Guaranteed Healthcare

By Donna Smith

CHICAGO -- Who says working for healthcare reform isn't fun?  Certainly not those of us in Chicago who met before Christmas to laugh and share some holiday cheer -- and to bowl for single payer.  In one of my favorite photos from this entire year (above) are tireless single payer advocates Vanessa Beck, patient and member of Chi-SPAN (Chicago Single Payer Action Network), and Dr. Anne Sheetz of PNHP (Physicians for a National Health Program).  Both women are strong and loving -- maybe not great bowlers -- but great people working to make this world a whole lot more just.

The bowling party had been in the works since before the November general election.  All year long, the folks working on single payer -- publicly funded, privately delivered healthcare -- worked on various campaigns and in various ways to move the agenda of single payer forward.  While every individual had his or her reason for being so involved, the collective spirit of the group was clearly one of shared mission and commitment to seeing single payer legislation become the law -- not just in the Land of Lincoln (and now of Barack Obama) but also in the nation.

So we grew fond of one another in the struggle -- you do meet the most wonderful people in the single payer movement.  And we bowled.  Some of us bowled poorly while some bowled a bit better.  We laughed and clapped and just enjoyed one another's company as we each knew that all too soon we'd be back to the task and back at work. 

See another photo or two by clicking on the read more function.

Our own Cat Jarobe of our favorite Illinois Media Progressives rolls a ball during our "Bowling for Single Payer" holiday party at Diversey Bowl in Chicago.  Cat was pretty good at this.

And Jill Murray, mild mannered, single payer superwoman and professor of social work at De Paul University, also throws a pretty good strike ball.  OK, maybe she throws a pretty good spare ball.  But in any case, she was our friend and our fellow single payer warrior throughout 2008.

So while you're hosting those healthcare forums and discussions, set aside a little time to appreciate the wonderful people who stand together fighting for one another and for a better system.  Everybody in and nobody out.  Happy 2009 and onward.