Press Releases
November 10, 2009
Over 2,200 veterans died in 2008 due to lack of health insurance
Harvard researchers say 1.46 million working-age vets lacked health coverage last year, increasing their death rateImmediate Release Nov. 10, 2009 Contacts: Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., M.P.H. David Himmelstein, M.D. Mark Almberg, Physicians for a National Health Program, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org A...
November 05, 2009
150 activists arrested coast-to-coast for Medicare for All
In the past few weeks over 220 people in at least 28 cities have risked arrest by sitting-in at health insurance company offices and at the offices of national lawmakers to protest insurance company practices and to show their support for a single-payer national health insurance system, sometimes called an improved “Medicare for All.”
October 20, 2009
Illness often undiscovered and undertreated among the uninsured
Harvard study indicates gaps in care for diabetes, cholesterol, hypertensionEMBARGOED until Oct. 20, 2009, 12:01 a.m. EDT Contacts: Andrew P. Wilper, M.D. Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., M.P.H. David Himmelstein, M.D. Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org A new study shows uninsured American...
October 13, 2009
Senate Finance bill is no solution to health care crisis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 13, 2009 Contact: Quentin Young, M.D., (312) 782-6006 Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, cell: (312) 622-0996 Dr. Quentin Young, national coordinator of Physicians for a National Health Program (www.pnhp.org), made the following statement today: “The Senate Finance...
October 05, 2009
Single-payer advocate joins doctors' meeting at White House
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 5, 2009 Contacts: Paul Hochfeld, M.D. Andrew Coates, M.D. Margaret Flowers, M.D. Mark Almberg, Physicians for a National Health Program, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org David Lerner or Karmen Ross, Riptide Communications, (212) 260-5000 WASHINGTON - Dr. Paul...
Pro-single-payer doctors seek place at Monday meeting with Obama
Pro-single-payer doctors seek place at Monday meeting with ObamaPhysicians supporting ‘Improved Medicare for All’ decry exclusionary list of doctors invited to White House, seek full hearing for single-payer planMedia advisory For immediate release Oct. 4, 2009 Contact: Margaret Flowers, M.D.,...
September 17, 2009
Harvard study finds nearly 45,000 excess deaths annually linked to lack of health coverage
Lack of health insurance now more lethalFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 17, 2009 Contacts: Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., M.P.H. David Himmelstein, M.D. Andrew P. Wilper, M.D., M.P.H. Mark Almberg, Physicians for a National Health Program, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org David Lerner or Karmen...
September 10, 2009
Uninsured figures show mandate-based health reforms don't work
New uninsured figures show Massachusetts, touted as model for national reform, is failing to cover the uninsuredFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 10, 2009 Contact: Quentin Young, M.D., (312) 782-6006 David Himmelstein, M.D. Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., M.P.H. Don McCanne, M.D. Mark Almberg,...
September 09, 2009
Pro-single-payer doctors available to comment on Obama speech
Physicians for a National Health Program urges president to take fresh look at single-payer Medicare for AllAs President Obama prepares to address Congress tonight, calling for action on a final health care bill, members of Physicians for a National Health...
August 20, 2009
New Harvard study reveals that taxing job-based health benefits would hit working families hardest
Income and insurance data show that insured, working-poor families would be taxed 140 times more than Wall Street execsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 20, 2009 Contacts: David Himmelstein, M.D. Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., M.P.H. Mark Almberg, Physicians for a National Health Program,...
August 19, 2009
Nonprofit nursing homes provide better care, major study finds
For-profit homes faulted for lower staffing, higher rate of bedsoresFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 19, 2009 Contact: Gordon Guyatt, M.D., (905) 525-9140 P.J. Devereaux, M.D., (905) 525-9140 Mark Almberg, Physicians for a National Health Program, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org A major new...
August 12, 2009
New poll shows Canadians overwhelmingly support public health care
In a last-ditch effort to convince Canadians that their public health care system should be privatized, Canadian Medical Association (CMA) President Robert Ouellet has promised to "pull out all the stops" during the association's annual meeting next week. Trouble is, Ouellet's mission to lead the change to privatization is exactly the opposite of what 86 percent of Canadians want.
August 11, 2009
Single-payer doctors and RNs volunteer at Remote Area Medical in L.A.
Two single-payer proponent organizations, the California Physicians Alliance (CaPA) and the California Nurses Association (CNA), will send physicians and registered nurses to help staff the Remote Area Medical (RAM) expedition at the Inglewood Forum in Los Angeles from Aug. 11-18.
August 05, 2009
House vote on single payer will be historic first, doctors' group says
Physicians call on lawmakers to ‘do the right thing’ on health reformFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 5, 2009 Contact: Quentin Young, M.D., (312) 782-6006, info@pnhp.org Mark Almberg, PNHP, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org David Lerner or Karmen Ross, Riptide Communications, (212) 260-5000 Hailing...
July 30, 2009
Obama's health care reform policy is the wrong prescription, say president's former physician and public health groups
President and Congress urged to support legislation for single-payer health reformFor Immediate Release: July 30, 2009 Contact: Rick Claypool, Public Citizen, (202) 588-7742 Katie Robbins, Healthcare-NOW! (330) 618-6379 Mark Almberg, PNHP, (312) 782-6006, cell: (312) 622-0996, mark@pnhp.org WASHINGTON — On...
July 28, 2009
Advocates Call on Governor Paterson to Highlight Savings from Single Payer Health Care for All -- Projected to Save $20 Billion annually by 2019
Groups Want State Lawmakers to Hold Hearings on Long-Delayed Universal Health Care StudyJuly 28, 2009 For More Info: Mark Dunlea, 518-434-7371 xt 1# Dr. Richard Propp, 518-482-0420 (Albany, NY) Universal health care advocates today called upon the State Legislature and...
