This Blog is Being Merged with the State Blog

Hi All.  It was a great concert on Saturday night with a great turnout.  Mike Stout and the Human Union debuted a new song and video which can be seen above.

All 221 posts from this blog have been exported into the blog on the state page which can be seen at the link below.  This site will now be used for local announcements.

http://www.healthcare4allpa.org/resources/home-blog/

Healthcare is a Human Right Concert, June 7

State board member Mike Stout (pictured below) and the Human Union Band will be holding a Health Care is a Human Right concert on June 7. The press release is below with a preview of their new song.

PRESS RELEASE: Legendary Rock Concert for Social Justice in
Pittsburgh!
Mike Stout & The Human Union in Concert to
debut song “Health Care is a Human Right” (previewed below)
and shine a light on the single-payer movement
8:30pm on June 7th 2014 @ First Unitarian
Church of Pittsburgh
605 Morewood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
$15/ticket

______________________________________________________________________
"In the Woody Guthrie tradition, his songs reflect contemporary issues without resorting
to journalism. They're more like partisan op-ed columns that grab political opponents by
the throat and don't let go." - John Hayes, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
______________________________________________________________________
On Saturday, June 7th, 2014, the legendary rock band, Mike Stout and the Human
Union, will perform a politically-charged show at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh.
Known for drawing large crowds to Pittsburgh venues such as Club Cafe and Frick Fine
Arts, he also tours internationally to festival-sized audiences. On the evening of June
7th, he’ll debut a special song to his hometown crowd entitled, “Health Care is a
Human Right.”
The song is perhaps the world’s first single-payer universal health care anthem and
appropriately, all proceeds of the show go to Health Care 4 All PA – a nonprofit devoted
to achieving a single-payer health care system in PA. The group has been recognized
nationally for their promotion of a PA single-payer system in places such as Huffington
Post and The New York Times.
Stout’s June 7th concert will also premiere a brand new music video for the featured
song at the start of the show. Other songs performed will include social justice anthems
around anti-fracking, jobs, and peace.
______________________________________________________________________
For advanced tickets, reservations, or inquiries, contact Mike Stout at:
(412) 461-5650 or mikestout619@comcast.net

**Update**

You can see Mike Stout and the Human Union Band performing a tribute to the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire of 1913.

 

Medicaid Expansion at a Crossroads

On Monday there will be a Rally for Medicaid expansion in Harrisburg.  There will be a  meeting with Legislators at 11:30 followed by the Rally in the small rotunda in the Capitol Building near the Cafeteria. Along with Iowa, Arkansas, and Michigan, Pennsylvania is now proposing it's own version of expansion.  Utah is still undecided as can be seen in the map below.

The Daily Show
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,The Daily Show on Facebook

Gov. Corbett has proposed an expansion of Medicaid which differs from other states because it adds additional requirements such as a job search requirement and adding premiums and cutting services.  For a year, his administration has been in negotiations with the Federal Department of Health and Human Services to accept his plan but they appear to be foundering with a rejection of the plan likely.  Iowa's and Arkansas' plans have been approved by the Federal Government.


Via: The Advisory Board Company

**Related Posts**

 

MEDICAID, MEDICAL INSURANCE, HEALTH CARE and the CORBETT PLAN Op Ed by President Dave Steil

 

No Medicaid Expansion = Higher Health Insurance Premiums

 

Tom Corbett to PA's Working Poor: “Drop Dead!” (Part 1) (See all four parts.)

Medicaid Expansion Update

 

NEW ECONOMY CELEBRATION! Panels,Workshops,Marketplace,Catalyst Awards

The New Economy Working Group is having a celebration of innovators with panels, workshops, and awards on March 20-22 at Baker Hall on the Carnegie Mellon University Campus and other locations.  Details are below.  A single payer system is integral to a new/more efficient economy as Dr. Gerald Friedman showed in his economic impact study.

