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Working to promote single payer health care in Kentucky.
American Medical Association Medical Student Section Hosts Healthcare Systems Debate
By: Sarah Parker, UofL Medical Student
On Saturday, February 16th, 2019, the American Medical Association Region 5 Medical Student Section held a conference at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. Among the many topics discussed, the anticipated highlights of the event included a healthcare systems debate of a single-payer vs. free market system.
Pro Single-Payer System: Dr. Gregory Gramelspacher, IU Palliative Care, Dr. Kumar Pardeep, Union Hospital Internist, Dr. AJ Sinha, IU Nephrologist
Moderator: Mohsin Mukhtar, IU Medical Student
Pro Free Market System: Adam Habig, President of Freedom Healthworks, Dr. Trenton Schmale, IU Family Medicine Resident
In the near two-hour debate, panelists were asked to define problems with our current healthcare system and debate the effects their model would have on patient access, overall quality, and cost. Dr. Gramelspacher described the overwhelming sentiment of the panel and those in attendance in saying that “the U.S. is the best place in the world to get very sick, but it’s not a good place to stay healthy once you leave the hospital.” While both sides agreed that plethora of private and public 3rd party providers overcrowds the system, the faith in who can effectively reign in the system—a unified government or a sea of independent physician entrepreneurs—is at the core of this issue.
Dr. Kummar and proponents of a single-payer system highlighted the appeal of the bargaining power a single government sponsored insurance entity would have in negotiating pharmaceutical costs. They pointed to studies showing that this effect combined with fact that single-payer would dramatically lower administrative overhead, leading to an estimated saving of 500 billion dollars. Dr. Sinha was outspoken in his firm belief that “healthcare is a right” and that without this commitment to insuring everyone, our poorest citizens will continue to die without care.
Proponents of the free market system highlighted the role of a direct primary care model as a solution. In this system, a clinic would forgo any insurance and charge patients monthly fees for their services. Mr. Habig, whose company helps physicians start their own direct primary care practice, argued that the U.S. is currently far closer to a single-payer system than a free market. He and family medicine resident Dr. Schmale agreed that the only way to solve our healthcare crisis is through deregulation and increased competition. Habig noted that the ideal regulation of the system would be similar to the way current automotive companies are regulated today.
Students were very concerned with the ability of a free market to be driven to provide for poorer populations. As first year UofL medical student Hayley Moss stated, “For people like me who depend on Medicaid, even the lowest market price would be too much.” A poll of the student audience taken at the end of the debate showed that 88% percent supported a single payer system, while 12% supported a free market approach.
Thomas F. Moffett Memorial Celebration
(Please register at the link below. Volunteers are needed to help with set up beginning at 1:00 pm. If you can help, call Kay at 636 1551)
https://tomfmoffett-memorialcelebration.eventbrite.com
by Various Social Justice and Community-Based Organizations
Free
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – A Memorial Celebration of the Life of Thomas F. Moffett will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2019 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at First Unitarian Church, 809 South 4th Street, Louisville, KY. Tom was also known as “The Man in the Red Sweater” and was revered as a tireless Social Justice Activist and advocate for the rights of the underserved and disenfranchised https://www.louisville.com/content/man-in-the-red-sweater . Video presentations by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Former Mayor Jerry Abramson, Activist Mattie Jones and other community leaders will be shown at the program. Sponsoring groups will have information tables and a reception and networking opportunity will follow. Music will be provided by Committed Choir.
Tom’s lifetime of tireless work for racial and social justice serves as a model for all of us. His impact was widely felt on causes ranging from anti-racism and police misconduct to health care and equity in the public schools. Co-sponsors including Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care, Grace Hope Presbyterian Church, Park DuValle Community Health Center, Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice (LSURJ), Louisville Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Fairness Campaign, and Human-Kind Productions are working diligently to plan a fitting memorial for Tom and looks forward to your involvement and support.
The Co-sponsors plan to develop a Thomas F. Moffett Social Justice Fund to support continued advocacy and activism by individuals and groups.
