National Strategic Conference in St. Louis

There was an amazing group of advocates in St Louis this week for a conference. We shared so many similar goals and values. I felt an incredible sense of responsibility looking out into the audience of mostly older advocates. My experiences are carrying forward our combined desire to make healthcare more equitable.

The trip to St Louis definitely proved a ground for learning about forming coalitions of organizations. I was able to give a panel presentation on reframing this issue around the family. This was done with help from many parties, including a professor Communications. The presentation was received extremely well and signals that the morale is still there and ready to move around an updated message.

If there's anything to be learned from the 2008 Presidential campaign it's that an effective vision, and related symbols, connect in a very powerful manner.

We met together with a new, ad hoc Messaging committee and the level of experience of these advocates is amazing. Some have co founded their own organizations and others are involved in efforts across multiple organizations. One of those indidivuals is certainly a dynamic character. He's involved in local D.C. politics, organizing and also creates and distributes his own music. Such new relationships are very inspirational and energize me to continue working forward to push through the idea held for nearly a century.

Reframing an Issue

I am working hard on the issue of transforming the structure of our healthcare system. This cause is not new, for it has been discussed in the public ear for nearly 100 years. There are many tireless advocates who are working to advance the cause but our message needs a refocused approach. In reading about this issue it is clear that there is a world of data which can be applied to public education. The question of the hour: which pieces are least likely to reek of failed historical attempts?

Even in viewing the debates which took place concerning Medicare the proponents and opposition seemed to use the same emotional bases for their arguments. Fear tends to be the greatest defeater of social change and it was also true of the Medicare legislation that finally passed. Though it was a step in the right direction there were also several large concessions – i.e. directed towards acute hospital care versus addressing issues long term and two separate “parts.”

It is a fervent hope that during the upcoming conference in St. Louis Healthcare Now advocates will be receptive to the communications approach I am framing. The approach is based on the humanitarian principle that the lives of our brethren shouldn’t be grounds for piecemeal ownership and capitalization.