REGISTER for these FREE EVENTS here:
>>> Thursday March 20 - NEWG Sponsors MARCH GREEN DRINKS ! http://tinyurl.com/NEWG-green-drinks

>>> Friday March 21 - Seminar with Gar Alperovitz: http://tinyurl.com/NEWG-solutions

>>> Friday March 21 - Evening Discussion with Gar Alperovitz: http://tinyurl.com/NEWG-gar-discussion

>>> Saturday March 22 - All-Day Events: http://tinyurl.com/NEWG-Sat-Mar-22

A showcase of Pittsburghers’ efforts to create an economy where the benefits are equitably shared between business employees or employee-owners, stakeholders, and host communities; creates strong, nurturing social ties; and replenishes nature.

See http://www.NEWGPGH.WORDPRESS.COM/ for more information on the Pittsburgh New Economy Working Group.

A featured appearance from Gar Alperovitz, a leading voice in the nationwide new economy movement.
People who attended October 2013's "Unconference" are planning resources, projects, and event activities now.

THURSDAY MAR 20: NEWG sponsors "Green Drinks" 5-9 PM @ The Map Room
FRIDAY MAR 21: 2 PM @ Frick Fine Arts Building, PITT
FRIDAY MAR 21: 5 PM @ CMU Baker Hall Adamson Wing
SATURDAY MAR 22: 9 AM - 4 PM @ CMU Baker Hall Giant Eagle Auditorium

 

**Related Posts** 

 

Video from the Friedman Pittsburgh Talk is now Available 

 

State of Working PA: Slowing Job Growth, Falling Wages Impede Recovery (and The Drop in Uninsured)

New Time Magazine Article on Healthcare Costs with 

Stewart Discussion 

Real Reasons for High Medical Costs 

Healthcare for All PA to be Featured on WIUP-FM

State board members Will Ferrell and I will be featured on WIUP-FM (90.1 in the Indiana, PA area).  It will be livestreamed on http://www.wiupfm.org for those of you who do not live near IUP.  The program will be on Saturday Feb 15 from 11-Noon.  Also on the program will be Cybil Moore of the Chevy Chase community center.  You can call in at: 724-357-WIUP (9487) 

The discussion will be on single payer and problems with the current system.  

Next Friday Board member Elizabeth Sierminski will be on a panel discussing the Film Escape Fire at the Indiana Theater in Indiana, PA at 6:30.  The trailer is below.

**Update**

It was a nice discussion on WIUP radio.  If the program is archived I will post it here so you can listen to it.  I'm looking forward to the panel discussion with Elizabeth next Friday by the Center for Community Growth in Indiana, PA.  Details here.

  

 

"Class Struggle Trade Unionism - What it is and Why it's Needed" on Union Edge

It was a productive meeting with Put People First, PA.  We talked about efforts for social justice in PA and watched this video on how single payer was passed in Vermont.



Ed Cloonan and Ed Gtystar will be featured on the Union Edge radio show to discuss the same issue.  This is a fitting topic for our 200th post.

Ed Grystar and Ed Cloonan will be discussing

"Class Struggle Trade Unionism - What it is and Why it's Needed"

 Union Edge - Labors Talk Radio

http://www.theunionedge.com/

Wednesday February 12, 2014
1:30 PM

Union Edge can be heard on WKFB 770 AM and 97.5 FM in our area (Pittsburgh).

Thanks to Mike Plaskon of NALC Branch # 84 in securing the radio invite.+

**Related Posts**

  

An Activist Interview

 

Ferlo's Inspirational Speech on Single Payer

 

Vermont Green Mountain Plan Video

 

