A Doctor's Story
Working at a local "safety net" hospital, Bret questions our healthcare priorities as a nation.
Bret McFarlin
Des Moines, IA
Added: April 2, 2008
Bret is in these Series:
Everyone Flourishes | Rural Voices |
Associated Tags:
Basic Security | Community | Fairness | Health | Health Disparities | Health Disparities - The Uninsured |
Change doesn't happen through one voice, one charismatic leader, or one amazing organization (or even a really great archive!). Change begins when each of shares a positive thought, a brave hope, or an inspiring story with friends, family, and our communities, asking open-ended questions, and then beginning a dialogue that just might lead to some action.
With a projector, through a webinar or conference call, or gathered round a computer, you can host a screening of 3 to 5 of your favorite 1000 Voices storytellers. The stories and tools can focus discussions, rally support for a local effort, or help describe the impact of policies on real people.
Sure, you can share these films at a Beltway briefing or a townhall meeting. But why not make it a potluck dinner, a "powergirl's night," or a brownbag lunch with co-workers? Or have a vote to decide whose story the group liked best and why, and let us know.
Extend the learning by sharing the fact sheets related to this video and discuss how your community fits into that picture. Use our customizable invitations and posters to announce your event by clicking Print Shop, on the right or below.
Created by some of the most effective, most respected organizations on the issues related to this video, these resources can help guide discussions at your screening event.
American Sociological Association (PDF)
Race, Ethnicity and the Health of Americans, a report issued by the ASA on how race remains an important social factor in understanding disparities in the well-being of Americans.
A Roadmap to Health Insurance for All: Principles for Reform
This report, prepared for The Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System, explores the different options and how elected officials can not only increase coverage for the uninsured, but also improve quality and efficiency and gain control over spiraling health care costs.
The Uninsured: A Primer (PDF)
This report from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured presents basic information about the uninsured--who they are and why they do not have health coverage. It also explores the difference that health insurance makes in people's lives, provides a summary of how and why the number of uninsured is growing, and discusses currently proposed solutions. (October 2007)
Tomorrow's leaders need to understand the power of the story. If you're a high school or college leader or educator, here are materials, created by education experts that untap the video's dialogue potential in classroom discussions and assignments.
PBS: The Theory of the American Founding: Why Equal Protection of the Law?
Examine the Declaration of Independence and other historical quotes in relation to the idea of human equality and equal protection under the law. High school levels.
Here is information specifically designed for grassroots organizers on issues related to this video.
10 Things Everyone Should Know About Health (PDF)
Adapted from the four-hour PBS documentary series UNNATURAL CAUSES: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?
Overburdened and Overwhelmed: The Struggles of Communities with High Medical Cost Burdens (PDF)
The number of people with potentially high medical cost burdens varies widely across the nation. Some of these people lack insurance, while others are insured but are paying a high portion of their income to get that coverage. Federal support will be critical to addressing this problem. (November 2007)
The Uninsured: A Primer (PDF)
This report profiles the 45.5 million Americans under age 65 without health insurance. It reviews how they receive and pay for medical care, explains why the number of uninsured individuals has changed recently, and describes options for expanding coverage. (January 2006)
Better Together: A Publication of the Saguaro Center
The Better Together report outlines the framework for sustained, broad-based social change to restore America's civic virtue through building social capital.
Diverse Communities Are Strong Communities - Action Alert
Urge your elected officials to include the viewpoints of ALL parts of their constituencies in their decision-making. This tool will make sure they receive your message right in their inboxes.
Center for Community Change: Crossing Borders
Crossing Borders is written for organizers and leaders, in particular those who want to build power and community among people who are different--people who don't look alike, talk alike and haven't lived alike.
Multimedia related to this video.
Slideshows from Kaiser Family Foundation
A collection of downloadable slideshows with charts and visuals demonstrating the health coverage crisis.
Slideshows on Public Opinion
From the Kaiser Family Foundation
A World of Possibilities (MP3)
Radio interview with William Gates, Sr., father of Bill Gates, talking about redefining wealth to reflect the value of community.
Enhance your screening party with custom-made materials from our Print Shop.
