As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate communities across the United States, medical professionals find themselves in a unique position to shape the public dialogue around our failed response. Americans want to hear from doctors, nurses, medical students, and others who are fighting COVID-19 each and every day. PNHP encourages members to tell their story during this crucial time.
- Read our Kitchen Table Campaign organizing guide on telling your story;
- Read PNHP national board member Dr. Phil Verhoef’s compelling USA Today op-ed, “Coronavirus frightens me. It’s severe, unpredictable and it has no cure.” Think about how you can incorporate personal/patient stories into your advocacy;
- Interested in recording a video? Check out our guide here (video version) and here (PDF version);
- Interested in writing an op-ed or letter to the editor? Check out our guide here, and email PNHP communications specialist Clare Fauke at clare@pnhp.org for help with editing and placement.
See below for examples of videos and written testimonials submitted by PNHP members in response to COVID-19, and click here to read published member writing related to the pandemic.
Dr. Susan Rogers
Dr. Richard Bruno
Dr. George Bohmfalk
Dr. Anna Stratis
Dr. Phil Verhoef
Dr. Nahiris Bahamón
As a primary care physician in the southwest of Chicago, I have witnessed some of the major impact and suffering the COVID-19 pandemic has had in our communities. Many of my patients have been gravely ill and have lost family members and valued members of the community to this virus. But many of these outcomes are not caused by the novel coronavirus alone, they are also the result of major health inequities fueled by racism and a lack of a functioning universal health care system, such as an improved Medicare for All. An improved Medicare for all could guarantee access to quality health care to everyone in this country and prevent a lot of death and suffering by making health care more accessible, equitable, and just. (July 2020)
Como médico de atención primaria en el suroeste de Chicago, he sido testigo de algunos de los principales impactos y sufrimientos que la pandemia de COVID-19 ha tenido en nuestras comunidades. Muchos de mis pacientes han estado gravemente enfermos y han perdido miembros de la familia y miembros valiosos de la comunidad a causa de este virus. Pero muchos de estos resultados no son sólo causados por el nuevo coronavirus, sino que también son el resultado de importantes inequidades en la salud alimentadas por el racismo y la falta de un sistema de salud universal que funcione, como un Medicare Mejorado para Todos. Un Medicare Mejorado para Todos podría garantizar el acceso a una atención médica de calidad para todos en este país y evitar muchas muertes y sufrimiento al hacer que la atención médica sea más accesible, equitativa y justa. (Julio 2020)
Dr. Kathleen Healey
We physicians understand the challenges and frustrations of trying to obtain the best care for our patients given the restrictions of health insurance companies, and the costs that are passed on to them, both foreseen and unforeseen.
Just as the COVID-19 pandemic has grown uncontrollably, so have these financial burdens on our patients. From individual problems we have surged to a large scale national crisis. Families across the country are threatened with job loss, insurance loss, income loss, and the prospect of large medical bills despite insurance.
Unfortunately, I cannot relieve this anxiety or reassure my patients and their families. I look at Canada and other allies with universal coverage and know that it doesn’t have to be this way. Our people deserve much more, whether they are working or between jobs. No one should lose health care during a pandemic—or any other time. It is time for single payer / Medicare for All in America. (April 2020)