Ed Grystar on the Other Possibilities Network

Panel Discussion on Vermon'ts Passing of Single Payer

Julie Sokolow of Healthy Artists is organizing a panel discussion on the struggle for single payer in Vermont which passed it's plan in 2011. Details are below.   The Fight for Universal Healthcare: Lessons from Vermont Join us for a Panel Discussion with the Vermont Workers’ Center and Put People First! PA! The Big Idea Bookstore 4812 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15224 6:30 – 8:00 PM Free and open to the public In 2011, the state of Vermont passed the nation's first true universal healthcare law, Act 48. The Green Mountain Care Board established by Act 48 has a mandate to create a statewide single-payer system by 2017. In the meantime, it is leading the nation with the most progressive implementation of Obamacare of any state, ensuring that the "exchange" is publicly run and equitable. Join us for a panel discussion with Jonathan Kissam of the Vermont Workers' Center and Mitch Troutman of Put People First! PA! Jonathan will discuss the Healthcare Is a Human Rights Campaign that led to the healthcare bill, and the subsequent Put People First campaign that has brought people together across movements to win real victories. Mitch will talk about a similar Healthcare Is a Human Right campaign to be launched in PA, and how Pittsburghers can get involved! Jonathan Kissam is a long-time rank and file activist with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), and currently a member of UE Local 203. He has served on the UE General Executive Board and on the Coordinating Committee of the Vermont Workers’ Center, where he helped launch the Healthcare Is a Human Right Campaign in 2008. Mitch Troutman is a staff field organizer for Put People First! PA. Born and raised in Central PA, his background is in manual labor as well as community and workplace organizing. The Vermont Workers' Center is a statewide grassroots organization building one movement for people and the planet. Our current campaigns include Healthcare Is a Human Right, the People's Budget, and Put People First. Put People First! PA is an organization for people who are struggling to meet the basics and believe we need a voice. We’re fighting for our human rights, county by county, all across PA. We’re urban and rural, multi-racial, and politically independent. We’re people like you. Until we unite, we don’t have the power to change things. Join us! Put People First! PA is starting a statewide, grassroots effort to make Healthcare a Human Right. Inspired by Vermont's success, we're building a movement to get universal, affordable healthcare for all PA residents. Everybody in, nobody out! **Related Posts** Vermont Green Mountain Plan Video   If Vermont Won't Have Single Payer What Will it Have? STOP Obamacare in Pennsylvania: Where We Agree with Them   Aaron Carroll's Analysis of Single Payer and Wait Times

Gubernatorial Candidate Forum 1/26/14

This coming Sunday, January 26 the Pittsburgh 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club will be holding a forum of the eight candidates for Governor of PA,  It will be held in McConomy auditorium on the Carnegie Mellon Campus from 1-4 PM.  Below is information from the Facebook event page.  As a 501(c)4 organization, Healthcare for All PA/PUSH does not endorse candidates but encourages everyone to gather information on the process.

Pittsburgh 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club's Annual Meeting and Board Elections - We are taking this opportunity to also hold a forum for the eight candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring so far for Governor. 

The event is co-sponsored by the 14th Ward Democratic Committee, the 7th Ward Democratic Committee, and the CMU Young Democrats. 

This will be an excellent opportunity to hear about their stands on issues and state business that is important to you.

The membership drive and Board elections will be going on in the background; the main attraction is the Gubernatorial Candidates' Forum. The Forum is open to the public, but registered Democrats in the 14th Ward (Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze, Park Place, Swisshelm Park, and Regent Square) of Pittsburgh are welcome to join the Club.

**Related Posts**

MEDICAID, MEDICAL INSURANCE, HEALTH CARE and the CORBETT PLAN Op Ed by President Dave Steil

Tom Corbett: Conspiracy Theorist

Tom Corbett to PA's Working Poor: “Drop Dead!” Part 3.

Save Dollars. Save Lives: An evening with Dr. Gerald Friedman

Save Dollars. Save Lives. 

The Economic “Cents” Behind Single-Payer Health Care Reform 

An evening with Dr. Gerald Friedman 

Tuesday, November 19th from 7-9 PM 

First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh 

605 Morewood Ave. 

Pittsburgh, PA 15213 

This event is brought to you by Health Care 4 All Pa, The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work and the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh. Dr. Friedman earned a PhD in Economics from Harvard University. He is a Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst, and the author of “The Pennsylvania Health Care Plan: Impact and Implementation”

Come learn more about: Key features of the Pennsylvania Health Care Plan (Established by SB 400, introduced to State Senate by primary sponsor Jim Ferlo) The findings of Dr. Friedman’s Economic Impact Study & current developments in health care reform Please bring your questions! For more information contact Bob Mason: bmasona@gmail.com Or visit healthcare4allpa.org

