

72. Cleveland AFL-CIO Retiree Council, Cleveland, OH

73. Toledo Area Jobs with Justice, Toledo, OH

74. Washington State Machinist Council, International Association of Machinists District #160 (IAM), Seattle, WA

75. Greater Louisville Building & Construction Trades Council, Louisville, KY

76. Pittsburgh Airman Lodge 1044, International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM), Pittsburgh, PA

77. Santa Clara & San Benito Counties Building & Construction Trades Council, San Jose, CA

78. Local 21 NABET/CWA, National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET)/Communications Workers of America (CWA), Albany, NY

79. Massachusetts State CAP Council, United Auto Workers (UAW)

80. 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, MD, DC, NY State, MA
New York, NY

81. AFSCME Retiree Chapter 36, Los Angeles, CA

82. Local 829 United Steelworkers (USW), Owosso, MI

83. Local 2-591 United Steelworkers (USW), Riverview, MI

84. PEF/encon Albany Steward Council (Public Employees Federation/encon) representing Professional, Scientific and Technical employees at the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.

85. North Central Florida Central Labor Council, Gainesville, FL

86. Ashtabula AFL-CIO Retiree Council, Ashtabula, OH

87. Ashtabula AFL-CIO Labor Council, Ashtabula, OH

88. Cleveland Painters District Council 6 Retiree Council, Cleveland, OH

89. Local 1000, American Federation of Musicians (AFM), New York, NY

90. Local 524, International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE), lens Falls-Saratoga, NY

91. Greater Westmoreland County Labor Council, Greensburg, PA

92. AFSCME Retirees, Chapter 1184, Sub-Chapter 109, Northwest Ohio

93. Albany Central Federation of Labor, Albany, NY

94. Butler County United Labor Council, Butler, PA

95. Solidarity Committee of the Capital District,Â 302 Centre Dr, Albany NY 12206

96. International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 17, Seattle, WA

97. North Shore Federation of Labor, Cleveland, OH

98. Local 6000, United Auto Workers (UAW), Michigan State Employees, Lansing, MI

99. Local 196, United Steelworkers (USW), Trenton, MI

100. Local 825, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), River Edge, NJ

101. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 36-1, Gadsden, AL

102. Tri-County Council of Labor, AFL-CIO, Henderson, KY

103. Greater Bangor Area Central Labor Council, Bangor, ME

104. Pittsburgh Chapter, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), Pittsburgh, PA

105. Philadelphia Chapter, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), Philadelphia, PA

106. Organization of Staff Analysts (OSA/RT), New York, NY

107. District Council 37, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) New York City, NY

108. United Steelworkers (USW) Region X Spring Conference, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, March 2006.

109. Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, State Convention, April 6, 2006.

110. Branch 3126, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Royal Oak, MI.

111. San Francisco Web Pressmen & Prepress Workers Union Local 4N, IBT/Graphic Communications Conference

112. Ohio State Legislative Board, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (BLET), Rail Conference, IBT, Columbus, OH

113. Greater Louisville Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Louisville, KY, April 2006.

114. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 9-36 F 5, Cape Coral, FL

115. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 9-UR 7, Hickman, KY

116. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 36-2, Gardendale, AL

117. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 9-ABG 1, Kingsport, TN

118. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 9-UR 1, Harvest, AL

119. Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter Local 200 Retirees, Iuka, MS

120. Theatrical Protective Union (TPU) Local One, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage
Employes, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts (IATSE), New York City,
Westchester and Putnam Counties

121. Toledo Area AFL-CIO Council, Toledo, OH

122. Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation, Newburgh, NY

123. District 1199P, SEIU, Harrisburg, PA

124. Local 1155, UAW, Birmingham, AL

125. Lodge 1145, IAM, Selkirk and DeWitt, NY

126. Local 2334, AFT, Professional Staff Congress-CUNY, New York City, NY

127. Dayton, Springfield, Sidney, Miami Valley AFL-CIO Regional Labor Council, Dayton, OH

128. Bergen County Central Trades & Labor Council, Paramus, NJ

129. Local Lodge 141, International Association of Machinists (IAM), representing airline workers at Northwest, United, Southwest, and Alaska. Detroit, MI

130. Local 1549, AFSCME, representing 19,000 clerical and administrative workers for the City of New York

131. Local 1180, Communications Workers of America (CWA), New York, NY

132. Retirees Association of District Council 37, AFSCME, New York, NY

133. Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Chapter 30-18, Plymouth, Indiana

134. United Steelworkers, USW District 7, Sub-District 4, Northern Indiana

135. United Steelworkers, USW Local 12775, Portage, Indiana

136. International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU), San Francisco, CA, International Convention, May, 2006

