This article appeared in the June 6, 2003 Jewish Advocate.
Health care in Massachusetts topic of Sunday JALSA forum
by Susie Davidson
Advocate Correspondent
With massive budget cuts the new reality and state agencies no longer a safety net for the underserved, grass-roots, community and local level organizations have had to assume leadership and advocacy roles for many elderly, disabled and/or otherwise vulnerable citizens.
This Sunday, as part of their Young Activists First Sundays series, the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action will present John McDonough, Executive Director of Health Care for All, in a forum entitled ?The Massachusetts Health Care System: On the Verge of a Breakdown??which will address the current state of the health care system in Massachusetts.
McDonough, who recently taught at Brandeis' Heller School as an Associate Professor, served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1985 to 1997, where he co-chaired the Joint Committee on Health Care. He spearheaded an ultimately successful effort to pass legislation which would cover uninsured children with funding provided by new tobacco tax revenue.
"Massachusetts has made enormous progress over the past decade in providing health insurance options to people," said JALSA XXXXX Cindy Rowe, who cited varied state programs and measures serving the disadvantaged currently in place. "There are big changes looming ahead, however, which will severely impede our ability to make medical care accessible," she cautioned, adding that these changes will also influence how people in the middle class access their health care services. "How far are we willing to go in cutting back on this essential service?" she asked.
"After six or seven years of significant access expansion, Massachusetts is now turning back the clock by cutting eligibility and benefits to vulnerable populations, including disabled, families, and seniors," concurred McDonough. ?A host of other public health and human service programs are facing serious cutbacks," he added. Health Care for All, as well as other concerned local and state organizations, is working to prevent many of these cuts from taking effect.
On Sunday, McDonough will discuss the overall scenario of health care around the country, with a focus on Massachusetts and an emphasis on the Medicaid program. ?I?ll talk about the efforts of Health Care for All and what we are trying to do, along with other organizations, to address the current crisis," he said, while stressing that optimistic ideas for the future will also be part of the agenda.
With good food and time for socializing, JALSA's Young Activists First Sunday Event, usually held in Brookline on the first Sunday evening of every ohter month, provides an optimal opportunity for like-minded individuals to gather and share their efforts and visions. At each event, a notable expert addresses a cutting-edge public policy issue, and childcare is provided. JALSA provides a kosher dairy or vegetarian entree, and asks attendees to bring dairy or vegetarian desserts or appetizers which can be served at room temperature (there is no kitchen facilities access). The event will run from 5-7 p.m.
Temple Ohabei Shalom is located at 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline, on the "C" branch of the Green Line. On-street parking is available. Please use glass door entrance on Beacon Street; the event will be downstairs in Lissner Hall. Please RSVP by Tuesday, May 27 to Cindy@jalsa.org, or call 617-742-1836.