Health care reform

AFSCME Communications Department Records

jruss — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:06:22 -0400

AFSCME has produced a regularly published magazine since its inception. Publication duties for this organ and other materials were accomplished by the Education and Publications Department for the first twenty years of AFSCME’s existence. The 1954 Convention, however, passed Resolution 14, establishing a Publications and Public Relations Department. This new department would continue to publish the AFSCME magazine and other materials and would also take on new media public relations duties both at headquarters, and importantly, in the field. Recognizing that current field staff’s duties did not include crafting AFSCME’s message during organizing campaigns and strikes, it was hoped that the new department would provide skilled public relations professionals on the ground. The new department was created on April 1, 1956. The Publications and Public Relations Department existed until 1971 when the name was changed to the Public Affairs Department. This existed until 2011 when the name was changed again to the Communications Department.

The AFSCME Communications Department Records document the public activities of the Department, AFSCME International, and AFSCME officials. Records include speech transcripts; press releases; surveys and polls; documents related to AFSCME biennial conventions such as transcripts of proceedings, correspondence, and planning documents; correspondence; publications; meeting minutes; clippings; photographs, slides, and negatives; audio and video recordings; and posters.

AFSCME Public Policy Analysis Department Records

jruss — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:17:10 -0400

Part 1 of the AFSCME Public Policy Analysis Department Records focuses on Deinstitutionalization, particularly at Wayne County General Hospital (WCGH). The hospital complex was located in western Wayne County, Michigan, approximately 16 miles west of downtown Detroit. Deinstitutionalization represented a major change in philosophy for mental health treatment delivery and was the term given to the process whereby mentally ill patients were moved out of large public hospitals and into smaller community-based treatment facilities. Typically, large public (state) hospitals were then closed. The process began in 1955 with the introduction of new psychiatric medications by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) into state hospitals. These new medicines offered the possibility of less-restrictive care for the mentally ill outside of the inpatient hospital setting. The deinstitutionalization trend accelerated after the passage of the Community Mental Health Centers Act in 1963 and then continued throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Part 2 of the AFSCME Public Policy Analysis Department Records consists of material related to AFSCME’s national effort to affect public policy in federal, state, and local governments during the 1970s. The department conducted research on issues with the potential to impact AFSCME members, especially matters of Social Security, cost of living, pensions, healthcare, deinstitutionalization, public health care, and unemployment. From this research, the Public Policy Analysis Department created reports and studies meant to influence the policy created by government agencies. The bulk of Part II of this collection represents AFSCME’s work in the debate on deinstitutionalization and health care reform efforts between 1973 and 1978.

Part 3 of the AFSCME Public Policy Analysis Department Records contains correspondence, memos, reports, data, news articles, studies, speeches, and testimonies. Large portions of the records pertain to mental health and deinstitutionalization. Other topics covered include taxes, Reagan-era budget cuts and other economic issues.

Walter P. Reuther on National Healthcare

Public Relations Team — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:39:02 -0400

In the Winter 2012 semester, the Reuther Library worked with students in the Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration program at the Wayne State School of Library and Information Science to produce a series of student-written, guest blog posts.

Alexandra Orchard is an MLIS and Archival Administration Certificate candidate planning to graduate in August 2012. A few of her research interests include digital preservation, local history, technology, and pop culture.

Although current talk of national healthcare may seem new and revolutionary, it is far from the first time this issue has received national attention. read more »

(28104) AFSCME Health Care Rally

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:52:11 -0500

AFSCME participates in a 1991 rally for universal health care in Washington, D.C.

(28105) Clintons at AFSCME Health Security Express rally

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:53:26 -0500

President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton approach the podium to speak at an AFSCME Health Security Express rally in Washington, D.C.

(28106) Clinton at AFSCME Health Security Express Rally

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:54:45 -0500

First Lady Hillary Clinton speaks at an AFSCME Health Security Express rally.

(28107) McEntee and Clinton at Health Care Rally

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:56:11 -0500

AFSCME President Gerald McEntee welcomes President Bill Clinton to the podium at a health care rally.

(28108) AFSCME Health Care Rally

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:57:51 -0500

Members of AFSCME Council 67 of Maryland demonstrate for health care.

(28109) AFSCME Health Care Rally

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:59:07 -0500

AFSCME President Gerald McEntee (center) and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson lead a rally for universal healthcare.

(28110) Health Care Rally

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:00:12 -0500

AFSCME members participate in a 1994 health care rally in Washington, D.C.

(28111) AFSCME Health Care Rally

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:01:05 -0500

A 1994 AFSCME Health Security Express rally.

(28112) AFSCME Health Security Express

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:02:06 -0500

AFSCME President Gerald McEntee (back center) stands with AFSCME members in front of the White House as part of the AFSCME Health Security Express demonstration for universal health care.

(28113) Clinton, Kennedy for health care reform

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:03:21 -0500

First Lady Hillary Clinton and Senator Ted Kennedy at a health care rally.

(28114) Clinton for health care reform

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:04:27 -0500

First Lady Hillary Clinton speaks at an AFSCME Health Security Express rally.

(28115) McEntee, Clinton for health care reform

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:05:40 -0500

First Lady Hillary Clinton and AFSCME President Gerald McEntee at a rally for health care reform.

(28116) Kennedy, McEntee, Clinton for health care reform

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:06:54 -0500

Senator Ted Kennedy, First Lady Hillary Clinton, and AFSCME President Gerald McEntee sit on the dais at a rally for health care reform.

