By Jeff Bendix
Medical Economics, July 29, 2016
For Eve Shapiro, MD, MPH, being a delegate at this year’s Democratic National Convention is just the latest expression of her dedication to progressive causes.
Shapiro, a Tucson, Arizona pediatrician, voted for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in her state’s Democratic primary because of his support for a single-payer health plan, as well as other liberal causes. She became a member of Arizona’s delegation as a result of her work with the state chapter of Progressive Democrats of America, an outgrowth of Vermont Governor Howard Dean’s unsuccessful campaign for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. In 2000, she campaigned vigorously on behalf of a successful initiative to expand Medicaid access in Arizona.
“I’ve been involved in politics since I was in high school, when I worked on the Eugene McCarthy campaign,” she said in a telephone interview with Medical Economics. “I kind of grew up with an emphasis on social justice. Now I try to get involved with progressive candidates on all different levels from governor to congressional races to local races.”
In addition to her local activity, Shapiro is a long-time member of Physicians for a National Health Plan. “As a physician, I could see the inequalities of our health system, and the only possible way to cover everyone at an affordable cost is a single-payer system,” she said.
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PNHP note: Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) is a nonpartisan educational and research organization. It neither supports nor opposes any candidate for public office or any political party.