Retirees for Single Payer Health Care

Healthcare-NOW2010 National Strategy ConferencePhiladelphia, PANovember 13 & 14, 2010

A group of retirees dedicated to the passage of National Health Care (HR 676)

EVERYBODY IN NOBODY OUT

We are for giving every resident of the United States and the U.S. territories access to all medically necessary health care services including vision and dental with no co-pays or deductibles regardless of employment, income or health status.

NON-PROFIT HEALTH CARE

We are for the conversion of all health care providers to a not-for-profit service where illness is no longer a source of wealth for a few.

SINGLE PAYER

We are for paying for that expanded coverage by maintaining the present level of federal and state funding for health care as well as turning the premiums now paid to private medical insurance companies into Medicare premiums that are shared by every employee and employer.

We are not for just surviving!!!

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to educate, demonstrate, and learn.

SPEAKERS PROGRAM

Educate - to that end we developed a speakers program last winter.

JANUARY 25, 2010

“THE HISTORY OF THE FIGHT FOR NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND ITS FUTURE” Frank Goeddeke, Jr. PhD

• UAW retiree from GM (Locals 652 and 653)

• Was on staff of National Organizing Department of the UAW

• Past President of Graduate Assistants United, an AFT/NEA union representing the University of Florida’s graduate assistants.

FEBRUARY 1, 2010

“NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND THE STATES”

David Apsey, DDS

• Bachelor of Science and DDS from the University of Michigan

• Practicing dentist since 1985.

• Member of Physicians for a National Health Plan

• Secretary of Central United Methodist Church in Detroit.

FEBRUARY 8, 2010

“NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND UNIONS”

Al Cholger

• United Steel Workers staff representative

• Organized for Single Payer Health Care since 1990

• Co-Chair of the Michigan Coalition for Healthcare-NOW!.

• Member of the Steering Committee of the Labor Campaign for Single Payer

• Represents the USW on the Economic Alliance of Michigan, dealing with healthcare spending.

FEBRUARY 15, 2010

“NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND FREE CLINICS”

Mary Ellen Howard

• Native Detroiter, a Sister of Mercy, and a nurse

• Health care administrator of Mercy hospitals across Michigan for 20 years, including as CEO in Grayling and Muskegon.

• Executive Director of St. Francis Cabrini Clinic of Most Holy Trinity Church, the oldest free medical clinic for uninsured persons in the nation.

March 1, 2010

“NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND THE 2010 CONVENTIONS”

Al Benchich

• Past President of UAW Local 909

• Delegate to 5 UAW Conventions

• Helped organize Auto Workers Caravan

• Retired from GM after 36 years.

MARCH 8, 2010

“NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND MEDICAID”

Maureen Taylor

• Masters Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University

• State Chairperson for the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, a state affiliate of the National Welfare Rights Union.

March 15, 2010

“NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND IMMIGRANTS”

Olivia Boykins

• Went to Haiti within days after the devastating earthquake.

• Involved in community and business development in Michigan, Washington, D.C., Mississippi and other areas of the U.S. for over 20 years.

• Congressman John Conyers Jr. subject matter expert in Michigan for the United States National Health Care Act (HR 676).

MARCH 22, 2010

“NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND MICHIGAN”

Marjorie Mitchell

• Executive Director of the Michigan Universal Health Care Access Network (MichUCAN).

MARCH 29, 2010

“NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND THE ROAD AHEAD”

Al Gladyck

• Member of UAW Local 7 Retiree Chapter

• Member of Retirees for Single Payer Health Care

LOBBYING PROGRAM

Demonstrate – to that end we developed a lobbying program last spring.

WHY LOBBYING?

Congressman John Conyers, Jr. has vowed to keep introducing HR 676 “The United States National Health Care Act” Or “Expanded & Improved Medicare for All” as long as he is a member of Congress. The 535 members of the Senate and House are the only people in this country who can make it the law.

APRIL 12, 2010

Rally for National Health Care Sponsor U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr.

MAY 3, 2010

Rally for National Health Care Co-Sponsor U.S. Representative Carolyn

Kilpatrick.

JUNE 7, 2010

Demonstration for National Health Care at the office of U.S.

Representative Thaddeus McCotter.

JULY 12, 2010

Demonstration for National Health Care at the office of U.S.

Representative Sander Levin.

AUGUST 9, 2010

Demonstration for National Health Care at the office of U.S.

Representative Gary Peters.

SEPTEMBER 13. 2010

Demonstration for National Health Care at the office of U.S.

Representative John Dingell.

OCTOBER 11, 2010

Demonstration for National Health Care at the office of U.S. Senator

Debbie Stabenow.

NOVEMBER 15, 2010

Demonstration for National Health Care at the office of U.S. Senator Carl

Levin.

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

WE ARE MOVING FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT

In the UAW, it appears that a business union is declining and a social activist union is rising as a result of the economic crisis.

MARCH 1, 2010

Demonstration for National Health Care at the UAW’s Solidarity House.

JUNE 13, 2010

Rally for National Health Care at the UAW’s 35th Constitutional Convention.

MOVING ON TO THE FUTUREOUR RECOMMENDATIONS

Organize what you know for National Health Care (HR 676).

Make Congress the focus of the struggle for National Health Care (HR 676).

Stay ahead of the changes that the economic crisis is creating.

Thank You, Retirees for Single Payer Health Care

EducateDemonstrateLearn