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Change that Works 
Fri Sep 04, 2009 at 08:11:06 AM EDT
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In an event hosted by SEIU/Change That Works, Health and Human Services (HHS) Sec. Kathleen Sebelius listen as six Mainerstold her of their own experiences with America's health care system. The event happened yesterday afternoon on the campus of UMaine Orono, and was moderated by Ginette Rivard. The audience included members of the various sponsors of the event: AARP, Maine Medical Association, Maine People's Alliance, AFSCME, Maine Women's Lobby, and the Maine Cancer Society.
Panelists were Joe McSwain, owner of a tower and steeple repair company; Lee Roberts, a former journalist and current English teacher (see her recap here; Mary Morse Dwelly, wife and partner of an ophthalmologist; George Rubino, professional bass player and maker of bows for stringed instruments; John Hailey, owner of a company that provides direct care medical services; and Dr. Stephanie Lash, a neurologist and president of the Maine Medical Association.
Sec. Sebelius' opening remarks began with the announcement that Maine is one of 13 states that will receive a Federal grant to help provide insurance to direct care workers, seasonal, and part time workers. Of the $70 million in question, Maine will receive $8.5 million this year (Anne Ravan at MPBN has a great story on this here).
Sec. Sebelius then turned to the subject at hand, saying that we are "closer to health insurance reform in this country than we have ever been." Regarding H.R. 3200, she said that with the public option "no longer will insurance companies get to pick and choose who gets coverage," and that gender and age scaling will no longer be allowed. Sec. Sebelius affirmed he support for the public option.
More after the jump.
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Tue Aug 18, 2009 at 15:03:49 PM EDT
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SEIU-Change that Works is staging a Ambulance tour Wednesday, 19 August, to highlight the need for health insurance/care reform. The tour will be making a stop in Newcastle, and Barbara Burt, Executive Director of the Frances Perkins Center sends along this note:
Let's fill in the missing piece of the Social Security Act.
As you know, last Friday was the 74th anniversary of the signing of the Social Security Act. National health insurance was the one missing piece of the Act, dropped when the conservative American Medical Association threatened to sink the entire bill if national health insurance were included (they opposed any sort of health insurance back in those days).
On Wednesday, I will be meeting the Change that Works Ambulance Tour at 4:00 PM at the office of the Lincoln County News on Mills Road (next to the post office) in Newcastle. I'll be carrying a facsimile of the letter that Frances wrote to FDR on December 1, 1944, asking him to carry on the fight for national health insurance.
Come see the letter and take a stand for real health care reform.
Sounds like a great time to not only show your support for reform, but also to learn more about this extraordinary woman: Perkins was the first woman to head a Department, and was Secretary of Labor for all of FDR's presidency.
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I'm told that today's stops on the Ambulance Tour have been well received, and hopefully those involved will post some photos and comments about them.
There will be more stops for the Ambulance Tour on Wednesday, and you are encouraged to stop by and show your support:
9:00 a.m.: BUCKSPORT, 105 Main St (map)
10:30 a.m.: BELFAST, 71 High St (map)
12:15 p.m.: ROCKLAND, Knox County Health Care Center, 22 White Street (map)
3:00 p.m.: BOOTHBAY HARBOR, 97 Townsend Ave (map)
4:00 p.m.: NEWCASTLE, 116 Mills Road (map)
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