December Meeting Notes -Abbreviated

PNHP-Minnesota Chapter Meeting
December 7, 2008
Strommen Building, St. Paul, Minnesota

1. Present: Caroline Toll, Elizabeth Frost, Barbara Qualley, David Mair, Laurel Gamm, Jack Garland, Mel Ny, Gillian Schivone, Kip Sullivan, Ann Settgast

2. Meetings with MN Congressmen on December 1 a. Tim Walz (MN’s first district) and his legislative aide met with PNHP members Jim Letts, Morry Hodges, Rick Kvam, Glen Peterson – no members were present to report on this meeting; we are told it went well, but did not result in a commitment by Congressman Walz to co-sign HR 676. He agrees to continue the dialogue. b. Jim Oberstar (MN’s eigth district) and his legislative aide David Boe graciously met with PNHP members Elizabeth Frost, Ann Settgast, Faris Keeling and Tim Burke for more than 2.5 hours. He was genuinely interested in the single-payer movement. He had concerns about the wording of a particular clause of HR 676 which he plans to discuss with the author (John Conyers). He agreed to become a co-signer of HR 676 in the next session.

3. Meeting with Congressman Keith Ellison on December 19 a. Elizabeth Frost, Kip Sullivan, Morry Hodges and Glen Peterson plan to attend this meeting. Please let us know if you would like to join. b. Agenda items will include expressing our gratitude to Congressman Ellison for his continued support of HR 676. Concerns re: the HCAN movement will also be shared. We will also ask his assistance in increasing support among MN’s other representatives (eg. Betty McCollum and Tim Walz).

4. HCAN and other proposals a. We reviewed the principles on their website – many of which are in keeping with ours. However, the coalition clearly calls for maintenance of a multi-payer system, which we do not believe is a sustainable or effective approach to healthcare reform.

5. MN Medicine ad a. We discussed ideas for how to re-design the ad to increase its effectiveness – goal in publishing it is to grow our signature list and shore up support for SP that we know already exists among MN physicians b. Ad will appear in the February issue; current resolution signatures: 186

6. Media update a. Elizabeth shared news of her recent Pioneer Press letter to the editor (published 11/23/08) and her recent piece in the Southside Pride b. Elizabeth was interviewed on the Community Suburban Channel on Nov 26 c. Ann & Elizabeth will be interviewed on Air America (AM 950) December 13 at 3:30 pm d. Barbara Qualley suggested investigating options for TV appearances (eg. WCCO “Fact or Fiction” spot)

7. State budget deficit and potential cuts to MA, GAMC, and MnCare a. We discussed PNHP’s response. These programs are currently serviced by 6 HMOs. Kip will write a letter directed to MN legislators recommending that rather than cutting these programs by deleting patients, that the HMOs be ousted instead and they return to being publicly administered.

8. Upcoming presentations a. Ann will be presenting to the physicians of the Smiley’s Family Practice program on 1/13/08 at 11:30 am b. United Family Practice residents have requested a SP speaker. Jim Letts is arranging this. c. Medical student lunch & learn is to be arranged by Gillian in February.

9. Upcoming events a. Stone Arch discussion group December 13 at 8am at 205 E. Hennepin Ave led by Senator Marty b. MHP (the Minnesota Health Plan) lobby day is January 5 in the Capitol Rotunda from 11am-1pm. There will be speakers including the bill’s author, Senator John Marty. Please attend. i. We are looking for physicians who are willing to meet with MN state legislators re: the MHP. The bill will be brought before at least 3 committees this legislative session, and physician and nursing support is very influential. These meetings can be arranged by MUHCC (the MN Universal Health Care Coalition) for January 5 or other days you are available. You would not be alone, but would be meeting with groups of constituents. You do not need to be an expert on the MHP. Please email us if you can help!! c. Elizabeth is hosting a "Health Care Community Discussion" at her home, December 19 at 7pm

10. Next Chapter Meeting: March 1, 2009 at 4pm

October Steering Committee Minutes - Abbreviated

PNHP-MN Steering Committee Meeting Notes

October 29, 2008

Strommen Building, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Present: Elizabeth Frost, Jack Garland, Jim Letts, Mel Ny (guest), Gillian Schivone, Ann Settgast, Caroline Toll

