...so falls our threshold of the absurd.
Yup-believe your eyes. My buddy Ozzie snapped this in my home state Nebraska on his way to the DNC convention. So quoth Oz..."As a rule, I listen to Nebraska."
As "Single Payer Summer" wanes, and we ease into a "Single Payer Fall"...
Once you’ve finished "McGiggling"...I have updates on the recent healthcare hearing in Champaign, IL, and a wonderland of Single Payer Multimedia Madness!
Including the premiere link to the "Single Payer Minute" with Donna Smith, a weekly show designed to empower and educate activists as to what they can do today for Donna and Single Payer health care.
(Single Payer Mulitmedia Madness is fully covered under Rep. Conyer's health care bill, HR 676)
Lets start with the stories-
Rep Mary Flowers popped into Champaign IL Sept 18, 2008 to discuss her Single Payer bill HB 311 and to listen to the concerns and questions of the citizenry.
She started things off with a bold shout out to Obama...
Miss Mary, I remind you will Rock this state!
Then she deftly gave the recent AIG bailout a crowd pleasing spin...
We are paying for them. That’s our money. That's our company. Do you understand that is our company...Let’s have a hand for OUR company!
This hearing was organized by the Champaign County Health Consumers, a grassroots group founded in 1977 on the belief that meaningful healthcare reform will come only with the active involvement of consumers.
Claudia Lennhoff – Executive Director of CCHC, offered some wonderful testimony. She is tired of so much unnecessary death caused by insurance discrimination and denial.
"I'm tired of having nightmares about clients who we just couldn't help...I'm tired of picking up bodies and trying to rescue people from a death that is not necessary. I will not shed a single tear if we get rid of the insurance industry. Not ONE."
When is enough enough?
The packed meeting room was decorated with hand made "Champaign County Supports HB 311" signs on every wall. Oh, and really fine cookies!
Attendance at these hearings has been growing steadily as support for Single Payer grows throughout Illinois and the Nation.
Importantly, it is becoming a rallying cry for those running for office.
Oz and I have taken on a little project to highlight some of the candidates across the country who are running on Single Payer or a Medicare for All model of reform.
I’d like to share my chat with Bill O’Neill. He’s running for Congress to represent Ohio’s 14th district...and he’s a hoot and a half!
Our buddy donnasicko dubbed him a "Healthcare Hero" here.
A self proclaimed "somewhat complicated guy" Bill is a pediatric emergency room RN, Vet, Journalist turned Judge. (All the while cleaning his oven too I bet)
I love that he is running on the "Irish Ticket" Obama-O’Neill in 08
And after the recent kerfuffle with Conyers and HCAN, I thought I would share our good friends Illinois Media Progressives’ interview with John Conyers...
Literally had to chase him down...
(Which speaks volumes to the IMP’s quality of fitness...If the Godfather of Single Payer can out maneuver you, better lay off the Happy Meals...)
Nothing happens without an Obama victory, Chairman Conyers stated.
We have to win this election first.
Since I consider J.C. a single payer stalwart, Amen to that sir.
And now on to the world premiere of the Single Payer Minute
The amazing folks at California Nurses and their site Guaranteed Healthcare, along with Donna Smith's site American Patients United, have teamed up with Illinois Media Progressives to produce the "Single Payer Minute", a weekly straight-to-web show that will update all those working for single payer health care, and offer them a little something to do each week to advance our cause.
Have a little look-see at "Single Payer Minute" #1:
The action alert du jour is to register a single payer voter.
And when you do that, hell register 3 more....And so on and so on....
Then keep the heat on those who are elected. If you stay true to incessant involvement and action, you too can have a seat like this someday.
Thanks to Ozzie for this one.
If you're in Boston, check in with Donna. She's super excited to be lecturing a Boston University. this Thursday.
And this weekend Donna and I will be joining about a 1,000 nurses as we Take it to the Bridge...Golden Gate that is...As we march the "Bridge to Healthcare" this Friday Sept. 26 at 12 noon, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge en route to a 2:30 p.m. Crissy Field rally demanding guaranteed healthcare for every American.
Wow. Good things do start in Nebraska I guess. See you on the Bridge!
-mew.