For months, Metro Councilman at Large Jerry Maynard has been asking a very pertinent question – why can’t we harness the same power that defeated English Only in Nashville to improve our health care and education systems? To that end, Maynard is spreading the word about a press conference, community rally, information session, and call to action for Metro General Hospital that is being held tomorrow evening at 5:00 PM at Watson Grove Baptist Church.
Reverend Henry Blaze of Progressive Baptist Church, Reverend Judi Hoffman of Edgehill United Methodist Church, Freda Player of Change that Works Tennessee, along with the support of more than 50 Nashville clergy, will gather and address the looming financial crisis that faces the hospital and threatens the delivery of critical services to the uninsured, the education of more than 700 Meharry Medical College students, and more than 700 jobs. Their aim is to rally citizens and community, business, civic, and health care leaders to stand together in their support of the mission of the hospital – to provide an accredited, full service, public safety net hospital for all people regardless of their ability to pay.
WHEN: Press conference, Tuesday, March 31, 2009, at 5:00 p.m.; Community Rally will follow at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Watson Grove Baptist Church, 1415 Horton Avenue, Nashville, 37203 (Parking next to church)
“Health care is a moral imperative, essential to preserving and protecting human dignity. As more Nashville residents become uninsured, General Hospital’s role as a safety-net hospital is increasingly important,” said Reverend Blaze. “This vital safety-net is threatened because of budget problems at both the local and state level. We need federal help to get through this crisis.”
He added, “The Metro General – Meharry Medical College partnership is a unique national health care resource that is deserving of federal financial support.”
In light of Mayor Dean’s request for 10% budget cuts across the board for government departments, Nashville General, which serves more than 30% of the uninsured patients in Nashville, may be in real trouble. Take the opportunity to come out tomorrow and find out why.
Recent Comments