Medical Students Host Panel Discussion on Health Care and Single Payer
On Monday, January 28, 2019, medical students Sarah Parker, Eric Seroogy, and Karen Reynolds, leaders of the University of Louisville Students for a National Health Program (SNaHP), hosted a noontime panel discussion at the medical school.
Sarah Parker and Eric Seroogy posed the questions. Dr. Karen Berg told of a patient in her early 60’s who arrived with extremely advanced open, fungating breast cancer. When she asked the patient why she did not come in earlier, the woman replied that she did not have insurance, that she knew what this was but “All we have is our home–I wasn’t going to let my husband be homeless because of this.”
“This woman literally gave up her life because she didn’t want her husband to lose their only possession,” said Dr. Berg, adding that she favored an expanded Medicare for all or single payer system. She noted that currently the annual cost per physician is $100,000 just for dealing with the insurance companies.
Dr. Kodner spoke of the prior authorization required by Passport. Before they will pay
the physician must justify the treatment. “Quite a few times it’s maddening,” he said as he told of the challenges that confront doctors.
Dr. Casper spoke of the barriers that those without insurance or with inadequate insurance face. She told of a diabetic patient who worked in construction. When he could not pay for his insulin, his toe became infected and he lost the toe. With his big toe missing he did not have proper balance, so he lost his job and his insurance. When he lost the insurance, things got worse and his foot was amputated. He ended up unable to work at all and in a nursing home because he could not pay for the necessary drugs. “This is a moral issue but also does not make economic sense,” she said.
Dr. Tuckson said: “We have the VA and we know it works. Canada has their Medicare system and it works. England has a wonderful National Health Service.” He then responded to the accusation that single payer systems have long waiting times by saying “try seeing an endocrinologist in Louisville.”
He said that in the system we have “Walmart is going to come in and turn us all into clerks.”
Morgan McGarvey said that the Medicaid budget is set for the state of Kentucky and that there is not enough money in state government, but that he did not believe that we would ever get rid of private insurance. Dr. Kodner expressed the opinion that single payer will never happen here–the American mind set is wildly against it, he said.
Others did not agree.
Dr. Casper said that she believed that there was an appetite for single payer in the American public. She said that if
she did not have to spend so much time with insurance company requirements that she would have an increased ability to work with patients. “There is real movement towards a single payer system,” she said.
Dr. Berg said “our health care system is broken.” She knows of patients who have $9,000 deductibles. “The more people who see they cannot afford their care, the faster we will get to single payer. It is cost effective. This will happen in this country.”
KSPH at the Kentucky Alliance Unity Dinner
The Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression recently held their annual dinner at the Louisville Hotel. Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care was there with an information table during the social hour, a full page ad in the journal, a brief opportunity to speak, and a single payer table. Several hundred gathered to celebrate the achievements of Louisville’s civil rights and social justice movements. 
Video of Dr. Margaret Flowers in Louisville on October 4, 2018
The 40 minute video of Dr. Margaret Flowers at the October 4, 2018, public event in Louisville is now available for viewing and sharing here.
KSPH thanks videographer Stephen Mattingly for making it and medical student and SNaHP President Sarah Parker for placing the video on youtube. The video can also be seen and shared from the KSPH facebook page.
PNHP Held Annual Meeting in San Diego
On November 9 and 10, 2018, Physicians for a National Health Program held their Leadership Training and Annual Meeting in San Diego. Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care joined with PNHP North Carolina in presenting the workshop on Chapter Building. On Friday evening everyone marched to the ICE Headquarters to join with community groups to express the demand for justice and health care for immigrants. On Saturday evening, the keynote address was given by Linda Rae Murray, MD, past president of the American Public Health Association. A full report will be available on the PNHP website.
Dr. Garrett Adams Gives Single Payer Sermon at TJ Unitarian Church
On Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, Garrett Adams, MD, founder of Physicians for a National Health Program–KY, delivered the message at the Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church in Louisville. The church featured the event in advance, and the attendance was larger than usual.