137. Retirees Council, Bergen County Central Trades and Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Paramus, NJ

138. American Postal Workers Union (APWU), Michigan State Convention, May, 2006

139. Local 544, United Auto Workers (UAW), Fisher Body, West Mifflin, PA

140. Northern Kentucky Central Labor Council, Covington, KY

141. CIRSU, New York, NY

142. Local Union 1183, United Automobile Workers, Newark, DE

143. North Bay Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Santa Rosa, CA

144. Greater Glens Falls Central Labor Council, Glens Falls, NY
Warren, Washington, Hamilton, and Northern Saratoga Counties

145. Local 50, Plumbers and Steamfitters, United Association (UA), Northwood, OH

146. Local 668, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Harrisburg, PA

147. North Florida Central Labor Council, Jacksonville, FL

148. District Lodge 112, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Jacksonville, FL

149. Pima Area Labor Federation, Tucson, AZ

150. Florida State Alliance for Retired Americans

151. Lodge 721, IAM, Jacksonville, FL

152. Austin Central Labor Council, Austin, Texas

153. Unified Union Partners, made up of union presidents from VISN 4 (Veterans Integrated Service Network) which includes 10 Veterans Administration hospitals and several VA community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in PA, Wilmington, DE, and Clarksburg, WV.

154. United Automobile Workers, International Union Convention, June 2006

155. Plumbers Local Union #17, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA), Memphis, TN

156. Western Kentucky AFL-CIO Area Council, Paducah, KY

157. San Francisco Central Labor Council, San Francisco, CA

158. National Education Association (NEA), July 2006

159. Connecticut AFL-CIO, June 2006

160. Local Union 295, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA), Daytona Beach, FL

161. Ohio AFL-CIO, July 19, 2006, at Convention in Cincinnati

162. Central New York Labor Council, Utica, NY

163. Local 2313, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Hanover, MA

164. Hawkeye Labor Council, Cedar Rapids, IA

165. Plumbers, Pipefitters and Service Technicians Local 502, United Association of Journeymen and
Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada,
Louisville, KY

166. Local 1L, Amalgamated Lithographers of America, Graphic Communications
Conference/International Brother of Teamsters (GCC/IBT Local 1L), New Jersey

167. Central Trades & Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Cape Girardeau, MO

168. Local Union 136, Plumbers & Steamfitters, United Association, Evansville, IN

169. San Bernardino/Riverside Counties Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Riverside, CA

170. United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices of the Plumbing & Pipe Fitting
Industry of the United States & Canada (UA), International Convention, August 9, 2006

171. Washington-Orange-Lamoille Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Montpelier, VT

172. North Dakota AFL-CIO, Bismarck, ND, State Convention, August 2006

173. Delaware State AFL-CIO, Newark, DE, endorsed August 2006

174. Washington State Labor Council, representing 500 local unions with 400,000 members, endorsing
resolution passed at State Convention, August 2006, Seattle, WA

175. Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), Chapter 11-3, St. Louis, MO.

176. Local 547, International Union of Operating Engineers, Detroit, MI

177. Mercer County Central Labor Council, Mercer County, NJ

178. South Carolina State AFL-CIO, 50th Annual Convention, September, 2006

179. Local 3, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Pittsburgh, PA

180. Burlington County Central Labor Union, Riverside, NJ

181. Wyoming State AFL-CIO, Cheyenne, WY

182. Vermont State Labor Council AFL-CIO, Montpelier, VT, September 2006, State Convention

183. National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), International Union, Washington, DC

184. Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), State Convention, September 2006

185. Champlain Valley Labor Council, Burlington, VT

186. North West Washington Central Labor Council, Bellingham, WA

187. Florida AFL-CIO, Tallahassee, FL

188. Essex-West Hudson Labor Council AFL-CIO, Newark, NJ

189. Local 9, Plumbers and Pipefitters, UA, Englishtown, NJ

190. Local 995, United Steelworkers (USW), Follansbee, WV

191. Jackson/Hillsdale Counties Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Jackson, MI

192. Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, State Convention, September 2006, Milwaukee, WI

