Healthcare for the 99%: 3 months, 18 demonstrations, going strong…
January 26th, 2012 by Matthew Anderson
Editor’s Note: Later today (1/6/2012) I will be talking about the work of Healthcare for the 99%. I want to thank Dr. Steve Auerbach who prepared this summary of our work over the past 3 months. Matt Anderson, MD
NYC’s “Healthcare for the 99%” Working Group of Occupy Wall Street List of Events & Media Coverage Many Thanks to Dr. Steve Auerbach who prepared this list.See also at:
http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com http://pnhpnymetro.blogspot.com/p/press.htmlOctober 5, 2011: Healthcare contingents at OWS rally at Foley Square and march to Zuccotti:
- Separate groups from PNHP/HCN and Montefiore Social Medicine both show up independently of each other.
- Democracy Now: http://www.democracynow.org/2011/10/6/we_are_the_99_voices_from
- Steve Auerbach blog: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/05/1023232/-Video:-Single-Payer-(-me)-at-OccupyWallStreet-today
- Zach Rosner photo’s: https://plus.google.com/photos/110307751036419143040/albums/5660314287515590161
- Social Medicine: http://www.socialmedicine.org/2011/10/10/health-activism/doctors-for-the-99-physicians-participate-at-the-wall-street-occupation/
October 8: Healthcare Teach-in/Speak-out at large OWS rally at Washington Square Park:
- Over 1,000 protesters moved from Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan to Washington Square Park.
- ABC: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=8384494 (healthcare at 1:30 with interview with our Dr. Dan O’Connell)
During this period different preexisting groups combine forces & organize under the “Healthcare for the 99%”
October 15: Healthcare Teach-in/Speak-out at Washington Square rally & march to Times Square:
- Our first announcement: http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com/2011/10/15/this-weekend/
- Our first report: http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/doctors-for-the-99-at-yesterdays-march/
- Great video at our Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/groups/232031503518810/#!/photo.php?v=989922600012
- Another video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlTI3tNAjPc
- Another video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW4eWTuJGH4
- Steve Auerbach blog: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/15/1026820/-Video-Pics:-My-8-yr-old-joins-Health-Care-For-All-at-Occupy-Wall-Street-today
- Social Medicine: http://www.socialmedicine.org/2011/10/16/health-activism/doctors-for-the-99-out-in-force-on-october-15th/
October 21: March on Verizon in solidarity with Communication Workers of America & OWS:
- We marched as our Healthcare contingent in their action. Healthcare benefits are a major issue for the Union.
- Our announcement: http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/upcoming-events/
October 23: Healthcare Teach-In / Speak-Out as the major event of the day of OWS in Zuccotti Park:
- Local cable news show NY1 coverage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZQFn6A6D-0
- NY 1: http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/149489/occupy-wall-street-protesters-rally-for-health-care-reform/
- Our YouTube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8ahUARDrXU&list=PLFF1E85BA05390188&index=14&feature=plpp_video
- AP photos distributed nationwide: http://topics.dallasnews.com/photo/02la148aH1gfr?q=health
- CBS News: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/10/23/medical-professionals-protest-corporate-greed-at-occupy-wall-street/
October 26: Rally & March Against the Health Insurance Industry and for Single Payer:
- This was the major rally of OWS that week, and it was organized by our healthcare working group with a health focus.
- Over 3 blocks long at peak and over 1,000 people altogether. Our group’s biggest event to date.
- Lot of prep work by lots of folks over several weeks with OWS/NYCGA & other working groups, Direct Action, etc.
- Started at Zuccotti park, march to WellPoint (among the largest of the for-profit insurance companies; bought out former non-profit NY state’s “Empire” Blue Cross/Blue Shield); then on to WellCare (corrupt company involved in for-profit managed Medicare and Medicaid) and finally the site of closed St. Vincent’s hospital (example of mission oriented community hospital forced into bankruptcy and converted to luxury condominiums by broken healthcare financing system and corrupted political system).
