· 2 issues
The May 1972 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the evolving landscape of hospital construction financing, highlighting a shift from philanthropic support to loans and government grants. It discusses the significant role of the Hill-Burton program and the impact of hospital expansion on urban communities, particularly in New York City, where tenant groups are organizing against evictions caused by hospital development. The issue emphasizes the financial burdens of hospital construction on patients and taxpayers, as well as the need for community involvement in hospital planning to prevent displacement of low-income residents.
The April 1973 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the critical state of public hospitals in the U.S., particularly in California, where many county hospitals are facing closure due to financial strains exacerbated by Medicaid cutbacks. The article highlights the shifting burden of healthcare costs back to local governments as federal support wanes, with private hospitals increasingly refusing to accept low-income patients. Notable discussions include the implications of the 1972 Airlie House Conference on Public Hospitals and the ongoing struggles in cities like Chicago and San Francisco to maintain public healthcare access amidst privatization pressures. The issue emphasizes the need for grassroots organizing to preserve public hospitals as essential healthcare providers for low-income communities.