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Doctors for America Newsletter
Affordable, quality health care for all
September 2013
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Dear Donald,
DFA members across the country are broadening the definition of physician as we rise to today's challenges. Everywhere we turn doctors are becoming clearer about their role in public debate and more confident about the difference they make. In this issue you will not only read about what some DFA veteran members are up to, but will also notice many names that have not appeared before. Be inspired by the varied ways in which doctors advocate for their patients. Consider what avenues might be open to you. And if fun is your motivator, take a moment to read about what's happening in our Race for Coverage.
We hope you enjoy this latest update. As always, let us know how we are doing, and please share your news with us: maggie...@drsforamerica.org. Thanks for reading!
Maggie Kozel, Editor
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Physicians in Action:
Coverage is Good Medicine!
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- Dr. Robert Luedecke (TX) continues to write compelling op ed pieces for "My San Antonio," on issues ranging from reproductive rights to Medicaid expansion, always pointing out the
 economic sense of his arguments as he goes. One of his articles pointedly describes how the Texas Medical Association voted to support Medicaid  Expansion in that state - which happened because he introduced a resolution at the state meeting. Robert also writes a monthly column that is featured both in the Helotes Echo and the Boern Star, providing much needed information on The ACA's provisions and benefits to the public.
Robert is pictured here to the right of Senator Wendy Davis at a rally to support women's reproductive rights.
- Dr. Umbereen Nehal also lent her voice to TX, cowriting an article for the Austin American-Statesman which took Texas leaders to task for resisting Medicaid Expansion.
- Georgetown University MD Candidates Liz Oler and Nandita Mani wrote an article for the Huffington Post on educating medical students about the cost of medicine
- Mona Mangat (FL) wrote an opinion piece for the
 Tampa Bay Times on why doctors support Medicaid expansion, and is featured on the Florida Chain Facebook Page for her healthcare advocacy work.
- Larry Floriani (FL) appeared on video engaging governor Rick Scott at a rally in Tallahassee where he had a chance to voice his support for Medicaid expansion directly to the governor.
- Katherine Scheirman (OK) has done two more
 presentations on the ACA, and participated in a State House press rally for Medicaid expansion as well as a NAACP-sponsored Town Hall.
- Jim Burdick (MD) published a compelling article in the Baltimore Sun on the harmful effects of medical advertising.
- Umbereen Nehal (MA) who - congratulations! - has recently been appointed Associate Medical Director at MassHealth (Medicaid in MA), appeared on a local CBS radio show to field questions about the ACA.
- Chris Lillis (VA) has been working with local CMS Navigator Grantee to help with targeting and outreach to the uninsured in his state. He also published an opinion piece on Medicaid expansion in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- Heidi Sinclair (LA) testified before both the Senate and House Health and Welfare Committee in Louisiana on the need for Medicaid expansion in that state, and wrote a letter to the editor of the Times Picayune New Orleans on the same issue.
- Carolyn Senger (CA) organized her fellow DFA members in that state in a collaborative effort to urge and petition state elected officials to support Medicaid expansion.
- Tom Ellison (AL) and colleagues have been finding creative ways to raise support for the ACA in the face of widespread misinformation, working with mobile health
 screenings and clinics, in Town Halls, and by supporting local elected officials as well as recruiting special appearances by athletes, actors, performers and coaches. They also use tablets to provide digital learning centers at challenging venues like the Deer Hunters Expo and gun shows. Go Alabama!
 Nicholas Vasquez (AZ) recently gave a community presentation on the ACA in Phoenix.
- Donald Nguyen (OH) led fellow Ohio DFA members as
 well as other community and faith activists in rallies for Medicaid expansion in both Dayton and at the State Capitol in Columbus.
- Don presented updates on Medicaid expansion and enrollment at an ACA birthday bash in Trotwood, OH, and later again in Beavercreek, OH. He also led a counter protest at a "Pull the Plug on Obamacare" rally which was covered by local CBS television.
- Maggie Kozel (RI) worked with HealthsourceRI to organize a community forum in Jamestown on health insurance exchanges and upcoming enrollment.
- Lisa Plymate (WA), as state director of DFA, joined with the Healthy WA Coalition and Washington's insurance commissioner in obtaining an extension to get more insurers on board in the state's exchanges.
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And More Action!
DFA is building a massive effort to educate the public on upcoming options for the uninsured. Jessica Stephens (Wright State University MD Candidate) and Liz Oler (Georgetown University MD Candidate) are spearheading the fundraising effort to support this ambitious goal.
To date, more than 100 physicians and medical students have signed up to run, bike, swim or ....read poetry!!!! already raising more than $20,000 towards our ultimate goal of 200 participants raising $100,000.
Jay Mathur, center, raised $1411 in his 5K Color Run in New York last weekend.
 Alice Chen, right, shown here with Xin Cong and Michelle Chen, raised $2350 in her half marathon Race for Coverage over Labor Day weekend.
Go to our pledge page to find intrepid individuals and teams from places like Texas and Florida, or our top fundraiser from Oklahoma - that would be the poetry reading, folks. In fact Katherine Scheirman's planned poetry event made front page news for The City Sentinel.
Consider becoming a participant yourself; you can pick your own event and set up your personal or team pledge page in a matter of minutes. If that's not possible, go to this page to find a team or colleague to support
Just a few days till my 4Bridge Ride here in RI - $745 and counting!
Remember, the window for uninsured individuals and small businesses to enroll for 2014 starts in 18 days and lasts for only six months. Much work needs to be done. Our time is NOW.
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Building Momentum
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- Catherine Nelson (CA) has been leading her colleagues as DFA's California Gun Violence Campaign Director. Dr. Nelson, along with Carolyn Senger (CA) and Nina Agrawal (NY) represented DFA in signing an endorsement of the LIFE Act, a set of 8 bills to strengthen California’s gun laws that was ultimately passed.
- Lia Losonczy (CA) wrote an article in the Oakland Tribune that described the issue of gun violence from the perspective of an emergency room.
- Ricky Choi (CA) wrote an article for Huffington Post urging the nation to protect our children against gun violence.
- Rab Razzak (CA) participated in a Long Beach press conference that drew attention to gun violence as a public safety and public health issue, along with the Brady Campaign and OFA.
- Kohar Jones (IL) wrote an op ed piece for the Chicago Sun on gun violence as a public health threat.
- Marc Manseau (NY) has been leading DFA's drive for gun safety legislation in New York, coauthoring an Open Letter to the NY Governor, state legislators and US senators that called for gun violence protection and was signed by DFA-NY members. He also participated in a panel discussion with New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and Moms Demand Action in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Marc sent a letter to the editor of his hometown newspaper in Manchester NH urging gun safety legislation.
- Yisha Chen (NY) represented DFA at a rally for gun safety in that state.
- Megan Ranney(RI) testified before the RI State Legislative Committee on Gun Violence, sharing her experience as an emergency room physician. She also was heard on WPRO talk radio, discussing her article on gun violence published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, and recently coauthored an op ed piece in the Providence Journal that draws a connection between domestic homicide and gun violence.
- Maggie Kozel (RI) participated in a press conference at the RI State House, calling for sensible gun safety legislation. She also wrote an article for Huffington Post pointing out the harmful effects of a violent culture on our children.
- Pritesh Gandhi (LA) participated in a round table discussion on gun violence in her state.
- Leon Enrique (WA) authored a resolution for gun safety legislation on behalf of his county's AFP, and wrote an article on the topic for the April 2013 issue of Washington Family Physician
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Find the power in a doctor's voice.
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