First ever Republican controlled State Senate has hearing for single payer in PA

On Wed, Dec. 16 at 8:30 AM, an historic meeting will take place.  The nation's first committee hearing by a Republican controlled State Senate will hold hearings on SB 400, the Family and Business Health Security Act which would institute a single payer plan for Pennsylvania.  The pro single payer speakers include Dr. Dwight Michaels from Gettysburg Family Practice who is a conservative Republican doctor who now supports single payer.  The second Republican speaker is Dave Steil, Former State Representative from Bucks County and now a small business owner.  The third speaker is Chuck Pennachio who is the Executive Director of Health Care for All Pennsylvania.  All three are members of the Chamber of Commerce.  The final speaker is Patricia Eakin, RN who is the President of the Pennsylvania Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals.  If you are able get up early, please come to this hearing in Room 8E-A East Wing, Capitol Building.  We need to support this revolutionary bill that will cover all medical, hospital, dental, and long term care services for less money than we now spend.

ACTION ALERT - SENATE HEARING CONFIRMED!

Banking and Insurance Committee to Hold SB400 Hearing What: SB400 hearing before Banking and Insurance Committee When: Wednesday, December 16, 8:30 - 10:00 AM Where: Room 8E-A East Wing, Capitol Building The Banking and Insurance Committee of the Pennsylvania Senate has agreed to hold a hearing on SB400, the Pennsylvania Family and Business Health Security Act. The hearing will take place on December 16, from 8:30-10:00 AM in room 8E-A East Wing, located on the lower level of the Capitol building. Those in support of SB400 will have 45 minutes to present their information and arguments, and those opposed will also have 45 minutes.   This is a vitally important step forward, and one of the only times in history that a state-based single payer bill has been granted a senate committee hearing. We need to make sure that the presence of SB400 (and HB1660) supporters is felt by the members of theBanking and Insurance Committee, the media, and our legislators. Please forward this email to your friends and family. Post it on your Facebook page. Blog about it. Make a Youtube video. Tweet it out. Write it out in holiday lights on your lawn (and send us the pictures!). Do whatever you can to get the word out and, most importantly, attend this critical hearing.   Additional information about presenters will be available at www.healthcare4allpa.orgsoon, so make sure to check back regularly for updates.  For additional information, emailinfo@healthcare4allpa.org, or call 215-828-5055 or 412-421-4242.   To support HealthCare4ALLPA, you can make a donation here, or send a check, made out to HealthCare4ALLPA, to: HealthCare4ALLPA P.O. Box 828 Levittown, PA 19058   Thank you for your support, and for your commitment to making Pennsylvania the first state with truly universal, comprehensive and rational healthcare in the Nation. In Solidarity,   Chuck Pennacchio, Ph.D., Executive Director HealthCare4ALLPA UPDATE! Those testifying on behalf of SB400 will be: Patricia Eakin, R.N. Emergency Room Nurse Temple University Hospital President, PASNAP (PA Assn. of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals) Philadelphia, PA Dwight Michael, M.D. Gettysburg Family Practice Physician and Co-Owner Gettysburg, PA Chuck Pennacchio, Ph.D. Executive Director Healthcare for All Pennsylvania History Prof., Univ. of the Arts Plumsteadville, PA Dave Steil President Micro Trap Corporation Former PA House Member (HD-31) First-in-the-nation GOP co-sponsor of Single-Payer bill Morrisville, PA

1) If you have social media, i.e. facebook, twitter, myspace, -- start today on your update saying the following:

"Medicare for all type of healthcare reform in PA, SB400, will get its first public hearing this coming wednesday in Harrisburgh, stay tuned. go to www.healthcare4allpa.org for more info."

or

"Washington botched healthcare reform, now we have to keep the fight in the states. SB400, single payer reform in PA will have its first public hearing next wed. in Harrisburg. Go to www.healthcare4allpa.org for more info"

If you use twitter, get creative with 140 characters

Please, please, we have gone this route before and very few of you have followed up on using social media despite having it. Just use your update (what's in your mind today section) and do this once.

2 - A brief call to your local newspaper telling them of the public hearing coming up, and that you expect to read in their pages what happens next wednesday, could be good

3. All of you who are in the healthcare field, two things:

A - The PA Medical Society is opposing the bills -- if you are a member, or know someone who is a member, ask them to call the Harrisburg office and ask why is the Society opposing health reform that will benefit the members, the patients and the state of PA - The contact info is: Phone: (717) 558-7750
Toll free in Pennsylvania only: (800) 228-7823

B -Same if you work at a hospital, call your local hospital and ask to speak to the adminstrator and ask why is the hospital blocking healthcare reform in PA that would certainly benefit them and the community.

4. If you listen to talk radio in PA, call and talk about the public hearing coming up.

5. If you are coming to the public hearing next wed at 8:30 AM

6. Let us know if you do any of these things.

Have fun folks

Pedro & Chuck