Thomas Merton Center Health Care Efforts

With the statewide healthcare conference quickly approaching and PUSH wrapped up in finalizing its plans, my part in the single-payer healthcare project at the TMC is going to be ensuring that individuals who lack health insurance and access to quality care are a part of the campaign.   The first thing to be done is to secure a bus or other form of transportation for uninsured individuals so that they can attend the healthcare conference in Harrisburg.   It is imperative that the conference not follow the example of the health care system by marginalizing the uninsured.   These individuals need to represent themselves and their needs.  With the presence of people most severely affected by the consequences of a health care system serving the interests of corporate entities, the conference can avoid becoming a group of high profile individuals debating amongst themselves, each thinking they know the best interests of the uninsured.  If we want a healthcare system for all, based on need and not one’s ability to pay, then organizing and advocacy efforts must come from the 44 million people who do not have insurance.  They are the ones who need to take on leadership roles in the healthcare movement. To get involved with this effort, call 412-361-3022 or e-mail dmc5@pitt.edu.

- De’Anna Caligiuri