PDA TO HOST MEDINA HEALTHCARE FORUM FEATURING REP. DENNIS KUCINICH

For immediate release:

August 19, 2009

MEDINA Rep. Dennis Kucinich will keynote a healthcare reform discussion with Donna Smith, PDA Healthcare NOT Warfare co-chair and California Nurses Association community organizer, Chuck Pennacchio, Healthcare 4 All Pennsylvania executive director, and Katie Robbins coordinator for Healthcare NOW! The panel discussion, Medicare for All: From Washington Across the Nation, will take place in Medina, Ohio on Saturday, Aug. 22. The event is sponsored by Progressive Democrats of America.

The discussion will cover the Kucinich amendment, retaining it in the final language of HR 3200, and moving forward to pass single-payer healthcare at the state level. Six states are now considering their own single-payer bills: California, which has twice passed the bill to be vetoed by the governor, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Colorado and Massachusetts.

The event will be held at the home of Dave and Chic Kelley and is open to the public; registration is required. Find a link to the registration form at the top of the PDA web site: http://pdamerica.org. Unruly or disruptive persons will not be admitted.

"While the healthcare debate appears to be going in different directions, PDA remains committed to Medicare for All," said Tim Carpenter, PDA's national director. "This forum is an opportunity for single-payer advocates to come together to discuss our next steps in ensuring that all Americans have access to high quality healthcare that controls costs, preserves the doctor patient relationship, is portable, and covers everyone."

Progressive Democrats of America is one of the nation's fastest-growing grassroots political organizations; it recently celebrated its fifth anniversary and has active chapters in 45 states. PDA is dedicated to reviving the progressive tradition of the Democratic Party through grassroots organizing and working with elected Democrats to advance peace, justice and social, economic and environmental responsibility. More information is available at: http://pdamerica.org.

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For more information contact:
Laura Bonham, PDA Communications Coordinator
Laura@pdamerica.org, (435) 336-2123
Tim Carpenter, PDA National Director
Tim@pdamerica.org, (413)-320-2015

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Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal in 2009: Expand progressive influence in Congress as we build on our 2008 electoral successes. PDA's advisory board includes seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Thom Hartmann, Jim Hightower, and Lila Garrett. More info: http://pdamerica.org.