193. Local 6186, Texas State Employees Union/Communications Workers of America, (TSEU/CWA)
Austin, TX, September, 2006

194. West Central Florida Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Tampa, FL, Oct. 3, 2006

195. West Virginia AFL-CIO, Charleston, WV

196. Harrisburg Region Central Labor Council, Harrisburg, PA

197. Southern Maine Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Portland, ME Oct. 4, 2006

198. Ohio Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR), State Conference, Oct. 9, 2006

199. Branch 82, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Portland, OR

200. South Dakota AFL-CIO, State Convention, Oct. 7, 2006, Sioux Falls, SD

201. Wabash Valley Central Labor Council, Terre Haute, IN, Sep. 20, 2006

202. Branch 104, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Lawrence, KS

203. North Carolina State AFL-CIO, Convention Resolution 14, September 2006

204. West Virginia Brooke-Hancock Central Labor Council, Newell, WV

205. Boulder Area Labor Council, Boulder, CO

206. Passaic Central Labor Council, Clifton, NJ

207. Local 327, Laborersâ€™ International Union of North America (LIUNA), August, ME

208. Chicago & Midwest Regional Joint Board, UNITE HERE, Chicago, IL

209. Hudson County Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Jersey City, NJ

210. Missouri AFL-CIO, Jefferson City, MO

211. White River Central Labor Council, Bloomington, IN

212. District Council 1, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Denver, CO

213. Minnesota AFL-CIO, November 29, 2006

214. Michigan State AFL-CIO Women’s Council

215. Local 8498, United Steelworkers (USW), Winston-Salem, NC

216. United Labor Council of Reading and Berks County, Reading, PA

217. Massachusetts Nurses Association, Quincy, MA

218. Greater Madison County Federation of Labor, Granite City, IL

219. Rochester and Vicinity Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Rochester, NY

220. Local Union 176, United Steelworkers (USW), Rochester, MI

221. Local Union 314, United Steelworkers (USW), Detroit, MI

222. Local Union 389, United Steelworkers (USW), Detroit, MI

223. Local Union 2659, United Steelworkers (USW), Southgate, MI

224. Local Union 9491, United Steelworkers (USW), Hamburg, MI

225. Middlesex County AFL-CIO Labor Council, North Brunswick, NJ

226. Northeastern Oklahoma Central Labor Council, Tulsa, OK

227. Rochester and Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, encompasses 10 county region,
parent body of 4 labor councils {Rochester and Vicinity (Monroe), Steuben-Livingston, Northern Finger Lakes (Wayne, Ontario), and Chemung-Yates}, Rochester, NY

228. Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE), St Paul, MN

229. Local 73, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Chicago, IL

230. Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (IBEW)

231. Monroe/Lenawee County AFL-CIO Council, Monroe, MI

232. Local 2164, United Auto Workers (UAW), Bowling Green, KY

233. Local 264, Transport Workers Union (TWU), New York, NY

234. New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), New York

235. Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1589, Long Beach, CA

236. Local 2779, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Gainesville, FL

237. Detroit A. Phillip Randolph Institute, Detroit, MI

238. Greater Lansing Labor Council, Lansing, MI, Feb. 7, 2007

239. Local 5668, United Steelworkers (USW), Ravenswood, WV, Feb. 5, 2007

240. Central Maine Labor Council, Waterville, ME

241. Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), Conshohocken, PA

242. Northeast Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Franklin, Clinton, & Essex Counties, Plattsburgh, NY

243. Local 546M, Graphic Communications Conference, GCC/IBT, Cleveland, OH
244. Southern Dakota County Labor Council, Apple Valley, MN

245. Texas Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) Austin, TX

246. Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council, Cincinnati, OH

247. Retirees Club, Local 848, United Auto Workers (UAW), Grand Prairie, TX

248. Maine State Building & Construction Trades Council, Clinton, ME

249. Capital District Area Labor Federation, 11 NY counties including Albany, Schenectady, Troy,
Glens Falls, and Saratoga. Albany, NY

250. District 3, Missouri Nurses Association (MONA), St. Louis, MO

251. Committee of Presidents, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Washington, DC

252. Western Maine Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Lewiston, ME

253. AFM Local 802, Association of Musicians of Greater New York, New York, NY

254. Smith County Central Labor Council, Tyler, TX

255. Savannah Regional Central Labor Council, Savannah, GA

256. Southern Iowa Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Ottumwa, IA

257. New Jersey State Industrial Union Council, Edison, NJ

258. International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council #4, Cheektowaga, NY

259. San Mateo County Central Labor Council, Foster City, CA

260. UAW Local 909, United Automobile Workers, Detroit, MI

261. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) District Lodge 34,
Columbus, OH

262. Central Connecticut Labor Council, Meriden, CT

263. Local Lodge 956 IAMAW, Archbold, OH

264. Western Maryland Central Labor Council, Cumberland, MD

265. Local 28 United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC), Missoula, MT

266. Local 2222 Communications Workers of America (CWA), Annandale, VA

267. Palm Beach-Treasure Coast AFL-CIO, Riviera Beach, FL
268. Maine State AFL-CIO, Bangor, ME

269. Local 862, UAW, Louisville, KY

270. Maine Council of United Steelworkers USW representing 22 locals in Maine

271. Michigan State Association of Letter Carriers, MSALC, NALC

272. Teamsters Local Union 559 (IBT), South Windsor, CT

273. Northern Virginia Central Labor Council, Annandale, VA

274. Local 1120 Communications Workers of America (CWA), Poughkeepsie, NY

275. Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation of Central Kansas, Wichita, KS

