· 3 issues
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 December 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the inadequacies of New York City's health system, particularly in addressing the urgent needs for abortion services and drug addiction treatment. It highlights the failure of both public and private sectors to meet these demands, with a focus on the exploitative nature of the abortion industry that has emerged following the state's liberalized abortion law. The United Harlem Drug Fighters are noted for establishing their own detoxification program in response to the lack of adequate public services. The issue underscores the systemic issues of profit-driven healthcare and the need for community-led solutions to ensure access to necessary medical care.
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.