· 13 issues
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.
The July-August 1969 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the failures of health planning initiatives like the Comprehensive Health Planning Act (CHPA) and the Regional Medical Program (RMP) in New York City. It highlights the disillusionment with the medical establishment's inability to effectively utilize federal funding for comprehensive health care organization, leading to severe shortages in hospital and nursing home beds. The issue emphasizes the need for grassroots consumer and health worker leadership to address systemic issues in health care delivery, as elite-driven planning has proven inadequate. Notable articles include critiques of the New York Regional Medical Program and the Health and Hospital Planning Council, illustrating the disconnect between policy intentions and on-the-ground realities.
The January 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the emerging proposals for National Health Insurance (NHI) in the U.S., drawing parallels to Bismarck's welfare reforms in Germany. The editorial argues that while NHI may provide some financial relief, it fails to address deeper systemic issues in healthcare delivery, such as community control and accountability. The Bulletin highlights the growing discontent among marginalized communities, particularly Black and Puerto Rican groups, who demand more responsive healthcare systems. It also discusses the economic pressures on hospitals and insurers, suggesting that NHI could exacerbate existing inequities rather than resolve them.
The May 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the use of psychiatry and psychology as tools of social repression, particularly in the context of civil commitment laws and the treatment of dissenters. It highlights how these disciplines are employed to control individuals deemed 'deviant' by society, often obscuring the social roots of their issues. Notable articles discuss the implications of proposed changes to New York's mental hygiene laws, which could expand the state's power to involuntarily commit individuals, and the role of mental health professionals in perpetuating societal norms. The issue also reflects on the broader political climate of the time, including the Nixon administration's approach to dissent and the intersection of mental health with civil liberties.
The November 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the Nixon Administration's approach to health reform, highlighting a shift in the American Medical Association's (AMA) stance towards group practice and prepayment models. The editorial emphasizes the need for genuine reform in the healthcare system, arguing that the administration's focus on preventive care is a superficial response to a deeper crisis of medical inflation and access. It also discusses the growing demands from unions and consumer advocates for national health insurance, suggesting that the current conservative reforms are merely a strategy to control consumer demand rather than address systemic issues. The issue reflects a broader political context of rising healthcare costs and the struggle for equitable health services amidst increasing corporate influence in the medical sector.
The April 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques President Nixon's health care proposals, arguing they prioritize private industry over public health needs. The issue highlights Nixon's National Health Insurance Partnership Program (NHIP) and Family Health Insurance Plan (FHIP) as regressive, potentially enriching insurance companies while imposing higher costs on consumers. It emphasizes the inadequacies of these plans, particularly for the poor and working class, and raises concerns about the lack of comprehensive coverage and the promotion of 'cost consciousness' that may deter individuals from seeking necessary medical care. The Bulletin also discusses the implications of these policies for various stakeholders, including insurance companies and health care providers, suggesting that they primarily benefit the health industry rather than the public.
The December 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, which was established to manage the city's municipal hospitals. The article discusses the corporation's failure to improve patient care and its bureaucratic inefficiencies, highlighting the political control exerted by Mayor Lindsay and the inadequacies of the management structure. Notable figures include Joseph English, the Corporation President, and Gordon Chase, head of the Health Services Administration, both of whom are criticized for their roles in perpetuating a two-tiered healthcare system in New York City. The issue reflects broader concerns about the privatization of healthcare management and the implications for public accountability and service quality.
The March 1972 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critically assesses Health, Inc., a nonprofit health care delivery model founded by Dr. Leonard W. Cronkhite and supported by Massachusetts Governor Francis Sargent. The model aims to provide comprehensive primary care through franchised centers but has faced significant operational challenges, including high staff turnover and unmet promises regarding preventive care and consumer involvement. The issue highlights the tension between the nonprofit status of Health, Inc. and its business-oriented management approach, raising questions about the effectiveness of such models in addressing community health needs. Additionally, the Bulletin discusses the broader political context, including the Nixon administration's push for Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) as a federal health reform strategy.
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 April 1973 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the critical state of public hospitals in the U.S., particularly in California, where many county hospitals are facing closure due to financial strains exacerbated by Medicaid cutbacks. The article highlights the shifting burden of healthcare costs back to local governments as federal support wanes, with private hospitals increasingly refusing to accept low-income patients. Notable discussions include the implications of the 1972 Airlie House Conference on Public Hospitals and the ongoing struggles in cities like Chicago and San Francisco to maintain public healthcare access amidst privatization pressures. The issue emphasizes the need for grassroots organizing to preserve public hospitals as essential healthcare providers for low-income communities.
The May 1973 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the significant federal health cutbacks initiated by President Nixon, highlighting the broader economic crisis impacting domestic social programs. The editorial critiques the failures of Great Society health initiatives and argues for a more fundamental restructuring of the health system rather than merely opposing budget cuts. It emphasizes the need for health activists to build a strong constituency for comprehensive change, rather than settling for a defensive stance against cutbacks. The issue also discusses the implications of Nixon's policies on health care inflation and the dependency of health institutions on public funding, calling for accountability and control over health spending.
The January-February 1974 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the complex dynamics of public-private partnerships in healthcare, particularly highlighting the controversial affiliation between Montefiore Hospital and the North Central Bronx Hospital (NCB). The article 'The Tunnels That Bind' critiques how Montefiore's expansion has led to the absorption of municipal hospitals, raising concerns about the implications for community health services. Another significant piece discusses the closure of a county hospital in Santa Cruz, California, emphasizing the detrimental effects of private hospital competition on public healthcare access. The issue also introduces a new format for the Bulletin, aiming to enhance engagement with health workers and community groups.
The March-April 1974 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the issue of hospital over-bedding in Oklahoma City, highlighting the detrimental effects on patients and taxpayers. The article 'Oklahoma Crude' discusses how the city has an excess of hospital beds, leading to inflated costs and inadequate care for the medically indigent. Another key article critiques Nixon's proposed national health insurance bill, revealing that its fine print undermines its apparent benefits. The issue emphasizes the intersection of healthcare policy, local politics, and the financial interests of hospital administrators and banks.