Single Payer Action Network Ohio

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Who We Are

Single-Payer Action Network Ohio (SPAN Ohio) is a coalition of individuals and organizations in working together to achieve fundamental reform of the health insurance system, first in our state and eventually at the national level, so that every resident is guaranteed full and comprehensive coverage from birth to death. SPAN Ohio is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(4) organization. Contributions to SPAN are not tax deductible.

To join the coalition, please complete the sign-up form, which will add your name to our mailing list and allow us to keep you informed of our progress. Since we are not a membership organization, there is no cost to join. However, voluntary contributions in any amount to help cover the cost of printing and other expenses are greatly appreciated. To make a financial contribution, please CLICK HERE.

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." -- Mahatma Gandhi

Follow Laurie Simons

Details: Category: General; Created on Monday, 17 June 2013 17:48; Written by Super User

Follow Laurie Simons and Terry Sterrenberg, co-producers of The Health Care Movie, as they struggle with the emotional and financial costs of dealing with cancer in a nation where even the insured are at risk of ruin when stricken with a serious illness.

Ohio General Assembly News

Details: Category: General; Created on Wednesday, 10 April 2013 23:11; Written by Super User

Bills calling for an Ohio Health Care Plan were introduced this month in the Ohio General Assembly. See S.B. No. 104 sponsored by Senator Michael Skindell and H.B. No. 121 sponsored by Representatives Mike Foley and Robert Hagan. See current status of these bills.

HEALTH CARE FOR ALL RADIO SHOW

Details: Category: General; Created on Sunday, 28 August 2011 10:14; Written by Super User

Our monthly radio show, Health Care for All on WCAN Radio, is now available on demand. Each show is posted on the station website for a 30-day period. Listeners can tune in at their convenience—Just click on the picture at left to go to WCAN’s web site.

Host Debbie Silverstein's guest for June is Dr. Deborah Thorne. Dr. Thorne is associate professor of sociology at Ohio University and a principal investigator on the Consumer Bankruptcy Project. For the past decade, economic inequality generally, and debt and consumer bankruptcy specifically, have been at the core of her research agenda. As such, she has authored articles and book chapters on a range of issues associated with debt and consumer bankruptcy such as social mobility, stigma, gender, effects of severe debt on couples’ relationships, medical debt, reasons for elder debtors’ bankruptcy, financial education, and financial health following bankruptcy. She was a principal investigator in the bankruptcy study done by Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, Dr. David Himmelstein and now Senator Elizabeth Warren that showed Romneycare did not significantly decrease personal bankruptcies due to medical debt.

Since taping is not done on air it is not possible for listeners/viewers to call in to the show. However, you can email your questions or comments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and they will be addressed during the taping of the next show, or you can post your comments directly online as you listen to the show.

Pastor Wayne Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of WCANRadio.com, has kindly created a You Tube page to archive some of our most popular shows. Three shows, those featuring Dr. Brad Cotton, Dr. Anne Scheetz and U.S Rep. John Conyers are now available on You Tube.

Press Release Issued by SPAN Ohio December 3, 2012

Details: Category: General; Created on Thursday, 06 December 2012 15:00; Written by Super User

SPAN OHIO ENDORSES FULL MEDICAID EXPANSION

Ohio lawmakers are currently debating expanding the state’s Medicaid program for those with low incomes, as all states are encouraged but not required to do under the Affordable Care Act. "Unless Ohio enacts the full expansion of Medicaid by 2014, many low income Ohioans will have no health coverage," asserts Debbie Silverstein, state director of Single Payer Action Network (SPAN) Ohio. "As Americans, we care about each other and we must advocate for policies that promote the public good. Medicaid expansion is critical to that common good."

A Young Mom's Musings

Details: Category: General; Created on Tuesday, 24 July 2012 21:11; Written by Super User

How I lost my fear of Universal Health Care

When I moved to Canada in 2008, I was a die-hard conservative Republican. So when I found out that we were going to be covered by Canada’s Universal Health Care, I was somewhat disgusted. This meant we couldn’t choose our own health coverage, or even opt out if we wanted too. It also meant that abortion was covered by our taxes, something I had always believed was horrible. I believed based on my politics that government mandated health care was a violation of my freedom.

When I got pregnant shortly after moving, I was apprehensive. Would I even be able to have a home birth like I had experienced with my first 2 babies? Universal Health Care meant less choice right? So I would be forced to do whatever the medical system dictated regardless of my feelings, because of the government mandate. I even talked some of having my baby across the border in the US, where I could pay out of pocket for whatever birth I wanted. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that Midwives were not only covered by the Universal health care, they were encouraged! Even for hospital births. In Canada, Midwives and Dr's were both respected, and often worked together.

Worse Than War

Details: Category: General; Created on Thursday, 04 October 2012 17:28; Written by Super User

Published on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 by Common Dreams

Worse Than War: Deaths from Uninsurance
'We're not done with health care reform yet'

by Johnathon Ross

A recently released Census Bureau report reveals that 48.6 million Americans lack health insurance.

We know that being uninsured is dangerous to your physical and fiscal health. Research has shown that for every million uninsured, 1,000 preventable deaths occur due to untreated or undiagnosed illness.

This means 48,000 Americans will die needless deaths this year. To put this in perspective, that’s about the same number of U.S. combat deaths in Vietnam War over a decade.

Confused about the healthcare reform law?

Details: Category: General; Created on Tuesday, 21 August 2012 07:05; Written by Super User

This Kaiser Family Foundation video may help answer some of your questions.

Upcoming Events

SPAN State Council Meeting Sat. 22 Jun, 2013 (10:00 am - 1:00 pm) AFSCME Ohio Council 8, 6800 North High St., Worthington, OH - DIRECTIONS: Take I-71 south or n...

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