Absent: Morry Hodges, Julie Hottinger, Sarah Kesler, Kip Sullivan

1. Jim Letts announced a health care reform presentation he is giving in Mankato, Thursday, November 6 at 7pm. He and state Senator John Marty will be the speakers. Event was organized by PNHP member Glen Peterson.
2. We announced the Legislative Kickoff and Training for the Minnesota Health Plan in St. Cloud on Saturday, November 8 at 10am.
3. Increasing signers on our resolution in support of HR 676 (currently ~ 170)
1. Calling party planned for November 25 at 6pm at Elizabeth’s house – there are 130 PNHP members in MN who are NOT yet listed as signers on the resolution.
2. MN Medicine ad opportunity – we agreed to place this in January or February .
4. Financial update
1. Jim reported our treasury balance.
2. MUHCC would like all member organizations to pay dues. Amount was agreed upon by consensus.
5. Media updates
1. Elizabeth has made contact with the Star Tribune & the Southside Pride Furthermore, she received an invitation to be interviewed on Dianna Longrie’s Community Suburban Channel on November 26. She is looking for a volunteer to appear with her.
2. Jim will be contacting the AP
3. Caroline volunteered to be our new contact for Lavender magazine since she is now writing a regular column for them.
4. Gillian has made contact with the Pioneer Press
5. Ann has made contact with KFAI radio, MinnPost, Minnesota Monitor, and the Twin Cities Daily Planet
6. Susan Hasti made contact with MPR
7. David Mair made contact with City Pages
8. Kip is in touch with AM 950
9. Glen Peterson is connecting with the Mankato Free Press
6. Website
1. Gillian suggested making the resolution and sign-up button more accessible from the home page.
2. Elizabeth suggested adding space for specialty and address to the signer screen
3. Jack offered to help further manage the website if Caitlin (our current designer) can meet with him and Elizabeth and share some of the details
4. Elizabeth will address these issues.
7. HCAN principles
1. These were shared with the group (from the website) and discussed at great length.
8. Meetings with legislators
1. Jim shared a reply letter he received from Betty McCollum regarding his request for a meeting.
2. Ann and Elizabeth are in the process of arranging a meeting with Keith Ellison – main topics will include the HCAN principles and his advice on ways to encourage his MN colleagues in the House to sign on to HR 676.
3. A meeting with Tim Walz is nearly set for December.
4. We have recently re-contacted Faris Keeling (PNHP member in Duluth) about his efforts in obtaining a meeting with Jim Oberstar.
9. Next chapter meeting: December 7, 4-6 pm at the Strommen Building.

September 7 Chapter Meeting Minutes

PNHP-Minnesota Chapter Meeting Minutes

September 7, 2008

Strommen Building, St. Paul, MN

1. In attendance: Jim Letts, MD (family practice), Susan Hasti, MD (family practice), Jack Garland (retired, endocrinology), Kip Sullivan, JD, Donald Pine, MD (family practice), David Mair, MD (psychiatry), Julie Hottinger (pre-med student), Warren Kearney, MD (internal medicine/ER), Alison Warford, MD (family practice/adolescent medicine), Gillian Schivone, MD (medical student), Elizabeth Frost, MD (family practice), Ann Settgast, MD (internal medicine)

2. Media letter – thank you to Kip for drafting the letter and to Julie for compiling the media contact list. Those assigned have agreed to make their contacts via snail mail & email. They will then place follow-up phone calls emphasizing our role in representing the physician perspective in MN.
1. Contact volunteers are as follows:

i. Gillian – Pioneer Press & MN Daily

ii. Elizabeth (& Warren) – Star Tribune

iii. Jim – Associated Press

iv. Susan – Minnesota Public Radio

v. David – City Pages

vi. Ann – Minnesota Monitor, TC Daily Planet, Minnpost, KFAI radio

vii. Kip – Air America radio

viii. Elizabeth – Southside Pride, TPT-PBS (tv), Suburban Community Channel (tv)

ix. Unassigned (please let us know if you would be willing to be the contact!!) - Rochester Post Bulletin, St. Cloud Times, Mankato Free Press, Duluth, Fargo-Moorhead, Winona, St. Paul Legal Ledger, ECM Publishing, Sun Times, MN News Network

2. Enclosures: MN Physician ad & Contact List
3. Also, consider enclosing a press release or letter to the editor (see www.pnhp.org for the most recent press releases available) with your contact.