276. Greater Green Bay Labor Council, Green Bay, WI

277. Arkansas AFL-CIO, State Federation, Little Rock, AR

278. Local 561 Transport Workers Union (TWU), Virginia Gardens, FL

279. CANEL Lodge 700 International Association of Machinists (IAM) Pratt & Whitney,
Higganum, CT

280. International Association of Machinists District 26, Connecticut & Rhode Island

281. Connecticut State Council of Machinists of the IAMAW, CT

282. Greyhound Lodge 759 IAM, Jacksonville, FL

283. Local Lodge 1502, IAMAW, Superior, WI

284. Local Lodge 621, IAMAW, Ashland, WI

285. Local 3106, CWA, Jacksonville, FL

286. Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO, Annapolis, MD

287. SEIU—United Healthcare Workers West, Oakland, CA

288. American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, 97th Convention, June 2007

289. Washington County Central Labor Council, Kewaskum, Slinger, Fond du Lac, WI

290. United Steelworkers, District 7, Sub-District 1, Chicago, IL

291. Big Sky Central Labor Council, Helena, MT

292. American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 212, Milwaukee, WI

293. San Antonio AFL-CIO Council, San Antonio, TX

294. Greater Hartford Central Labor Council, Hartford, CT

295. United Steelworkers (USW), Local 9777, Bridgeview, IL

296. United Steelworkers (USW), Local 1899, Granite City, IL

297. United Steelworkers (USW), Local 1636, Aurora, IL

298. Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, Olympia, WA

299. Texas AFL-CIO, Austin, TX

300. Southwestern District Labor Council, Huntington, WV

301. Westchester/Putnam Counties Central Labor Body, AFL-CIO, White Plains, NY

302. Texas Building & Construction Trades Council, Austin, TX

303. El Paso Central Labor Union, El Paso, TX

304. Utah Jobs with Justice, Salt Lake City, UT

305. Big Bend Chapter, Northwest Florida Federation of Labor, Tallahassee, FL

306. Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Des Moines, IA

307. Local 477, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Miami, FL

308. Monongalia-Preston Labor Council, Morgantown, WV

309. Local 1445 United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Dedham, MA

310. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Upper Marlboro, MD

311. Local 40, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners (UBC), Cambridge, MA

312. Arizona AFL-CIO, Phoenix, AZ

313. Alliance for Retired Americans, Washington, DC

314. Local Unions attending the Regional Council of United Steelworkers (USW)
in 11 western states, AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, Sept. 10, 2007

315. Tennessee AFL-CIO, Convention September 2007

316. Pierce County Central Labor Council, Tacoma, WA

317. Central Ohio Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Columbus, OH

318. Pioneer Valley AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, Springfield, MA

319. Local 689 Amalgamated Transit Union, Washington, DC

320. Local 194 International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers AFL-CIO, Milltown, NJ

321. United Steelworkers Local 12-593 (USW), Magna, UT

322. Springfield and Central Illinois Trades and Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Springfield, IL

323. Coastal Bend Central Labor Council, Corpus Christi, TX

324. Local Lodge 112, International Association of Machinists (IAMAW), Center City, MN

325. New York State Public Employees Federation (NYSPEF), affiliated with AFL-CIO, AFT,
and SEIU. Convention, September, 2008. Albany, NY

326. South Florida AFL-CIO, Doral, FL

327. United Association Local 699, Sprinkler Fitters and Apprentices, Seattle, WA

328. Greater Boston Labor Council, Boston, MA

329. Michigan AFSCME Council 25, Lansing, MI

330. Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice, Ashland, OR

331. Portland Community College Faculty Federation, AFT Local 2277, Portland, OR

332. Oregon AFL-CIO, Salem, OR

333. Public Service Workers Union, UE Local 160, Williamsburg, VA

334. C. W. Post Collegial Federation, Local 3517, NYSUT, AFT, Brookville, NY

335. Ohio State Council of Machinists, IAMAW, Cleveland, OH

336. Georgia AFL-CIO, Atlanta, GA

337. AFSCME Council 36, Los Angeles, CA

338. District 7, United Steelworkers of America (USW), Chicago, IL

339. National Legislative Committee for the Tenth Quadrennial Constitutional Convention, United
Transportation Union (UTU)

340. Oklahoma AFL-CIO, Oklahoma City, OK

341. Charleston Central Labor Council, Charleston, SC

342. American Postal Workers Union Local 458, Portland, ME

343. Kansas AFL-CIO, Topeka, KS

344. Illinois Federation of Teachers Universities Council

345. University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100 IFT/AFT/AFL-CIO, Chicago, IL

346. Colorado AFL-CIO, Denver, CO

347. Branch 4374, South Macomb Letter Carriers, NALC, Roseville, MI

348. Indiana AFL-CIO, Indianapolis, IN

349. Local 2-540 United Steelworkers USW, Alma, MI

350. Long Island University Faculty Federation, Local 3998, NYSUT/AFT, Brooklyn, NY

351. Southern Colorado Labor Council, Pueblo, CO

352. Sailorsâ€™ Union of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA

353. Local 502, Coastal Carolina Association of Professional Musicians, AmericanFederationofMusicians (AFM), Charleston, SC

