New Year's Wishes

The officers and members of the Greencastle Antrim Democratic Club wish one and all a very happy new year with hope for peace, good health and happiness.

The past year has been full of ups and downs. We will never forget the joy of the new year and the inauguration of our President Barack Obama. Who could have anticipated the stone wall of opposition that would greet him as he advanced his program? The opposition has rallied people with an anti-government rhetoric fueled by discontent and fear of change. The health care town meetings were a stunning display of that anger. We will have to overcome these impulses if we want to maintain our Democratic majority in the House and Senate. Let's hope our representatives vote with courage. That will assure their reelection far more than timid concessions to the right.

It's been a rocky road but we did pass a stimulus package, extended unemployment insurance, improved minimum wage, have health reform in the works, will pass reforms of the banking and financial system, placed Justice Sotomayor on the Supreme Court. These are not small gains. However, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan remain stumbling blocks to peace and prosperity. A full recovery with jobs for all who want them is far off. Let's hope our President and Congressional Leaders can rally supporters and stand up for the principles that elected them.

We hope you will attend Democratic Party events in 2010 as we prepare for the Congressional elections. Bring your ideas, your energy and your friends.

Senate Committee Finally Holds Hearing on Single Payer

There was a major breakthrough in the Pennsylvania legislature on December 16. The Senate Banking and Insurance committee, chaired by Republican Senator Don White, held a hearing on Senate bill 400 which provides for a Statewide comprehensive health care system. In light of the weak showing by Congress on health reform, it was a breath of fresh air.

Supporters of the measure, whose primary sponsor is Sen. Jim Ferlo testified first. Ferlo explained the need to look at different approaches rather than be tied to the usual failed insurance model. Among other attributes, he said that the state Single Payer plan would free employers from the onerous burden of skyrocketing health insurance costs by, instead, providing healthcare for everyone at far less cost.

Chuck Pennacchio, Executive Director of Healthcare for all PA set forth the particulars of the state-level, Single Payer approach, and how it represents values we can all embrace: freedom, choice, fiscal conservatism, personal responsibility, modeling solutions, constitutional federalism, fair-share taxation, efficiency, transparency, accountability, jobs creation, bureaucratic streamlining, investment and reinvestment, coordinated and comprehensive care, reduced rationing, restored patient-provider relationship, healthy outcomes, tort remedy, end bankruptcy fears, health care education, "medical home" data base, and more.

Patricia Eakin, RN from Philadelphia explained that she was a nurse in one of the busiest ERs in Pennsylvania at Temple and that she sees the problems of the lack of insurance on a daily basis. She gave some examples of the problems faced by people who have lack insurance. She noted how her hospital was losing money because they had to spend limited resources on billing personnel, and had to absorb, and/or pass along, financial losses on people without insurance or on Medicaid.

Dwight Michaels, MD, a Republican family practice doctor from Gettysburg, spoke about how his experience with private insurance bureaucrats had driven him to support the Single Payer Solution. He said it is increasingly difficult to practice medicine because his five-person practice struggles daily with 20 different insurance plans, all with different rules.

David Steil, a former Republican state legislator and head of a small manufacturing business was knew all of the Senators and broke the stereotype that all Single Payer supporters are Democrats on the left. Mr. Steil spoke about how he tries to run a business, but the cost and hassle of health insurance has made his company more vulnerable in an international market where his non-American competitors have far cheaper health costs.

Those opposed included the head of the Blues, the head of the PA Medical Society, a spokesman for the National Federation of Independent businesses, the Insurance Federation, the Pennsylvania Hospital Association. Their arguments included standard objections including fear of government monopolistic control of health care, but they frequently cited some of the same problems that the supporters of single payer raised. Ultimately the very respectful and excellent questions from the Senators spurred them to say: "we need to get together a discuss better reforms." Everyone agreed that the system was seriously broken and imperiled state finances.

The room was packed with supporters of Senate bill 400 including from our area Dan and Ruth Jordan and Jack and Kathy Hendricks. For further information check out the Health Care for All website.

