Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Affordable Care Act (and Healthcare Reform)

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and healthcare reform, in general, will be the focus of PDA Tucson's general membership meeting on Thursday, Nov. 14.

Andrea Witte (the Connect the Dots Lady) will present the updated version of "The American Healthcare CrazyQuilt", which looks at how the US healthcare system evolved into the most expensive system in the world but still leaves millions of people uninsured. She also will discuss the Affordable Care Act.

Dr. Eve Shapiro, local pediatrician and head of PDA Tucson's universal healthcare issue organizing team, will talk about single-payer, universal healthcare and why that should be our country's ultimate healthcare reform goal. The ACA is a step in the right direction but not the end of the road.

Concluding the healthcare portion of the program, Michal Goforth, executive director of the Pima County Access Program, will talk about local ACA outreach efforts and local implementation of the new healthcare law.

Rounding out the evening, PDA Tucson Chair Phil Lopes will discuss local and national initiatives of the Progressive Democrats of America.

The Nov. 14 meeting will be held at the Pima County Housing Center, 801 W. Congress St. The entrance faces Congress Street, but parking is on the North and East sides of the building. Doors open at 6 p.m.; program starts at 6:30 p.m.

Related Information:
Affordable Care Act Quick Reference Guide from Connect the Dots USA

2012: PDA Tucson Reviews a Year of Activism

Two years ago, February 2011, the Tucson Chapter of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) was launched. It has been a busy two years, but 2012 was particularly active, as PDA Tucson sponsored events and worked with other left-leaning local groups in support of their activities.

Here is a look back.

January 2012

PDA Tucson defends Occupy Tucson with a Letter to the Editor of the Tucson Weekly.

PDA Tucson joins other PDA Arizona chapters in tabling at the Arizona Democratic Party State Committee Meeting and participates in the ADP Progressive Caucus.

February 2012

PDA Tucson hosts a forum on public banking with the sponsor of HB2104, which would establish a public bank in Arizona. When the bill was heard in committee, PDA Tucson steering committee members testified in favor of it.

PDA Tucson steering committee members participate in national PDA meeting in Winslow.

John Nichols, of The Nation, tells a packed house at the IBEW Hall in Tucson about the Uprising in Wisconsin at an event sponsored by PDA Tucson and the Pima Area Labor Federation. This comes as workers are attacked with six anti-union bills in the state Legislature, and labor supporters take to the streets.

PDA Tucson, Physicians for a National Health Program, and the Alliance for Global Justice  co-sponsor Single-Payer Healthcare and the 99%-- A Public Forum which features talks by Dr. Margaret Flowers and Kevin Zeese JD.

March 2012

PDA members protest with unionists, Occupiers, and other labor supporters against anti-worker bills in the Arizona Legislature.

UPDATED: PDA Tucson's Phil Lopes runs for Dem Party Vice Chair

UPDATE: Phil got elected!
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On Saturday, January 26, 2013, the Arizona Democratic Party will hold its reorganization meeting in Phoenix. New state party officers will be elected by elected precinct committee (PC) people. If you are a progressive and an elected, please consider voting for Phil Lopes. If you are a PC and can't make the meeting, contact your legislative district chair and give someone your proxy vote.

Phil Lopes for Vice Chair

Dear AZ State Democratic Committee member,

This letter is to ask for your vote for the position of Vice-Chair of the AZ Democratic Party. I would be honored to have your support and vote. I am running for Vice-Chair to:

• strengthen the party, especially in public policy advocacy, and,
• to improve the public’s perception of the Party

Although the Party raises money during campaign season, it does not advocate with candidates, elected officials or the public at large for policy positions that reflect the values of Democrats. This is one reason why the public perceives Democrats and Republicans as not very different. For example, during the recent campaign, I heard no mention of developing a fairer tax system. This is inconceivable given that our State tax structure is way too sales tax reliant and the sales tax hits the poor the hardest. Likewise, most Democrats feel that there is too much money spent on campaigns but too many of our candidates chose not to run using Clean Elections.