The following is an update from PHAN.  LAMPa is one of PHAN’s founding members.  For more information on PHAN’s core principles, please see the Access to Health Care Issue Brief on the LAMPa website or visit www.pahealthaccess.org.  For copies of PHAN’s new brochure, contact the LAMPa office at 717-545-3500 or lampa@lamp.org

**Remember, if you have not yet written to your State Senator about SB 1137 and HB 2005, there’s still time (see our 8-14-08 Health Care Reform Alert)**

Update from the

PA Health Access Network (PHAN)

You are not alone.

Right now, we have coalitions of health care activists in Erie, Pittsburgh, Warren, Westmoreland County, Johnstown, Wilkes-Barre, Schuylkill County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County, Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley. Some are more active than others. But all have done important work either as a group or as individuals. This work has been critical to our success so far. And it will be critical to what we accomplish in the future.

For the rest of August and throughout September, we are planning events that will remind people about the importance of reforming health care in Pennsylvania. These will include forums for candidates running for the State House, the State Senate, and US Congress; informational forums in various public spaces; house parties; and other appearances at civic clubs and events.  If you see an opportunity to get out the message in your area, please pass that along to us.  We will support you in any way we can.  If you are able to arrange a forum, a speaking engagement, or a house party/barbecue in your area, let us know.

Please let your friends and neighbors know about this important coalition and encourage them to get involved.  Pass along this update along as well; if you send us names and addresses, we’ll be happy to send the next edition directly to them.

Contact Berry Friesen at bfriesen@pahealthaccess.org or Marissa Harris, LAMPa Advocacy Developer, at mharris@lamp.org or call 717-545-3500, for more information or to find out how to get involved.

(LAMPa note:  One great advocacy ministry opportunity is to attend candidate forums in your community and ask your State House and State Senate Candidate(s) a question about health care and/or another issue.  Please feel free to contact the LAMPa office, 717-545-3500 or lampa@lamp.org, for assistance to prepare for your participation in candidate forums.)