Holiday Get Together at Casey's

Our October meeting at Casey's was a great success... Won't you join us for a December get together? Not a regular meeting but a great gab fest to review the triumphs and troubles of 2009 and reinvent ourselves for 2010!

Let us know if you can attend: Casey's 7pm, Friday December 18. Send an RSVP to the blog editor ruthjcommunications@comcast.net so we can reserve a spot for you. You can order from the menu anything from a cup of coffee to a full dinner or dessert.

Not a great election for local Democrats

Local candidates just couldn't overcome the overwhelming Republican registration. But we congratulate those who did run and vow to build a bigger base to support those who will run in the future.

Lively Meeting at Casey's

Lively meeting and good discussion about everything from health care reform to local politics. Don't miss the next alternative to the regular business meeting. Meanwhile DO come to the Monday, November 9th meeting at the Greencastle Presbyterian Church at 7 pm.

Car Pool to Harrisburg

Want to rally for single payer in Harrisburg on October 20? We're setting up a car pool for Greencastle Antrim folks to travel there. Call Ruth or Dan 717 685 8005.

Contact Pennsylvania Senators

It is still important to call our Senators again before Tuesday markup of the health care legislation and and among your requests for a public option, please urge them to support Sen. Blanche Lincoln's Finance Amendment D-3 which speaks to Medicare Reimbursement for Licensed Professional Counselors.

Chambersburg Dems Host Health Care Discussion

The US Health Care System -- how it works, who pays for it, etc. Five spokespersons representing the medical society, the Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce, the insurance federation, the hospitals and health care providers association and a professor of economics from Shippensburg University, will discuss the issues from their perspectives. October 1, 7:30 pm - 10 pm, 159 S. Main --Capitol Theater complex in Chambersburg. Ask the tough questions!

RALLY FOR SINGLE PAYER IN PENNSYLVANIA

Single payer may be "off the table" on Capitol Hill but we can still fight for it in the Pennsylvania state legislature. We're organizing a group to travel to a big rally on Tuesday, October 20 in Harrisburg. Call 717 685 8005 if you would like to take part. We have a chance to lead the way. For more information on the single payer legislation that has been introduced, check out the web site which details the bill and the supporters. http://www.healthcare4allpa.org/legis.htm

President's Speech Could be a Game Changer

President Obama appealed to the better nature of the American people and of his opponents in Congress tonight to put aside politics and work on behalf of the millions who have no health insurance, the tens of thousands who are denied proper care because they haven't "enough" insurance, and the tens of thousands who are cut off from care because of previous conditions. You can listen to the President's inspiring message by going to http://www.whitehouse.gov/ The speech and a discussion of the issues are featured. Then get on the phone, send an email and call your friends and families around the nation .... tell them to put pressure on their members of Congress to pass genuine health care reform this year!

Picnic Was Great Success

The Franklin County Democrats picnic was well attended with terrific speakers running for national and local positions, including two senatorial candidates: Joe Sestak and Bill Kortz. Sestak is a member of Congress and Kortz is a member of the state legislature.

Our new Franklin County chair is Bruce Hockersmith. Paul Politis now serving as vice chair handled the MC duties and our former chair Beth Shupp George was there to say thanks to all and to introduce baby Elle to the crowd...a real charmer.

Franklin County Dems to Elect New Chair

The monthly meeting of the Franklin County Democrats will be Thursday, August 13 at 6:30 pm at Headquarters on Main Street in Chambersburg. The agenda will include: final picnic preparations, November elections/candidates, and election of a new County Chair. Most of you know that Beth Shupp-George, our current chair has resigned. A replacement will be voted upon to fill her remaining term which expires in 2010.

Per the bylaws, any registered Democrat in the county can be nominated for the position. However, only current committee members can vote. Vice-chair Paul Politis is running for the chair position . If you want to nominate someone, please let me know and make sure you and the candidate are present at the meeting. We will take nominations from the floor. Please remember, only current Franklin County committee members can vote for elected officers of the County Committee. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call Bonnie Overholzer, 717 352-4933.

The executive committee thanks Beth Shupp-George for her leadership and contributions to the local party over the past years and appreciates her willingness to stay active in the party.