3. National Open Letter Campaign – last call! October issue of the New Yorker. It takes 2 minutes on the PNHP national website.

4. PNHP Annual Meeting & Leadership Training, San Diego, October 24-25

5. Announcements by members & future speaking engagements

1. Jim reported on his Grand Rounds given at HCMC psychiatry department
2. Ann reported on Grand Rounds given by Lisa Nilles to the pediatric department at the U of M.
3. Elizabeth attended a Grand Rounds given by Morry Hodges to the internal medicine department at the VA Medical Center.
4. Susan (chair of MUHCC, the MN Universal Health Care Coalition) updated us on the status of MHP (MN’s state single-payer bill). MUHCC’s singular goal is passage of the MHP. Lobbyists are hired again for this legislative session. She also introduced the idea of inviting Rocky White (Colorado) to speak to Republican legislators about his support of single-payer as a conservative. She reminded us that Senator Koering (Republican state senator) voted in favor of the MHP at the February Committee hearing.
5. Kip reported on on-going meetings between the Affordables coalition (Isaiah, SEIU, Take Action, etc) and the HCRC (single-payer caucus in the MN legislature)
6. Doug Pine presented to a group from the American Academy of Family Practice Physicians at a recent CME. The academy as a whole has not been supportive of single payer (unlike the ACP which endorses single-payer as one viable route to universal coverage). This leaves the opportunity for the family practitioners of our group work together in this arena.
7. David Mair reminded us that we can also invite national speakers (eg. Quentin Young) to events. He has experience with this from his time at the University of Iowa.
8. Warren Kearney brought up the issues of possible loss of tax-exempt status for HMOs. He also discussed some of his thoughts regarding why all physicians are not in favor of single-payer. He brought up some provocative questions, and expressed interest in reaching out to this group.
9. Alison will arrange a Grand Rounds at the University’s Family Practice program.
10. Jillian will arrange a medical student noon lecture with an invited PNHP speaker. She will obtain funds for food from the national office.
11. Morry Hodges (absent) is working on arranging Grand Rounds at U of M internal medicine.
12. Sarah Kesler (absent) will arrange Grand Rounds in medicine at HCMC.
13. Kip also mentioned the “Ethics and Health Care Reform” conference on 10/3/08 sponsored by Health Partners. Registration can be done at www.imehealthpartners.com.

6. Legislator meetings:
1. MN Representative Thissen – please visit www.healthcareformn.org and add make a comment urging Rep. Thissen to support single-payer
2. MN Senate majority leader Larry Pogemiller – Jack has met with him and will contact him re: additional meeting. We would like to clarify his stance on the Berglin-Huntley bills vs the MHP.
3. MN Senator Torres Ray – Elizabeth is meeting at 9am on 9/11/08. Kip reminded her to emphasize the need within the legislature for a united front among the HCRC (or single-payer caucus) against “business as usual”.
4. MN Representative Margaret Anderson Kelliher – Susan agreed to meet with her again.
5. MN Senator Linda Berglin – Elizabeth & Caroline met with her. Senator Berglin mentioned to Elizabeth that she voted for the MHP. Elizabeth will write a follow-up letter to clarify this information.
6. US Representative Tim Walz – Glen Peterson is working on arranging a meeting in early December. Jim Letts & Morrie Hodges would like to attend.
7. US Representative Betty McCollum – in a recent meeting with community single-payer activists, Rep. McCollum expressed concern that MN physicians did not support single-payer. This of course is not true. Jim has written her a letter requesting a meeting. Julie will also contact a staffer whom she knows.
8. US Representative Jim Oberstar – Faris Keeling in Duluth working on arranging a meeting.
9. US Representative Keith Ellison – Ann & Elizabeth are working on getting more information from him about how to get other members of MN’s delegation to sign on to HR 676.

7. Book “10 Excellent Reasons For National Health Care”
1. Please purchase on Amazon.com
2. Our chapter will receive 10 free copies – can use to distribute to legislators

8. Fundraising letter & upcoming mailing plans – the steering committee is in the final stages of revising a letter that will be sent to all PNHP members and supporters in MN to ask for funding for both our chapter and MUHCC.