- Our announcement: http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/wednesday-october-26th-get-wall-street-out-of-healthcare/
- Long piece on Countdown w/Keith Olbermann: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQbRxHrdYpM&list=PLFF1E85BA05390188
- CNN: http://articles.cnn.com/2011-10-26/us/us_occupy-wall-steet_1_protesters-oakland-police-veterans-group/2?_s=PM:US
- NY1: http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/149649/west-coast–occupy–clash-sparks-nyc-march–ends-in-at-least-10-arrests
- ABC: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=8404745
- Forbes: http://specials.forbes.com/photo/04Sc4zEgFj684
- NPR: http://topics.npr.org/photo/001egff4Iz8kp
- WPIX: http://www.wpix.com/news/wpix-wall-street-protesters-clash,0,6540232.story
- Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/AP3c6928d8f0f44544a98a589b8408a1bf.html
- Countdown with Keith Olbermann clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfDdnoeFwfY&t=35s
- Next Left Notes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lflu8mvsDA&feature=related
- Our video from beginning & end: http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com/2011/10/29/speakout-against-the-heath-insurance-industry-102611/
November 5: Teach-In with Vermont Workers’ Center
- Attended by 60 people to learn about the Vermont “Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign” that was a major grassroots effort part of getting single-payer-like. Health reform passed in Vermont. How did they do it?
- Announcement: http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com/2011/11/03/sat-nov-5-4-6pm-vermont-workers-center-teach-in-ows/
- Video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=829F1T0DU9A&list=PLFF1E85BA05390188
November 13: “99 doctors, nurses, and students give flu shots to the 99%” at OWS Zuccotti Park
- Again, lot of planning with NNU, NYSNA, PNHP, RPSM, and Street Medics and good media coverage:
Fox: http://www.pnhp.org/news/2011/november/ows-receives-flu-shots-from-doctors-and-nurses - AOL http://www.aol.com/video/flu-shots-at-zuccotti/517202281/
- Fox: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/ows-receives-aid-from-doctors-and-nurses-20111113
- Fox: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB-wA6f80Uk
- AP published widely, e.g.: http://online.wsj.com/article/AP3c6928d8f0f44544a98a589b8408a1bf.html
- San Diego Union Tribune: http://www.utsandiego.com/photos/2011/nov/13/484849/
- Rolling Stone http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/photos/threat-assessment-november-14th-18th-20111114/0968596
- Newsday: http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/flu-shots-given-at-zuccotti-park-1.3319074
November 17: Participate in worldwide N17 Event
- Participated as contingent at large general OWS N17 event, starting at Foley Square& march over Brooklyn Bridge
- Announcement: http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/n17-mass-direct-action-schedule-with-healthcare-events/
- Blog: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/11/18/1037810/-Healthcare-for-the-99-at-OWS-November-17-Day-Of-Action
- Our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbzskYvXYtc&list=PLFF1E85BA05390188
- Video clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2InGvkI-ess&context=C3774123ADOEgsToPDskLfBsGly18O9rzOkDIjqPlf
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150372515630318&set=o.232031503518810&type=3&theater
- Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJoHO65Zwc0
November 21: Defending our Social Contract
December 1: Join with NY State Nursing Association & other unions, March for Jobs & Economic Fairness
December 4: Health Access Rally & March for Health Professions Students, organized by AMSA
- Well attended rally and march, featuring drop-in appearance by Rev. Jesse Jackson. Part of American Medical Students Association (AMSA) activism to get health professions students involved in Occupy movement nationwide.
