healthcare ACTIONS in 2020

With the COVID-19 crisis looming, our Governor rammed through an austerity budget and sent the Legislature home with no chance to work on important issues. That was probably not by accident — with Democratic majorities in the Assembly and Senate, some good legislation might have been made. And while we can no longer do street canvassing or rallies, the time spent staying at home can be put to good use by:

• Using Twitter/Instagram to amplify @NYHCampaign, @DickGottfried, @NYSenatorRivera, @wegener_julie, @madleyrachel, @PNHPNYMetro, @LIActivist, and @UptownProg

• Creating selfies and videos with personal stories about how the healthcare system is failing the country in the pandemic

• Building further grassroots support by hosting small-scale meetings via Zoom, Skype, Hangouts, etc.

healthcare ACTIONS in 2019

With the Democratic surge in the 2018 elections, which gave them a clear majority in the Senate, we seemed poised to pass the Health Act. However, as often, many politicians who supported the Act when they knew it wouldn’t pass now stepped back. With extensive lobbying throughout the session from NYPAN members and others, many of these were pulled back into sponsoring the Act, but we were left just one vote short.

In particular, however, the “Long Island Six” did not join, and activists will have to work hard to bring them around.

In the meantime, we continue to broaden our scope to include several kinds of base-building in order to reach as many people as possible. Here’s how YOU can get involved:

• Get resources: at the Campaign for NY Health website

• Talk to people: the “grapevine” is still a wonderful way to let people know about what a single payer system can do for them.

• Talk to groups: endorsements from groups are good, too, from any group you belong to! They can also endorse on the Campaign for NY Health website.

• Talk to businesses: no matter what size, business endorsements help a LOT. There is no money involved and no commitment. They can just add their name as supporters of the Act at the Campaign for NY Health website.

• Talk to doctors: because of their status, endorsements by doctors are particularly important. They can sign up on the PNHP website (Physicians for a National Health Program).

• Talk to public officials: don’t forget about talking to your elected officials at both the state and local level, including your City Council member and members of the local Community Board.

• Host a party: It’s easy, and it’s a great way to let more people know about single payer healthcare. We can help provide a speaker, literature and other assistance.  MORE

• Host a public event: getting a larger group together is similar to a party but can bring in more people. All you need is a public space and to put out the word. The campaign will provide one or more speakers, possibly including even Senator Rivera or Assemblyman Gottfried if the event is public enough! Contact us here for help.

• Approach schools: School administrators and PTA groups can be approached, with the goal of presenting to large groups of staff and parents, and we’ll be happy to help with that, too!

• Post flyers and cards: put up the summary in your building, church, synagogue or workplace. Collect signatures from people on the postcards!

healthcare ACTIONS IN 2018

The 2017 legislature closed without the NY Health Act coming to the floor for a vote in the state Senate. This means that we will start over in 2018: the Act should pass the state Assembly again quite easily, and is likely to stall again in the state Senate. Fortunately, Trump’s behavior in Washington has shaken many in New York, and the popular demand for “Medicare for All” is rising, along with an understanding of how our own Democratic state Senators are enabling Republicans and holding this progressive legislation out of reach. IDC senators who hope to keep their seats should be motivated to support the NYHA more strongly. Also, several special elections must be called and could lead to an outright Democratic majority in the state Senate. In the meantime, we continue to broaden our scope to include several kinds of base-building in order to reach as many people as possible. We are encouraging everyone to get involved:

• Talk to people: the “grapevine” is still a wonderful way to let people know about what a single payer system can do for them.

• Talk to groups: endorsements from groups are good, too, from any group you belong to! They can also endorse on the Campaign for NY Health website.

• Talk to businesses: no matter what size, business endorsements help a LOT. There is no money involved and no commitment. They can just add their name as supporters of the Act at the Campaign for NY Health website.

• Talk to doctors: because of their status, endorsements by doctors are particularly important. They can sign up on the PNHP website (Physicians for a National Health Program).

• Talk to public officials: don’t forget about talking to your elected officials at both the state and local level, including your City Council member and members of the local Community Board.

• Host a party: It’s easy, and it’s a great way to let more people know about single payer healthcare. The Campaign for NY Health will provide a speaker and other assistance.

• Host a public event: getting a larger group together is similar to a party but can bring in more people. All you need is a public space and to put out the word. The campaign will provide one or more speakers, possibly including even Senator Rivera or Assemblyman Gottfried if the event is public enough! Contact us here.

• Approach schools: School administrators and PTA groups can be approached, with the goal of presenting to large groups of staff and parents, and we’ll be happy to help with that, too!

• Post flyers and cards: put up the summary in your building, church, synagogue or workplace. Collect signatures from people on the postcards!

healthcare Actions in 2017

In the Spring of 2017, four NYPAN chapters and two DSA working groups formed a coalition to put pressure on NY State Senator Simcha Felder. Felder was the lone “Democrat” who did not sponsor the NYHA. Throughout the spring and summer of 2017, committee members canvassed and postered in his district, handing out and posting thousands of flyers. In addition, we took out ads in the Torah Times, in an attempt to influence the rabbis who are believed to control Felder. And at the end of the summer, a noisy sit-in was staged at Felder’s office and put on Facebook.

Later in 2017, a small group of key healthcare activists met for a downstate strategy meeting with Katie Robbins, Executive Director of the Metro Chapter of PNHP (Physicians for a National Health Program). We have been working closely with this organization for many months. Together, we identified roughly 60 groups working for the NYHA in downstate alone. On August 12th, we organized a large strategy meeting for these groups, at which we identified common strategies and worked to establish areas where we could work together. Point people for each geographic area were assigned to coordinate future work and to help new groups and individuals link with existing groups in their areas. A follow-up meeting took place in the winter, and more are planned.

For more information, contact tingb@nypan.org or stevenc@nypan.org