354. Transport Workers Union, Local 564 TWU, El Segundo, CA

355. Branch 14, National Association of Letter Carriers NALC, Louisville, KY

356. Local 5 International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Portland, OR

357. Oregon Area District Council, ILWU, Portland, OR

358. Portland Jobs with Justice, Portland, OR

359. Local 1535 AFSCME, Baltimore, MD

360. Northwestern Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Toledo, OH

361. United Academics, AAUP/AFT Local 4996, University of Alaska System, Anchorage, AK

362. Local 2026, Faculty and Staff Federation of Community College of Philadelphia (AFT) Philadelphia, PA

363. Alabama AFL-CIO, Montgomery, AL

364. Local 1837, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Manchester, ME

365. United Automobile Workers Local 3303 (UAW), Butler, PA

366. California Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Oakland, CA

367. Retiree Chapter, Local 3303 UAW, Butler, PA

368. Local 3, University Professional & Technical Employees, UPTE-CWA 9119, Santa Cruz, CA

369. Juneau & Vicinity Building and Construction Trades Council, Juneau, AK

370. Minnesota State Council of Machinists, IAMAW, Vadnais Heights, MN

371. Local 1421, United Electrical Workers (UE), Pomona, CA

372. New Jersey State Federation of Teachers (AFT), Edison, NJ

373. Local 32 BJ, SEIU, Baltimore, MD

374. Local 31-N, GCC-IBT Teamsters, Baltimore, MD

375. International Organization Masters, Mates, & Pilots, AFL-CIO, Linthicum, MD

376. UNITE-HERE Mid Atlantic, Baltimore, MD

377. Baltimore Francis Stu Filbey Area Local, American Postal Workers Union (APWU),
Baltimore, MD

378. Local 8-1165, United Steelworkers (USW), Baltimore, MD

379. Alaska AFL-CIO, Anchorage, AK

380. California Federation of Teachers (AFT), Burbank, CA

381. International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers (IFPTE), AFL-CIO,
Silver Spring, MD

382. Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA), AFLCIO, Washington, DC

383. Local 900, United Steelworkers (USW), Rumford, ME

384. Communications Workers of America Local 9423 (CWA), San Jose, CA

385. United Steelworkers of America Local 10-1, USW, Linwood, PA

386. Office and Professional Employees International Union, OPEIU, NY, NY & Washington, DC
387. Tri-County Labor Council, Mount Upton, NY

