By: Heather Pitre, WHF Health Reform Project Coordinator The Washington Health Foundation hosted Join Us to Reform Health last Saturday, one of more than 40 similar events that took place place in Washington State, and one of 4,000 in the United States. The non-profit group Organizing for America that grew out of the Obama campaign’s organizing efforts, dubbed June 6th Health Reform Kickoff Day, and it was a very successful effort.
The Healthiest State Campaign had 15 people attend a live meeting and also hosted a live webcast to allow our partner organizations to participate via the Internet. Those in attendance included private practice physicians from the U.S. and Canada, former health care workers recently laid off and cut from the Washington Basic Health Plan, Washington State employees, and college students. Many shared poignant health related stories that spoke to their passion to help reform the current system. They also made it clear they plan to remain involved and will coordinate future meetings--they also plan to write to their local and federal legislators about health reform. It was clear to our staff how critical this issue is to so many people. In addition, those in attendance and those online made it clear that prevention needs to be a key element in any health reform legislation. Health reform, without prevention, won’t reform health.
President Barack Obama plans to play a large role in the health reform effort. He is preparing for an intense push that will include town hall-style meetings, speeches, and deeper engagement with lawmakers.
Stay tuned for future events on health reform hosted by WHF. We would also like to extend a sincere Thank You to all who helped coordinate the event and to all who attended on June 6th!
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June 08, 2009
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I am so pleased that WHF is taking such an active role in reform! Keep us posted on future events....
Posted by: Lilly Narcissus | June 08, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Supporters of health care for the poor are invited to attend a Community Tribunal to Save the Basic Health Plan on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2-4pm at Rainier Community Center 4600 - 38th Ave. S. in Seattle. The people's court charges Governor Gregoire and the state Legislature with abandoning poor and working people by slashing $238 million from the Basic Health Plan. Sponsored by Radical Women, the tribunal is endorsed by more than 20 organizations and community leaders. Information: www.RadicalWomen.org, RWseattle@mindspring.com, (206)722-6057
Posted by: Helen | November 10, 2009 at 05:18 PM