Washblog

The South King County Action Team held its next meeting at the Kent Regional Library on Sun. Jan. 11th from 2-4pm.  It includes all those who live in the 30th, 33rd, and 47th legislative districts.

Their founding meeting Nov 23rd had participants from each of the LD's.  Each district discussed how to make appointments with their respective legislators,  and to encourage them to co-sponsor our Washington Health Security Trust [WHST] bill.

Another suggestion that came up from several districts was to work more closely with the local Democratic Party district organizations, and especially with their health care sub groups.  Different community outreach methods were also outlined, and also suggestions for internal training session on talking points for single-payer health care.

Many members of the above Action Team were also present at the health community discussion, at Saltwater Church on Dec 28th, initiated by the Daschle-Obama health policy team.  We had a group of about 20 people there, and most people expressed support for a single-payer system.

For more information on the South King County Action Team contact Ruth Knagenhjelm, South King County AT coordinator, georgiaboy@qwest.net .

The South Seattle/Vashon/Tukwila Action Team will hold its next meeting at the Beacon Hill branch of the Seattle Public Library on Sun. Jan 25th from 2-4pm.  It includes all those who live in the 11th, 34th, and 37th legislative districts.
Their founding meeting was in Sept 28th.  

Participants discussed thanking Rep. Bob Hasegawa (11th), Sen. Adam Kline (37th), and Rep. Eric Pettigrew (37th) for co-sponsoring the WHST last session, and asking for their support this term.

Many participants were active in their local Democratic Party, and discussed getting overt support for single-payer health care.  It was noted Portland & Eugene OR have strong church groups participating in health care reform efforts.  And many admired the energy of the California Nurses Association in working for single-payer there.

Vashon Island participants reminded others that the Community Council there endorsed state single-payer several years ago.  The new Rep. Sharon Nelson is from Vashon and should be reminded of the Council's position.

For more information on the South Seattle/ Vashon/Tukwila Action Team contact Martha Koester, AT coordinator, fomalhaut2003@yahoo.com .

The North Seattle Action Team will hold its next meeting at the Green Lake branch of the Seattle Public Library on Sun. Feb. 1st from 2-4pm.  It includes all those who live in the 36th, 43rd, and 46th legislative districts.  Their founding meeting was in Sept 14th, and reported on in the last newsletter.

Participants had committed to thanking their legislators who supported the WHST in the last session, and asking for their renewed support: Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (36th), Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (36th), Sen. Ed Murray (43rd), and Sen. Ken Jacobson (46th).  We'll get report backs on what participants have learned from discussion with legislators.  Also on the agenda for Feb 1st is a report from HCFA/PNHP on the Actuarial Study which has not yet been released, and plans for a Lobby Day in Olympia.  Members in the 46th district proposed an educational forum on various state efforts at health care reform in conjunction with our state actuarial study on costing out various proposals for Washington.  We'll hear an update on the planning for that forum, as well.

For more information on the North Seattle Action Team contact Chuck Richards, AT coordinator, csrichards@msn.com .

We are looking for readers who are interested in forming Action Teams on the Eastside of Lake Washington as well as in Shoreline and the 1st Congressional District.  Contact any of the above AT coordinators for more information.