Contributed by the Florence Chapter

of the Archimedes Movement



They say, “use it or lose it.” So local health reform activists are back and building on energy uncovered a year-and-a-half ago when 1,100 local residents signed petitions supporting health reform for submission to the Oregon Legislature.

Now they are sharing concerns about health reform efforts at both state and federal levels and putting Florence on the Internet through “YouTube.”

An all-day Health Care Reform Open House Forum, Film Festival and Noon Potluck is set for Saturday, Nov. 22, in the Bromley Room, Siuslaw Public Library, starting at 10 a.m. Nationally regarded films about health care will be shown, alternating with speakers and a noon potluck.

“We encourage everyone to come, even if they have no interest in food or are unable to contribute,” said Kathryn Damon-Dawson, a local participant. “We will alternate speakers and short films and continue during the food if people wish. Our final film, the PBS Frontline documentary, ‘Sick Around the World,’ will start at 5 p.m.”

To create a presence on the Internet, people are invited to also drop by the library lobby through the day until 6 p.m. to video-tape a five- or 10-second “YouTube” Internet segment.

“In their own way, local folks can declare support for health system reform. America and Congress will actually see and hear a small town’s hopes and concerns about health care reform,” Damon-Dawson said. “As a community we can take action for a good cause and have something fun to share with grandkids or friends on the Internet.”

Event organizers will place the collected ultra-short video segments on “YouTube” with the hope of attracting wider attention.

During the forum, speakers with diverse perspectives will address past and pending reform efforts at both federal and state levels.

Stu Henderson, an event organizer, said, “Speakers can range over topics, including other countries’ delivery of health care, and current U.S. problems showing a need for comprehensive reform.”

A radio show is also scheduled for Nov. 20, at 4 p.m. to discuss the health care reform topics and plans to have speakers and to take phone calls from listeners.

Henderson added, “We also want to thank our locally owned KCST Radio for showing interest for a one-hour program on this.”

Speakers scheduled for these events include:

• Practicing physician Dr. Frank Turner, who has administrative experience with large HMOs, the Veterans Administration, the U.S. Public Health Service and large and small group practices, and has supported the Archimedes Oregon reform efforts.

• Marc Shapiro, co-writer and spokesman for the 2002 Health Care for All Oregon initiative campaign whose father conducted the primary clinical research on coumadin, one of the world’s most widely used drugs.

• Professor Jon Palfreman, producer of the PBS Frontline documentary, “Sick Around the World.”

• Oregonians for Health Security, a group active on many health care fronts, will discuss the work of the Oregon Health Fund Board to implement reform in Oregon, with Maribeth Healey, director, and Ariel Brantley-Dalglish, communications director.

• A representative of the SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) program is also expected. SHIBA is a federally funded state program providing free Medicare counseling and assistance to compare health policies, understand insurance issues, bills and complaints.

“A selection of excellent short films will be interspersed with question-and-answer opportunities for our assembled panel,” said Henderson. “To lighten proceedings, Dr. Turner will be standing by to administer blood pressure tests to those overwhelmed by the gravity of the problems we face.”

Discussion can include Medicare and privatization.

“More hospitals and physicians refuse to take Medicare patients. Florence doesn’t have that problem — yet. Medicare funding directly subsidizes profits to select private-sector insurance because of Congressional rule changes in 2003 and earlier,” says Rand Dawson, event participant with a Medicare interest. “Similar to attempts to privatize Social Security in 2002, the insurance–financial sector wants access to the Medicare Trust Fund through subsidized vouchers for private care benefits or other means. Medicare could be part of a broad funding-mix solution for comprehensive reform. Or the Trust Fund can remain isolated and shrink from pressures including subsidizing insurance company profits.”

A schedule for the programs has not been finalized but additional information will be published in the Siuslaw News on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

The event is offered by the Florence chapter of the Archimedes Movement and is free to the public. Everyone is invited to bring a potluck dish and tableware. Coffee will be provided.

To assist with organization or the filming, call 997-3950 or 997-2997.