9. A list of physicians identified as likely single-payer supporters was circulated. Several of these were known by our members and will be included in our mailing.
1. Alison knows physicians who she is sure would like to sign the resolution and become more involved. She will approach them.

10. Frontline PBS series (April 2008) & house parties
1. View yourself on line by going to the Frontline website
2. Alison informed us the DVD can be purchased on PBS.org
3. Request for patient stories from the series editor – let us know if you have them for the upcoming broadcast and we will put you in contact with her.
4. Couple Frontline with 2 short PNHP videos (found on PNHP website under “multimedia”: Video entries for "Where is my health card" - June 20, 2008)

11. Next chapter meeting date – Sunday, December 7, 4-6pm

Spring Meeting Minutes

PNHP-Minnesota Chapter Meeting Notes
4/13/08

I. In attendance: Jim Letts, Becca Brackett, Morrison Hodges, Paul Pentel, Caroline Toll, Jim Hart, Jack Garland, Elizabeth Frost, Ann Settgast, Marissa Lightbourne (medical student), Titi Adegboyega (medical student), Rebecca Trotzky Sirr (medical student)

II. New PNHP-MN Chapter Website – It is live and open for visitors! Please peruse at www.pnhpminnesota.org or click on the MN icon on the national site. We welcome feedback and are very grateful to Caitlin Spinelli-Moore (daughter of member Bill Spinelli) for her wonderful work.

III. Current treasury balance: $ 2,593.50

IV. The Ad
a. We discussed the decision by the board of directors of MN Medicine to block publication of our ad. Two MMA members (publisher of MN Medicine) from our group, Becca Brackett and Caroline Toll, agreed to write letters of complaint. Please let us know what feed back you receive!
b. Plan to publish our ad (chapter resolution in favor of HR 676 and its signature list) in the MN Physician May issue instead
i. Design meeting at the MN Physician office 4/17/08. Let us know if you are interested in accompanying us to this.
ii. Signature update – please see attached signature list. May 1 is the deadline to add signers. Could everyone get JUST ONE MORE NAME?
iii. Can also sign up by going to the website and sending us an email.

V. Minnesota legislative update
a. The Minnesota Health Act, SF 2324 (single-payer bill by Senator John Marty) – heard by the Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee 2/18/08. PNHP-MN members Morry Hodges and Ann Settgast both testified. Large supportive crowd present with excellent reception. Passed 8-3 w/ bipartisan support. Has not gone onto further committees at this point.
b. Senator Berglin health care reform bill (SF 3099) and companion bill HF 3391 – both have passed through all committees and in the Senate & House and will now go to conference committee. Unfortunately, neither call for meaningful reform (ie. single-payer healthcare) and if enacted will add expense and could delay real change.






VI. General updates
a. Annals of Internal Medicine 4/1/08 survey results
b. Recent media coverage (MPR w/ Gary Eichten 2/5/08, press conference on SF 2324 2/11/08 , KFAI radio interview, Star Tribune editorials by Jack Garland and Elizabeth Frost 4/6/08)
c. Women in Medicine wine & cheese event, 4/11/08– Elizabeth and Ann both spoke. The audience was mainly first & second-year medical students. The enthusiasm of the group was inspiring! Several students expressed interest in forming ties w/ PNHP-MN and came to our meeting today! Thank you.
d. Open Letter to the Candidates Campaign – if you have not added your name on the national PNHP website, PLEASE DO SO NOW!! It takes 2 minutes.
e. Check out these opinion polls: http://www.pollingreport.com/health3.htm. They are a great resource for talking points.

