In Memoriam—Ted Kalman

Theodore Morris Kalman October 26, 1920 — July 21, 2001

On July 21, 2001, Theodore (Ted) Kalman died at age 80 after a long battle with cancer. He was an active participant in cultural, political, business, and community scenes. Throughout his life he was a passionate advocate for progressive causes. Following are some highlights from Ted's commitment to making the world a better place:

• In the 40s', fought against fascism as a Lieutenant in the US Army, serving 3 years in Europe during WWII;
  


• In the 50's worked as a schoolteacher, reporter and staff writer for the Daily People's World, and editor for the Labor Herald;
  


• in the 1960's, participated in the civil rights movement and opposed the Vietnam War by attending demonstrations and teach-ins, and by contributing to organizing and public education efforts.
  


• After retiring in the 80's, he was deeply involved in health care reform and recognition and licensure for midwives. The latter involvement influenced Jessica Mitford to write the American Way of Birth, an expose of childbirth practices in the US, for which Ted was the principle researcher. He mounted a concerted public education campaign, which resulted in the passage of landmark legislation in California (SB350, 1993).
  


• In later years, he demonstrated against unsafe nuclear power at Diablo Canyon, marched against US military involvement in Central America and supported normalizing relations with Cuba, visiting Havana with Global Exchange in 1998.
  


• In 30 years of doing business with his brother Gene, Ted put progressive labor philosophies into practice as plumbing contractors and businessmen: They maintained a union shop, and promoted equal training, employment and advancement opportunities for women and minorities in the building trades. Vote Health was the recipient of Ted and his wife Peewee's generosity a few years ago: They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and asked friends and family to donate money to Vote Health in lieu of gifts. Over 20 people donated more that $1,000.

Upholding this tradition of giving, his daughter Janice has asked that those who wish to make a memorial contribution can send their tax-deductible donations to either Vote Health, or to the California Association Of Midwives for the Ted and Peewee Kalman Memorial Fund, which advances educational opportunities for midwives. Both can be sent care of Janice Kalman at 6916 Dean Place, Paradise, CA, 95969. There will be a memorial service in late October: For information about the exact date and time, call Janice Kalman at 530-872-5354.

Join us on September 10th for an action meeting:
Save Fairmont Hospital Campaign
7 - 9 pm, 2000 Franklin St.,
Downtown Oakland near BART

Harold Fox organizing members to come to a rally.

Vote Health is calling on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to commit enough money from the county's capital trust fund to rebuild the Fairmont Campus, which includes a skilled nursing facility (SNF), inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services such as physical and speech therapy, a neuro-respiratory unit, a pharmacy and many clinics, used by the county's un/underinsured population. This campus had 43,500 outpatient visits and 49,000 inpatient days last year alone, but the buildings are dilapidated and inadequate, actually hindering the delivery of quality health care. Make Our Voices Heard

The sheriff wants a chunk of this money to build a new "command center" and a 450 bed juvenile hall, and without activists advocating for health care over jails, that's where it will go.

Join us on the 10th, or call 653-1626 to help get petitions signed, and come to the hearing on September 25th, 1:30 pm at 1221 Oak St., 5th Floor.

Vote Health's New Web Site!

As you can see, Vote Health's new and improved web site is up and running! Meant as a resource for health care activists, you can:

• read articles from our most recent newsletter, as well as archives of previous editions;
  


• learn about current organizing activities;
  


• check on the date and time of our next meeting;
  


• click on (and recommend additional) links to news articles about local health care activities, national single payer news, and health care worker labor news;
  


• find out when committees are meeting next;
  


• join online and;
  


• email others with our web address.

We're excited about plans to keep this a happenin' site, full of information, articles and links that health policy advocates and activists need to know to stay in touch with health care news. Can't make it to meetings but want to stay involved? The site will tell you when and where we'll be next, including Vote Health committee meetings, rallies, county meetings on the health care safety net and other activities related to the goal of winning health care for everyone.

We've listed elected officials' contact information, and will inform you on issues Vote Health believes are important to speak up about. Let us know what else you'd like to see on the site-your questions, comments and feedback are important.

Also, we are looking for photographs and graphics for the web site. Do you have any photos from past Vote Health events, or graphics that would enhance the site? We can scan them in and return the originals to you. If so, please call Vote Health at 653-1626. Email List Update

For those who are not on our email list, we encourage you to send us your email address, or update old addresses. Please send this information to our current email address, info@votehealth.net. Within a few weeks you will be able to contact us directly from our web site.

We use the email list to remind people about upcoming meetings and inform them of local actions/activities we believe you'd like to know about. Everyone is invited to be on the list, regardless of membership status in Vote Health. So don't hesitate, let us put you "in the know."