What's next ?

Last night a dentist shared his frustration with the dental health insurance environment that he must function within. He declared that his frustration is intense, but minor when compared to what his peer physicians must feel being squeezed between health insurers, malpractice premiums, and the government. For him, at times he feels like he should just conclude . . . “Close the doors. Turn out the lights. You’re done!”

Over thirty folks participated in a very lively program about health care coverage for every resident of Pennsylvania. Governor Rendell’s approach includes the health insurance companies as part of the solution and HELP Fund PA proposes removing those insurers from the solution because they have identified those very insurers as the root cause of the lack of affordability of health care coverage for us.

Great turnout, great event, exciting time had by all ! ! Thank you to all who participated and to Bob Kefauver for his assistance and his videotaping of the program for submission to our local public access tv folks.

Participants were asked what they’d like to experience in the future programs presented as the Grassroots Topics series at the Democratic Party of York County Headquarters. Their responses were exciting:

- Education Reform, including funding
- Fair Trade
- Consolidation of municipalities
- Immigration issues
- ACLU – the war on our civil rights – Patriot Act – Guantanamo
- Women’s issues
- Oil – money to the Middle East – oil pipeline
- How to run a tight, well organized campaign
- How to pick winning candidates
- Establishing a county-wide Human Relations Commission
- Joint meeting with all the other Democratic Party clubs, associations (Young Dems, Southern, etc.)
- Use the wall in there in the headquarters of the Party to provide photos and biographies of our leaders of the Democratic Party of York County
- Identify the elected positions that we need to recruit Democratic Party candidates for . . . in the current election cycle and the near future
- Defining ourselves and who we are and where we stand as the Democratic Party of York County for recruitment of Dem voters and candidates

Obviously, it was a fantastic night of lively interaction by your fellow Democrats and Progressives. Join your neighbors and your peers next month for the next Grassroots Topics program. Watch for details.

In the meantime, find a military service veteran (current service or years ago), his/her family members, and even those who grew up as military “brats” and thank them for their sacrifices and their loyal service to us all, to our great nation ! ! !

Join your fellow Dems ! !

Feeling like your Mondays
in York County are too dull, too quiet,
too ordinary?

Not this Monday, February 26th!


Event #1 - First DLA Luncheon of 2007
We want to remind you of our first Democratic Leadership Alliance luncheon of 2007;
at noon, Monday, 2/26/07, at the Harp and Fiddle Irish Pub (upstairs) on S. George Street in the city.

There will be a "State of the County" address by Mayor John Brenner, County Commissioner, Doug Kilgore and State Rep. Eugene DePasquale.

Cost is $25.

For reservations or more information, contact Mary Ann Bacas, 663 Madison Ave, York, PA 17404. or email her at: MA@Bacas.com

Event #2 –

“Health Care For Every Pennsylvanian”

is the topic of this month’s grassroots session

at 7PM on at the Democratic Party HQ in York City

at 275 W. Market Street.

Feb 26th The Democratic Party will have 2 speakers discussing Health Care in Pennsylvania.

• Chuck Pennacchio, the exciting and forward thinking US Senatorial candidate, is coming to York.
• Abe Amoros, or a representative from the Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform (OHCR), is also coming to YORK!!

The speakers are presenting competing Bills on Health Care for Pennsylvanians.
This unique opportunity to hear and question BOTH Plans also means we can INFLUENCE how our Representatives vote! Each speaker will take 15 minutes to share their point. There will be a question and answer period after we have heard from both.

Please join us at 7PM on Feb 26 at the Democratic Party HQ, 275 W. Market Street.

Additional information:
OHCR is presenting a plan called the "Prescription for Pennsylvania" or "Rx for PA". This Plan is a series of 47 Bills that will hold down escalating costs such as the uninsured using Emergency Rooms as their primary care system. The Governor has been traveling the state seeking support for the Plan.

The competing Plan is a Single-Payer Bill. HELP Fund PA or the "Family and Business Healthcare Security Act of 2007". HELP Fund PA on Feb 27th (10 AM - Noon) is in Harrisburg making a presentation before Democratic legislators. HELP Fund PA is hoping for grassroots support from every citizen to pack the House Caucus room with more than one hundred supporters. Keep that in mind while listening and questioning the speakers on Monday night.

Overall Agenda for evening of Feb 26th:
7 PM: Welcome and Announcements by Jim Poland, Vice Chair Finance of the Democratic Party of York
1. Upcoming Training & Events
2. Deadlines for the Primary
3. Call for Volunteers
7:15: "Rx for PA" by Abe Amoros
7:40: "HELP Fund PA" by Chuck Pennachio

Q&A Time: 20 minutes

Announce Next Meeting

Social Time

Adjournment