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The purpose of the annual conference is to bring together supporters of health care for all - unions, health care providers, faith groups, community groups, women's organizations, businesses and others - to discuss how best to build the campaign to win publicly funded, privately provided, not-for-profit universal health care guaranteeing coverage for all Ohioans. The conference also serves as the time when SPAN democratically elects its board, regional coordinators, and constituency leadership.

Dr. Fein eloquently laid out how agents for change must work to move single-payer forward in the new political environment brought about by the election of Barack Obama. As recently reported in the national press, Dr. Fein, along with Congressman John Conyers, author of the single-payer resolution in Congress, both received invitations to the White House for the Stakeholders Conference convened by the President only days--if not hours--before the meeting in Washington was to take place. Dr. Fein said their late inclusion in the D.C. meeting was made possible by the efforts the grassroots, groups like the Leadership Conference for Guaranteed Health Care. With a twinkle in his eye, he also stated that the threat of direct action PNHP doctors had some small effect. It seems the Obama Administration did not like the idea of having doctors in white coats picketing outside the White House for the initial kickoff of his health care campaign.

In his explanation of what is being discussed and considered by the powers that be in Washington, it is of note that the much touted "public plan" is not so desirable. Dr. Fein explained that 10-15% of public employees cannot afford the coverage. It is a menu of private insurance plans, that is premium rather than income based. An office clerk pays the same as a senator: One more example as to why single payer is the answer.

Dr. Fein also noted the contingent of members of Progressive Democrats of America activists in the crowd, the good doctor publicly commending them for their work in the Leadership Conference and their single-minded effort on the part of single-payer. He suggested that the movement has to begin to engage in direct actions to raise the pressure of single-payer advocates to the next level, a level that cannot be ignored in the somewhat short time frame we have to make sure whatever outcome the administration draws up in the near future, it will be one that makes the inevitability of single-payer sooner than later. Dr. Fein encouraged those in attendance to lobby their U.S.Congresspersons to gain support for HR 676.

Dr. Fein's activism dates back to his college days while attending medical school in Cleveland, Ohio. In his salad days, he was a leading organizer of the Cleveland Community Project (CCP), one of the more successful endeavors of Students for Democratic Society's Economic Research and Action Project. (Coincidentally, SPAN Ohio's own Bob "Smiddie", a social justice activist from Athens, Ohio, was also involved in the community theater component of the CCP at the time of Dr. Fein's leadership.)

Attendees swelled the breakout sessions which focused on various aspects of moving true health care reform forward. Toledo, Ohio doctor, John Ross, a founding member of SPAN, spoke to those interested in learning more about the Health Care for All Ohioans Act in a session heavily attended by those somewhat new to the cause. Dr, Fein's breakout centered on the methods his group has used in PNHP chapter building efforts in New York. This breakout had nuts and bolts tools in organizing that will be helpful to SPAN's efforts in the coming year. Mary Nichols-Rhodes, Summit County SPAN member and PDA Ohio's Congressional District Organizer held a workshop on lobbying at both the state and federal levels. All the workshops produced enthusiastic interactions and discussions, the attendees fully engaged in finding the whole array of methods available to build the movement for true universal care.

Deb Silverstein, founder of the Portage County SPAN chapter, an activist from the Steering Committee of Portage County's PDA chapter, the Portage Democratic Coalition, was elected to be SPAN's Region 6 Coordinator. Her thirteen county area includes the major cities of Akron, Canton, and Youngstown.

Kurt Bateman, retired UAW worker and an effective organizer for the recent Sick Days Ohio campaign, was elected as SPAN Coordinator of Region 5, the Columbus and surrounding areas. Kurt is also part of PDA's lobby efforts in the Columbus region.

Members of Labor, health care workers, faith based organizers, and community groups met after lunch in groups to discuss expanding their reach to other members of their constituency groups so that the single payer movement will continue to strengthen and grow.

Overall, regardless of the remark made by Senator Baucus, single-payer is not off the table. Judging from the energy of those present in the Columbus Ramada that day, those seeking the best reform of the health care system will not concede their work until single-payer is the main course in a system of everyone in, and nobody out-nobody except the vampire health care insurance industry, the main impediment to real reform.

Progressive Democrats of America continue to work for a single payer system on both the national (HR676) and state levels. If you are interested in joining the movement, please contact pdaohio@gmail.com.