The August 1968 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin highlights the activism of the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) as they negotiate for better salaries and working conditions in New York City's municipal hospitals. Dr. David Goldman, president of CIR, emphasizes the disparity in pay compared to other city employees and the need for reforms to improve hospital staffing and patient care. The issue also discusses the Student Health Project, which engages health science students in community health initiatives, particularly in low-income areas like the South Bronx, and the establishment of the North East Neighborhood Association Health Center aimed at providing comprehensive care in underserved neighborhoods.
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.