July 27, 2009
Media advisory: Doctor to tell House Judiciary panel about rising tide of medical bankruptcy
Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, founder of Physicians for a National Health Program and co-author of Harvard bankruptcy study, to call for single-payer health care programMedia Advisory Contact: Mark Almberg, Physicians for a National Health Program, (312) 782-6006, cell: (312) 622-0996, mark@pnhp.org...
July 17, 2009
Doctors' group backs single-payer amendment to House health care bill
16,000 physicians urge passage of substitute ‘Medicare for all’ motionFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 16, 2009 Contact: Quentin Young, M.D., (312) 782-6006, info@pnhp.org Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, cell: (312) 622-0996, mark@pnhp.org Calling the health reform bill released by House Democrats a...
June 24, 2009
Physicians to tell House panels: single payer is only true health reform
Doctors say Democrats’ plan offers micro-coverage for macro-costsMedia Advisory June 23, 2009 Contacts: Quentin Young, M.D., (312) 782-6006 Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., M.P.H., steffie_woolhandler@hms.harvard.edu Mark Almberg, PNHP, (312) 782-6006, cell: (312) 622-0996, mark@pnhp.org Two leading physician advocates for single-payer national health...
June 19, 2009
Single-payer advocate speaks to Blue Dogs on health reform
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 19, 2009 Contacts: Robert Stone, M.D., cell: (812) 369-6414, (812) 333-8085, grostone@gmail.com Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, cell: (312) 622-0996, mark@pnhp.org Dr. Robert Stone, a leader of Physicians for a National Health Program, an organization of 16,000...
June 04, 2009
Illness, medical bills linked to nearly two-thirds of bankruptcies: Harvard study
Harvard study finds 50 percent increase from 2001Most of those bankrupted by illness were middle class and had insuranceEMBARGOED until: June 4, 2009, 12:01 a.m. EDT Contacts: David Himmelstein, M.D. Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., M.P.H. Elizabeth Warren, J.D. Deborah Thorne, Ph.D....
June 03, 2009
Health, life insurers hold billions in tobacco stocks: NEJM article
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May 27, 2009
New Report Casts Exclusion of Single Payer Option as a Question of Democracy and Human Rights
The National Economic & Social Rights Initiative | PRESS RELEASE
At a critical moment for health care reform in the United States, The National Economic & Social Rights Initiative has published an in-depth assessment of single payer proposals, finding that a single payer system goes further towards meeting key human rights principles than market-based plans.
May 11, 2009
Doctors, nurses to demonstrate for single-payer health system outside Senate Finance Committee hearing
Physicians join with nurses in ‘Florence Nightingale protest’ in support of Medicare for AllFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 11, 2009 Contacts: Margaret Flowers, M.D. Carol Paris, M.D. Clark Newhall, M.D. Mark Almberg, PNHP, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org WASHINGTON - Physicians, nurses and...
May 05, 2009
Doctors protest exclusion of single-payer at Senate Finance Committee
For Immediate Release May 5, 2009 Contact: Russell Mokhiber, Single Payer Action, (202) 468-8868, russellmokhiber@gmail.com Katie Robbins, Healthcare-NOW! (330) 618-6379, healthcarenow08@gmail.com Margaret Flowers, M.D., Physicians for a National Health Program - Maryland chapter, (410) 591-0892, nose1@aol.com Kevin Zeese, ProsperityAgenda.us, (301)...
April 23, 2009
Cost control, universal care impossible without single-payer health system: Harvard physician
Policy expert challenges effectiveness of lesser reforms at House panelEMBARGOED UNTIL: April 23, 2009, 11 a.m. EDT Contact: David Himmelstein, M.D. Mark Almberg, PNHP, (312) 782-6006, cell: (312) 622-0996, mark@pnhp.org With President Obama and congressional leaders vowing to pass a...
April 03, 2009
Media Advisory: Single-payer supporters to rally at April 6 health forum in Los Angeles
Physicians, nurses and health reform advocates to urge enactment of an improved ‘Medicare for All,’ decry outsized influence of corporate medicine in health reform debateFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2, 2009 Contacts: John Shearer, M.D. Roberto Ramos, California Physicians’ Alliance, (510)...
March 26, 2009
Press Release: Single-payer health reform bill introduced in Senate
Would save $400 billion on bureaucracy, enough to cover all 46 million uninsured AmericansFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2009 Contacts: Quentin Young, M.D., (312) 782-6006 Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, cell: (312) 622-0996, mark@pnhp.org Challenging head-on the powerful private insurance and...
Media Advisory: Single-payer supporters to rally at March 31 health forum in Greensboro
Physicians, nurses and health reform advocates to urge enactment of an improved ‘Medicare for All,’ decry outsized influence of corporate medicine at regional meetingFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2009 Contacts: Jonathan Kotch, M.D. Mark Almberg, PNHP, (312) 782-6006, cell: (312)...
March 19, 2009
Single-payer supporters to rally at March 23 health forum in Des Moines, Iowa
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2009 Contacts: Ronald Lind, M.D. Jess Fiedorowicz, M.D., Lisa Nilles, M.D. Mark Almberg, PNHP, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org MEDIA ADVISORY Physicians, nurses and health reform advocates to urge enactment of ‘an improved Medicare for All,’ decry...
March 12, 2009
Protest set for New England Obama health care forum on March 17
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2009 Contact: Deborah Richter, M.D., at drdebvt@sover.net or call (802) 371-7754 (cell), (802) 224-9037 (home), (802) 741-7004 (pager) One of five regional forums on health care reform arranged by the Obama administration will be held...
March 10, 2009
PR: Single-payer health reform supporters to rally at March 12 White House-sponsored forum in Dearborn, Mich.
Physicians and ‘Medicare for All’ reform advocates decry outsized role of corporate interests at regional meeting on health reformMEDIA ADVISORY March 10, 2009 Contacts: Johnathon Ross, M.D., PNHP Bob Sisler, LMSW, chairman of Local 6000 UAW Retirees S.E. chapter Mark...
