· 17 issues
The November-December 1968 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the growing concentration of power within medical empires in New York City, particularly through affiliations of major medical schools and hospitals. It critiques the lack of accountability and public interest in these institutions, highlighting how they often prioritize their own narrow interests over community health needs. The issue also discusses the need for comprehensive health services planning that is publicly accountable and representative of community constituencies, advocating for a shift in control from elite boards to local health boards. Notable discussions include the roles of Columbia Presbyterian and Einstein Medical College in shaping health policy and the implications of their power dynamics on public health.
The April 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the intersection of medicine and militarism, arguing that healthcare professionals cannot remain apolitical in a society shaped by imperialism. The editorial discusses how various professions, including medicine, have been co-opted to serve military and political ends, particularly in the context of the Vietnam War. It highlights the case of Dr. Howard Levy, who faced court martial for refusing to train medics for counterinsurgency operations, illustrating the moral dilemmas faced by medical professionals. The issue calls for a conscious engagement in social change by healthcare workers and emphasizes the need for ethical considerations in their practices.
The September 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the concept of professionalism in health education, arguing that it perpetuates elitism and unaccountability among health professionals. The editorial discusses how medical, nursing, and social work students are trained to view themselves as superior to laypeople, which hinders collaboration and accountability. Notably, the issue highlights student protests against the Cambodian invasion, emphasizing a shift from traditional education to political activism, particularly within medical schools in New York City. Additionally, it examines the role of the Student American Medical Association (SAMA) and its struggle to address social issues in healthcare, reflecting a growing awareness among students about the need for systemic change in medical education and practice.
The October 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the ongoing struggles at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, where community and worker groups are challenging the control of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Hospital. The issue highlights the tensions between medical empires and grassroots movements advocating for patient care over institutional priorities. Notably, the Think Lincoln group has been at the forefront of demands for better health services, including changes to the hospital's abortion program following a tragic incident. Additionally, the Bulletin discusses broader community health initiatives in the Lower East Side, emphasizing the rise of insurgent forces seeking accountability from established medical institutions.
The January 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the failures of several health reform initiatives, particularly the Harvard Community Health Plan (HCHP) and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. Despite significant investment and planning, HCHP has struggled with low enrollment and financial instability, failing to meet its goals and serve the community effectively. In contrast, the Lincoln Hospital Pediatrics Collective is highlighted as a successful grassroots initiative that has managed to provide innovative care despite systemic challenges. The issue underscores the tension between elite-driven health reforms and community needs, emphasizing that true progress requires genuine engagement with the public.
The February 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin introduces a comprehensive research guide aimed at helping readers navigate the complex U.S. health system. It outlines various health delivery institutions, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, and discusses their classifications, financing, and the power dynamics within these entities. The issue emphasizes the importance of research as a tool for organizing and understanding institutional power, encouraging readers to engage with their local health systems actively. Notable contributors include Barbara Ehrenreich and Oliver Fein, M.D., who highlight the need for community involvement in health decision-making.
The October 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the rise and significance of free clinics in the U.S. healthcare system, emphasizing their role in providing accessible medical care and challenging the traditional medical establishment. Articles highlight the principles of comprehensive, decentralized healthcare and the importance of community control and deprofessionalization of medical practices. The issue features insights from community staff and patients at various free clinics across cities like New York, Baltimore, and San Francisco, illustrating the clinics' efforts to meet the needs of underserved populations while advocating for systemic change in healthcare delivery. Notable contributors include Constance Bloomfield and Howard Levy, who conducted research on the impact and operations of these clinics.
The November 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the critical shortage and maldistribution of health personnel in the U.S., particularly highlighting the racial disparities in medical education and the need for reforms. It discusses the Health Professions Educational Assistance (HPEA) Amendments, which authorize significant federal funding for medical education but primarily benefit institutional support over student assistance, raising concerns about accessibility for low-income and minority students. The issue also touches on the Nurse Training Act of 1971, which, while providing some support for nursing education, is funded at a fraction of the level allocated for medical education, reflecting ongoing disparities in health workforce training. Notable figures mentioned include Senator Jacob Javits and Dr. Roger Egeberg, emphasizing the political context surrounding health policy at the time.
