Report on “Healthcare is a Human Right” event Oct. 20, 2009
Hi all,
For those who couldn’t be at the “Healthcare is a Human Right” event last night … here are some of the powerful messages the panelists offered:
- Dr. Pippa Abston had people stand who knew someone suffering because they can’t afford healthcare … almost every person (70 people) in the room stood!
- Dr. Celia Lloyd-Turney talked about how any kind of healthcare system, besides Medicare for All, is going to short-change the poor, who are often people of color. Healthcare is a human right and everyone deserves to be treated equally.
- Dr. Wally Retan laid out the main options before us …. (1) we can stay with the current system and costs will double in 10 years; (2) we can go with a public option which is not fully defined yet, but all ideas still leave millions of Americans left uninsured; (3) or we can simply expand an improved version of Medicare to every single American from birth to death.
The evening was filled with lots of other good information and excellent questions from the audience.
The Huntsville Times has a great article and photo in today’s issue. (It’s not online yet.)
THANKS!
We thank our three great physician panelists (Dr. Abston, Dr. Lloyd-Turney and Dr. Retan) as well as our skilled moderator (David Person).
We also appreciate the time donated by our volunteers: Barb Adle, David Barry, Noor Gillani, Jean Scott, Margaret Stephens, Stef Watson and Ron Wyatt, MD.
And, of course, we owe a hearty thanks to Jerry Burnet and the St. Bartley Primitive Baptist Church for hosting the event!!
Please continue to speak out about Medicare for All! See our “Take Action” page for ideas on what you can do http://www.northalabamahealthcareforall.org/take- action/
Onward,
Linda Haynes, Co-Coordinator
North Alabama Healthcare for All
http://www.northalabamahealthcareforall.org
256-489-3884
Liz Hurley Ribbon Run Event – Oct. 17, 2009
We had a small contingent — on a cold and rainy morning! — at the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run yesterday. We got a late start on organizing for this event … so we only had two runners: Linda and Gordon Woodcock.
Barb Adle and I (who both have breast cancer survivors in our respective families) held signs along the course at the finish line and were joined by Linda and Gordon after their run. We had lots of thumbs up from runners and spoke with some who wanted more info about our group.
Then, the survivors’ walk was held on a small track that was lined with pink luminaries bearing the names of those who’ve had breast cancer. We also had a very positive response from people during this walk … since they were moving at a slower pace, it was easier for them see our signs and respond.
Here are a few photos:
YAHOO
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/NorthAlaba maHealthcareForA ll/photos/ album/392643530/ pic/list
Big thanks to those who braved the cold and rain! 
Linda
We need you
If you’re a member and are interested in blogging for NAHCFA please email me for more information.
“Healthcare is a Human Right” – Oct. 20, 2009
“Healthcare is a Human Right”
Healthcare reform panel discussion about Medicare for All
Tuesday, Oct. 20 @ 6:30 PM
St. Bartley Primitive Baptist Church
3020 Belafonte Ave., Huntsville
(see directions below)
FREE and open to the public
Physician Panel:
+ Wally Retan, MD, FACP – State coordinator, Health Care for Everyone–Alabama
+ Celia Lloyd-Turney, MD – Medical director, Choice Medicine, Huntsville
+ Pippa Abston, MD, PhD – Pediatrician and educator, Huntsville
Moderator: David Person – Host of WEUP Talk, 1700 AM
This discussion focuses on the moral and human rights aspects of providing healthcare to everyone, as well as the disproportionate effect of our current healthcare system on minorities.
Panelists will also address the practical elements of how a better system – Medicare for All (universal single payer) – can work for all Americans.
A question/answer session will follow the panel discussion.
Hosted by: St. Bartley Primitive Baptist Church
Sponsored by: North Alabama Healthcare for All
Information: jerryburnet@knology.net 256-655-9330 or www.NorthAlabamaHealthcareForAll.org
________________________________________________________
Panelist Biographies
1) J. Walden (Wally) Retan, MD, FACP, is state coordinator of Health Care For Everyone – Alabama, a coalition of organizations, businesses and individuals supporting a Medicare-for-All type healthcare system. Dr. Retan is also State Coordinator of the Alabama chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program. He was originally educated at Hamilton College, MIT and the Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. In the 1950s, he received his post-graduate training in hospitals of the Harvard Medical system before moving to Alabama as a faculty member for the University of Alabama in Birmingham. After more than 30 years of running his own internal medicine practice in Birmingham, he currently serves as a part-time physician and travels throughout the state to speak about universal healthcare. Dr. Retan is a member of the American College of Physicians, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, and the Jefferson County Medical Society.
2) Celia Lloyd-Turney, MD, is Medical director for Choice Medicine Highway 53 Medical Center in Toney, AL. She has been practicing medicine in the Huntsville area for over 25 years including her time at Central North Alabama Health Services, a community health center, as part of her commitment to the National Health Service Corp. In 2006, she established Choice Medicine to serve the health and wellness needs of North Alabama and Southern Tennessee indigent populations. Dr. Lloyd-Turney also devotes much her time to the develoment of Restore Care, Inc., a group-home organization providing care to mentally disadvantaged individuals in Madison County. Recognition for her efforts includes an honorary award from 100 Black Men of Greater Huntsville for her contributions in the field of medicine. Dr. Lloyd-Turney graduated Magnum Cum Laude from Fisk University in 1975 and received her medical degree from Meharry Medical College in 1980. She currently serves as president of the North Alabama chapter of the National Medical Association.
