Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition

Mad as Hell Doctors - the Rubber Glove Hits the Road!

A CARAVAN OF PHYSICIANS WILL CROSS AMERICA TO DELIVER A CLEAR AND SIMPLE MESSAGE TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON: HEALTH CARE FOR PEOPLE - NOT PROFIT!

The Doctors say "a single-payer plan is the only real path to a Health Care System that is socially, ethically and fiscally responsible."

The "Mad as Hell" caravan was in Minnesota on September 16th for a town hall forum in Mankato and a Rally/ Town Hall Forum in the State Capitol Rotunda.

People responded to the current health care crisis: "We're Mad as Hell and We're Not Going to Take it Anymore!!"

News Coverage:

Kare11
MinnPost
Fox News: Mankato
Minnesota Public Radio
KSTP TV
Mankato Free Press
Star Tribune-Nick Coleman

For More Information- check their website:http://www.madashelldoctors.com/

The Great Minnesota Get Together-  Building the Single-Payer Movement

Volunteering at the Minnesota State Fair

Thursday August 27th- Monday September 7th

Over 50 volunteers staffed our table at the MN State Fair.

We had lively conversations with supporters and opponents and collected pages and pages of signatures in support of the "Kucinich Amendment"  a provision in HR3200, the Federal Reform bill that would remove barriers, allowing states to enact single-payer health care plans. We collected stacks of personal postcards to legislators in support of the MN Health Plan.  Everyone wants to talk health care.  Thousands told us "YES, single-payer is the only real solution. LET'S GET IT DONE!" Thank you to all our volunteers.

Mobilize for the Minnesota Health Plan- Adocacy and OrganizingTraining
A BIG SUCCESS in Rochester Minnesota

Over 60 single-payer supporters gathered on Saturday October 31st at the Rochester Senior Center for a packed day of training on the Minnesota Health Plan. Content included a presentation  on the Minnesota Health Act by Representative David Bly, chief House author. A panel of physicians answered challenging questions about how to pitch single-payer and explained the basis of savings under a single-payer system. Rep Tina Liebling of Rochester lead a session on effective citizen lobbying after which all particpants engaged in a mock lobbying visit. The day was rounded out with a training on community organizing led by Chris Conry health care field director for TakeAction.  Each participant was asked to commit to specific actions to advance single-payer health care for Minnesota. Future trainings around the state are in the planning stages.

Sunday August 23rd, 2009
2:00 p.m.
Pierz Park, 603 Park Ave SE  Pierz MN 56364

Come hear about the effects of rising health care costs on farmers and rural businesses. Enjoy the famed Minnesota Farmers Union / National Farmers Organization Ham Dinner and enjoy sweet corn, potato salad and ice cream.

Senator John Marty and Representative David Bly, chief authors, will speak about the Minnesota Health Plan and the benefits for rural Minnesota.  Minnesota Farmers Union President, Doug Peterson will discuss how the Minnesota Health Plan will help stabilize family, farm and business income and ensure good health.

Meet local legislators and share your health care story. Single Payer supporters are strongly encouraged to attend!

Sponsored by HEALTHCARE-NOW

July 30th 2009, Washington DC 1:00 p.m.

Celebrate Medicare's 44th Birthday by showing Congress and President Obama the people, unions, doctors, nurses, seniors, faith groups, and Americans of every stripe support a single-payer system.

As President Obama says, "We must build on what works and leave out what doesn't." Medicare has
successfully provided care to seniors and people with disabilities for almost half a century. Medicare is a truly American-made system that other health care systems around the world have since been modeled after. With little over 3% administrative overhead, we must look to this American solution to our health care crisis.

For more information including transportation
Download a flyer

If you can't attend make sure you lobby your member of congress on July 30th. Call, write or stop by the home office.
Find your Representative Here

Over 200 enthusiastic people attended Congressman Ellison's Health Care Forum on Wednesday July 1st to voice opinions and ask questions about the hotly debated federal health care reforms.  Congressman Ellison opened with impassioned support for single-payer, but with the admonition that we can't "let perfect be the enemy of the good". He cautioned that single-payer was not going to be enacted but that a "robust public plan" could be a stepping stone. He encouraged the health reform movement to be unified because, he warned, the opposition is unified and they will win if we are fractured. Panelists included Julie Schnell, President SEIU Health Care MN; Eliot Seide, Executive Director AFSCME Council 5; Elizabeth Frost MD, Co-Chiar PNHP-MN and Steering Committee MUHCC; John Kolstad, Metropolitan Independent Business Alliance; Val Overton Nurse Practitioner; Michael Harristhal, Vice President, Public Policy and Strategy at HCHC. An entire hour was devoted to comments and questions from the audience.  There was overwhelming support for single-payer and a public option. Both Elizabeth Frost and John Kolstad spoke about the Minnesota Health Plan and the need for federal reforms to allow for state single-payer plans. Many attendees stopped the MUHCC table to sign up and get materials on the MN Health Plan.

MUHCC tabled at the Annual DFL Senate District 56 family picnic on Monday, June 22nd at Tartan Park in Lake Elmo.  About 200 people were in attendance. Community Organizing Committee volunteers Ellen Lafans and Joan & Steve Janusz discussed health care reform and the Minnesota Health Plan.  They met with people from the district, several gubernatorial candidates, and other state government leaders.  Many present were familiar with the bill and others were interested in getting information.  Though the support for single-payer was mixed, all agreed on the need for serious health care reform. Says Steve: "It was a fun time, and the brats and bean were excellent."  Ahhh, the days of summer as an activist...

On May 30^th, 2009 "Guaranteed Health Care for All" was the focus of a National Day of Action.  Events occurred across the nation to spread the message that all citizens must have access to affordable health care.

There was a gathering in Northfield sponsored by the Northfield Area Citizens for Universal Health Care to convey this message.  The intent of the national event was to advocate for improved "Medicare for All", a single-payer national health system. President Obama has clearly stated three core principles that must be achieved in health care reform:  reduce costs, guarantee choice, and ensure that all Americans have quality, affordable health care.  The majority of Americans and physicians in the U.S. agree that the only way to truly achieve affordable, equitable health care for everyone is through a single-payer system. This solution is being ignored by Congress as a viable option.  So, thousands of health care activists publicly conveyed the message across the country to mobilize a grass roots movement for improved "Medicare for All".

The Northfield Area Citizens for Universal Health Care has their next meeting scheduled for June 15^th (Monday) at the Just Food Backroom at 7pm.  Join us to discuss the current health reform status and actions to pursue.  Contact Joan or Steve Janusz at 507-645-0094 for information.