Urgent message to single payer supporters Join us for Obama regional governor's health care summit in Vermont to Insist on Single Payer
Dear Friend: Vermont Governor Jim Douglas and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick have been asked by President Obama to host a regional New England health care summit at the University of Vermont on March 17th. We do not expect to be...
March 05, 2009
Single-payer advocates win seats at White House health summit, remarks by Dr. Oliver Fein
Dr. Oliver Fein releases prepared remarksFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 5, 2009 Contact: Oliver Fein, M.D. Don McCanne, M.D. Steffie Woolhandler, M.D. David Himmelstein, M.D. Mark Almberg, PNHP, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org Two leading advocates of single-payer health reform, sometimes characterized as...
February 25, 2009
Doctors urge greater caution, skepticism in prescribing drugs
EMBARGOED UNTIL: Feb. 25, 2009 CONTACTS: Gordon D. Schiff, M.D. Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org Physicians should be more conservative in their drug prescribing practices and more skeptical about the benefits of drugs that don’t have a proven track record,...
February 20, 2009
Massachusetts is no model for national health care reform
Physicians, public interest group urge Sen. Kennedy to introduce single-payer legislationFor Immediate Release Feb. 20, 2009 Contacts: Rachel Nardin, M.D. Steffie Woolhandler, M.D. Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org WASHINGTON - The Massachusetts health care system, widely regarded as an example...
January 29, 2009
New health care alliance pushes 'Medicare for All' reform
Leadership Conference for Guaranteed Health Care says high-quality health care is a right of all peopleFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 28, 2009 Contact: Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, cell: (312) 622-0996, mark@pnhp.org WASHINGTON — Nurses, doctors, students, large community-based membership groups, labor...
January 15, 2009
U.S. prisoners sicker than believed and have poor access to care
Harvard study also points to high social costs of undertreating mental illnessEmbargoed until: Jan. 15, 2009, 4:00 PM EST Contacts: Andrew P. Wilper, MD, MPH Steffie Woolhandler, MD, MPH Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006 An article published today in the online...
December 09, 2008
PNHP letter to Secretary-designate Tom Daschle, Health and Human Services
December 8, 2008 Mr. Tom Daschle Secretary-designate, Health and Human Services Transition Health Policy Team Washington, DC Dear Mr. Daschle, Physicians for a National Health Program respectfully requests an opportunity for one or more of our members to meet with...
November 19, 2008
PNHP letter to Sen. Baucus, Senate Finance Committee
November 18, 2008 The Honorable Max Baucus Chairman, Finance Committee U.S. Senate Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Chairman Baucus, Physicians for a National Health Program respectfully requests an opportunity for one or more of our members to...
November 17, 2008
The uninsured often donate organs, but rarely receive them
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 17, 2008 Contacts: Andrew A. Herring David U. Himmelstein, M.D. Steffie Woolhandler, M.D. Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org People who lack health insurance are about 20 times more likely to donate their liver or a kidney...
November 05, 2008
Doctors, citing mandate for change, call on Obama, Congress to 'do the right thing' on health reform
15,000 physicians urge enactment of single-payer systemFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 5, 2008 Contact: Quentin Young, M.D., (312) 782-6006, info@pnhp.org Don McCanne, M.D., don@mccanne.org David Himmelstein, M.D. Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, cell: (312) 622-0996, mark@pnhp.org A group of over 15,000 U.S....
October 07, 2008
Beware 'siren song' of privatizers, U.S. doctor tells Canadians
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 7, 2008 Contact: Mark Almberg, Physicians for a National Health Program, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org Canada’s publicly funded health insurance program known as medicare “is one of the best health care systems in the world,” a leading...
October 06, 2008
Doctors to candidates: enact single-payer health reform
Embargoed until: Oct. 6, 2008 5:30 p.m. EDT Contacts: Steffie Woolhandler, M.D. Oliver Fein, M.D. Mark Almberg, PNHP, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org Over 5,000 U.S. physicians have signed an open letter calling on the candidates for president and Congress “to stand...
September 16, 2008
Small book on 'single payer' packs surprising wallop
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 16, 2008 Contact: Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org 10 Excellent Reasons for National Health CareEdited by Mary E. O‘Brien, M.D., and Martha Livingston, Ph.D. Foreward by Rep. John Conyers Jr. The New Press, August 2008 Paperback,...
September 15, 2008
Hundreds Gather in Albany to Launch Statewide Single Payer Health Care Coalition
New State Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Adopt a Single Payer Universal Health Care SystemSingle Payer New York Media Release For Release: September 13, 2008 Doctors, nurses, consumers and community activists from throughout New York State came together in Albany today...
August 26, 2008
Slight drop in uninsured masks deepening problem, doctors say
For Immediate Release Aug. 26, 2008 Contact: Don McCanne, M.D., don@mccanne.org Data released this morning by the Census Bureau showing a slight drop in the number of Americans who lacked health insurance in 2007 masks an acute and worsening problem...
August 11, 2008
Copy Massachusetts' health reform? Not so fast, researchers say
For full text of the study: http://www.pnhp.org/states_flatline/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 11, 2008 Contacts: David Himmelstein, M.D., (312) 782-6006 Benjamin Day, (617) 777-3422, director@masscare.org Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org Citing the failure of seven state-based health reforms over the past...
August 07, 2008
City of Austin backs 'single-payer' health plan
For Immediate Release: August 7, 2008 Contacts: Bill Holloway, Health Care for All Texas (HCFAT), (512) 744-7487, bill.holloway@gmail.com Ana Malinow, M.D., Physicians for a National Health Program and HCFAT, amalinow@bcm.tmc.edu Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org AUSTIN, Texas - Affirming that...
