November, 2004

Charity Care Policy Improving, Not There Yet
Vote Health's research and advocacy on fees for so-called 'charity care' patients (those earning 200% or more above the federal poverty level guidelines) was acknowledged by ACMC's Board of Trustees...

Vote Health Members Set Priorities
At our October membership meeting we agreed to focus our energies and resources this coming year...

Vote Health Elections Coming Up
Nominations for Vote Health's Officers and Executive Committee will take place at our January 24, 2005 general membership meeting, with the election itself scheduled for February 28, 2005.

Life Goes On...
Despite the defeat of Prop. 72, along with many other progressive causes, Anthony Wright of Health Access sent out an upbeat assessment...

Newsletter committee:
Kay Eisenhower and Mary Barnaby.
Our thanks to California Nurses Association for its help in producing this newsletter.

October, 2004

Hospital Workers Made the Difference
Militant work actions by SEIU members...

NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET
With a resolution to the layoff issue, SEIU now turns its attention to contract negotiations.

Health Care Issues on Nov. 2 Ballot
California is one of only three states requiring a 2/3 vote in the legislature to increase taxes or pass a budget.

Newsletter committee:
Kay Eisenhower, Brad Cleveland, Jim Forsyth, Mary Barnaby.
Our thanks to California Nurses Association for its help in producing this newsletter.

September, 2004

ACMC Workers Walk Out - "Put Patients First!"
Vote Health newsletter readers no doubt learned of the August 30 walkout...

Health Bill on Governor's Desk
Important healthcare bills await the Governor's signature...

Newsletter committee:
Kay Eisenhower, Brad Cleveland, Paula Friedman.
Our thanks to CA Nurses Association for their help in producing this newsletter.

August, 2004

ACMC Staff Reductions Whittled Down, but Still Threaten Patient Access
After vigorous protests by Vote Health, SEIU and ACMC workers, on July 26th, the Alameda County Medical Center Board of Trustees (BOT) adopted a revised budget for fiscal year 2004-2005.

Flash from the Frontlines!
Some 150 workers from the Eastmont, Winton and Newark clinics walked off the job for several hours on Tuesday, Aug. 3 to protest imminent cuts which threaten ACMC patients.

What took them so long?
A recent AP article quotes the nonpartisan National Coalition on Health Care as saying "incremental changes are not sufficient.

Newsletter committee:
Kay Eisenhower, Brad Cleveland, Mary Barnaby
Our thanks to CA Nurses Association for their help in producing this newsletter.

July, 2004

Medical Center Budget Cut
County Raises Rents, Underfunds Programs...

SB921 Takes Historic Step Forward!
Senate Bill 921, authored by State Senator Sheila Kuehl, which would provide comprehensive health benefits to every Californian at no new cost to the state's general fund, has been passed...

KEEP THESE CORPORATIONS IN MIND WHEN YOU SHOP!
According to David Lazarus at the SF Chronicle (6/2/04), deep-pocketed opponents of SB2 have contributed millions of dollars to Californians Against Government-Run Healthcare...

Newsletter committee:
Kay Eisenhower, Brad Cleveland, Paula Friedman
Our thanks to CA Nurses Association for their help in producing this newsletter.

June, 2004

ALAMEDA COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER DEFICIT? WHAT DEFICIT?
Before the "Tennessee turnaround team" Cambio canned ACMC's Chief Financial Officer Robert Strawn, he told SEIU that the Medical Center had a projected budget surplus of $14 million for fiscal year 2004-05...

Victory for Doctors Hospital:
Voters in West Contra Costa County overwhelmingly passed a parcel tax designed to support Doctors Hospital in San Pablo when it gets turned over to the local hospital district by Tenet Healthcare Corporation on July 31...

Announcement:
The "Bridging the Gap for Health Care" march across the Golden Gate Bridge takes place June 19 in San Francisco...

Overtime alert:
Alameda County Sheriff Plummer is charging ACMC overtime for the beefed-up security his staff are providing at John George Psychiatric Pavilion!...

Newsletter committee:
Kay Eisenhower, Brad Cleveland, Paula Friedman (Vote Health's new administrative assistant), Nancy Friedman
Our thanks to CA Nurses Association for their help in producing this newsletter.

May, 2004

ACMC TRUSTEES CAVE TO CARPETBAGGERS
Conditions at ACMC have taken an alarming turn for the worse this month...

"Charity Care"??? We Think Not
Another Cambio "contribution" to the welfare of low-income patients is its addition to the new charity care program...

Congratulations to Nancy Friedman...

Newsletter committee:
Kay Eisenhower, Nancy M. Friedman
Our thanks to CA Nurses Association for their help in producing this newsletter.

April, 2004

QUESTION AUTHORITY-ACMC'S
On March 31st, over 35 people (including at least 13 Vote Health activists) attended a meeting called by SEIU Local 616 and the California Physicians Alliance (CAPA) to discuss visions for the future of the Alameda County health care delivery system.

COUNTY BUDGET HEARINGS
There were initial county budget hearings on April 5-7, which will continue sporadically until mid-June.

ACMC'S (WORRISOME) NEWS
Cambio has stated they are looking at the long term financial stability of the medical center, and that they understand ACMC can't compromise quality of care because attempts to increase revenue will be undermined.

OTHER HEALTH CARE NEWS

• The Alameda Alliance for Health will eliminate health insurance coverage...
• The Breast Cancer Fund is asking for support...

A Personal Note From Activist Nancy Friedman
On the crest of victory celebrations for Measure A, I have decided to end my ten-year run of activism with Vote Health.

Newsletter committee:
Nancy M. Friedman, Brad Cleveland, Kay Eisenhower
Our thanks to CA Nurses Association for their help in producing this newsletter.

March, 2004

Strong Victory for Measure A-ACMC will Survive!
How sweet it is-71% of voters in Alameda County understood the importance of safety net health services for the uninsured and underinsured...

What's next for ACMC:

The State Health Care Scene:
Health care advocates' struggle to win the broad reforms needed to meet the health care needs of all Californians...

It is with regret that we accept Tim Saunders' resignation from the Vote Health Executive Committee. Tim's health problems prohibit him from regularly attending.

Newsletter committee:
Nancy M. Friedman, Brad Cleveland, Kay Eisenhower
Our thanks to CA Nurses Association for their help in producing this newsletter.

February, 2004

What's at Risk if Measure A Doesn't Pass?
The very survival of the Alameda County Medical Center (ACMC) could depend on two thirds of voters...

Measure A Campaign Updates
"A half-cent for health care- we can't afford to do less"...

SB921 Update- a meeting for organizations that have endorsed SB921...

Newsletter committee:
NNewsletter committee: Nancy M. Friedman, Dan Hodges, Kay Eisenhower

January, 2004

March 2nd's Measure A: What's at Stake
The campaign to pass a 1/2 cent sales tax for Alameda County residents that will preserve most services offered by the Alameda County Medical Center...

The Governator's Budget Cuts
One of the many painful aspects of Governor Schwarzenegger's proposals...

Progress on SB921
SB921, the Health Care for All Californians bill, will be heard in the Assembly Health Committee in mid-March.

Newsletter committee:
Nancy M. Friedman, Sue Bergman, Kay Eisenhower
Our thanks to CA Nurses Association for their help in producing this newsletter