In the December eBulletin: January Blitz meetings, WHST Bills Status Update, a Letter to the Editor in the Seattle Times from Outreach co-chair Ruth Knagenhjelm, and news and miscellany.
We're mobilizing Saturday, January 6. Join us!
Down in the dumps about what's happening in DC? Counteract it by advocating for universal health care in Washington state. We’re hosting events in key legislative districts to build grassroots support for the Washington Health Security Trust bill, get constituents engaged with their legislators, and plan for Lobby Day. These 2018 Countdown to Healthcare for All Action Meetings will be in Southwest Washington, East and South King County, Tacoma/Pierce County, Capital Hill and West Seattle and more. We look forward to seeing you there! See the 'Events' portion of this bulletin to RSVP or click here for the details.
Now is also a great time to make a tax-deductible, end-of-the-year donation to our Education Fund.
HCFA WHST Bills Status Update
The recent elections in our state could mean a huge shift in progress for single payer. The Democratic majority in the House and the Senate means that both healthcare committees are now chaired by Democrats Rep. Eileen Cody and Sen. Annette Cleveland. It also means Ways and Means is now chaired by Democrat Sen. Christine Rolfes.
These developments mean with your advocacy, there is a significant chance that the bills will get hearings in the House and the Senate. Our meetings with legislators on both sides of the aisle have been very encouraging. With supportive leadership in each chamber, and the possibility of bipartisan support, we may even get it through the Ways and Means and Rules Committees and then to the floor for a vote this session.
Letter to the Editor in the Seattle Times by our own Ruth Knagenhjelm, co-chair of the Outreach Committee:
Seattle school-bus drivers who went on a one-day strike Wednesday want and deserve more affordable health care. The longterm solution to this problem is already in bills in the state Legislature — a Washington Public Universal Coverage bill, called the Washington Health Security Trust.
House Bill 1026 and Senate Bill 5701 can be voted into law if our lawmakers are serious about affordable health coverage for all.
This is the time to contact your legislators and urge them to pass these bills next legislative session.
Ruth Knagenhjelm, Normandy Park
Events
Wed Dec 20, Seattle, 7:30 - 9pm, PNHPWW, monthly meeting: Program tbd.
See information from those who attended the 2017 PNHP Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Nov 3 – 5.
Location: Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill Campus, 500 17th Avenue at East Jefferson, South East Conference Center, Room A
Sat Jan 6 - Action Meetings in multiple locations throughout Washington, see below.
Interested in a Spokane meeting? We're working on it. Contact [email protected] to receive updates.
East King County - Noon-2 pm
Focus: 5th + 41st + 45th + 48th LDs
Sammamish Library
825 228th Ave SE, Sammamish
Click Here to RSVP
Seattle 43rd LD - 2-4 pm
Includes Belltown, Capitol Hill, Fremont, Green Lake, Wallingford & more
Horizon House, Sky Lounge 19th floor
900 University Ave, Seattle
Click here to RSVP
South King County - 10:15am - noon
Focus: 11th + 30th + 33rd + 47th LDs
Fairwood Library
17009 140th Ave SE, Renton
Click here to RSVP
Southwest Washington – 2-4 pm
Focus: 17th + 18th + 49th LD
Vancouver Community Library, Klickitat Room
901 C Street, Vancouver
Click here to RSVP
Tacoma/Pierce Country - 2-4 pm - NEW LOCATION
Focus: 27th + 28th + 29th LD
Wheelock Library
3722 N 26th St, Tacoma
Click here to RSVP
Olympic Peninsula, 24th LD - 2-4 pm
Jefferson County Library
620 Cedar Ave., Port Hadlock
Click here to RSVP
West Seattle, 34th LD - 2-4 pm
West Seattle Library
2306 42nd Ave SW, Seattle
Click here to RSVP
Stay tuned for more!
News and Miscellany
News from HCFA Spokane: Members have met with local business leaders about the advantages of single payer for business owners and further meetings are scheduled. Contact HCFA Spokane on Facebook
Rich’s radio choice: “The Takeaway” show's ‘Is the Doctor In? Fighting to Access the American Healthcare System’ is about the barriers to accessing health care in America. Worth a listen. This was on NPR and the website has numerous links to participants’ information and work.
Rich’s article for the Month: Don McCanne’s current posting on the PNHP website is important. Employer sponsored health insurance now has Deductibles that most people cannot pay.
In an op ed on whyy.org, former GOP Pennsylvania state legislator and business owner David Steil says if you want economic stimulus, forget proposed GOP tax cuts and support a single payer healthcare system instead.
Massachusetts State Senate passes an amendment for a comparison of the costs of single payer with the state’s actual cost last year.