· 27 issues
The inaugural issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the disastrous Affiliation Plan for New York City hospitals, emphasizing the need for public accountability and community control over health services. It highlights the failures of the private health establishment and calls for a revitalization of municipal hospitals to better serve the medically needy. The issue also discusses Governor Rockefeller's proposed health insurance plan, which critics argue would benefit private insurers at the expense of the poor. The editorial stresses the importance of community involvement in health decision-making and the urgent need for comprehensive health planning in the face of Medicaid cutbacks.
The July 1968 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin discusses the evolving health services landscape in New York City, particularly under Mayor John Lindsay's administration. It highlights the push for a consumer-oriented Comprehensive Health Planning Authority and the challenges posed by budget cuts and limited city leadership. The issue also features grassroots organizing efforts in the Lower East Side, where the North East Neighborhood Association (NENA) is establishing a community-owned health center to address local health needs. Additionally, a movement in Harlem is advocating for a community-controlled health board to oversee Harlem City Hospital, reflecting broader demands for accountability and responsiveness in urban health services.
The August 1968 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin highlights the activism of the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) as they negotiate for better salaries and working conditions in New York City's municipal hospitals. Dr. David Goldman, president of CIR, emphasizes the disparity in pay compared to other city employees and the need for reforms to improve hospital staffing and patient care. The issue also discusses the Student Health Project, which engages health science students in community health initiatives, particularly in low-income areas like the South Bronx, and the establishment of the North East Neighborhood Association Health Center aimed at providing comprehensive care in underserved neighborhoods.
The November-December 1968 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the growing concentration of power within medical empires in New York City, particularly through affiliations of major medical schools and hospitals. It critiques the lack of accountability and public interest in these institutions, highlighting how they often prioritize their own narrow interests over community health needs. The issue also discusses the need for comprehensive health services planning that is publicly accountable and representative of community constituencies, advocating for a shift in control from elite boards to local health boards. Notable discussions include the roles of Columbia Presbyterian and Einstein Medical College in shaping health policy and the implications of their power dynamics on public health.
The April 1969 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the struggle for community control over health services in the South Bronx, highlighting the tensions between local community needs and the bureaucratic structures of established medical institutions like Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein Medical College. The editorial critiques the failures of Medicare and Medicaid in addressing the health crisis, calling for a radical restructuring of health services to prioritize community and worker involvement. Notable discussions include the push for decentralized health planning and the demand for immediate neighborhood health services, reflecting a broader movement against the 'medical empires' that dominate healthcare delivery. The issue emphasizes the urgent need for public intervention in the Bronx, which serves as a microcosm of national health challenges.
The October 1969 issue of HealthPAC emphasizes the ongoing struggle for health rights and patients' rights amidst a backdrop of systemic inequities in healthcare access. The editorial critiques the notion that healthcare is a privilege rather than a right, highlighting the barriers faced by low-income individuals and communities of color. Notable articles discuss the emergence of patient advocacy programs, such as those at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Martin Luther King Health Center in the Bronx, which aim to empower patients and enforce their rights. The issue also covers the Young Lords Organization's 10-point program advocating for self-determination in health services in East Harlem, reflecting a broader movement for community control over healthcare resources.
The November 1969 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the emergence of a 'Medical Industrial Complex' in the U.S., highlighting how healthcare has transformed into a lucrative business dominated by profit motives rather than patient care. It discusses the alarming rise in healthcare expenditures, which have surged from $27 billion to $62 billion in just nine years, while the quality of care has not improved correspondingly. The issue emphasizes the role of government subsidies in fueling this growth, particularly in the drug and hospital sectors, and calls for greater public oversight and regulation to ensure that healthcare serves the needs of the population rather than corporate profits.
The Winter 1969 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critically examines the proposed New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, questioning its ability to address systemic issues in municipal health services. The editorial argues that merely incorporating health services into a corporate structure will not resolve problems like financing, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and manpower shortages. It emphasizes the need for genuine public accountability and integration of health services rather than a shift to a corporate model that may exacerbate existing issues. The issue also highlights Health-PAC's growth and upcoming reports on health rights and municipal health crises, indicating a commitment to community engagement and advocacy.
The January 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the emerging proposals for National Health Insurance (NHI) in the U.S., drawing parallels to Bismarck's welfare reforms in Germany. The editorial argues that while NHI may provide some financial relief, it fails to address deeper systemic issues in healthcare delivery, such as community control and accountability. The Bulletin highlights the growing discontent among marginalized communities, particularly Black and Puerto Rican groups, who demand more responsive healthcare systems. It also discusses the economic pressures on hospitals and insurers, suggesting that NHI could exacerbate existing inequities rather than resolve them.
