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Sunday, January 15, 2006

Voice your concerns about healthcare.

The US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has just formed the Citizens' Health Care Working Group (citizenshealthcare.gov). They write:
It's time to do something about Health Care. We have much to be proud of but there are also serious problems with our health care system; they are getting worse and we need to do something about them. That's why Congress and the President created the Citizens' Health Care Working Group - to hear what you think and then send to the President and Congress a citizens' roadmap about how to make health care work for all Americans. By participating with the Working Group you can have an inside track to influence the deliberations of Congress and the President. Don't miss your chance.
Here's how you can get involved and make your concerns known:

* Share your thoughts, concerns, suggestions, and stories about health care in the US. Contact the Working Group at CitizensHealth@ahrq.gov, or fill out the online questionnaire.

* Attend a community meeting. These are being held all over the country starting January 2006.

* Contact the Working Group to let them know your concerns, opinions, and suggestions. They can be reached by mail at Citizens' Health Care Working Group, 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 575, Bethesda, MD 20814; by phone at 301-443-1502 and by email at CitizensHealth@ahrq.gov.

* Host a community meeting of your own and deliver the thoughts of your group to Congress. For help in engaging your organization or group, contact Jessica Federer at 301.443.1521 or jfederer@ahrq.gov.

* Learn more about healthcare through the The Health Report to the American People and other resources.

The US health care system offers lots of good services, but it is also expensive, wasteful, and inefficient. In addition, because of geographic, economic, cultural and other barriers, millions of people don't have access to health and medical care. For example, over 45 million people have no health insurance.

Here's yet another opportunity to hold your elected officials accountable and push for the changes that will benefit us all. I am hopeful that our participation in this project and others will improve access to good health care. Participation certainly won't hurt, and it's the right thing to do. Let your voice be heard.

"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

10 comments:

Karama said...

A fitting quote for King's birthday, huh? :)

Anonymous said...

I agree with your perspective on this issue Karama. We have so much and yet so little; there is so much bias,irrationality, and inequality. In this country few people apply reason on the issues that really matter --- and healthcare is one of them.
It`s either they stick with their pre-conceived notions, have a mental set,or resist and attempt to banish those who are striving for a change.
The time has come for us to move forward. Healthcare and the appreciation of the individual must be redefined.

Gnoiffe Medna

Anonymous said...

I agree with your perspective on this issue Karama. We have so much and yet so little; there is so much bias,irrationality, and inequality. In this country few people apply reason on the issues that really matter --- and healthcare is one of them.
It`s either they stick with their pre-conceived notions, have a mental set,or resist and attempt to banish those who are striving for a change.
The time has come for us to move forward. Healthcare and the appreciation of the individual must be redefined.

Gnoiffe Medna

Anonymous said...

karama,

What is your opinion on diasporans w/o access forming cooperative health care groups or creating institutions independent of government action?

Beautiful blog BTW...you have a wonderful mind sister.

Michael

Anonymous said...

Hi Karama,
I would like to volunteer at a non-hospital setting(maybe school or home) where children have mental disorders. I feel a lot of these kids needs help.
Mental disorders are prevalent in our society. Every American has been affected either directly or indirectly. The impact of mental health on our economy outweighs that of all other medical anomalies combined. It is sad that many people do not know this.
More should be done and medical insurance coverage should be improved.
If you have any information or tips on where a place like this might be located(in Atlanta) please let me know.

Thanks,
Gnoiffe Medna

Anonymous said...

Great blog I hope we can work to build a better health care system as we are in a major crisis and health insurance is a major aspect to many.

Karama said...

Gnoiffe,

Thanks for your comments. You can use the search form on this page to find numerous volunteer opportunities and clearinghouses. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks for reading, and come back again soon.

Karama said...

Hi Michael,

I'm all for Diasporans, poor folks, La Raza, and all segment of the underserved to form cooperative clinics and hospitals. My dad helped found one in rural Arkansas. The Lee County Cooperative Clinic started as a VISTA (AmeriCorps) and continues to serve the community.

I'm sure there are models for cooperative health care that can be replicated or modified throughout the US and world. We need only make those ideas reality. ('Only.' I know, it's a big job, but it's doable and it's worth it.)

Thanks for reading, Michael. I'm glad you are enjoying So what can I do. I hope you'll stop by again soon, and spread the word. Let us know where your inspiration and motivation take you!

Karama said...

Insurance is a big part of the problem, BCC. It will be interesting to see what new systems we develop and implement. I only hope they serve all the people well.

Thanks for visiting, BCC. Please stop by again soon, and spread the word.

Karama said...

Here are the winners of the Medical Weblog Awards. Enjoy!