The children paraded with their Halloween outfits, and a pianist, violinist, and choir added music to the celebration.
A number of people spoke in solidarity with the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue that had so recently suffered a massive, hate-filled shooting.
Garrett delivered a hopeful message centered on the statistics showing majority physician and popular support for a health care plan that will cover everyone, be federally financed, be free of premiums, co-pays, and deductibles, and include all medically necessary care–an improved Medicare for All.
He told of the tragedy of the 30,000 who die each year needlessly because of a lack of insurance.
He included the story of Clay Morgan, a Henry County farmer and auto mechanic who took his own life rather than impoverish his family with the costs of a recurring cancer. “Statistics are people with the tears wiped dry,” he said.
He ended on a positive note that people can be more powerful than the corporations that seek to hold back progress in order to make profits in health care.
He encouraged activism to make it happen. “Power concedes nothing without a demand–without struggle there is no progress,” said Dr. Adams, concluding with the wisdom of Frederick Douglass.
Dr. Karen Krigger Speaks at “Fix It” at the Port Shaw Community Center
On October 16, 2018, Christine Perlin and Charlie Casper of Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care showed the documentary “Fix It” to an audience at the Port Shaw Community Center.
Karen Krigger, MD, a practicing physician and Clinical Professor of Family and Geriatric Medicine at the University of Louisville, introduced the film and explained how single payer health care works.
Bonnie Coleman, President of the Shawnee Neighborhood Association, and Dr. Krigger organized the event. The 38 minute movie can be seen on the internet at this link.
KSPH offers to show the film to any group or organization anywhere in the state of Kentucky and to send knowledgeable people to lead the discussion and to answer questions.
Just give us a call at (502) 636-1551.
Photos are by Christine Perlin.
Dr. Margaret Flowers in Kentucky: Educating on health policy, inspiring activism to win single payer
On October 4 and 5, 2018, nationally-known single payer activist, Margaret Flowers, MD, spoke at a whirlwind of events in Kentucky, educating physicians and medical students and inspiring activists. Dr. Flowers, a Baltimore pediatrician, now works full time advocating for a National Improved Medicare for All system as set forth in HR 676, the bill in the House of Representatives that currently has 123 cosponsors.
On Thursday morning, Dr. Flowers presented grand rounds to 150 physicians and medical students at the University of Louisville Department of Medicine. Her topic was “Health Care: A Business or a Public Good?”
On Thursday evening Dr. Flowers addressed a packed ballroom at the Hotel Louisville. Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care and Physicians for a National Health Program- KY sponsored the event.
Co-Sponsors are: Central KY Council for Peace and Justice, Louisville Democratic Socialists of America, Greater Louisville Central Labor Council, Jefferson County Teachers Association, Kentucky AFL-CIO, Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Metro Disability Coalition, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, U of L Commonwealth Center for the Humanities and Society, U of L Students for a National Health Program (SNaHP), St. William Church.
Doris Bailey Spencer and Sarah Parker worked to broadcast that event live on facebook and you can see it here.
On Friday morning Dr. Flowers presented Grand Rounds in the auditorium of Jewish Hospital for the University of Louisville Department of Family Medicine and Geriatrics.
On Friday at noon Dr. Flowers spoke with U of L medical students at a discussion organized by the Students for a National Health Program (SNaHP). Dr. Carol Paris of Nashville, PNHP President, joined Dr. Flowers in leading the discussion on the “Professional Imperative to Advocate.”
Friday afternoon activists gathered at the Humana Headquarters at 5th and Main to deliver a message to Humana workers. HR 676, Expanded and Improved Medicare for All, not only covers everyone with medical care but also provides for a future for any displaced workers. Workers will have first choice at jobs in the new system, opportunity for retraining, and two years of their salary up to $100,000 per year to transition into other work.
Christine Perlin chaired the demonstration which featured a dramatic presentation that she wrote and produced. Thomas Noland, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, came out to see what was happening and to get a copy of the leaflet. The demonstration can be seen on facebook here.
