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.