· 26 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 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 July-August 1969 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the failures of health planning initiatives like the Comprehensive Health Planning Act (CHPA) and the Regional Medical Program (RMP) in New York City. It highlights the disillusionment with the medical establishment's inability to effectively utilize federal funding for comprehensive health care organization, leading to severe shortages in hospital and nursing home beds. The issue emphasizes the need for grassroots consumer and health worker leadership to address systemic issues in health care delivery, as elite-driven planning has proven inadequate. Notable articles include critiques of the New York Regional Medical Program and the Health and Hospital Planning Council, illustrating the disconnect between policy intentions and on-the-ground realities.
The September 1969 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the healthcare crisis in New York City, highlighting the dominance of large medical institutions, referred to as 'Medical Empires,' and their impact on healthcare access and costs. The editorial critiques Blue Cross for its recent rate increases and its failure to address rising hospital costs, despite being a major financier of healthcare. The issue also discusses the growing consumer and health worker movements advocating for better healthcare services and community control over health resources, as exemplified by protests against Blue Cross. Notable figures include Governor Rockefeller, who advocates for universal health insurance, and the Medical Liberation Front, which actively challenges Blue Cross's practices.
The December 1969 issue of HealthPAC focuses on the struggle for community control over health services, particularly in the context of mental health facilities in New York City. It highlights the challenges faced by local residents, particularly Black and Puerto Rican communities in Washington Heights, against the established power of institutions like Columbia University and the Department of Mental Health. The issue critiques the top-down planning approach that often excludes community voices and emphasizes the need for grassroots involvement in decision-making processes. The editorial stresses that true community control is essential for addressing the social determinants of health and ensuring that services meet the actual needs of the community.
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 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 October 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the ongoing struggles at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, where community and worker groups are challenging the control of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Hospital. The issue highlights the tensions between medical empires and grassroots movements advocating for patient care over institutional priorities. Notably, the Think Lincoln group has been at the forefront of demands for better health services, including changes to the hospital's abortion program following a tragic incident. Additionally, the Bulletin discusses broader community health initiatives in the Lower East Side, emphasizing the rise of insurgent forces seeking accountability from established medical institutions.
The January 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the failures of several health reform initiatives, particularly the Harvard Community Health Plan (HCHP) and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. Despite significant investment and planning, HCHP has struggled with low enrollment and financial instability, failing to meet its goals and serve the community effectively. In contrast, the Lincoln Hospital Pediatrics Collective is highlighted as a successful grassroots initiative that has managed to provide innovative care despite systemic challenges. The issue underscores the tension between elite-driven health reforms and community needs, emphasizing that true progress requires genuine engagement with the public.
The February 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin introduces a comprehensive research guide aimed at helping readers navigate the complex U.S. health system. It outlines various health delivery institutions, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, and discusses their classifications, financing, and the power dynamics within these entities. The issue emphasizes the importance of research as a tool for organizing and understanding institutional power, encouraging readers to engage with their local health systems actively. Notable contributors include Barbara Ehrenreich and Oliver Fein, M.D., who highlight the need for community involvement in health decision-making.
The March 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the growing public distrust of Blue Cross amid rising health care costs and allegations of mismanagement and corruption. The issue highlights the formation of the Subscribers' Coalition in New York and similar groups in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which are mobilizing against proposed rate increases and demanding greater accountability from Blue Cross. Senator Philip Hart's hearings reveal Blue Cross's monopolistic practices and its failure to represent consumer interests, as the organization is largely controlled by hospital administrators. The Bulletin underscores the urgent need for national health insurance and the potential role of Blue Cross as an intermediary, while advocating for consumer rights and transparency in health care financing.
The September 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the health crises in Cincinnati and Northern Appalachia, highlighting the detrimental impact of industrial interests on public health. The issue critiques the inadequacies of local health institutions, particularly the University of Cincinnati Medical College and its affiliated hospitals, which are criticized for their poor service to marginalized communities. It discusses the emergence of community health councils in neighborhoods like English Woods and Price Hill, where residents are organizing for better health services and demanding accountability from the Health Department. The bulletin also emphasizes the need for a shift in focus from institutional leaders to the industrial elite responsible for health disparities.
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 February 1973 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the evolving role of private practicing physicians in the face of institutional and organizational changes in healthcare delivery. It highlights the rise of medical foundations, particularly in California, which serve as bargaining agents for physicians while also being embraced by the Nixon Administration as a means to control healthcare costs. The issue discusses the implications of these foundations for the autonomy of doctors and the quality of patient care, emphasizing that while they may provide some economic benefits to physicians, they do not necessarily enhance patient care. Additionally, the emergence of physician unions is noted as a response to these changes, indicating a shift in how doctors organize and advocate for their interests.
The September 1973 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the critical issues surrounding health care in prisons, highlighting the systemic failures and the need for reform. The editorial emphasizes the importance of separating health care from security within the prison system, advocating for community-based health agencies to provide care. Case studies from New York City and San Francisco illustrate the dire conditions faced by inmates, including inadequate medical attention and the oppressive environment of prisons. The issue also discusses the broader social justice implications of prison health care, particularly for marginalized communities, and calls for a movement to 'depopulate' prisons in favor of community-based alternatives.