- Our Announcement: http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/student-health-professions-march/
- AMSA’s announcement: http://action.amsa.org/owsrally & http://action.amsa.org/owsandamsa
- Our report: http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/rev-jesse-jackson-attends-healthcare-for-the-99-meeting/
- Local online media report: http://ny-popculture-politics.blogspot.com/2011/12/jesse-jackson-ows-healthcare-99.html
- Our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0XTpVExog
- Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaTrhxe1iZ0
- Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvcqvNQXEug
December 17: Participated at large general OWS event at Duarte Park
December 20: Participate in NNU’s event “Healthcare not Hedge Funds” at Cerebus Headquarters
- Our announcement: http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/tues-dec-20th-join-nurses-vs-wall-street/
- NY Times: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/nurses-accuse-equity-firm-of-cutting-patient-care/
- Boston Herald: http://bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1390087&position=0
- Our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oolPkjmgFrw
- Our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2XG2dAlIAY
Dec 24: Christmas eve caroling and sleep-out at St. Vincent’s
- Our announcement: http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/stop-the-pottersville-of-new-york-city/
- Blog report: http://no-third-term.blogspot.com/2011/12/st-vincents-christmas-caroling-video.html
- Blog report: http://no-third-term.blogspot.com/2011/12/st-vincents-hanukah-protest.html
Jan 11, 2012: People’s Power Breakfast and Speak-Out to Fix Healthcare in Brooklyn
- The “People’s” answer to a $75-a-plate power-elite’s breakfast, where health industry and Wall Street insiders were guests of Crain’s NY (the local business publication whose readers are the 1%) to talk about how to “Solve Brooklyn’s Hospital Crisis”.
- Announcement: http://owshealthcare.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/peoples-power-breakfast-and-speak-out-to-fix-healthcare-in-brooklyn/
- WBAI radio: http://archive.wbai.org/files/mp3/wbai_120123_190053bbridges.mp3 (Segment in show on our event begins at 39:22 with union representatives; our Dr. Bill Jordan @ 50:08 & Dr. Steve Auerbach @ 53:35)
- NY1 TV: http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/153978/union-health-care-workers-blast-plans-to-close-brooklyn-hospitals
- Our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GncRe4mTupA
January 16: PNHP & Healthcare for the 99% at OWS Martin Luther King Day Jr., rally in Union Square
- Our video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odf3bp-5y2c&hd=1&list=PLFF1E85BA05390188
- Another picture: http://ny-mobile-news.tumblr.com/post/15954422454
January 16: Healthcare for the 99% at Martin Luther King Day, Jr., rally at St. Vincent’s Hospital
- Online media: http://ny-mobile-news.tumblr.com/post/15981970321/svh-martin-luther-king-vigil-becomes-medical-emergency
- Blog report: http://ny-popculture-politics.blogspot.com/2012/01/rudin-family-economic-injustice.html
- Blog report: http://ny-popculture-politics.blogspot.com/2012/01/vigil-becomes-medical-crisis.html
- Blog report: http://ny-popculture-politics.blogspot.com/2012/01/rudin-mlk-day-st-vincents-protest.html
Why Are They Closing St. Vincent’s Hospital? (Pt. 29) – March Against the Health Insurance Industry (Excerpt)
http://current.com/community/93615122_why-are-they-closing-st-vincents-hospital-pt-29-march-against-the-health-insurance-industry-excerpt.htm
Why Are They Closing St. Vincent’s Hospital? (Pt. 29) – March Against the Health Insurance Industry (Excerpt)
http://current.com/community/93615122_why-are-they-closing-st-vincents-hospital-pt-29-march-against-the-health-insurance-industry-excerpt.htm
10/26/11 – The Hedz-Up Report covers Occupy Wall Street’s, Healthcare for the 99%, as they lead a “March Against the Health Insurance Industry.” Coverage picks up at final destination, St. Vincent’s Hospital, as local activists from the Coalition for a New Village Hospital and Hands Off St. Vincents!, prepare to greet the marchers and conduct a teach-in.
Real estate developer Bill Rudin, has purchased the hospital property for approximately $260 million and has announced plans to build luxury condominiums. Also planned is an “urgent care center,” which activists argue will leave the area without an adequately equipped full-fledged hospital.