Guaranteed Healthcare

By Donna Smith, community organizer

ALBANY, NY -- This blog continues the story of the determination and courage of activists in New York state who came together here today to speak loudly and clearly for publicly funded, privately delivered healthcare for all.  I love the sound of the slogan they've adopted:  One Nation, One Plan.

Citizens came together from all over the state to organize and to plan for future single payer action.  And they did so following a nine-day road show that featured single payer presentations on 10 different university and college campuses, churches, community centers, a VFW Hall, an upscale retirement community and in numerous press accounts.  Television, radio, and newspaper coverage was terrific.

Courage is contagious.  And what's the line from that song New Yorkers sometimes claim and sometimes disdain?  "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere..."  Well, single payer is making it in a big way in the Empire State. 

It's not that these folks don't know that there is a fight ahead.  They do.  And they are getting ready in the one way that has always moved this democracy when it has needed it most -- with citizen activists pushing against the powers that would protect the status quo.

So, how did they do this?  What can we learn? 

Read more: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/13/193342/922

First, events were organized that pulled together local college and university campuses with their communities in events aimed at education and information.  We visted St. John Fisher College, Monroe Community college and the University of Rochester and then headed for Ithaca College, Cornell University and SUNY Cortland.  We went to Broome Community College and Binghamton University then SUNY Oneonta College and Hartwick College before our statewide organizing meeting.

We toured community clinics and neighborhood centers in Rochester (run by the Sisters of St. Joseph) and Ithaca (run by the Ithaca Health Alliance).   We spent time talking to clients and workers at the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen where a county health nurse visits.  We even made a full single payer presentation at a retirement community -- an upscale one -- Kendal at Ithaca.

And everywhere we went, we had but one message.  We spoke honestly and clearly with people in the great state of New York from the very young to the very elderly and from those with many resources along with those who barely have enough to get by.  We heard terrible stories and learned that many families suffer quietly in this broken healthcare system -- unaware that so many others are suffering too.

The press coverage was heartening.  Most activist groups know that getting press coverage can be one of the hardest pieces of any effort.  Yet here in New York, community based journalists turned out and they asked thoughtful questions and filed good stories.  To give you an idea of just how marvelous the press was in this effort:

From Ithaca:http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/NEWS01/809100318

From Cortland: http://news10now.com/content/all_news/123749/-sicko--star-speaks-at-suny-cortland/Default.aspx

Those reports happen when local citizen organizers on the ground helped reporters and editors and producers understand that a story may attract readers or viewers or listeners and that the story mattered.

So, in the organizing meeting today, these wonderful community single payer activists organized in small groups to plan for the future of their organization and the movement for single payer in New York,  They split into groups to discuss media and message, federal legislation (HR676), state single payer efforts, labor involvement and organizing strategies.  Then they planned for their next meeting.

Powerful stuff, this democratic activity.  Powerful stuff indeed.  Three cheers for New York today.  And thank you for your gracious welcome, your hospitality and your commitment to change.

Visit them: Single Payer New York http://www.singlepayernewyork.org/