The Healthcare United campaign in Ohio will be knocking on doors, making phone calls, and talking to colleagues at work about the importance of registering to vote this summer. We want to make sure that every Ohio healthcare worker has a voice in the debate over healthcare reform and in the election of 2008. Healthcare workers like you are doing things, small and large, to educate and engage their colleagues--hosting meet-ups, calling healthcare workers in their area, and sharing their stories on our site.
Caregivers across the
state are registering their friends, family and coworkers to vote. Here's what
you can do:
1. Inviting five friends to join Healthcare United
2. Host a Healthcare United meet-up in your neighbohood with your colleagues and other healthcare workers. Email Ellie Van Houtte at ellie@healthcareunited.org or call her at (614) 216-8374 for more information on how to get started.
September Update from Ohio
by Ellie Van Houtte | Thursday, August 28, 2008
Move over Congress! Nurses, doctors and caregivers are stepping
forward to be heard by their elected officials. Will you lead the way
by sharing your story at a Cincinnati legislator meeting in September?
I know that many of you work long hours and often have multiple
commitments as caregivers, but there could be no better time for you to
be involved. With the debate on healthcare all over the news, now is
the time when we need you to be represented in front of our state and
federal elected officials.
We will kick off the month by meeting with District 1 Congressional Candidate, Steven Driehaus, who also currently serves as an Ohio State Representative. In July, Healthcare United volunteers shared their stories with Congressman Steve Chabot, and we wanted to give the same opportunity to his challenger. During the following week, we will meet with State Representative Robert Mecklenborg, a member of Health Committee in the Ohio House of Representatives.
In addition to our Legislator Outreach, you will find several other events that will give you a chance to learn more about Healthcare United and to meet some of the wonderful healthcare professionals that are already volunteering. If you reside outside of Cincinnati, please sign up for our monthly "Call To Action" Conference Calls...an activity you can participate in from home, work or on-the-go. Details are being finalized, so check back soon to sign-up.
Please DON’T WAIT for other people to take the lead: YOU are the catalysts for change, and your involvement WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Cincinnati Healthcare Professionals Take Action to Combat Diabetes
by Lily Allen | Wednesday, July 23, 2008
It was a scorcher here in Ohio as I made my way with seven healthcare professionals and healthcare advocates to the top of the legislative offices of the Carew Tower in downtown Cincinnati. Our mission: to brief Congressman Steve Chabot (R) on the devastating effects of diabetes, and the flaws in the Ohio healthcare system that can compound the effects of this illness, and to discuss new ways to work together to address these flaws.Our first story of how bad the problem is came from a woman named Kelley Davis. Kelley is 19 years old, a severe Type-II diabetic, and fully employed. Despite this, she's unable to afford the life saving insulin that can cost upwards of $350 each month. After aging out of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Kelley, like many Ohioans, was left with nowhere to turn saying, "You wouldn't imagine people would turn you down for something you need."
While Kelley's story is compelling, it's not unique. In a survey done by the Kaiser Foundation and National Public Radio, it was reported that:
- 28 percent of Ohioans say they have trouble paying for health insurance;
- 14 percent use up most of their savings on medical bills; and
- 16 percent have been contacted by a collection agency about unpaid medical bills.
As Lillian Kitchens, a local healthcare worker said during the meeting, "It's time to get health care back to what it was. It's become a money making business, not a care giving business."
Caregivers urged Congressman Chabot to explore how Ohio can invest in preventative treatment for chronic illnesses such as type-II diabetes. Opponents of healthcare reform sometimes contend that it's too expensive and not cost effective to invest in preventative programs - but that's just plain wrong. For example, every $10 invested per Ohio resident in nutrition programs that can curb the onset of Type-II diabetes would result in $795 million in savings for the state. Of that savings, $503 million would go right back into the pockets of Ohio citizens in the form of lowered premiums. People say we can't afford preventive care but really, we can't afford not to do this.
Ohio Spring Update!
by Ellie Van Houtte | Monday, May 26, 2008
With the chills of winter all but faded away in the Buckeye State, the Healthcare United Campaign is ready to turn up the volume and make the voices of healthcare workers and nurses from across the state heard as we head into the heat of Election 2008.With over 140,000 registered nurses and healthcare workers in Ohio, the Healthcare United Campaign will create a dialogue on healthcare reform that embraces the on-the-ground perspective of nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. By the end of the summer, hundredss of healthcare professionals will emerge as the leaders in the movement towards healing the healthcare system by sharing their stories, experiences, and solutions to the unique challenges they face everyday with legislators, and aspiring office holders. More specifically, Ohio healthcare workers will be working with Ohio Healthy Families to collect petition signatures for mandatory paid sick days, and registering healthcare workers to vote.