Category: Health Care

Tues Feb 7th: Climate change, health care, & so much more

On By Joni EisenIn Environment, Health Care, Journalism, Social justice, Uncategorized

Two-plus weeks after the “inauguration,” we find that all the challenges we feared are coming at us, almost all at once.  So for the foreseeable future, our Club will focus on ongoing, practical resistance against the Republican agenda in Washington, and the corporate agenda in Sacramento and City Hall.  Each meeting will start with quick updates and specific upcoming actions, and then we’ll dive deeper into conversations with allies on specific subjects. This meeting featured:

• Combating Climate Change. Back in 2013, Citizens’ Climate Lobby appeared before the DemClub; as a result, we became the first organization in SF to endorse its proposed federal legislation, Carbon Fee & Dividend – which, considering the current climate (so to speak) looming in Washington DC, just might have a chance in today’s Congress (it’s both market-based and socially just). CCL volunteers Joni Eisen, Heath Massey, & Brendan Rhoan updated us on their progress, coupled with a call to action.

• Supporting Real Investigative Journalism. Michael Stoll and Daphne Magnawa of San Francisco Public Press, a local nonprofit, noncommercial news organization, described some of their work producing high-impact in-depth reporting projects on a wide range of topics.

• Saving Health Care. Carolyn Barden of California Nurses Association and Jonathan Meade of Healthy California discussed expanding health care, not cutting it, and why now is the time to move forward in California with Single-Payer legislation:  Medicare for all.

For your ongoing convenience, find links to overall resistance info, and particular actions, in our current newsletter.

Tuesday, May 5th: Calle 24; End-of-Life Option Act; Medicare’s 50th birthday

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Health Care, Housing, Income disparity, Uncategorized

Erick Arguello, Edwin LindoCalle 24, the stretch of 24th Street running from Mission Street to Potrero Avenue, is known as “El Corazón de la Misión”, or “The Heart of the Mission.” Calle 24 is also the name of the group of merchants and neighbors fighting for the heart and soul of the Mission. Erick Arguello and Edwin Lindo (right) described the widespread displacement of long-time residents & businesses by skyrocketing rents, and legislation introduced by Supervisor Campos earlier that day to place a 45-day moratorium on market-rate housing in the Mission. The club voted to endorse the “No Monster in the Mission” campaign, thereby joining the Plaza 16 Coalition.

Jacie RoweSB 128 is the End-of-Life Option Act (Wolk, D-Davis, and Monning, D-Carmel), which would allow terminally ill Californians to request medication to bring about a peaceful death if their suffering becomes unbearable. Jacie Rowe (left), Northern California organizer for Compassion & Choices, discussed the bill. The club passed a resolution of support and will sign on to a letter to legislators.


There are plans afoot for preserving and expanding Medicare, America’s universal, public health plan for seniors age 65 and up, and actions to celebrate its birthday this summer. Jonathan Meade from SEIU 1021, part of Healthy California, a coalition of which PHDC is a member, invited PHDC to join the July 30th rally in Oakland.

 

WHEN: Tuesday, May 5th at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St @ Southern Heights

Tuesday August 5th: An endorsement sampler – and more

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elections, Endorsements, Environment, Health Care, Housing, Money in politics, Uncategorized


Prop H vs. Prop IArguments pro and con for a variety of measures on the November 4th ballot made for an engaging evening of mini-debates. There was a literal turf battle (at right, Mike Murphy & Donald Collins argue real vs. fake grass in the parks), the Pier 70 development height limit increase, an attempt to “balance” transportation priorities (oh, pity the poor cars!), the sugary beverage tax, a question about an amendment to overturn Citizens United, an anti-speculation tax, a fund for children and youth. In short, something for almost everyone.

Club members voted at the end of the evening. Results of the vote: PHDC endorsed YES on Props C (Children’s Fund), E (Sugary beverage tax), F (Pier 70), G (anti-speculation tax), H (natural grass in Golden Gate Park), and 49 (overturning Citizens United).

PHDC endorsed NO on Props I (artificial turf) and L (Transportation priorities policy). Endorsement requires 60% of votes cast.

The Club also voted to support the Eden Foods boycott (featuring another Hobby Lobby-esque owner suing to foist his own religious beliefs on employees).

WHEN: Tuesday August 5 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St @ Southern Heights

Tuesday, June 3rd (election night) Sheriff’s update; Campaign for a Healthy California

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Elected official, Health Care, Labor

Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi (right) gave an update on happenings in and around the SF Sheriff’s Department, including a number of initiatives regarding public safety and rehabilitation both inside and outside the jail system.

Ed Kinchley, SEIU 2121’s political education co-chair, talked about the Campaign for a Healthy California, whose mission is to “finish the job on health reform” by eventually replacing private health insurance with guaranteed healthcare for all Californians.

The Club voted to join Campaign for a Healthy California’s coalition as an endorser.

Because the theater was in use as a polling place, we met downstairs in the Game Room.

WHEN: Tuesday June 3 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St @ Southern Heights


Tuesday, May 7th: Health Care Reform and What it Means to You

On By potrerohilldemocratsIn Health Care, Uncategorized

Health Care Reform panelThe Affordable Care Act, known as “Obamacare,” will be fully enacted come January 1, 2014. But did you know that the new California Health Benefit Exchange (known as Covered California) will be open for enrollment in October?

Our extremely knowledgeable panel consisted of (left to right) Bonnie Preston, MSPH, Outreach & Policy Specialist at the US Department of Health & Human Services, to discuss basics about the federal law and our state’s insurance exchange, (Covered California) where people can compare plans and determine eligibility for tax credits; Patricia McGinnis, Executive Director of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, on the effects of reform on seniors;  Sumi Sousa, Officer of Policy Development and Coverage Programs at San Francisco Health Plan, with a San Francisco perspective. Ms. Sousa also helped write the law that created Covered California. The discussion, including extensive audience Q&A, was both detailed and far-ranging. Another illuminating evening at PHDC! The Club also passed a resolution opposing cuts to Social Security benefits and advocating lifting or scrapping the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes .

WHEN: Tuesday, May 7 at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St