388. California School Employees Association (CSEA), AFL-CIO, San Jose, CA

389. Greater Santa Cruz Federation of Teachers AFT 2030, Santa Cruz, CA

390. Chemung/Schuyler Labor Assembly, AFL-CIO, Elmira, NY

391. Cayuga County Labor Council, Auburn, NY

392. United Transportation Union (UTU) International Convention, Cleveland, OH

393. University Professional and Technical Employees—CWA 9119, Berkeley & Los Angeles, CA

394. Local 1501, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Cockeysville, MD

395. The United Educators of San Francisco, CFT/AFT #61, CTA/NEA, San Francisco, CA

396. Local 773, United Association of Plumbers (UA), South Glens Falls, NY

397. Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, Los Angeles, CA

398. North Shore Central Labor Council, Lynn, MA

399. Local 223 Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), Dearborn, MI

400. Laborers Local #210, LIUNA, Cheektowaga, NY

401. Local 621, United Workers of America, Island Park, NY

402. UAW Local 3044, Rockport, IN

403. New Hampshire State Building and Construction State Council, Hooksett, NH

404. Chicago Teachers Union, Local 1 AFT/IFT/AFL-CIO, Chicago, IL

405. Local Union 1447, Amalgamated Transit Union, Louisville, KY

406. Steel Council of the United Auto Workers

407. Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Lowell, MA

408. Local 543, International Association of Machinists (IAM), Baltimore, MD

409. Cattaraugus Allegany Counties Central Labor Council, Cattaraugus, NY

410. Southern Oregon Central Labor Council, Central Point, OR

411. Philadelphia Council of the AFL-CIO, Philadelphia, PA

412. National Writers Union UAW Local 1981, New York, NY

413. Central Labor Council of Humboldt-Del Norte Counties, Eureka, CA

414. NYSUT-Rensselaer-Columbia-Greene Co. BOCES Teachers Association, East Schodack, NY

415. Norfolk County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Braintree, MA

416. Plymouth-Bristol Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Brockton, MA

417. North Carolinaâ€™s State Federation Unit of the American Federation of Teachers AFT/NC, NC

418. Field Staff Association FSA, Delmar, NY

419. Southern Oregon Area Local, American Postal Workers Union (APWU), Medford, OR

420. Brookline Educators Union, MTA, NEA, Brookline, MA

421. Crawford/Richland Central Labor Council, Mansfield, OH

422. Austin Community College/American Federation of Teachers, Local 6249, Austin, TX

423. Jefferson Elementary Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 3267, Daly City, CA

424. Indiana Federation of Teachers, Indianapolis, IN

425. Teamsters Local 805 IBT, Long Island City, NY

426. Local 716 United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters UA, Augusta, ME

427. International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 6 (ILWU), Oakland, CA

428. San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council, San Diego, CA

429. United Steelworkers Local Union 1026 USW, Canton, NY

430. Local 165 National Association of Letter Carriers NALC, Frewsburg, NY

431. AFT Seattle Community Colleges, Local 1789, Seattle, WA

432. Western NY Area Local 183, American Postal Workers Union APWU, Delevan, NY

433. GFT, Guamâ€™s Local Union, affiliated with AFL-CIO as AFT Local 1581, Hagatna, Guam

434. United Steelworkers Local 207 L (USW), Findlay, OH

435. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 770 (IBEW), Glenmont, NY

436. IATSE Local 297, San Diego, CA

437. Kent-Ionia Central Labor Council, Grand Rapids, MI

438. Carpenters Local 22, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners, San Francisco, CA

439. Ashland Area Central Labor Council, Ashland, KY

440. Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association, San Francisco, CA

441. Michigan State AFL-CIO, Lansing, MI

442. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 47, Monaca, PA

443. Service Employees International Union, SEIU, Washington, DC

444. GCC/IBT Local 612M, West Caldwell, NJ

445. Professional Staff Union Locals 751 and 754, Massachusetts Teachers Association, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Boston, MA

446. Montana AFL-CIO, Helena, MT

447. American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Washington, DC

448. Colorado State Building and Construction Trades Council, Lakewood, CO

449. United Steelworkers (USW), Pittsburgh, PA

450. Greater Syracuse Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Syracuse, NY

451. Nebraska State AFL-CIO, Omaha, NE

452. Musicians Union Local 6, American Federation of Musicians (AFM), San Francisco, CA

453. AFSCME Local 1212; Child Care Providers Together, Des Moines, IA

454. AFSCME Local 3214, Albertina Kerr Center Employees of Lane County, Eugene, OR

HR 676 real health care reform... don't settle for anything less

2008-11-11T19:48:00.000-08:00

News articles report that Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) has instructed the staff of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee to begin working on a comprehensive healthcare bill to be presented in the next Congress that convenes in early January.

The following letter was sent to Senator Ted Kennedy on behalf of the All Unions Committee for Single Payer Healthcare—HR 676.

We encourage all who receive this email to contact Senator Kennedy’s office urging him to offer single payer legislation modeled on House bill HR 676.

We urge you to do this as an individual and to ask your union to do so as well.

November 7, 2008

Senator Ted Kennedy
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Kennedy,

We understand that you are currently working energetically on a comprehensive health care reform bill to be introduced in the new session.

There are certain junctures in history when the obstacles of the past melt in the heat of a rising popular demand for change. This is one of those times.

You once proudly described yourself as “an old single payer advocate.” We urge you to return to that vision now when your tremendous influence could make this truly just and practical plan a reality.

Please consider the simplicity, cost effectiveness and humanity of a single payer plan which could be implemented comparatively easily as was traditional Medicare. Any plan that keeps the profit-making insurance companies in the mix will add layers of bureaucracy, will not be able to control costs, and will fail in the noble effort to bring good care to all.

We ask that you introduce, in the Senate, legislation modeled on HR 676, which has now gained the support of 94 representatives in the US House, 480 union bodies, 39 state AFL-CIO’s, 117 Central Labor Councils, 20 international unions, the US Conference of Mayors, the Houses of Representatives in Kentucky, New Hampshire and New York, and hundreds more cities, counties, faith groups and organizations that express the great hope and dire need of our people.

We urge you to be our Tommy Douglas, to lead the charge for nonprofit single payer universal coverage. The people will be with you. Surely we deserve the health benefits offered to the people of every other country in the industrialized world—all medically necessary care and freedom from the fear of economic ruin due to illness. It is only by moving to single payer that we can cut the waste while expanding the care.

We must not squander the opportunity of this momentous time. With your experience and stature in Congress and the nation, you are uniquely able to ensure that generations to come will enjoy the legacy of health care as a human right. Please say “yes” to single payer.