VII. Upcoming events – please attend as many as you can to support each other!
a. April 16, 6-9pm - “Consumer Choice vs Single Payer” – Elizabeth Frost will be debating. Location Willey Hall room 125, U of M (campus map available by google).
b. April 20, 3pm Air America AM 950, “Of the People”radio series – we need 2-3 physicians. Jim Letts is tentatively speaking. Elizabeth Frost will email some of the members not present today to volunteer. If you are interested, please contact us.
c. April 22, 7pm DFL Links, Maplewood Library (3025 Southlawn Drive) – Ann Settgast is presenting
d. April 22 - Lake Country Progressives (DFL Links) Christos Restaurant,, Hwy 7, Minnetonka - Lisa Nilles will speak
e. April 24 - Progressives on the Prairie (DFL Links) Davanni's Pizza, 8061 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie - Lisa Nilles will speak
f. May 7 “Sicko” viewing and discussion at Mankato State University – Glen Peterson is organizing it. Elizabeth & I are driving down. Please carpool with us.
g. May 9-10 conference at the U of M, “The True Workings of Single Payer Health Systems: Lessons or Warnings for U.S. Reform” Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and Academic Health Center, University of Minnesota and Journal of Health Policy, Politics and Law – Kip Sullivan will be a discussant.
h. July 9 Pediatrics Grand Rounds w/Lisa Nilles & Glen Peterson
i. July 15 Psychiatry Grand Rounds at HCMC by Jim Letts
j. Caroline Toll introduced us to http://del.icio.us/ where you can bookmark interesting articles and share them. She has named them PNHPMN and her bookmarks can be viewed under “CarolineToll”


VIII. Steering Committee
a. 8 volunteers: Morrie Hodges, Julie Hottinger (in absentia), Jack Garland, Jim Letts, Paul Pentel, Caroline Toll, Elizabeth Frost, Ann Settgast. Please let us know if you were not present today, but are interested in being a SC member.
b. Will meet ~ monthly and be actively involved w/ chapter decision-making
c. Goal for decision-making will be consensus with voting if needed
d. One-year commitment
e. Proposed positions w/in the SC: secretary, medical student liason, treasurer (Jim), press advisor (Julie), outstate liason, and chair (Ann & Elizabeth)
f. Medical student liason: we would like to have a medical student fill this position. Titi and Marissa had to leave prior to this discussion. Elizabeth Frost will contact them and our other interested medical student parties.
g. Remaining chapter members will continue to meet quarterly, maintain email contact, and be as active as desired

IX. Meetings planned
a. US Rep. Jim Oberstar – Faris Keeling is arranging
b. US Rep. Tim Walz – Glen Peterson is arranging
c. US Rep. Betty McCollum – Jim Letts will arrange. Jim Hart would like to attend.
d. US Rep. Keith Ellison – Becca Brackett will arrange to discuss his views on the other MN legislators currently not signed on to HR 676
e. MN Senator Berglin – Caroline Toll will arrange
f. Morrie Hodges will be meeting w/ Ashwin Media (running for the US House seat from Minnesota’s 3rd district that will be vacated by Jim Ramstadt) to educate him on single-payer in the next month. Thank you Morrie! He will also gather information from his daughter (Minneapolis City Council member) regarding rationale of current HR 676 non-signers
g. Isaiah meeting – Jim Hart will provide the contact to arrange this
h. Chamber of Commerce mentioned as venue to pursue. Will contact Julie Hottinger about following this up.

X. First steering committee meeting: May 27, 2008, 7pm.
XI. Next chapter quarterly meeting will be in August – date TBA

PNHP Winter Meeting Minutes

PNHP-Minnesota Chapter Winter Meeting Notes

1/20/08
Attendees: Dick Adair, Becca Brackett, Marianne Clinton-McCausland, Elizabeth Frost, Jack Garland, Maria Kaefer, Faith Kidder, Jim Letts, Paul Pentel, Ann Settgast, Bill Spinelli, Caroline Toll

2. Report on the PNHP Annual Meeting in Washington DC, November 2007

Ann & Elizabeth met w/ legislative assistants to Representatives Betty McCollum and Tim Walz while in DC. Both need follow-up visits in MN – neither are signed on to HR 676 at present. Keith Ellison is currently the only MN representative on the bill.

Jim Oberstar mentioned by Jim Letts as a possible target for another MN HR 676 signer in the House. Are you in his district? Would you like to meet with him and Elizabeth & Ann?

Please write a letter asking your representative to sign on!

Ann & Elizabeth attended the PNHP National meeting and the Leadership Training Institute the day before. We met many colleagues at the national level, and the weekend was educational and inspiring.

