· 11 issues
The March 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin highlights the systemic oppression of women within the American health care system, both as consumers and workers. It discusses recent protests by women in Washington, D.C., Charleston, and Chicago, advocating for their rights and better treatment in health care settings. The issue emphasizes the need for women's voices in health policy, particularly regarding reproductive rights, as evidenced by the lawsuits against New York State over abortion laws. Additionally, it critiques the male-dominated hierarchy in health professions, where women are often relegated to subordinate roles and face significant wage disparities.
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 1972 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the unique health needs of women, particularly in relation to reproductive health and the birth control movement. It discusses how women's roles as patients, workers, and mothers intersect with the healthcare system, highlighting the historical oppression they faced and the ongoing struggles for reproductive rights. Notable articles include discussions on the Women's Movement's fight for birth control and abortion services, as well as the challenges faced by women health workers in a male-dominated healthcare hierarchy. The issue emphasizes the importance of women organizing and forming alliances to advocate for better health services and policies.
The January-February 1975 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the systemic abuses surrounding female sterilization in the U.S., highlighting how these practices are often coerced and misrepresented to women, particularly those from marginalized communities. The article 'Women Fit to Be Tied' details the dangers and ethical concerns of sterilization procedures, linking them to broader issues within the healthcare system, such as profit motives and inadequate patient care. Additionally, the issue discusses the growth of health workers in relation to the shrinking healthcare budget, emphasizing the need for reform in health manpower distribution. The Bulletin also features a media scan on psychoanalysis and feminism, showcasing the intersection of health policy and social issues.
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.
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 May–June 1984 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin highlights the struggles of health care workers and marginalized communities, particularly focusing on the plight of Guatemalan refugees in Chiapas, Mexico, who face severe health and safety challenges. Notable articles discuss the potential for a local housestaff union to succeed and the ongoing issues with OSHA under the Reagan administration, including scandals related to workplace safety. The issue also features updates from the National Black Women's Health Project, emphasizing the need for holistic prenatal care for poor women in Georgia. The political context includes a reflection on the 15th anniversary of HealthPAC, celebrating the intersection of health and civil rights activism.
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.
The Winter 1992 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the intersection of women's health and justice, highlighting the systemic injustices faced by marginalized women, particularly those who are poor, disabled, or incarcerated. Notable articles include Wendy Chavkin's critique of the criminalization of pregnant women who use drugs, and Elizabeth Cooper's examination of the legal repercussions for women living with HIV. The issue also features reflections on the health care needs of women in prison and the challenges surrounding access to abortion, particularly in light of the RU 486 controversy. Loretta Ross's editorial underscores the urgent need for advocacy in response to ongoing attacks on women's health rights.
The Summer 1992 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on women's health issues, particularly in the context of the recent Supreme Court decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which has implications for access to reproductive services. Articles explore the challenges women face in the healthcare system, including the impact of poverty, the criminalization of pregnant women using drugs, and barriers to drug treatment. Byllye Avery emphasizes the importance of using health issues to educate and organize communities, while Loretta Ross advocates for women's control over reproductive technology. The issue highlights the ongoing struggles for women's rights and access to healthcare amidst political and economic challenges.