"Stop bullying" rally targeting UPMC planned for weekend

There will be a Save Our Community Hospitals rally this Saturday in Oakland.  Details can be seen below.

http://makeitourupmc.org/2013/08/upmc-stop-bullying-pittsburgh/

Medicare Birthday Celebration Tomorrow at Sen. Casey's Office

Sen Jim Ferlo will be joining Ed Cloonan for his biweekly demonstration to protect Medicare at Sen Casey's office tomorrow, July 26 at noon, on the 48th anniversary of the creation of Medicare.  The flyer for the event can be read here. 

**Related Posts**

Sandy Fox campaigning to make TIAA-CREF more Socially Resposible on Healthcare 

 

Biweekly Vigil at Sen. Casey's Office to Protect Social Secutiy and Medicare

 

Ed Grystar on the Other Possibilities Network

Biweekly Vigil at Sen. Casey's Office to Protect Social Secutiy and Medicare

The Western PA Coalition for Single Payer Healthcare will be holding a vigil this Friday, July 5 and every other Friday.  It will be led by Ed Cloonan and details are below.

JOIN WITH US TO STOP THE ASSAULT ON   

         SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE! 

FRIDAY PICKETLINE/VIGILS

        

      Senator Bob Casey’s Office

      Regional Enterprise Tower

         425 Sixth Avenue

         Pittsburgh 15219

             12 Noon – 1PM

                     June 21

                     July 5

                     

              

                                                          

                                                           ·         Real wages have fallen since 2008, corporations are sitting on a record cash hoard of upwards of 1.78 TRILLION dollars and corporate profits after taxes were 1.7 billion last quarter, yet both major parties want to gut Social Security and Medicare.

http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/CP/  

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/the-growing-corporate-cash-hoard/ 

·         Democrats in the US Senate are a majority and can stop these cuts to essential programs!

·         ELIMINATING THE CAP ON THE TAXABLE INCOME FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS NOW SET AT $113,700 WILL HELP ELIMINATE ANY SHORTFALLS FOR DECADES

http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/14725/the_ss_austerity_battleship/

·         OVER 70 % OF THE PUBLIC STRONGLY REJECTS ALL PROPOSALS TO CUT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE.

http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/14725/the_ss_austerity_battleship/

·         CALL OR WRITE SENATOR CASEY AND DEMAND THAT HE TAKE A PLEDGE TO VOTE  AGAINST ANY CUTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE

WASHINGTON DC – 866-802-2833 ---- PITTSBURGH 412- 803-7370

Sponsored by:

Western PA Coalition for Single Payer Healthcare

www.WPa Singlepayer.org

Save Our Community Hospitals

PA Green Party

For more information:

Ed Grystar egrystar@aol.com 412-215-4141

Tony Buba bolex12@yahoo.com 412-351-4808

Sustainability Salon on Marcellus Shale Drilling

Last months Sustainability Salon on healthcare was such a success we had to announce the upcoming one this weekend at Maren Cooke's house on Marcellus Shale Drilling.  Details are below.  Please RSVP to her and ask for directions at maren.cooke@gmail.com

Well, we've survived the end of the world, the solstice and various other holidays rolled right along, and now we're in 2013!  It must be time for another Sustainability Salon.  In case anyone didn't get the word in my email of December 10th, the Salon originally announced for this Saturday was pushed back to next Saturday the 12th.

Note again that this one and the next won't focus on a single topic, but we will have some film screenings including Gas Rush Stories (by local filmmaker Kirsi Jansa, who will be here for Q&A) and the award-winning YERT film (likewise with Mark Dixon on hand).  Which film(s) will be on which date has yet to be finalized;  I'll send out another email late next week with that info.  But in both cases, we'll be here with the usual stimulating conversation, delectable potluck food and drink, and music-making through the evening.  Time is, as usual, 3-10 p.m.;  RSVPs are, as usual, strongly requested (for yesses and maybes, ideally by email with "salon" in the Subject line).

Happy new year to one and all,

 

-- Maren.