Public Joins Campaign for Healthcare Justice at 'SiCKO' Premiere

Public Joins Campaign for Healthcare Justice at 'SiCKO' Premiere

Coalition Gathers Support for Platform to Fix Sonoma County's Healthcare System

SANTA ROSA, Calif., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Dozens of community members signed petitions Friday calling for a new approach to healthcare in Sonoma County at an event organized by a local coalition outside the premiere of the new film "SiCKO," which targets the U.S. healthcare system's failings.

Healthcare Justice Sonoma County is urging county officials working toward solving the county's healthcare crisis to adopt a platform that involves the community and protects the rights of caregivers.

The recent plan for a consortium of local hospitals to take over the Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency Program, which Sutter Health plans to abandon, is one example of an issue that requires closer community involvement, said doctors with the Committee of Interns and Residents, which is part of the coalition.

"Over 150 physicians who now practice in Sonoma County were trained at the Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency Program," said Kambria Holder, a Sutter resident and member of CIR. "We must preserve the integrity and reputation of our program so we can continue to attract high-quality, committed physicians to stay in our community."

"The consortium is a good start toward ensuring the residency's future because it shares the burden," said Ian Hoffman, also a Sutter resident. "But until we have a sane system that can take care of all patients equally, we will continue to face financial instability while practicing medicine in Sonoma County."

Members of the public strongly supported the principles outlined in the coalition's petitions, which include requiring Sutter Medical Center to remain open until all its services are replaced, improving the residency program, and preserving the rights of hospital workers whose jobs may be affected by any transition in the county's healthcare system.

Healthcare Justice Sonoma County is a coalition of doctors, caregivers, senior advocates and other community members calling for improvements to the county healthcare system, including keeping Sutter Medical Center open as long as possible, expanding community clinics and district hospitals, and guaranteeing the rights of healthcare workers are protected.

CONTACT: Peter Tappeiner

(510) 714-5094

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West

CONTACT: Peter Tappeiner, +1-510-714-5094, for SEIU United Healthcare
Workers-West

Web site:

http://www.seiu-uhw.org/

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