3) Pippa Abston, MD, PhD, is a pediatrician and educator in Huntsville, Alabama. She is a founding member of the Society for Equity in Child Health and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Madison County Medical Society. She is also a member of Physicians for a National Health Program and North Alabama Healthcare for All, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association. Dr. Abston received her medical degree from the University of South Alabama in 1993, where she also earned a national medical student award. Her community work includes serving as a Deacon and Chairperson of Health Ministry at her church. She also received an award from Interfaith Mission Service in 2007 for her instrumental work in founding a local homeless clinic. One of her most recent accomplishments was establishing an Autism Diagnostic Clinic in Huntsville.
Moderator:
David Person is the director of communications at Phoenix, a nonprofit company in Huntsville that provides jobs, work placement and other services for people with disabilities. He is a member of USA Today’s board of contributors, writes for the Adventist Today website, and hosts “WEUP Talk,” a daily call-in talk show for WEUP-AM, the oldest black-owned radio station in Alabama. Person has also done feature reporting for National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition.” He is retired as an editorial writer and columnist at The Huntsville Times, where his writing earned awards from the Alabama Press Association and the Alabama Associated Press.
________________________________________________________
DIRECTIONS TO: St. Bartley Primitive Baptist Church, 3020 Belafonte Ave., Huntsville
From Memorial Parkway
Take the University/Hwy 72 Exit.
Go West on University/Hwy 72.
Go across Pulaski Pike and travel about five more blocks.
Turn RIGHT onto Yukon.
At the “T”, turn LEFT on Poplar.
Turn RIGHT on Fairbanks.
Turn LEFT on Love.
Turn RIGHT on Belafonte. (The church is at the corner of Love and Belafonte.)
Madison Street Festival Report Oct. 3, 2009
We had a great response yesterday from people at the Madison Street Festival! We gave out all of our wristbands and most bandaids and our printed materials. In addition, 64 new people signed up for our email list.
As we spoke with people … many had never heard of the “Medicare for All” idea … and wondered where it has been this whole debate. Of course, it’s been suppressed by Congresspeople at the bidding of their insurance/drug/medical campaign donors. That’s why we have to continue informing more people and encouraging them to join our efforts — and then, together, we can press Congress to listen to us, for a change.
Big thanks go to our wonderful team of volunteers:
Pippa Abston — wristbands
Aleta Appling — booth volunteer
David Barry — booth volunteer
Lameka Carter — booth volunteer
Gloria Guay — booth volunteer
Jennifer Humiston — booth volunteer
Stephanie Monahon — volunteer scheduling
Robyn Moore — booth volunteer
Doug Roth — booth volunteer and copies of materials
Anis Salib — copies of materials
Margaret Stephens — bandaids with our logo
Stef Watson — webmaster and booth volunteer
Linda Woodcock — booth volunteer and booth supplies
Gordon Woodcock — booth volunteer and booth supplies
We salute you all for taking time out of your busy Saturday to spread the word about “Medicare for All”!
Thank you,
Linda
Here are photos from the festival.
Yahoo page
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NorthAlabamaHealthcareForAll/photos/album/2129857296/pic/list
Facebook page
Healthcare Rally September 26, 2009
We had about 20-25 people at today’s “Healthcare Not Warfare” rally in Huntsville … and I’m sure the steady drizzle kept many others away.
I posted photos on Yahoo here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NorthAlabamaHealthcareForAll/photos/album/1958635078/pic/list
And, posted them on Facebook here
The Huntsville Times and WLRH both sent reporters to cover us. Keep an eye/ear out for their reports.
We thank everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to join us this wet morning. That was dedication!
Linda
NAHA Monthly Meeting
Title: NAHA Monthly Meeting
Location: Huntsville/Madison County Public Library, 901 Monroe St
Link out: Click here
Description: Our Monthly Meeting- We meet in Room AB on the first floor.
More info:
email info AT NorthAlabamaHealthCareforall.org
Health Care Reform: Can We Have Universal Coverage,
Quality Care and Controlled Costs? – Aug. 25, 2009
Below is media coverage on last night’s healthcare forum in Huntsville from Channel 48/WAFF and the Huntsville Times. Channel 19/WHNT hasn’t posted their video to the website … I’ll send that when available.
Special thanks go to Sherry Walker who brought the signs “Respect” and “Healthcare Reform: Discussion not Disruption.” These signs were featured in both media pieces.
It was fun watching the 10 PM newscast segments on my television last night … I saw friends in those who I didn’t know came … I guess that will happen with almost 300 people in the room!
I was also pleasantly surprised to see about 20 local doctors stand up when asked to by our accomplished moderator.
If you attended the event, please share your thoughts … what new information you learned, what stood out for you about what our distinguished panelists and/or moderator had to say, or other general comments about the event.
Thank you, everyone!
Linda
‘A ray of hope’ for reform amid the sound and fury
Different kind of healthcare forum held in Huntsville
Healthcare: The next generation – June 27, 2009
I wanted to let everyone know that the healthcare reform event on Saturday drew 51 people! That’s not bad for a very hot and sunny Saturday afternoon. As you know, we co-sponsored this event with Organizing for America and Health Careers Opportunity Program at AL A&M University.
Big thanks go to these folks from our HCEA e-mail list group for their part in the event:
+ Razi Hassan, PhD — for having his students help sponsor and volunteer at this event; making the room arrangements; and handling event publicity on campus.
+ Anis Salib, PhD — for giving a short talk on the healthcare reform scene in Washington, DC as it is today.
+ Pippa Abston, MD — for giving a short talk on the Alabama numbers … uninsured, underinsured and about the monopoly that Blue Cross/Blue Shield has in our state. (Many of us were surprised they have 83%!)
+ Jennifer Humiston — for helping with handouts, participant sign-ins, and posting flyers before the event.
Channel 48/WAAF -TV came out and taped a segment for their 5 PM news on Saturday. Maybe some of you caught that?
If not, here’s the link http://www.waff.com/global/story.asp?s=10607969
Linda