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Dr. Margaret Flowers in Kentucky: Educating on health policy, inspiring activism to win single payer

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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?”

Margaret Flowers, MD, at the University of Louisville Department of Medicine Grand Rounds
Margaret Flowers, MD, at the University of Louisville Department of Medicine Grand Rounds
Charlie Casper, Dr. Barbara Casper, and Dr. Garrett Adams at the Grand Rounds.
Charlie Casper, Dr. Barbara Casper, and Dr. Garrett Adams at the Grand Rounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part of the audience at the University of Louisville Department of Medicine Grand Rounds.
Part of the audience at the University of Louisville Department of Medicine Grand Rounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Congressman John Yarmuth, a cosponsor of HR 676, speaking at the October 4 public event. Seated (l to r) are Dr. Carol Paris, President of Physicians for a National Health Program, Dr. Margaret Flowers, Kay Tillow, Chair, Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care, and Dr. Garrett Adams, Founder of Physicians for a National Health Program-Kentucky. Not pictured is Ann Hagan-Grigsby, CEO of Park DuValle Community Health Center who also spoke.
Congressman John Yarmuth, a cosponsor of HR 676, speaking at the October 4 public event. Seated (l to r) are Dr. Carol Paris, President of Physicians for a National Health Program, Dr. Margaret Flowers, Kay Tillow, Chair, Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care, and Dr. Garrett Adams, Founder of Physicians for a National Health Program-Kentucky. Not pictured is Ann Hagan-Grigsby, CEO of Park DuValle Community Health Center who also spoke.

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.”

Medical students listening to Dr. Margaret Flowers. At the right is Sarah Parker, one of the leaders of SNaHP.
Medical students listening to Dr. Margaret Flowers. At the right is Sarah Parker, one of the leaders of SNaHP.

 

U of L Medical students who came out to hear Dr. Flowers.
U of L Medical students who came out to hear Dr. Flowers.
Brandi Jones, MD, the first president of U of L SNaHP who came back to attend this student event.
Brandi Jones, MD, the first president of U of L SNaHP who came back to attend this student event.
Medical student leaders of U of L SNaHP (l to r) Sarah Parker, Mallika Sabharwal, Michael Gasser.
Medical student leaders of U of L SNaHP (l to r) Sarah Parker, Mallika Sabharwal, Michael Gasser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drs. Carol Paris and Margaret Flowers speak with a medical student after the program.
Drs. Carol Paris and Margaret Flowers speak with a medical student after the program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christine Perlin speaking at the demonstration at Humana.
Christine Perlin speaking at the demonstration at Humana.
Some of those who were there at the Humana Headquarters.
Some of those who were there at the Humana Headquarters.
Dr. Edgar Lopez speaking.
Dr. Edgar Lopez speaking.
At the demonstration at Humana where flyers were distributed to the Humana workers.
At the demonstration at Humana where flyers were distributed to the Humana workers.
Standing up for Improved Medicare for All in front of the Humana Building in downtown Louisville.
Standing up for Improved Medicare for All in front of the Humana Building in downtown Louisville.
David Ross Stevens and Dr. Margaret Flowers.
David Ross Stevens and Dr. Margaret Flowers.
Dr Carol Paris, Dr. Garrett Adams, and Dr. Margaret Flowers at the Humana demonstration.
Dr Carol Paris, Dr. Garrett Adams, and Dr. Margaret Flowers at the Humana demonstration.
The flyer distributed to Humana workers.
The flyer distributed to Humana workers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.