Public Employee Press

Media Beat: DVD
Healthcare chickens kick fox out of the coop

Who says political action can’t be fun? A group called Healthcare Now has produced a short humorous film about how a community of working chickens decided to organize for universal healthcare.

The animated DVD, “Don’t Be a Chicken,” shows insurance execs and politicians telling the tough birds that today’s overpriced and underperforming system is the best way to deliver health care.

The chickens finally “think outside the coop” and decide the solution is to expand and improve Medicare to all by creating a universal, publicly financed, privately delivered health care program.

Not a week goes by that we do not hear about a new union endorsing Rep. John Conyers single-payer health insurance bill, HR 676, which does exactly that.

National health insurance would offer an alternative to the growing number of uninsured Americans and the constant cutbacks caused by rising costs.

The expanded Medicare plan would save $150 billion a year by eliminating the private insurance industry’s high costs, outrageous profits and non-healthcare spending on wasteful services such as marketing.

What a wonderful campaign issue for politicians who don’t want to be chickens. This 10-minute DVD is $30 from www.Healthcare-Now.org or by calling 1- 800-453-1305. It’s perfect for union and community group meetings, and copies are available in the Education Fund Library in Room 211.

— Ken Nash