The February 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the collusion between health institutions and government policies that undermine poor communities, particularly in New York. It highlights the expansion of Columbia Medical Center into predominantly Black and Puerto Rican neighborhoods, emphasizing the lack of community engagement and transparency in urban renewal projects. The issue also discusses the environmental health implications of nuclear power and urban pollution, urging communities to demand accountability from health institutions. Notable articles include case studies on Columbia's expansion and the Health Action Coalition's efforts to resist institutional encroachment.
The April 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the intersection of medicine and militarism, arguing that healthcare professionals cannot remain apolitical in a society shaped by imperialism. The editorial discusses how various professions, including medicine, have been co-opted to serve military and political ends, particularly in the context of the Vietnam War. It highlights the case of Dr. Howard Levy, who faced court martial for refusing to train medics for counterinsurgency operations, illustrating the moral dilemmas faced by medical professionals. The issue calls for a conscious engagement in social change by healthcare workers and emphasizes the need for ethical considerations in their practices.
The June 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin highlights significant budget cuts in New York State, particularly affecting health and welfare services. Notable reductions include a 10% cut in welfare payments, the elimination of medical coverage for 500,000 low-income families, and the closure of mental health facilities. The issue emphasizes the paradox of increasing taxes on working families while corporations contribute less to state revenues. It also features an article on the ethical dilemmas faced by military medical personnel, exemplified by Gary Gianninoto's experiences in Vietnam, raising concerns about medical ethics in wartime.
The October 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the rise and significance of free clinics in the U.S. healthcare system, emphasizing their role in providing accessible medical care and challenging the traditional medical establishment. Articles highlight the principles of comprehensive, decentralized healthcare and the importance of community control and deprofessionalization of medical practices. The issue features insights from community staff and patients at various free clinics across cities like New York, Baltimore, and San Francisco, illustrating the clinics' efforts to meet the needs of underserved populations while advocating for systemic change in healthcare delivery. Notable contributors include Constance Bloomfield and Howard Levy, who conducted research on the impact and operations of these clinics.
The April 1972 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the unique health needs of women, particularly in relation to reproductive health and the birth control movement. It discusses how women's roles as patients, workers, and mothers intersect with the healthcare system, highlighting the historical oppression they faced and the ongoing struggles for reproductive rights. Notable articles include discussions on the Women's Movement's fight for birth control and abortion services, as well as the challenges faced by women health workers in a male-dominated healthcare hierarchy. The issue emphasizes the importance of women organizing and forming alliances to advocate for better health services and policies.
The June 1972 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the challenges and evolution of neighborhood health centers, particularly highlighting the NENA Health Center in New York's Lower East Side. It discusses the historical context of these centers, their initial promise in the 1960s, and the subsequent decline in their effectiveness due to lack of resources and political support. The issue critiques the reliance on federal funding and the fragmentation within communities that undermined the potential for meaningful health care reform. Notably, it emphasizes the importance of community control and the lessons learned from the NENA experience, illustrating both the strengths and limitations of the neighborhood health center movement.
The October 1972 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the urgent need for a new public medical school in New York City, emphasizing the crisis facing the municipal hospital system. It discusses various proposals, including the Medical School of the City University of New York (MSCUNY), which aims to address urban health issues and train community practitioners. The issue highlights the importance of grassroots support for these initiatives, as existing affiliations with private hospitals have led to a decline in the quality of care at municipal facilities. The editorial stresses the necessity of public accountability and the potential for a new medical school to reshape healthcare delivery in the city.
The October 1973 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the ongoing privatization of public hospitals, particularly highlighting the contrasting situations of Bellevue Hospital in New York City and Boston City Hospital. The articles critique how public hospitals are increasingly becoming adjuncts to private medical institutions, with Bellevue's transformation into a facility serving elite private interests while Boston City faces severe cutbacks and a potential takeover by Boston University. Activists are urged to build a long-term, organized base to effectively combat these trends, emphasizing the need for a strategy that prioritizes public health over private profit. The issue underscores the broader implications of these changes for community health and access to care.
The January-February 1975 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the systemic abuses surrounding female sterilization in the U.S., highlighting how these practices are often coerced and misrepresented to women, particularly those from marginalized communities. The article 'Women Fit to Be Tied' details the dangers and ethical concerns of sterilization procedures, linking them to broader issues within the healthcare system, such as profit motives and inadequate patient care. Additionally, the issue discusses the growth of health workers in relation to the shrinking healthcare budget, emphasizing the need for reform in health manpower distribution. The Bulletin also features a media scan on psychoanalysis and feminism, showcasing the intersection of health policy and social issues.
This issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the crisis facing the United Mine Workers' (UMW) health and welfare programs, which have been severely impacted by financial mismanagement and production-linked benefits. The article 'Health Care by the Ton' discusses the historical significance of the UMWA's health care system, once a model for comprehensive care, now in decline due to cutbacks and a financial crisis exacerbated by a nationwide miners' strike. Additionally, the issue reflects on the Gauley Bridge disaster, highlighting the intersection of race, class, and occupational hazards in American labor history. The political context includes ongoing struggles for miners' rights and health care reform, emphasizing the need for universal coverage and community-based health services.
This issue of HealthPAC Bulletin discusses the evolution and challenges of Neighborhood Health Centers (NHCs) since their inception in the 1960s, highlighting the tension between community-based care and traditional medical institutions. It features insights from Sargent Shriver, former OEO Director, and Dr. Jack Geiger, emphasizing the need for community involvement in health care delivery. The issue also critiques the American Medical Association's (AMA) evolving stance on patient rights and health maintenance organizations, reflecting a shift towards political pragmatism in the face of changing health care dynamics. Additionally, it addresses the implications of toxic waste on community health, particularly in areas like Love Canal, underscoring the intersection of environmental and public health issues.
This special double issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on health care in revolutionary contexts, particularly in Nicaragua, Grenada, and El Salvador. It features a poignant letter from a physician working in Nicaragua, detailing the dire conditions in hospitals, including shortages of essential medical supplies and the impact of U.S. military actions on health care. The issue emphasizes the achievements of health care systems in these countries despite external pressures and advocates for solidarity and action from American citizens to support these revolutionary efforts. The editor's letter calls for awareness and action against U.S. interventions that threaten health care advancements in these nations.
The May–June 1984 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin highlights the struggles of health care workers and marginalized communities, particularly focusing on the plight of Guatemalan refugees in Chiapas, Mexico, who face severe health and safety challenges. Notable articles discuss the potential for a local housestaff union to succeed and the ongoing issues with OSHA under the Reagan administration, including scandals related to workplace safety. The issue also features updates from the National Black Women's Health Project, emphasizing the need for holistic prenatal care for poor women in Georgia. The political context includes a reflection on the 15th anniversary of HealthPAC, celebrating the intersection of health and civil rights activism.
The November-December 1984 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin addresses critical issues in healthcare, particularly focusing on outpatient dumping in Chicago and the implications of Medicare policies on low-income patients. A notable article discusses the challenges faced by a rural physician who opts out of Medicare assignment due to inadequate reimbursement rates, highlighting the broader issue of class disparities in healthcare access. The issue also critiques the Reagan Administration's healthcare policies, emphasizing the need for grassroots organizing to advocate for healthcare as a human right. The publication calls for action against the increasing corporatization of healthcare and the negative impact on vulnerable populations.
The July-August 1985 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on critical health issues affecting marginalized populations, particularly the homeless and those impacted by environmental pollution. Notable articles include 'The Sickness That Won't Heal,' which discusses the healthcare challenges faced by the nation's homeless, and 'AIDS: The Impending Quarantine,' which addresses the growing crisis of AIDS and its societal implications. The issue also highlights the Hanrahan family's legal battle against Merck in Ireland, raising questions about corporate accountability and environmental health. Overall, the Bulletin emphasizes the need for systemic change in health policy to address these pressing issues.
The Summer 1988 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the detrimental impact of the Reagan administration's health policies, particularly regarding Medicaid and Medicare, as detailed by Geraldine Dallek. The issue critiques the administration's cuts to health care programs for the poor and the elderly, highlighting the struggles faced by marginalized communities, including American Indians at Pine Ridge Reservation. Articles by Vicente Navarro and David U. Himmelstein challenge the notion of incremental health reforms, advocating instead for a comprehensive national health program. The Bulletin also addresses the ongoing AIDS crisis, emphasizing the government's inadequate response and the urgent need for progressive health policy solutions.
This special issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the medical rights abuses occurring in the West Bank and Gaza Strip amid the ongoing intifada. It features contributions from Physicians for Human Rights, including Jonathan Fine, who discusses the organization's monitoring of health consequences due to military actions. The issue highlights the cycle of violence and its impact on health care access, with articles detailing the efforts of both Israeli and Palestinian physicians to address these abuses. Additionally, it provides context on the historical roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges faced by health care workers under occupation.
The Summer 1992 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on women's health issues, particularly in the context of the recent Supreme Court decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which has implications for access to reproductive services. Articles explore the challenges women face in the healthcare system, including the impact of poverty, the criminalization of pregnant women using drugs, and barriers to drug treatment. Byllye Avery emphasizes the importance of using health issues to educate and organize communities, while Loretta Ross advocates for women's control over reproductive technology. The issue highlights the ongoing struggles for women's rights and access to healthcare amidst political and economic challenges.