In an effort to inform citizens, stimulate dialogue and give the public a greater voice in the health care debate during last year's elections, the League of Women Voters Education Fund sponsored a nationwide initiative from January through December, 2000. The program particularly targeted youth and African Americans, but included all prospective voters, in order to heighten public awareness of timely health proposals advocated by candidates.
As part of this "Join the Debate" initiative, hundreds of public forums, meetings, student dialogues and candidate surveys on the uninsured, prescription drug coverage, long-term care, Medicare and managed care were conducted by leagues in 20 participating states. League volunteers and professional staff worked together in implementing the program. These events and publication of Join the Debate: Your Guide to Health Issues in the 2000 Election were made possible with funding from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Individual state and local chapters of the League of Women Voters, some based in large urban centers (e.g. Detroit) and others in smaller, rural areas (e.g. Houghton, Michigan) planned and co-sponsored events with community partners. Leagues collaborated with university student associations, hospitals, public health agencies, teachers' associations, women's groups and community foundations. Project results were disseminated in the local media (television, radio and newspapers).
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to: 1 - discuss current considerations with respect to five areas of proposed reform aimed at ameliorating access and improving coverage (while containing program costs) for underserved Americans (the uninsured, Medicare reform, prescription drug coverage, managed care/patient rights and long-term care; 2 - develop a grassroots election year education initiative that particularly targeted youth and African American voters; and 3 - assess the efforts of a unique nationwide voter education initiative effectuated at local and state levels through the collaborative efforts of the League of Women Voters and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Keywords: Health Care Access, Health Care Reform
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: - League of Women Voters Education Fund (US)
- League of Women Voters of the United States
- League of Women Voters (various state & local chapters)
- Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: President, League of Women Voters of the Copper Country (Houghton, MI) - volunteer, unpaid capacity