Sincerely yours,

Kay Tillow, Coordinator
All Unions Committee for
Single Payer healthcare—HR676
c/o Nurses Professional Organization
1169 Eastern Parkway #2218
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 636-1551

St. Paul Twin Cities Ford Plant

2007-11-20T06:54:00.001-08:00

Save the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant

Sisters and Brothers;

Unless we act together the Ford Plant will close soon and two thousand jobs will go down the drain and into the river with it.

It will take the initiative of community activists and rank and file activists from your plant working together to save the Ford Plant and two-thousand jobs. It will require activity on a variety of levels from a variety of partners working in coalition.

I would encourage you to ask the UAW leadership of your local (UAW Local 879) to push the MN DFL to reconsider the legislation Democratic Senator Metzen dropped the ball on after Representative Tom Rukavina successfully pushed it through his Committee in the House. It is important that this Plant and Dam remain intact as one unit.

As you know, the great “free market forces” of capitalism have not been able to keep this perfectly good plant in operation.

This leaves us but one option; the option of Public Ownership. Public Ownership has been used all over the world to save many plants and even entire industries. The New Flyer Bus Plant in Winnipeg, Manitoba is one such example.

To be quite frank, our primary concern has to be with saving these two-thousand jobs. The jobs of those presently employed and for generations to come.

No one is considering the tremendous struggle and sacrifice of Ford workers and your union in securing a good place to work as part of the investment. No one is talking about the huge investment taxpayers have made in this Plant and Hydro Dam… not to mention training employees. No one mentions that workers create all wealth and as such are entitled to participate as equals in the decision-making process. The Ford Motor Company never sat down and talked about the future of this plant with workers or tax-payers.

I ask you to take these resolutions to your party precinct caucus meetings in February. Ford workers are scattered all over, even in Wisconsin… we need to reach out for support in order to save this plant. Just clip one of these resolutions to the resolution form.

Resolution #1 (Short Version) 0n the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant/Hydro Dam and 2,000 Union Jobs

Whereas Ford Motor Company has stated its intent to close the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant, sell the hydro dam to a foreign corporation, and displace two-thousand workers in the near future without consultation from the workers, the community, or local and state governments;

Whereas this plant, its operations, and the hydro dam have received continued support from every level of government including tax-payer funding, tax-breaks and tax abatements under promises to maintain manufacturing operations and with assurances workers would have job security in St. Paul, Minnesota;

Therefore be it resolved public ownership should be used to save this plant, hydro dam, and two-thousand jobs.

Resolution #2 (Full version) 0n the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant/Hydro Dam and 2,000 Union Jobs

Whereas Ford Motor Company has stated its intent to close the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant, sell the hydro dam to a foreign corporation, and displace two-thousand workers in the near future without consultation with the workers, the community, or local and state governments;

Whereas this plant, its operations, and the hydro dam have received continued support from every level of government including tax-payer funding, tax-breaks and tax abatements under promises to maintain manufacturing operations and with assurances workers would have job security in St. Paul, Minnesota;

Whereas this Plant forms an important an integral component of Minnesota’s industrial base;

Whereas the closing of this Plant will cause very significant economic harm to the local community and the state including placing a strain on already overburdened social services which have already been drastically cut back;

Whereas all conciliatory efforts, as demanded, in favor of the management of Ford Motor Company have been granted by all levels of government under the promise Ford would maintain operations in St. Paul;

Whereas a similar threatened plant closing of the New Flyer Plant in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada during the 1970’sresulted in all levels of government intervening on behalf of the members of the United Automobile Workers union resulting in the public takeover of the operation with continuing successful operation at present;

Whereas “the free market” has not resulted in a solution to save the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant, the hydro dam which powers the plant along with two-thousand union jobs; (over please)

Be it resolved that the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party instruct its State Legislative Caucus to bring forward the previous resolution in the form of legislation supported by the United Auto Workers Union and its members of Local 789 to save the plant and dam intact until a solution is found to continue operations and production;

Be it further resolved that the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party instructs all of its federal, state, and local Twin Cities elected officials to convene a special conference to explore public ownership as the remedy to saving the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant, the hydro dam, and two thousand union jobs;

Be it further resolved that the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party support public ownership and democratic control of the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant with production taking place in the best interests of the workers and the people of the State of Minnesota;

Be it further resolved that public ownership is the only viable means of saving the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant as all other means have been tried and exhausted;

Be it further resolved that funding is not an issue since any country which can squander billions of dollars on the occupation of Iraq can find the resources for saving this Plant, dam, and jobs;

Be it further resolved that the very significant burden of health care costs for employees be resolved through the State of Minnesota enacting legislation implementing single-payer, universal health care.

Alan L. Maki
Member, Minnesota DFL State Central Committee

and

Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

If you have friends working in casinos please have them get in touch with me.

Twenty-thousand Minnesotans go to work in smoke-filled casinos at poverty wages without any rights under tribal, state or federal labor laws.