August 05, 2008
Millions of chronically ill, lacking insurance, can't get needed care
Copies of the study are available at http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/149/3/170 Embargoed until: August 4, 2008 5:01 p.m. EST Contacts: Andrew P. Wilper, M.D., (503) 260-4948, wilp9522@u.washington.edu Mark Almberg, (312) 782-6006, mark@pnhp.org Over 11 million Americans with chronic physical illnesses like heart disease,...
July 09, 2008
Pro-single-payer Doctors' Group Announces New Blog
For immediate release: July 9, 2008 Contact: Quentin Young, M.D., (312) 782-6006, info@pnhp.org www.pnhp.org/blog Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) today launched a new blog that looks at the politics of health care reform, the obstacles to care created...
July 08, 2008
Statement of Dr. Quentin Young on "Health Care for America Now"
For Immediate Release: July 8, 2008 Contact: Quentin Young, M.D., (312) 782-6006, info@pnhp.org In a statement coinciding with today’s announcement of a new coalition called Health Care for America Now, Dr. Quentin Young, national coordinator of Physicians for a National...
June 24, 2008
U.S. Conference of Mayors Backs Single-Payer National Health Insurance
For immediate release June 23, 2008 Contacts: David Prensky, D.D.S., (561) 242-3424 Quentin Young, M.D., (312) 782-6006, info@pnhp.org Alison Landes, (561) 488-0095, aslandes@aol.com The U.S. Conference of Mayors, meeting in Miami, adopted a resolution this morning in support of single-payer...
June 18, 2008
Doctors to Join National Protests Against Private Health Insurers
For immediate release: June 18, 2008 Contacts: John Geyman, M.D., (360) 378-6264 Don McCanne, M.D., (949) 493-3714 Garrett Adams, M.D., (502) 895-8847 Doctors and medical students will join with nurses, patients, union members and health care reform activists at a...
May 28, 2008
Democrats in Colorado, New Hampshire back single-payer health plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 28, 2008 CONTACTS: Rocky White, M.D., (719) 587-3346, whiteroc@slvrmc.org Marcosa Santiago, M.D., (603) 786-2700, cosy@diacad.com Quentin Young, M.D., (312) 782-6006, info@pnhp.org State Democratic Party conventions in Colorado and New Hampshire gave strong backing this month to...
May 07, 2008
Labor, Faith, Seniors, Consumer Groups Rally at New York State Capitol in Support of Single Payer Universal Health Care
Media Release
Single payer universal health care advocates rallied today at the [New York] State Capitol in support of action at both the national and state level.
March 31, 2008
Most doctors support national health insurance, new study shows
EMBARGOED UNTIL: March 31, 2008 5:00 PM EST CONTACTS: Aaron E. Carroll, MD Ronald T. Ackermann, MD Todd Main, PNHP, (312) 782-6006 Support for National Health Insurance Among U.S. Physicians: 5 Years Later Reflecting a shift in thinking over the...
February 08, 2008
Clinton vs. Obama on Health Care -- Interviews Available
STEFFIE WOOLHANDLER, M.D., QUENTIN YOUNG, M.D., via Todd Main, (312) 782-6006, (708) 738-7365, todd@pnhp.org, http://www.pnhp.org Woolhandler is professor of medicine at Harvard University and a co-founder of Physicians for a National Health Program. She said today: “Hillary and Obama are...
January 31, 2008
California's health reform failed because mandates are fundamentally flawed as a model for reform
For Immediate Release: January 31, 2008 Contact: Dr. Quentin Young 312.782.6006 Drs. David Himmelstein and Steffie Woolhandler 312.782.6006 Todd Main 312.782.6006 While Governor Schwarzenegger’s health reform plan crashed and burned this week on the legislative highway, it confirmed once again...
January 15, 2008
Harvard Study Finds Dangerous Increase in Emergency Department Waits Nationwide
Waits for emergency care are getting longer each year, according to a study published online today by the journal Health Affairs.
January 14, 2008
Doctors Give Massachusetts Health Reform a Failing Grade - Poor Early Outcomes Raise Red Flags, Only Private Insurers Profit
For Immediate Release Contacts: Dr. Rachel Nardin, 617.667.4382 Dr. David Himmelstein, 617.665.1032 Todd Main, 312.782.6006 Over 250 Massachusetts doctors have signed an open letter to the country warning that the health reform model enacted by Massachusetts is failing and that...
January 02, 2008
Most Free Drug Samples go to the Wealthy and Insured
Contact: Sarah L. Cutrona, MD, MPH Steffie Woolhandler, MD, MPH David U. Himmelstein, MD Harvard Study Says Samples are a Not a Safety Net Despite Drug Company Claims to the ContraryClick here to read the study. Most free drug samples...
December 11, 2007
Nation's Largest Medical Specialty Group Endorses Single Payer Health Reform
After careful evaluation of the health systems of 12 other nations, the American College of Physicians (ACP), the nation's largest medical specialty society and second largest medical association (124,000 members), endorsed single payer national health insurance as "one pathway" to universal coverage. The ACP represents specialists in internal medicine.
November 30, 2007
Markets Have Failed in U.S. Health Care
Market-based medical reforms have failed in U.S. health care and should not be tried in Europe, according to a detailed review in the December 1 issue of the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The article, by two Harvard Medical School faculty members, is prominently featured on the BMJ website along with several responding commentaries.
October 31, 2007
1.8 Million Veterans Lack Health Coverage
Embargoed Until: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 4:00 p.m. Eastern Contacts: Steffie Woolhandler, MD, MPH Jeffrey Scavron, MD Ida Hellander, MD (312) 782-6006 Harvard Study Finds Sharp Increase Since 2000Nearly 6 Million Uninsured Americans are Veterans or their FamiliesClick here to...
