The July-August 1970 issue of HealthPAC focuses on the critical role of unionization among hospital workers, emphasizing the urgent need for better wages, job security, and working conditions. It discusses the ongoing unionization efforts led by organizations such as Local 1199 and the Service Employees International Union, highlighting the challenges faced by hospital workers, including high turnover rates and poor job conditions. The editorial argues for a solidarity between health workers and consumers, suggesting that while unions can provide immediate economic benefits, they must also evolve to support broader systemic changes in the health care system. The issue reflects a growing awareness of the intersection between labor rights and health care reform, advocating for a more democratic and participatory approach within unions and the health system as a whole.
This issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the challenges of affirmative action in medical schools, particularly in light of the Bakke v. Regents of the University of California case. It highlights the stagnation of minority enrollment in health professional schools and critiques the ineffective measures taken to promote diversity. Additionally, the issue discusses the obstetrical experiences of urban poor women in East Harlem, emphasizing the alienation they face within the healthcare system. The publication also touches on the rise of home health testing kits and their implications for patient autonomy in healthcare.