(28117) Kennedy, McEntee for health care reform

jruss — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:08:08 -0500

Senator Ted Kennedy and AFSCME President Gerald McEntee at a rally for health care reform.

(28328) CLUW; American Family Celebration

drice — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:19:10 -0400

Attendees at the American Family Celebration in Washington D.C. Organized by CLUW, the celebration united religious, civil rights, women’s, labor, and children’s groups in a call for a national family policy.

(29188) Andy Stern and Paul Wellstone, Health Care Security Act Press Conference, Washington D.C., 2000

aorchard — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 09:13:50 -0400

Andy Stern speaking at the Health Security Act Press Conference. Paul Wellstone stands to the side.

(29190) Lorraine Thiebaud, Needlestick Testimony, Washington, D.C., 2000

aorchard — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:17:30 -0400

Local 250 member Lorraine Thiebaud speaks at the Needlestick Testimony in Washington D.C.

(29222) Local 79, Dignity Beverly Demonstration, Washington, D.C. and Leesburg, Pennsylvania, 1996

aorchard — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:48:11 -0400

Demonstrators from Local 29 participate in the Dignity Beverly Campaign, advocating for rights and respect for all in Washington, D.C. and Leesburg, Pennsylvania.

(29260) Local 579 Wins Against Beverly Enterprises, Albany, Georgia, 1983

aorchard — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:57:30 -0400

Members of Local 579 pose for a group photo celebrating their win against Beverly Enterprises in Albany, Georgia.

(29261) Local 79 Shore Haven Nursing Home Employees win against Beverly, 1983

aorchard — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:57:30 -0400

News crews cover Local 79 members employed by Shore Haven Nursing Home after their win against Beverly Enterprises.

(29262) Local 579 members win against Beverly Enterprises, Marion, Georgia, 1983

aorchard — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:57:30 -0400

Local 579 members pose for a group photo after their win against Beverly Enterprises in Marion, Georgia.

(29461) Needlestick Rally, AHA, Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C., 1999

aorchard — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:50:55 -0500

Demonstrators taking part in the SEIU Needlestick Rally at the American Hospital Association (AHA), Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. on May 25, 1999.

(29462) Demonstrators, Needlestick Rally, American Hospital Association, Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C., 1999

aorchard — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:50:55 -0500

Demonstrators hold up signs at the SEIU Needlestick Rally at the American Hospital Association, Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., on May 25, 1999.

(29463) Healthcare Reform Rally, Washington, D.C., 1994

aorchard — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:53:28 -0500

A demonstrator advocates for healthcare at the Healthcare Reform Rally at the US Chamber of Commerce, Jobs with Justice campaign, Washington, D.C. February 28, 1994.

(30398) Ophelia McFadden, SEIU/1199 Healthcare Conference, 1981

aorchard — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:18:16 -0400

Ophelia McFadden at the SEIU/1199 Healthcare Conference in 1981.

(30581) Coretta Scott King, SEIU / 1199 Healthcre Conference, 1981

aorchard — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 10:51:09 -0400

Coretta Scott King addresses the audience at the SEIU / 1199 Healthcare Conference.

(30583) Coretta Scott King, Ted Kennedy, John Sweeney, 1199 / SEIU Healthcare Conference, 1981

aorchard — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:49:37 -0400

Coretta Scott King, Ted Kennedy, John Sweeney, and other chat on stage during the 1199 / SEIU Healthcare Conference.

(30585) Coretta Scott King, John Sweeney, 1199 / SEIU Healthcare Conference, 1981

aorchard — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 14:11:27 -0400

Coretta Scott King and John Sweeney chat during the 1199 / SEIU Healthcare Conference.

(31835) John Sweeney, National Leadership Coalition for Healthcare Reform PRess Conference, 1994

aorchard — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 12:36:59 -0400

SEIU President John Sweeney speaks during the National Leadership Coalition for Healthcare Reform Press Conference in Chicago, Illinois.

(31833) SEIU Local 79, National Healthcare Action Day, Detroit, Michigan, 1994

aorchard — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 12:28:31 -0400

Two members from SEIU Local 79 demonstrate during National Healthcare Action Day in Detroit, Michigan.

(31834) Healthcare Reform Action Rally at the Us Chamber of Commerce with Jobs with Justice, 1994

aorchard — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 12:33:22 -0400

A demonstrator holds a sign asking for “Employer mandated share NOW,” during the Healthcare Reform Action Rally at the US Chamber of Commerce with Jobs with Justice in Washington, D.C.

(31836) John Sweeney, Jessey Jackson, Workers, Healthcare Reform Rally, 1994

aorchard — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 12:41:12 -0400

Workers, Jesse Jackson, and SEIU President John Sweeney listen on stage to a speech during the Healthcare Reform Rally with Healthcare Workers.

(32574) New Voice healthcare rally

gstrassel — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 16:46:50 -0500

New Voice healthcare rally against Medicare cuts with John Sweeney in McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

(32582) Reclaim America demonstration

gstrassel — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 11:07:48 -0500

Reclaim America demonstration at Newt Gingrich's Medicare conference in 1995.

Protestors interrupting Medicare conference hosted by Rep. Newt Gingrich in Marietta, Georgia.

[Podcast] Remembering the Detroit Feminist Women’s Health Center

teller — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Dr. Beth Widmaier Capo discusses the Detroit Feminist Women’s Health Center and the role health practitioners there—including her mother—played in empowering women to understand their bodies and take control of their health in the 1970s. read more »

AFT Convention 1994: State of the Union Speech

jruss — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:55:31 -0400