We had a nice crowd of over 20 people at the mtg tues at Dunn Bros, Thanks to socialist alternative (Ty and Kari) and others for networking with us. We brainstormed on possible actions given the intensity of HC reform in congress and their supposed rapid timeline.

We noted the importance of carrying out a variety of tactics, partly to hook in media attention, and galvanize the public in a sustained debate. We already have seen recently how physicians who sat-in on a Senate finance Cmte mtg in Congress galvanized the media and public. We need to sustain this debate, respin it and frame it to single-payer.

Some possible actions we brainstormed on were; 

Bringing one of radio host Ed shultz town hall forums here and getting as much publicity for single-payer as possible, die-ins, a MN Sicko film, Twins/vikings games, flooding legislators  Town Hall Forums w/ people,picketing the Govs mansion, state fair, and even helium balloons to hold up a huge banner over the capitol, and rallies/die-ins at HMOs.

We noted the importance of collecting personal stories as both  focal points and springboards for these actions to the total picture. Personal stories can be shared on the uhcan-mn website www.uhcan-mn.org. Examples include denial of coverage for illness, medical bankruptcy, denial due to pre-existing condition, recission of insurance policy, unexpected bills due to policy loopholes etc.  Most importantly, find a way to express yourself and see what you can do or skill-share in this context. 

We decided to f/u with another mtg this  tues, july 21st, 6:30PM,Joel's backyard (indoors if raining), 3500 35th Ave. S (Longfellow,Mpls 55406),off Lake and off Hiawatha) for another cookout/potluck/mtg. Bring food for the grill. we can do a campfire, music.

In the meantime, pls, find personal stories for yourselves or someone you know whether patient or practitioner for tues. Also we need people to find out when elected officials will be holding Town Hall Mtgs, when congress recess begins in august, specific events we can focus on. 

Pls contact me with an agenda item for this mtg based on the actions we discussed (or even new ones), and the info you found following up on the actions we discussed. 

More HC reform groups are welcome, and, as i think we discussed, we will spend a few minutes on group process and decision-making sol we can stay on message and come out of the mtg with a concrete action planned.

thanks, joel

Joel Albers 

Clinical Pharmacist, Health Economics Researcher

Universal Health Care Action Network - MN

Community/University Collaborative Research

www.uhcan-mn.org

email: joel@...

phone: 612-384-0973

address: 3500 35th ave S

           Mpls, MN, 55406