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541
E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Check out my blog; it’s where rank and file activists go for information:

Thoughts From Podunk:

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

Suggestions for how to use these resolutions:

• Take it to your precinct caucus meeting

• Get your union or community organization to support this resolution

• Write a letter to your state legislators supporting this resolution

• Copy and distribute this resolution widely

• Use this resolution as a petition, ask your friends to sign it

• Write a letter to the editor

• Blog this issue

• Post the resolution on web sites

• Discuss this resolution on Internet “list serves”

**************

This leaflet made as a contribution in kind by the:
Iron Range Rank and File Labor Network… concerned and involved members of USW Locals 1938, 2705, 6860, 2660

All labor and materials for this leaflet have been contributed in solidarity with workers of the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant… On the Iron Range we understand the future of our jobs hinge on the future of your jobs. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Alan Maki for taking up this struggle in his capacity as a member of the MN DFL State Central Committee. Without these kinds of community grassroots and rank and file outreach efforts we are all doomed as recent contract “negotiations” in our industries have demonstrated.

Please consider making a contribution to help us put this issue on the front burner where it belongs.

Out of sight… is out of mind.

Health Care: Learning from Canada

2006-12-30T23:19:00.000-08:00

Learning from Canada

Author: Alan Maki

People's Weekly World Newspaper, 02/12/04

Opinion

I lived in Manitoba, Canada, for 10 years and traveled extensively across Canada. In Montreal I was taken by a group of trade unionists to a monument erected to the memory of Dr. Norman Bethune, a member of the Communist Party of Canada who is widely regarded as having given the initial direction and leadership that eventually led to the establishment of Canada’s present excellent health care system.

After Bethune’s death the struggle for a national heath care system in Canada was carried on by Tim Buck, leader of the Communist Party of Canada, and Tommy Douglas, leader of the social democratic New Democratic Party (NDP). The Canadian government honored Bethune’s memory with a postage stamp. Canadian actor Donald Sutherland starred in “Bethune,” a movie about his life – I encourage everyone to see it.

To try to prove that Canada’s national health care system is a failure, our big-business media constantly point out that the system sometimes becomes “overburdened.” However, what is never stated is that Canadians don’t hesitate to go to the doctor. In Canada you can go to the doctor for free! Canadians go for every little ache and pain – in the interest of preventive medicine. It makes more sense to treat something in its initial stage than to let it get out of control, possibly becoming life-threatening or much more costly to treat.

Another factor related to the “overburdening” is that American recruiters are constantly traversing Canada trying to entice doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals to come to the United States where, they are told, they can make a lot more money. While the problem is not yet a “hemorrhaging” that threatens the existence of the Canadian health care system, it does present a very big problem, especially in the two NDP-controlled provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where higher education is heavily subsidized by the socialist-oriented provincial governments.

They attempt to provide the most affordable, accessible, highest quality health care by making higher education affordable to all youth. So, these provinces pay to train doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals, and after these people have been working in their fields gaining valuable hands-on experience – along comes an American corporate recruiter holding out the lure of higher pay to come work in the United States, offering big cash bonuses and perks as the clincher to the deal.

The Canadian government also provides very unique “supplemental coverages” (also free) for all those living in Canada. For instance, every new mother gets one year off of work while receiving half her pay, to care for and bond with her new baby. She can take a second year off with no pay. In either case, the employer is required by law to provide her with her job, or a comparable job, when she returns to work. The Canadian government also provides cash stipends to families for children.

The socialist-oriented provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba are world leaders in the area of assisting workers injured on the job with physical therapy and job retraining programs, again at no cost.

Yes, there remains a problem with paying health care professionals the best wages. But, if you travel across Canada, you can quickly see why Canada doesn’t have adequate resources to accomplish all that it wants to in health care and other social programs. Everywhere you look, American, British, French, and Japanese corporations are stealing Canada’s wealth – from nickel in Sudbury, Ontario, and Thompson, Manitoba, to logs in Grassy Narrows, Ontario, and Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

Canada has a national health care system because the Canadian people fought for it. It was not a “gift” from the government. One reason Canada still has the resources for health care is that the Canadian people have struggled hard – not only to defend their health care system, but also for a policy that emphasizes peaceful solutions to world problems. Canada’s prime minister, very reluctantly and under great pressure from a united peace movement, including the Canadian Labour Congress, refused to participate in Bush’s dirty war in Iraq. George Bush made the decision to spend billions of dollars on war, death, and destruction in Iraq, rather than on establishing a national health care system.

Canadian and American workers both have much to gain if we join hands across the border in the struggles for peace and social justice against corporate greed.

Alan Maki is a reader in Warroad, Minnesota
He can be reached at: amaki000@centurytel.net

Note: Since this article was written the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) produced the mini-series movie--- Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story I would encourage everyone to see this movie that is available on DVD from the CBC Shop.

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