Colorado’s Betsy Markey Speaks to Healthcare United

by Jess Kutch | Monday, October 20, 2008

On Saturday, Oct. 18th, Colorado 4th District Congressional candidate Betsy Markey spoke to caregivers attending a Healthcare United chapter meeting in Fort Collins. We captured a portion of Markey's presentation on video:

After speaking, Markey signed the "Healthcare for American Now!" pledge, which Presidential candidate Barack Obama signed last month.

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Rep. Schakowsky Sits Down With Healthcare United

by Cathy Glasson, RN | Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Last week, at the Democratic National Convention, I joined with roughly 30 fellow RNs in sitting down with Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), who's a member of the House Subcommittee on Health and is a key member of the House Nursing Caucus. Our meeting took place in an unusual setting--on chairs in the grass in Denver's Sunken Gardens Park. The casual meeting space allowed for a more open dialogue between RNs and one of our biggest champions in Congress, Rep. Schakowsky.
First, Rep. Schakowsky explained why she strongly championed the bipartisan federal legislation on nurse staffing (H.R. 1222 and H.R. 2123). She related to the difficult working environment we find ourselves in, and how nurses are leaving the profession due to the lack of safe staffing. We talked about how H.R. 1222 and H.R. 2123 would not only can address the issues affecting RNs, but would ensure the safety of patients. It's become commonplace for families to stay at the bedside of a loved one to ensure that they receive proper care, and we all agreed that is a sign of a system in trouble.

As a strong advocate for Sen. Barack Obama's bid for the presidency, Rep. Schakowsky closed by sharing her experience working with Sen. Obama while he was in the Illinois state legislature, and how his current healthcare plan ensures accessibility, affordability and quality. She reminded us of how vitally important our RN voices are in developing and ensuring the passage of lasting healthcare legislation that puts patients and quality front and center.
 
Many questions were asked during the discussion, and it was a personal thrill when many RNs in attendance asked the Congresswoman how they could get involved to affect change for our patients.  I'm proud to say that each of those RNs signed up to join the movement for quality, affordable healthcare for all through Healthcare United!

Overall, it was a great day for nurses at the Democratic National Convention, and we were honored to have Congresswoman Schakowsky share it with us!

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Hi From Denver!

by L. Toni Lewis, MD | Thursday, August 28, 2008

NOTE: Toni was kind enough to send this short update to us via her cell phone, and we thought you’d enjoy hearing from her! - Brad

Hi all!  I arrived in Denver yesterday morning and hit the ground runnin'!  Hope is in the air for healthcare and it’s kinda electric out here.

Wednesday was a big day for healthcare, with a great forum in the morning and rally in the afternoon, both with representation from Healthcare United.  I am so excited to be a lead advocate for Healthcare United, and truly proud to present your prescriptions for change -- I hope you know that we submitted 4,000 in total!  Fantastic!

One point that keeps getting reinforced is that every major movement happens because of the hearts and hard work of people like you!  We're making history!

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Healthcare United Celebrates in Denver

by Michael Dolan | Thursday, August 14, 2008

Caregivers from coast-to-coast are invited to join the Colorado chapter of Healthcare United for the Democratic National Convention happening in Denver this month.

Already, Healthcare United caregivers are driving and flying in from Oregon, Montana, New Mexico and Iowa - and they'll be staying with other Healthcare United caregivers, in guestrooms and futons all around Denver, mobilizing to send a message to the Democrats and Sen. Barack Obama: That we, as America's healthcare professionals, prescribe real healthcare reform for America, and that we're the powerful national voice that will make it happen.

On Wednesday afternoon, August 27th, the day before Obama accepts the nomination, we'll be co-hosting a large rally and concert at Sunken Gardens Park, on 8th and Speer [Google Map], starting at 2pm MDT. The event will include a parade to the Pepsi Center (where the DNC is meeting), A-List bands, celebrity emcees, rousing speeches from healthcare activists and key Democratic leaders, and fun activities for the kids.
 
In the park itself, we'll be setting up some big "theme tents" on Wednesday. If you're in town, you'll want to swing by The Long Term Care Reform Ward and Art Gallery, The Nurses' Station, The Legislative Emergency Room and, of course, The Free Clinic, Alternative Wellness Center and Hydration Station.

Other organizations are working with us to make this event a success - groups like Health Care for America Now!, Colorado for Health Care and Value Care, Value Nurses, to name a few. 

Please RSVP at http://www.healthcareunited.org/DNC and let us know if you can make it. That way, we can be sure to have enough futons (or we'll know if we need to start pitching tents in backyards).

Can't make it? On Wednesday, August 27th, we'll be hand-delivering your "prescriptions" on how to heal our healthcare system to key leaders in Congress. Submit your creative solutions to the healthcare crisis now.

Here in Colorado, we see this DNC rally as the start of a national grassroots campaign for real change.  I hope to see you in Denver!

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From the Field: Colorado

by Jessica Vollmer | Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Hi everyone!  My name is Jessica Vollmer and I'm the State Coordinator for Healthcare United in Colorado.

For years I've been frustrated and upset with the problems I've witnessed in our healthcare system, and I'm excited to finally be able to do something about it.

Here in Colorado, we recently launched a statewide campaign for Healthcare United.  We thought it would be helpful to break up the different parts of the campaign into five committees or working groups, so that folks would be able to gravitate to the types of activities and efforts they enjoy the most.

For instance, those who want to help on the Media and Communications committee would work on helping to set up events such as press conferences, write letters to the editor, share healthcare stories online and blog.

The Electoral Action team will help organize voter registration drives, phonebanking nights, and community and neighborhood awareness teams.  Members of this committee could also help with rallies and trainings in order to Get Out the Vote!

A temporary group formed for the DNC Convention to build large crowds for healthcare rallies and participate in events supporting affordable and quality healthcare.

The Policy and & Grassroots Lobbying committee will focus on getting systemic healthcare reform passed before the end of 2009.  Members of this committee will help develop education materials about federal policy options, and help incorporate best substantive policy ideas from recent state legislative efforts.

Lastly, the Growth & Outreach committee - which we hope everyone will be a part of! - will be organizing lots and lots of house meetings and public meetings; spreading the word about Healthcare United through professional caregiver networks and at healthcare facilities; staffing informational and recruitment booths or tables at healthcare conferences; and phoning and canvassing caregivers in their homes, to invite them to get involved.

There are plenty of ways for Colorado nurses and healthcare workers to raise their voice and demand changes to our healthcare system!  If you know of a caregiver in the state who would be interested in joining us, please tell them to contact me via e-mail or to call our office at 303-727-8082.  By coming together around our state, we will make sure to win these necessary reforms by 2009!

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