The November 1973 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the rise and implications of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), particularly the Kaiser Permanente model. It discusses the growing interest from big business in HMOs as a solution to rising medical costs, highlighting the mixed outcomes of such systems in terms of cost reduction and accessibility to care. The issue critiques the profit-driven nature of many HMOs, arguing that while they may reduce costs initially, they often lead to decreased availability of services and poorer patient experiences. The editorial emphasizes the need for community-controlled health plans as a potential alternative to profit-oriented models.
The July-August 1974 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin discusses the introduction of Professional Standards Review Organizations (PSROs) as a federal attempt to regulate medical practice and control healthcare costs under Medicare and Medicaid. The article highlights the mixed reactions from the medical community, particularly the American Medical Association's push for alternative peer review systems. It also critiques Duke University for prioritizing its medical empire over the health needs of the local Durham community. The issue reflects broader tensions in U.S. healthcare policy regarding government intervention and the autonomy of medical professionals.
This double issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on critical issues in health policy, particularly human experimentation and the ethics surrounding it. The article 'Adding Insult to Injury' highlights the systemic abuses in clinical research, emphasizing the need for informed consent and ethical standards, referencing notorious cases like Willowbrook and Tuskegee. Other notable articles discuss the commercialization of blood centers and the implications of corporate mergers in the medical industry, illustrating the tension between profit motives and patient care. The issue also touches on labor issues within the United Mine Workers of America and the ongoing challenges faced by nursing professionals in asserting their identity and rights.
The January-February 1980 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the ongoing challenges of affirmative action in medical school admissions, particularly in the context of the Bakke decision. The article 'Bakke-ing Up the Wrong Tree' critiques the myths surrounding minority students' aspirations and motivations, arguing that systemic racism and financial barriers continue to hinder progress. Additionally, the issue discusses corporate strategies to cut healthcare costs, highlighting the tension between business interests and the medical establishment, as well as the consolidation of hospitals in New York City, which raises concerns about access to community-based care. The issue also reflects on recent civil rights struggles, including violence against demonstrators in Greensboro, connecting these events to broader themes of health equity and social justice.
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.
The May-June 1983 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin addresses critical health policy issues, notably the dangers of asbestos exposure and the ongoing struggles surrounding the AIDS epidemic. The article 'Breath of Death' highlights the asbestos disaster, while other pieces discuss the implications of Reagan-era policies on public health funding and the challenges faced by municipal health programs. The issue also features a letter praising Hal Strelnick's commentary on 'Reaganomics' and its impact on health services, reflecting a broader critique of the administration's approach to health care. Additionally, the bulletin covers the contentious debate over nursing education standards, particularly the push for a baccalaureate degree requirement for registered nurses, which has sparked significant activism within the nursing community.
The July-August 1983 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin highlights the First National Conference on Black Women's Health Issues, emphasizing the urgent health disparities faced by black women, particularly in areas like infant mortality and access to care. The conference, organized by the Black Women's Health Network and attended by over 1500 participants, aimed to educate and empower black women regarding their health rights and needs. Additionally, the issue discusses the implications of the proposed sale of McLean Hospital to the Hospital Corporation of America, raising concerns about the impact of for-profit healthcare on quality and access for underserved populations in New York. The Bulletin also features commentary on the rising costs of hospital capital expenditures in New York, warning of a potential funding crisis due to unchecked hospital expansion.
The March-April 1984 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the ongoing crisis in Medicare funding and the implications of proposed cuts to the program. Key articles discuss the 'crisis' narrative surrounding Medicare and the impact of new hospital reimbursement programs, particularly the Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) system. The issue highlights the need for a progressive alternative to the current health care system, emphasizing the disparity between U.S. health care and national health services in other industrialized countries. The Bulletin also critiques the political motivations behind health care cost containment efforts, suggesting that they disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable populations.
The September-October 1984 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the growing income polarization in the U.S. and its detrimental effects on health, particularly during the Reagan administration. Articles highlight the alarming trends of increasing inequality, with the wealthiest gaining while the poorest suffer, as evidenced by statistics from the Urban Institute. A special section on California health issues discusses the impact of Medi-Cal reforms and organizing efforts against workplace hazards related to video display terminals. The issue also critiques the FDA's handling of antibiotic use in animal feed and its implications for public health, emphasizing the tension between regulatory oversight and corporate interests.
This issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the ongoing struggle for hospital construction and modernization in New York City, highlighting the political dynamics of the Certificate of Need process. It features articles on South Carolina's new assistance program and the public health implications of lead poisoning. The Bulletin emphasizes the importance of community advocacy in gaining concessions from health institutions, illustrating how local residents can influence health policy despite corporate interests. The issue also hints at future discussions regarding the role of Wall Street in health planning and the corporatization of healthcare.