Retirees for Single Payer Health Care

1. Retirees for Single Payer Health Care Healthcare-NOW 2010 National Strategy Conference Philadelphia, PA November 13 & 14, 2010

2. A group of retirees dedicated to the passage of National Health Care (HR 676)

3. We are for giving every resident of the United States and the U.S. territories access to all medically necessary health care services including vision and dental with no co-pays or deductibles regardless of employment, income or health status. EVERYBODY IN NOBODY OUT

4. We are for the conversion of all health care providers to a not-for-profit service where illness is no longer a source of wealth for a few. NON-PROFIT HEALTH CARE

5. We are for paying for that expanded coverage by maintaining the present level of federal and state funding for health care as well as turning the premiums now paid to private medical insurance companies into Medicare premiums that are shared by every employee and employer. SINGLE PAYER

6. We are not for just surviving!!!

7. Our mission is to educate, demonstrate, and learn. OUR MISSION

8. Educate - to that end we developed a speakers program last winter. SPEAKERS PROGRAM

9. “THE HISTORY OF THE FIGHT FOR NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND ITS FUTURE” Frank Goeddeke, Jr. PhD • UAW retiree from GM (Locals 652 and 653) • Was on staff of National Organizing Department of the UAW • Past President of Graduate Assistants United, an AFT/NEA union representing the University of Florida’s graduate assistants. JANUARY 25, 2010

10. “NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND THE STATES” David Apsey, DDS • Bachelor of Science and DDS from the University of Michigan • Practicing dentist since 1985. • Member of Physicians for a National Health Plan • Secretary of Central United Methodist Church in Detroit. FEBRUARY 1, 2010

11. “NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND UNIONS” Al Cholger • United Steel Workers staff representative • Organized for Single Payer Health Care since 1990 • Co-Chair of the Michigan Coalition for Healthcare-NOW!. • Member of the Steering Committee of the Labor Campaign for Single Payer • Represents the USW on the Economic Alliance of Michigan, dealing with healthcare spending. FEBRUARY 8, 2010

12. “NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND FREE CLINICS” Mary Ellen Howard • Native Detroiter, a Sister of Mercy, and a nurse • Health care administrator of Mercy hospitals across Michigan for 20 years, including as CEO in Grayling and Muskegon. • Executive Director of St. Francis Cabrini Clinic of Most Holy Trinity Church, the oldest free medical clinic for uninsured persons in the nation. FEBRUARY 15, 2010

13. “NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND THE 2010 CONVENTIONS” Al Benchich • Past President of UAW Local 909 • Delegate to 5 UAW Conventions • Helped organize Auto Workers Caravan • Retired from GM after 36 years. March 1, 2010

14. “NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND MEDICAID” Maureen Taylor • Masters Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University • State Chairperson for the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, a state affiliate of the National Welfare Rights Union. MARCH 8, 2010

15. “NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND IMMIGRANTS” Olivia Boykins • Went to Haiti within days after the devastating earthquake. • Involved in community and business development in Michigan, Washington, D.C., Mississippi and other areas of the U.S. for over 20 years. • Congressman John Conyers Jr. subject matter expert in Michigan for the United States National Health Care Act (HR 676). March 15, 2010

16. “NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND MICHIGAN” Marjorie Mitchell • Executive Director of the Michigan Universal Health Care Access Network (MichUCAN). MARCH 22, 2010

17. “NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND THE ROAD AHEAD” Al Gladyck • Member of UAW Local 7 Retiree Chapter • Member of Retirees for Single Payer Health Care MARCH 29, 2010

18. Demonstrate – to that end we developed a lobbying program last spring. LOBBYING PROGRAM

19. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. has vowed to keep introducing HR 676 “The United States National Health Care Act” Or “Expanded & Improved Medicare for All” as long as he is a member of Congress. The 535 members of the Senate and House are the only people in this country who can make it the law. WHY LOBBYING?

20. Rally for National Health Care Sponsor U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. APRIL 12, 2010

21. Rally for National Health Care Co-Sponsor U.S. Representative Carolyn Kilpatrick. MAY 3, 2010

22. Demonstration for National Health Care at the office of U.S. Representative Thaddeus McCotter. JUNE 7, 2010

23. Demonstration for National Health Care at the office of U.S. Representative Sander Levin. JULY 12, 2010

24. Demonstration for National Health Care at the office of U.S. Representative Gary Peters. AUGUST 9, 2010

25. Demonstration for National Health Care at the office of U.S. Representative John Dingell. SEPTEMBER 13. 2010

26. Demonstration for National Health Care at the office of U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. OCTOBER 11, 2010

27. Demonstration for National Health Care at the office of U.S. Senator Carl Levin. NOVEMBER 15, 2010

28. WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

29. In the UAW, it appears that a business union is declining and a social activist union is rising as a result of the economic crisis. WE ARE MOVING FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT

30. Demonstration for National Health Care at the UAW’s Solidarity House. MARCH 1, 2010

31. Rally for National Health Care at the UAW’s 35th Constitutional Convention. JUNE 13, 2010

32. Organize what you know for National Health Care (HR 676). Make Congress the focus of the struggle for National Health Care (HR 676). Stay ahead of the changes that the economic crisis is creating. MOVING ON TO THE FUTUREOUR RECOMMENDATIONS

33. Educate Demonstrate Learn Thank You, Retirees for Single Payer Health Care