continued from coverFaith-based Organizations Mobilize Communities Around Health Issues
Last year, PICO brought together 3,000 leaders who themselves are working poor, to speak at a rally attended by President Pro Tem of the State Senate John Burton, Secretary of Health and Human Services Grantland Johnson and 15 legislators. The legislators were urged to increase funding for community clinics across the state. After the rally and related efforts including “phone-the-governor” campaigns and visits to five members of the state Budget Conference Committee, an unprecedented $50 million increase from the state’s annual share of a lawsuit settlement against the tobacco industry was added to the budget for community health clinics’ infrastructure. In August 2001, the governor approved a $10 million increase for the Expanded Access to Primary Care program, a funding stream used by community clinics to provide health care services to uninsured, poverty-level people. “Sacramento is more accustomed to seeing statistics on a piece of paper than they are to being face to face with the working poor who are directly affected by their policy decisions,” said Ruth Holton, TCWF program director. “PICO has developed an articulate grassroots advocacy force that is very effective when unleashed on the state’s decision makers.” PICO was active in other recent state health policy successes including expanding the Healthy Families program to cover the parents of children eligible for the program, and also simplifying the reporting requirements for Medi-Cal recipients. In addition to supporting PICO’s state-focused advocacy efforts, affiliate organizations also work locally to mobilize their communities around health care issues. People and Congregations Together for Stockton A 42-year-old South Stockton resident was having severe headaches but did not seek treatment. One night, he suffered a mysterious seizure and was in a coma for two weeks before dying. The family had no insurance, and his widow, who speaks no English, was left with a $70,000 medical bill. People and Congregations Together for Stockton (PACT) organizers and community leaders have heard many similar stories on home visits conducted to help develop trusting relationships and discover areas of common concern. continued |
Fall 2001
| INSIDE: Faith-based Organizations Mobilize Communities Community health centers share personnel Peer-led teen pregnancy prevention |
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