National Health Plan Option Public Forum

Oh, how quickly things happen!

Beth and I were on the domestic call today and heard RESULTS' case for advocating for President Obama's National Health Care Option, which right now looks to be an alternative for the uninsured and underinsured to be covered in much the same way as if they were on Medicare. It seems right now anyway, that the single-payer options of HR 676 -- public financing of privately-delivered health care -- would become an option for every American.

By the time we got to the global call, Barbara had joined us and after Jeffrey Sachs was done speaking, we talked about my desire to do a public forum on foreign aid reform. But together we decided we would do better having a public forum on the President's health care reform plan.

We have a date and venue planned -- Monday, April 20 (yes, our RESULTS night) at Christ Church in the sanctuary so we can make the projection system available to our panelists. On Monday I will call and confirm the date with the office as well as talk to Linda and Susan about some publicity ideas I have.

We've also talked about speakers -- Beth, of course, being a psychologist, would speak from the perspective of the need for mental health parity in the national health care option. Tim Charles, being President and CEO of Mercy Medical Center could speak from the perspective of privately-owned not-for-profit health care providers. Clay Jones, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Collins could speak or appoint someone to speak from the business perspective. Darlene Schmidt of the Community Health Free Clinic could speak from the perspective of the uninsured and underinsured. And we would like an aide from Congressman Loebsack's office to speak about the plan itself. Dave Loebsack is a champion for national health care. The first bill he co-sponsored upon getting to Congress two years ago was HR 676. Oh, and I would do a short piece on RESULTS to start and end the forum.

We will ask Leslee to be moderator and use the format that panelists will provide an opening statement and forum attendees will get cards to write their questions on and hand in and the moderator will ask the questions of the panel. Specific questions we came up with include: 1) What are the problems your sector experiences under the current health care system in the U.S.? 2) What should be the top priorities, or what essentials need to be included, in national health care legislation? 3) An explanation of the proposed legislation. 4) How would the proposed legislation impact your sector?

Of course, not everyone is going to speak to every question. We would also want closing statements from each panelist. And we would have a two-minute letter experience so people could easily put together a hand-written letter to their member of Congress. I saw this done quite effectively at Cornell College when I did the Stand Up! presentation on the MDGs. We would collect the letters and fax them. I think our members of Congress would miss getting letters from us on the Tuesday after the third Monday of the month if we didn't fax them something!

The date is timed for after Easter and after the State of the Union, in which we expect the President will speak to a national health care option.

When attendees come in, we would give them their question card, along with information on RESULTS. If they can attend on the third Monday of April, maybe they can also attend RESULTS meetings on other third Mondays! I would like to put together a letter and poster and mail it to all of the communities of faith in Linn County. I would also be able to check out a camera from the Iowa City public access tv station and we can videotape the program and edit it for broadcast in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Since I will be busy with the program, I'll need someone to volunteer to run the camera. Mohammed? Can you be free that night?

I have a meeting set up with Ellen Fisher from Bread for the World. We had originally talked about working together on a foreign aid reform forum, but I will see at the meeting is Bread is also working on health care reform and if she would like to help us out at all. I will be sending you some information on upcoming presentations about foreign aid reform that Bread is sponsoring.

Back to the forum. When we finish with our meeting Monday night, we'll have a chance to write a two-minute letter to Dave Loebsack to see how it feels for seasoned professionals like yourselves! Hope to see you Monday!