· 6 issues
The October 1969 issue of HealthPAC emphasizes the ongoing struggle for health rights and patients' rights amidst a backdrop of systemic inequities in healthcare access. The editorial critiques the notion that healthcare is a privilege rather than a right, highlighting the barriers faced by low-income individuals and communities of color. Notable articles discuss the emergence of patient advocacy programs, such as those at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Martin Luther King Health Center in the Bronx, which aim to empower patients and enforce their rights. The issue also covers the Young Lords Organization's 10-point program advocating for self-determination in health services in East Harlem, reflecting a broader movement for community control over healthcare resources.
The June 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin highlights significant budget cuts in New York State, particularly affecting health and welfare services. Notable reductions include a 10% cut in welfare payments, the elimination of medical coverage for 500,000 low-income families, and the closure of mental health facilities. The issue emphasizes the paradox of increasing taxes on working families while corporations contribute less to state revenues. It also features an article on the ethical dilemmas faced by military medical personnel, exemplified by Gary Gianninoto's experiences in Vietnam, raising concerns about medical ethics in wartime.
The November-December 1976 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critically examines the swine flu vaccination program initiated by the federal government, highlighting its rushed implementation and the concerns raised by medical scientists about its effectiveness. The issue discusses the political implications of the vaccination strategy, particularly in light of the fiscal crisis affecting public hospitals in New York City, especially in the Bronx. Notably, the Bulletin critiques the prioritization of mass vaccination over targeted approaches for high-risk populations, emphasizing the need for a more rational public health policy. The articles reflect broader themes of government accountability and the intersection of health policy with corporate interests.
This double issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on critical issues in health policy, particularly human experimentation and the ethics surrounding it. The article 'Adding Insult to Injury' highlights the systemic abuses in clinical research, emphasizing the need for informed consent and ethical standards, referencing notorious cases like Willowbrook and Tuskegee. Other notable articles discuss the commercialization of blood centers and the implications of corporate mergers in the medical industry, illustrating the tension between profit motives and patient care. The issue also touches on labor issues within the United Mine Workers of America and the ongoing challenges faced by nursing professionals in asserting their identity and rights.
The May-June 1980 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the corporate malpractice in the asbestos industry, particularly highlighting Johns Manville's negligence towards worker health, as revealed by internal documents. It discusses the implications of President Carter's 1981 health budget, which threatens significant cuts to health services amidst rising inflation. Other notable articles address the Hyde Amendment's potential overturning, the return of OSHA regulations, and the growing issue of lead poisoning in children, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations on lead exposure. The issue reflects a broader concern for public health and corporate accountability during a politically charged era.
The August 1986 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on women's health issues, particularly the implications of the national malpractice crisis on birth alternatives and the ethical dilemmas surrounding neonatal care for infants with disabilities. Notable articles include a debate between Adrienne Asch and Barbara Katz Rothman on the 'Baby Doe' rulings, which challenge parental rights in medical decision-making for disabled newborns. The issue also highlights the impact of political decisions on maternal and child health, with a critical look at the Reagan administration's proposed cuts to health programs for low-income women and children. The Bulletin emphasizes the intersection of reproductive rights and disability rights, urging a reevaluation of societal attitudes towards medical care and the treatment of disabled infants.