Click here to sign up for our “Rx: Medicare for all” campaign
As legislators return to their districts during the month of August, we need to not only express opposition to the various efforts to shred our health care safety net, but also push for a real solution in the form of improved Medicare for all.
We’re urging our members to show up in large numbers at town hall meetings and to participate in “sidewalk town halls” aimed at legislators who are avoiding their constituents. We’re also encouraging members to plan or particpate in other health justice actions leading up to Labor Day.
To sign up for our “Rx: Medicare for all” campaign, please fill out this form. You may also wish to browse a regularly updated schedule of events by visiting the Town Hall Project website.
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Campaign Toolkit
We have compiled the following materials to assist members during the August recess:
- List of town hall meetings nationwide
- Press release template (town hall)
- Press release template (sidewalk town hall)
- Tips for contacting the media prior to an event
- Tips for approaching reporters at public events
- Medicare for all prescription (print version)
- Medicare for all prescription (web / social media version)
- List of most important congressional targets
- How to organize a lobby visit
- How to organize a “sidewalk town hall”
If you have any questions, or would like assistance planning your action, please call (312) 782-6006 or email organizer@pnhp.org.
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Campaign Successes
We will use this space to post recaps, photos, and links to media coverage of campaign actions – please check back frequently throughout the month of August! (For an album of photos related to the campaign, please visit our Flickr page here.)
Chicago, IL (July 28)
Die-in for improved Medicare for all
Physicians, medical students, patients, and members of the public gathered at Federal Plaza downtown to applaud the defeat of Trumpcare and to urge Sen. Durbin to support single-payer legislation in the U.S. Senate.
Springfield, IL (July 28)
Die-in for improved Medicare for all
http://m.facebook.com…
New York, NY (August 1)
Congressman Nadler’s community town hall
Dr. Betsy Rosenthal and other PNHP members spoke up for improved Medicare for all at a town hall meeting organized by Rep. Nadler (who is himself a co-sponsor of H.R. 676 in the House of Representatives).
El Dorado Hills, CA (August 2)
Sidewalk rally outside Chamber of Commerce meeting attended by Rep. Tom McClintock
Corvallis, OR (August 3)
Town hall meeting with Rep. Peter DeFazio
Tarrytown, NY (August 3)
Screening of FIX IT: Healthcare at the Tipping Point
Memphis, TN (August 5)
Town hall meeting with Rep. Steve Cohen
Drs. Art Sutherland and Roger LaBonte participated in the meeting as health care experts. Rep. Cohen is a long-time single payer supporter and a co-sponsor of H.R. 676.
http://www.commercialappeal.com…
Irvine, CA (August 5)
Empty chair town hall meeting for Rep. Mimi Walters
Flat Rock, NC (August 7)
Town hall meeting with Rep. Mark Meadows
Single payer supporters came out to Blue Ridge Community College in droves and cheered enthusiastically each time Freedom Caucus leader Meadows mentioned “Medicare for all.”
http://www.motherjones.com…
Narragansett, RI (August 8)
Town hall meeting with Rep. James Langevin
http://www.independentri.com…
Minneapolis, MN (August 9)
Health care forum with Rep. Keith Ellison
PNHP Minnesota board member Dr. Brian Yablon participated in the panel discussion and spoke about single payer during the subsequent Q&A. Rep. Ellison is a noted single payer supporter and co-sponsor of H.R. 676.
Chicago, IL (August 14)
“Solutions Only” congressional field inquiry
PNHP national board member Dr. Susan Rogers participated in this public forum, which was hosted by Rep. Robin Kelly and featured Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Karen Bass, among other civic and health care leaders. Improved Medicare for all was posited as one of the solutions, and Rep. Kelly noted she was a “proud co-sponsor” of H.R. 676.
http://chicago.cbslocal.com…
Kalamazoo, MI (August 16)
Sidewalk town hall meeting in front of Rep. Fred Upton’s office
Ranson, WV (August 19)
March for improved Medicare for all at African American Cultural & Heritage Festival
Nashville, TN (August 21)
Solar Eclipse Celebration: PNHP had a table and Dr. Carol Paris was an event speaker
Detroit, MI (August 22)
Town hall meeting with Rep. John Conyers
H.R. 676 lead sponsor Rep. Conyers welcomed fellow single-payer champion Sen. Bernie Sanders to Detroit for an overflow town hall on jobs and health care at Fellowship Chapel Church.
http://www.mlive.com…
Bethel Park, PA (August 22)
AARP Pennsylvania health care forum & community conversation
Oak Park, IL (August 24)
7th Congressional District town hall meeting with Rep. Danny Davis
Kalamazoo, MI (August 24)
Health care for all rally at Bronson Park
A large public rally emphasized the principle that health care is a human right and urged Congress to move beyond the debate over the Affordable Care Act and embrace a real health care solution: improved Medicare for all.
Clearwater, FL (August 25)
Town hall meeting with Rep. Charlie Crist
http://www.tampabay.com…
Charlotte, NC (August 27)
Single payer table at Charlotte Pride
Members of the Charlotte-area PNHP chapter Health Care Justice – NC rallied for improved Medicare for all at the 2017 Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade. Members spread the word via an info table and also marched in the parade.
Pittsburgh, PA (August 27)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette / Highmark health care forum
Chicago, IL (August 27)
SNaHP welcome dinner & postcard action
Chicago-area PNHP members hosted a dinner for some 40 University of Chicago medical students. Local student leaders prepared postcards for new and returning SNaHP members to send to their legislators regarding H.R. 676.
Rockville, MD (August 31)
Health care town hall with Sen. Ben Cardin
Chicago, IL (September 1)
Delivering medical student postcards to Rep. Dan Lipinski urging him to co-sponsor H.R. 676. To view video of the postcard delivery, visit our YouTube page.