September 20, 2007
PNHP Experts who can speak on individual mandates for health insurance and the Clinton health plan
Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) has physicians available for comment on Sen. Hillary Clinton’s and other Democratic presidential candidates’ health care proposals. The leading Democratic presidential candidates’ (Clinton, Edwards, and Obama) health care proposals would require everyone (or...
August 28, 2007
Middle-Class Americans Join Ranks of Uninsured in 2006 as Private Coverage Shrinks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 28, 2007 Contacts: Steffie Woolhandler, M.D. (617) 312-2766 Quentin Young, MD (312) 782-6006 Don McCanne, M.D. (949) 493-3714 Number of Uninsured Swells 2.2 Million to 47 Million15,000 Doctors: “Single Payer National Health Insurance is the Only...
June 05, 2007
Study: Little Evidence that "Disease Management" Programs Control Health Costs
Presidential Candidates Peddling Unproven ReformFor Immediate Release Tuesday, June 5, 2007 Contacts: John Geyman, MD (360) 378-6264 Deb Richter, MD (802) 224-9037 Quentin Young, MD (312) 782-6006 There is little evidence that “disease management” (DM) programs are effective in controlling...
June 01, 2007
Michael Moore's "Sicko" to Premiere in Sacramento on June 12 with California Nurses Association and Physicians for a National Health Program
For immediate release: June 1, 2007 Contacts: Quentin Young, MD: (312) 782-6006 Nicholas Skala: (312) 782-6006 Moore will testify at legislative briefing and rally with single payer activistsFilm maker Michael Moore’s new documentary “Sicko” will premiere on Tuesday, June 12...
May 01, 2007
Quality of Healthcare at Least as Good in Canada as in U.S.
Comprehensive Analysis Finds Slightly Lower Death Rates in Canada (Despite Far Lower Health Spending)EMBARGOED UNTIL: April 18 2007 — 8:30 A.M. EST Contacts: Steffie Woolhandler, M.D. 617-497-1268, 617-312-2766 David Himmelstein, M.D. 617-665-1032, 617-312-0970 Nick Skala 312-782-6006 Gordon Guyatt, M.D. 905-521-2100...
April 02, 2007
High Deductible Plans Penalize Women, Middle-Aged Adults, Sick Children
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers finds that the increasingly popular high deductible health plans are discriminatory against women, leaving them with far higher out-of-pocket health bills than men. The researchers also found that adults 45-64, those with any chronic condition (such as asthma or high blood pressure) and children taking even one medication were likely to suffer financially in high deductible plans.
May 31, 2006
Study shows U.S. residents are less healthy, less able to access health care than Canadians
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers in the July, 2006 issue of the American Journal of Public Health finds that U.S. residents are less healthy than Canadians. Moreover, despite spending nearly twice as much per capita for health care, U.S. residents experience more problems getting care and more unmet health needs.
April 05, 2006
Massachusetts Health Reform Bill: A False Promise of Universal Coverage
For Immediate Release: April 5, 2006 Contacts: Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., 617-497-1268 David Himmelstein, M.D., 617-665-1032 Nick Skala, 312-782-6006 Statement by Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., M.P.H. and David U. Himmelstein, M.D. It’s a stirring scene. The Governor, legislative leaders and leaders of...
February 13, 2006
Budget blind to disaster in health care
President Bush's 2007 budget, with its target of reducing Medicare spending by $36 billion over the next five years, could be the proverbial straw that breaks the back of the nation's health care system. It also could drive states and their voters to the wall, forcing a new look at universal health care.
January 19, 2006
PNHP Board Member on How to Fix the Medicare Drug Benefit
The administration has designed a drug benefit to protect the pharmaceutical industry and discredit Medicare, our one single-payer health insurance program. Today's mess could have been avoided if Congress had included the pharmacy benefit in Medicare and allowed Medicare to negotiate prices.
November 11, 2005
1 in 5 Health Care Dollars Used for Insurance Paperwork
1 in 5 Health Care Dollars Used for Insurance PaperworkStudy Suggests that National Heath Insurance Could Save Enough to Provide Coverage for All PRESS RELEASE EMBARGOED UNTIL: Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005 9:30 a.m. Contacts: James G. Kahn, M.D. (415) 407-5809...
September 14, 2005
Projected Savings from Electronic Medical Records Called Illusory
Harvard critics reject Rand Corporation claims that underlie Gingrich and Clinton policiesPRESS RELEASE EMBARGOED UNTIL 1:00 AM EDT September 14, 2005 Contacts: Steffie Woolhandler, M.D. & David U. Himmelstein, M.D. (617) 665-1032 (617) 497-1268 (cell) (617) 312-0970 Nicholas Skala (312)...
August 31, 2005
Physician Group Decries 859,000 Rise in Uninsured
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 30,2005 Contacts: David Himmelstein, M.D. (617) 497-1268 Nicholas Skala (312) 782-6006 please click here to download the uninsured numbers State by State Physician Group Decries 859,000 Rise in Uninsured Medicaid Ranks Swell by 1.9 Million as...
July 27, 2005
Immigrants' Health Care Costs are Low
PRESS RELEASE EMBARGOED UNTIL 4:00 P.M. EDT July 25, 2005 Contacts: Sarita A. Mohanty, M.D. (323) 226-5579 (office) Steffie Woolhandler, M.D. (617) 312-0970 (cell) Olveen Carrasquillo, M.D. (917) 899-5403 (pager) Nicholas Skala (312) 782-6006 (office) (Additional contact info below) Immigrants...
February 02, 2005
Bankruptcy Study Highlights Need For National Health Insurance
EMBARGOED UNTIL 12:01 AM EDT February 2, 2005 Contacts: John Geyman, M.D. (360) 378-6264 Claudia Fegan, M.D. (312) 689-1581 Nicholas Skala (312) 782-6006 nick@pnhp.org Bankruptcy Study Highlights Need For National Health Insurance Most Bankrupted by Illness Had Insurance Physicians’ Group...