4. Chapter website – currently in production thanks to Caitlin Spinelli-Moore (daughter of Bill Spinelli). Preliminary version can be viewed at cspinellimoore.com/pnhpindex.html. Several changes coming before this goes live, but please give us your suggestions.
5. Results of December mailing – 50 replies from ~ 185

1. ~ $2600 collected to begin our chapter fund! Chapter checking account has been opened, and thank you notes are nearly complete.

2. Jim Letts volunteered to be the chapter treasurer. THANK YOU.

5. HR 676 Resolution signatures

1. Currently ~ 110 signers – we all agreed we can get more. If even 10 of us fill our sheet, this would double the number. Please help! A new sheet and resolution are attached along with the list of current signers.

2. We reviewed the names of the signers and agreed that this list should be used as a tool in our future endeavors to reach a goal of 500 signatures in the next 6 months (Maria Kaefer).
3. Discussed best places to publish an ad: eg. MN Medicine, Metro Doctors or MN Physician magazines given high cost of Star Trib and Pioneer Press space. Paul Pentel will contact the MMA regarding advice on the best way to reach the most MDs with an ad (this ad would contain a link to the website for additional signers to join the list).
4. Idea of additional mass mailing (to include list of current names as an enclosure) with the following possible target groups suggested:
1. MMA – Paul Pentel will investigate possibility of getting a list.
2. MN licensing board – Maria Kaefer will investigate same.
3. ACP – This list may be quite useful given recent ACP position paper in the 1/1/08 issue (which could be referenced in a mailing to its MN members). Ann Settgast will investigate possibility of getting this list.
4. Physicians who have contributed to various campaigns sympathetic to single-payer – Jim Letts will look into such a list.

6. Minnesota Health Act (state single-payer bill or MHA)

1. New MN state legislative session begins 2/12/08

2. Elizabeth introduced Governor Pawlenty’s Health Care Access Commission and the Recommendations of his Transformation Task Force which will become public any time – she alerted us to an analysis of these recommendations written by Kip Sullivan which help to explain them and their weaknesses – attached.
3. The bill was discussed at length by the members with good points brought by all. Elizabeth reviewed key features of a single-payer proposal (as outlined by the national PNHP office). She acknowledged strengths of the current state bill – eg. item 21.8 which prohibits health plans being sold that provide the same services as the MN Health Plan.
4. Regarding PNHP-MN endorsement of the bill…most were in favor of endorsement, but there were concerns brought forward:
1. Concern that we are endorsing a bill with little likelihood of passage which may make us appear less mainstream
2. Concern that the timing of this bill should come after the Constitutional amendment passes declaring health care as a right and once there is recognition that the only way to achieve this goal is single-payer.
3. Concern regarding taking away Medicare from Minnesotans
5. Consensus reached in favor of endorsement given the positive impact of being unified w/ other single-payer advocacy groups and the potential for using the bill as an educational tool and conversation point.
6. We agreed that as a chapter of PNHP (N being for national) our focus should remain mostly on attainment of a national single-payer system, with acknowledgement that endorsing the MHA in no way negates this.

7. News & events

1. ACP endorsement of single payer national health insurance as "one pathway" to universal coverage, 12/07 (Annals 1/1/08 issue)

2. Air America’s “Of the People” interview /call-in show Sunday afternoons, 3-4 PM (AM 950) - series regarding single-payer and the MHCA as the solution to the health coverage crisis– first episode 1/6/08. More to come.

3. Caucuses 2/5/08 – MUHCC caucus resolution in favor of single-payer discussed and its use encouraged by all PNHP members at their own caucuses – we need to help get resolutions passed in as many precincts as possible!

4. Road show and Rally for MHA 2/6/08-2/11/08 by the MN Health Reform Caucus (group of MN DFL legislators) press conference with rally 2/11/08 at 11:15am at the State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, in support of the MHA. Please attend and wear garb identifying you as an MD in order to capitalize on “earned media” (ie, being approached to speak to media w/o arranging it yourself).

5. Rotary clubs – speaking engagement arrangements in progress. Morry Hodges spoke to the Minneapolis South club on 1/17/08.

8. Important dates

1. Speakers training – date to be determined. Will be a Sunday afternoon in March.

2. Next chapter meeting will be Sunday April 13, 2008 from 4-6pm.