The February 1972 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the National Free Clinic Council (NFCC) conference, highlighting the disillusionment among free clinic workers regarding the organization's shift towards mainstream medical practices and funding from established institutions. The conference, held in Washington, D.C., was criticized for its lack of representation from diverse voices and for prioritizing professional perspectives over grassroots activism. David Smith, the NFCC's founder, advocated for integrating free clinics into the broader healthcare system, which many attendees felt compromised the original anti-establishment ethos of the free clinic movement. The issue reflects tensions between community control and institutional funding, as well as the struggle for representation within the free clinic network.
The September 1972 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the critical issues surrounding occupational health and safety in the United States, highlighting the toll of workplace accidents and diseases on workers across various industries. The editorial discusses the historical neglect of occupational health by the mainstream medical establishment and the emergence of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) in 1970 as a response to public pressure for safer working conditions. Notable articles examine the historical context of workplace hazards, including the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and the Gauley Tunnel Disaster, which underscore the ongoing struggle for worker rights and safety. The issue also emphasizes the need for greater accountability and reform within the occupational health establishment, as well as the influence of corporate interests on medical education and research.
The October 1972 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the urgent need for a new public medical school in New York City, emphasizing the crisis facing the municipal hospital system. It discusses various proposals, including the Medical School of the City University of New York (MSCUNY), which aims to address urban health issues and train community practitioners. The issue highlights the importance of grassroots support for these initiatives, as existing affiliations with private hospitals have led to a decline in the quality of care at municipal facilities. The editorial stresses the necessity of public accountability and the potential for a new medical school to reshape healthcare delivery in the city.
The November 1972 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the industrialization of health care and its implications for hospital workers. It discusses the rise of allied health professions and the ongoing struggle for decent wages and job security among low-paid hospital workers, many of whom are beginning to organize and unionize. The issue highlights the historical parallels between the current health workforce dynamics and the past struggles of craft unions, emphasizing the need for solidarity among workers rather than competition for status. The Bulletin critiques the role of professional associations, particularly the American Medical Association (AMA), in maintaining hierarchies and limiting the mobility of workers within the health care system.
The February 1973 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the evolving role of private practicing physicians in the face of institutional and organizational changes in healthcare delivery. It highlights the rise of medical foundations, particularly in California, which serve as bargaining agents for physicians while also being embraced by the Nixon Administration as a means to control healthcare costs. The issue discusses the implications of these foundations for the autonomy of doctors and the quality of patient care, emphasizing that while they may provide some economic benefits to physicians, they do not necessarily enhance patient care. Additionally, the emergence of physician unions is noted as a response to these changes, indicating a shift in how doctors organize and advocate for their interests.
The September-October 1974 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the significant strike by 4,400 registered nurses (RNs) in the San Francisco Bay Area, organized by the California Nurses' Association (CNA). The strike, lasting 21 days, highlighted issues of staffing control and quality of patient care rather than traditional wage demands, reflecting a new level of militancy among nurses influenced by the women's liberation movement. Articles discuss the implications of the strike for hospital workers and the challenges of uniting various classifications of healthcare workers. The issue also features commentary on Blue Cross and the broader context of healthcare economics in the region.
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.
The May-June 1977 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the persistent underrepresentation of minority students in U.S. medical schools, highlighting that despite some gains in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the situation has not significantly improved. The issue discusses the implications of the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Bakke case, which challenges affirmative action policies in medical school admissions. It also features a retrospective on medical education since the Flexner report, revealing that the demographics of medical students remain largely unchanged over the decades. Notable columns address issues of healthcare costs, women's rights, and the Delaney Amendment, while a media scan reviews Michel Foucault's work on medical perception.
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.