October 19, 2004
1.7 Million Veterans Lacked Health Coverage In 2003
Contact: Laura Finlayson, laura@rosica.com or Tiffanie McKinnon, tiffanie@rosica.com,(201) 843-5600 Nick Skala, nick@pnhp.org, (312) 782-6006 Embargoed Until Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 12:00 PM 1.7 MILLION VETERANS LACKED HEALTH COVERAGE IN 2003 Harvard/Public Citizen Study Finds Sharp Increase Since 2000 1.694...
September 14, 2004
Number of Uninsured Americans Rises to 45 Million
For Immediate Release: September 14, 2004 Contacts: Dr. Jerry Earll Phone:(202) 895-0122 Email: jearll@thewashingtonhome.org Nick Skala (312) 782-6006 1.6 Million More Americans Uninsured, Millions More �Underinsured� Statement of Dr. Jerry Earll on the Uninsured Washington, DC. — The recent report...
June 07, 2004
For-Profit Hospitals are Costlier Than Non-Profits
EMBARGOED UNTIL:Monday, June 7, 5:00 p.m. 2004 Contacts: Dr. PJ Devereaux (cell) (289) 237-3748 Dr. Steffie Woolhandler (617) 665-1032 Dr. Quentin Young (312) 782-6006 For-Profit Hospitals are Costlier Than Non-Profits, Study Finds Evidence Against For-Profit Health Care Now Conclusive *...
February 09, 2004
Most Physicians Endorse Single-Payer National Health Insurance
EMBARGOED UNTIL 4:01 PM, EST February 9, 2004 Contacts: Danny McCormick, M.D., M.P.H. Tel (617) 665-1032 Beeper (617) 546-9422 Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., M.P.H. Tel (617) 665-1032 or 497-1268 Beeper (617) 546-0577 Most Physicians Endorse Single-Payer National Health Insurance According to...
January 14, 2004
National Health Insurance Could Save $286 Billion on Health Care Paperwork
Press contacts: Ida Hellander, M.D.; (312) 782-6006 David U. Himmelstein, M.D.; (617) 665-1032 (clinical office); (617) 497-1268 (research office) Sidney M. Wolfe, M.D.; (202) 588-1000 Study Shows National Health Insurance Could Save $286 Billion on Health Care Paperwork: Authors Say...
October 20, 2003
Majority of Americans Support National Health Insurance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2003 CONTACTS: Quentin Young MD 773-493-8212 Alan Jackson MD 773-619-4102 cell Don McCanne MD 949-493-3714 Steffie Woolhandler MD 617-665-1032 PHYSICIAN ADVOCATES OF NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE HAIL NEW POLL SHOWING WIDE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR REFORM MAJORITY...
September 30, 2003
Physicians' Group Decries 2.4 Million Rise in Number of Americans Lacking Health Insurance
Doctors Describe Human Toll, Especially for Children and Minorities As Employers Drop Coverage and Incremental Reforms Fail SEPTEMBER 30, 2003, CHICAGO, IL�The number of Americans without health insurance jumped sharply for the second year in a row, up 2.4 million...
September 25, 2003
Editorial in Science calls for Debate on Single Payer National Health Insurance
Physicians have a responsibility to help solve the problem of inequities in our health care system. (excerpt) September 25, 2003 An editorial in this weeks issue of Science Magazine authored by former US Surgeon General Dr. Julius B. Richmond and...
August 20, 2003
Administrative Costs in Market-Driven U.S. Health Care System Far Higher Than in Canada's Single-Payer System
EMBARGOED UNTIL: 5 PM EDT, AUGUST 20, 2003 Contact: Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., M.P.H � (518) 794-8109 David U. Himmelstein, M.D. � (cell) (617) 312-0970; (hospital office) (617) 665-1032 Sidney M. Wolfe, M.D. � (202) 588-1000 To read the full report...
August 13, 2003
Doctors Call for National Health Insurance
EMBARGOED UNTIL: August 12, 2003, 3 p.m. Central Contacts: Steffie Woolhandler MD 518-794-8109 Quentin Young MD 312-782-6006 Doctors Call for National Health Insurance Journal of the American Medical Association Publishes Physicians Proposal for National Health Insurance Signed by 7,782 Physicians...
Physicians' Proposal in JAMA(pdf)
Please click here to view the article published in JAMA...
May 23, 2003
Famed HMO Whistleblower and Patients' Rights Ethicist Threatened with Jail
Famed HMO Whistleblower and Patients’ Rights Ethicist Threatened with Jail For Protecting Humana Insurance Insider MAY 23, 2003, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY— Dr. Linda Peeno, famed HMO whistleblower, and subject of the film Damaged Care (Showtime), was under court order this week...
March 06, 2003
Wisconsin Joins State-Led Single-Payer National Health Program Movement with Universal Health Care Bill
Contact: Art Taggart Coalition for Wisconsin Health phone: 608-833-8888 mobile: 608-217-9650 email: ataggart@facstaff.wisc.edu Representative Mark Miller and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin Team with The Coalition for Wisconsin Health to Introduce Universal Health Plan Bill MADISON, WI, March 6, 2003 Representative...
March 04, 2003
California Single-Payer Bill Introduced
For Immediate Release Contact: Beth Capell California Physicians Alliance Supports SB921 (Kuehl) Health Care for Every Californian Today, James G. Kahn, M.D., M.P.H., author of one of the nine Health Care Option Papers, and treasurer of the California Physicians Alliance...
February 03, 2003
Physicians Propose Solution to Rising Health Care Costs and Uninsured
Introduce National Health Insurance Bill (HR676) in Washington, D.C.FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 3, 2003, 11:00 a.m. CONTACTS: Kimberly Soenen, PNHP 312.782.6006 kimberlysoenen@pnhp.org Joel Segal, Office of Rep. John Conyers 202-225-5126 joel.segal@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. —- A group of the nation’s most...
November 20, 2002
Patients more likely to die in private for-profit dialysis centers, major study finds
CONTACT: Janet Maher (coordinator) cell: 416-770-1311 Dr. P.J. Devereaux pager number 905 521 5030 pager 2530 Dr. P.J. Devereaux office: 905-525-9140 ext. 22160 McMASTER UNIVERSITY, Faculty of Health Sciences, Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics TORONTO, November 19, 2002 _ If Canada...
September 27, 2002
Number Without Health Insurance Climbs 2.5 million Over Previous Estimate
Census Bureau Press Release Disguises Shrinking Coverage Listen to NPR's Morning Edition Report (requires Real Player). The Census Bureau estimate that 41.2 million Americans were uninsured in 2001 actually represents a rise of 2.5 million over their 2000 estimate, not...
September 26, 2002
Vermonters Rally for Health Care For All
Legislature ignored study showing that Vermont could save over $118 million annually while covering everyone under public-private system -- Health care professionals and residents of Vermont will gather on the lawn in front of Vermont's State House in Montpelier September...
July 09, 2002
Government Funds 60% of U.S. Healthcare Costs
CONTACTS: David Himmelstein, M.D. Steffie Woolhandler, M.D. (617) 497-1268 (617) 665-1032 (617) 546-0615 (Beeper) Government Funds 60% of U.S. Healthcare Costs - Far Higher than Previously Believed Harvard Study Shows Government Health Spending in U.S. Exceeds Costs in any Nation...
May 28, 2002
Deaths Rates are Higher at Investor-Owned Hospitals, According to Analysis of 35 million U.S. Hospitalizations
Contacts: P.J. Devereaux, MD (905) 525-9140 Steffie Woolhandler, MD (617) 497-1268 Holger Schunemann, MD, PhD (716) 898-5792 Deaths Rates are Higher at Investor-Owned Hospitals, According to Analysis of 35 million U.S. Hospitalizations Investor-owned hospitals have 2% higher death rates than...
May 10, 2002
"Damaged Care" Premiere Features HMO Whistleblower
Contacts: Linda Peeno MD (502) 548-7878 Steffie Woolhandler MD (617) 665-1032 Quentin Young MD (312) 782-6006 Screening on Capitol Hill to be followed by panel with Dr. Linda Peeno, Former HMO physician who denied a heart transplant Former Humana Medical...
May 05, 2002
PNHP's Comments on the ACP-ASIM Proposal for Health Reform
In MS Word format....
April 10, 2002
Providing Health Insurance to All Could Save Billions on Health Costs
Contacts: Don McCanne, MD (949) 493-3714 Carla Woodworth (510) 832-7134 Quentin Young, MD (312) 782-6006 Providing Health Insurance to All Could Save Billions on Health Costs Lewin Study Finds Single Payer Saves Money, Protects Doctor-Patient Relationship A study of nine...
February 22, 2002
1 in 8 Health Care Workers Lack Health Insurance
Contacts: Brady Case (617) 308-7035 Quentin Young, MD (312) 782-6006 Don McCanne, MD (949) 493-3714 1 in 8 Health Care Workers Lack Health Insurance Harvard Study Finds Coverage Falling Fast for Health Personnel and Their Children, Particularly in Private Health...
February 21, 2002
Humana Medical Reviewer Admits to Denying Heart Transplant
Contacts: Linda Peeno MD (502) 895-9761 Joanne Landy (212) 666-4001 Don McCanne MD (949) 493-3714 Showtime contacts: Michele Morris (310) 234-5222 Joan Ziff (212) 808-1590 Humana Medical Reviewer Admits to Denying Heart Transplant Second John Q Movie Starring Laura...
August 31, 2001
Quality of Care Lower in For-Profit Nursing Homes than in Non-Profits
University of California/Harvard Study Finds Investor-owned Homes Skimp on Nursing, Frequently Cited for Deficient Care A study published in today's American Journal of Public Health (Full article in Adobe PDF format) finds that investor-owned nursing homes are much more likely...
July 05, 2001
We Pay for National Health Insurance but Don't Get It
Government Funds 60% of U.S. Healthcare Costs - Far Higher than Previously Believed Harvard Study Finds Government Health Spending in U.S. Higher than in Any Other Nation: "We Are Pay for National Health Insurance but Don't Get It" Government expenditures...
May 05, 2001
Proposal of the Physicians' Working for Single-Payer Health Insurance
Executive Summary The United States spends more than twice as much on health care as the average of other developed nations, all of which boast universal coverage. Yet over 42 million Americans have no health insurance whatsoever, and most others...
May 02, 2001
Sweeping Health Care Reform Proposed by Nation's Top Physicians
Former Editor of the New England Journal of Medicine is Leading Spokesperson for Effort Washington, D.C. - A group of nearly two-dozen nationally prominent physicians -- including Dr. Marcia Angell, former editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr....
May 01, 2001
Single Payer Health Care Hearings Mobilize Progressive Members of Congress, Key Constituencies
Summary by Ellen Schaffer, Ph.D., MPH, with Ida Hellander, MD As many of you know, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Black Caucus, Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Universal Health Care Task Force, sponsored a hearing on universal, single payer, national health...
January 05, 2001
PNHP Comments on AAFP Reform
Lanny Copeland, MD Chair, Task Force on Universal Coverage American Academy of Family Physicians 2512 Westgate Blvd, #6 Albany, GA 31707 American Academy of Family Physicians Attn: Health Care Coverage 11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway Leawood, Kansas 66211-2672 Dear Dr. Copeland,...
September 29, 2000
Despite Economic Boom, Number of Uninsured Drops Only 4 Percent
42.6 Million Americans Lack Health Coverage, Including 10 Million Children Despite the longest economic boom in history, the number of Americans without health insurance dipped just 4 percent last year, from 44.3 to 42.6 million, according to data released today...
March 24, 2000
Medical Errors Higher at For-Profit than Not-for-Profit Hospitals, Harvard Study Finds
March, 2000 Journal of General Internal Medicine Editorial Cites Cuts in Nursing, Focus on Profits According to a study and editorial released today, patients at for-profit hospitals are two to four times more likely than patients at not-for-profit hospitals to...
Claim That HMO's Save Money Is Little More Than "Folklore," Health Affairs Study Finds
March, 2000 Lull in health inflation in mid-1990's explained by other factors Washington, D.C. -- While millions of Americans have been shunted into HMO's over the past decade, there's no evidence that managed care saves money, according to a study...
September 01, 1999
Less Than Half of Americans Have Health Insurance Paid for by Private Employers
September, 1999 New England Journal Study Finds Role of Private Employers Has Been Exaggerated: Government and Individuals Pay for Most Care Cambridge, MA -- While 61% of Americans get their health insurance on the job, private employers aren't picking up...
August 04, 1999
New England Journal of Medicine Editorial Says Evidence Against For-Profit Hospitals Now Conclusive
August, 1999 For-Profit Hospitals Deliver Inferior Care at Inflated Prices and Cost Medicare an Extra $5.2 Billion Annually An editorial and study in today's New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) concludes that for-profit hospitals are more expensive than not-for-profit facilities....
July 13, 1999
Quality of Care Lower in For-Profit HMOs than in Non-Profits
July, 1999 Harvard Study in Journal of American Medical Association Finds Investor-owned HMOs Worse on All Quality Measures A study published in today's Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) finds that investor-owned HMOs scored worse than non-profit HMOs on...
March 24, 1999
Majority (57%) of Academic Medicine Physicians Favor Single-Payer
March, 1999 Study in New England Journal of Medicine Finds Medical School Deans, Faculty, Residents and Students Favor Single-Payer 3 to 1 Over Managed Care Managed care is bad for your health, according to the first comprehensive survey of physicians...
November 09, 1998
U.S. Doctors to Seek Asylum in Canada
November, 1998 WHAT: Physicians march and rally to seek "health care asylum" at Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP). WHEN: Tuesday, November 17, 1998 TIME: 12:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. WHERE: March from...
September 25, 1998
Number of Americans Without Health Insurance Jumps to 43.2 Million
September, 1998 Despite Booming Economy, Number Uninsured Rises 1.5 Million Cambridge, MA -- The number of Americans without health insurance climbed to 43.2 million last year, nearly one in every six persons. The number of uninsured was up 1.5 million...
September 01, 1998
ER CARE IS NOT CAUSE OF HIGH HEALTHCARE COSTS, HARVARD STUDY SAYS
Medicare patients under 65, according to a study of 169 newspaper ads, ads on 129 TV stations, and 21 HMO marketing seminars in four U.S. cities. Over 50% of the TV ads featured seniors running, biking, playing with grandchildren, etc....
October 15, 1997
For-Profit Hospitals Costlier and Less Efficient
October, 1997 Washington, D.C. A special article in the March 13th New England Journal of Medicine, "Costs of Care and of Administration at For-Profit and Other Hospitals in the U.S.," finds that for-profit hospitals are costlier and less efficient than...
October 15, 1996
ER Care Is Not Cause of High Health Care Costs, Harvard Study Says
October, 1996 A study by Harvard researchers and leaders of Physicians for a National Health Program published in this month's American Journal of Public Health punctures the myth that costly emergency room visits by uninsured patients are driving health costs....
August 29, 1996
Democrats Retreat on Health Care; Doctors Hold Down Fort
August, 1996 Chicago: Over the entire course of the Democratic National Convention, doctors, health care workers and activists maintained a round-the-clock vigil sponsored by Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP). Hundred of advocates from many organizations, deeply concerned by...
August 23, 1996
Doctors Oppose the Democrats' Retreat on Health Care
August, 1996 On Sunday, August 25 at 7:00 P.M. the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. will join a group of doctors, nurses, labor leaders and citizens at Pasteur Park, near the Cook County Hospital, to challenge the Democratic Convention Delegates to...
April 02, 1996
Statement of Dr. Susan Steigerwalt on the Merger of AETNA and U.S. Health Care
April, 1996 "The proposed merger of insurance giants Aetna Life and U.S. Healthcare will create an entity that controls access to health care for one in every 12 Americans. This merger provides further evidence of a race towards oligopoly in...
January 01, 1996
U.S. Health System Has More Paper Pushers, Fewer Nurses, Study Says
January, 1996 Journal Article Shows U.S. Health Bureaucracy Skyrocketed by Close to 700% Over Past 25 Years Proportion of Medical Workers Giving Care Has Fallen Dramatically Over the past 25 years, the percentage of U.S. medical care workers doing mostly...
November 21, 1995
Statement of Dr. Quentin Young on the Republican Conference Report on Medicare
November, 1995 "The Republican proposals on Medicare and Medicaid reported out of Conference Committee late last week would abruptly destroy these vital programs which provide the only health care safety net for more than 60 million Americans. The GOP proposals...
October 12, 1995
Physicians' Group Condems AMA Support for GOP Medicare Plan
October, 1995 Chicago -- "The American Medical Association shamelessly put physician and corporate interests over the health of their senior patients today in endorsing the GOP's Medicare proposal," said Dr. Quentin Young, an internist in Chicago and national spokesperson for...
September 14, 1995
STATEMENT OF DR. STEFFIE WOOLHANDLER ON THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL ON MEDICARE
September, 1995 "The House Republican proposal on Medicare released today sets in motion a death spiral for Medicare. The proposal is a blueprint for funneling $84 to $189 billion over the next seven years to private insurance companies and for-profit...