Since I first came to Daily Kos (October 2006), nyceve has been writing diaries. You can read her body of work here: nyceve
I learned so much about healthcare reform here from her. I first heard of nationalized healthcare insurance in the 60s, when I was 12 or 13, from the UAW newspaper, Solidarity. At times, I've been around single payer groups. I was for it, but didn't think it could ever happen.
Then I came here and read Eve. Here's one of her best from January 2007:
NycEve
It’s Called Murder by Spreadsheet
That is exactly what it is.
More, after the fold.
We know the villan.
It is a murderous villan, and its weapon is a spreadsheet. It is also a highly successful business model since depending on its medical-loss ratio it diverts approximately 15% of its revenues into administrative costs and profits!
And the murderous for-profit insurance industry is the darling of Wall Street primarily because of their consistently favorable medical loss ratios. That’s Wall Street speak for improving profits by reducing payments for health care services. With lower medical loss ratios, investors gain while patients and doctors lose.
This is Murder by Spreadsheet.
We now have psychic permission to call this depraved and mafia-like/Mafia-lite industry exactly what it is--murderous.
snip
There's plenty arrayed against us. But we have the truth which sooner rather than later, the American people will first begin to understand, then embrace, and ultimately, internalize.
Nyceve, It’s Called Murder by Spreadsheet, Jan 17, 2007
I met Eve once, at Yearly Kos in 2007. She's a wonderful woman, a committed activist, who volunteered for years, gave of herself because it was the right thing to do. She gives so much of her time freely to fight for justice.
There are many healthcare heroes, and Eve is mine.
Thank you Eve for all you have done and are doing.
You can think Eve also by donating to either Standing Up For The Public Option or to firedoglake, whioh has provided Eve a small stipend to act as a full time activist: Continute here: Please Help Us Fight the Teabagger Army from Derailing Health Care
Standing Up For The Public Option donates the money to 65 congressmen and congresswomen:
Democratic members of Congress need to understand that a healthcare reform bill with a Public Option is simply not an option-- it's a requirement. The congressmembers on this list have said in no uncertain terms that they will not vote for a bill without a public option all the way through Conference. That takes courage, and we need to show them how much we appreciate them for doing so. Please make a contribution-- and thanks for everything else you're doing for the public option.
And Continute here: Please Help Us Fight the Teabagger Army from Derailing Health Care helps provide funds for eve and slinkerwink, as well as logistical and other support for various activist actions:
The lobbyists are packed six deep into every nook and cranny on the Hill, and it's going to take everything to fight this. Americans are dying. At the same time, corporate-funded teabaggers are trying to shut down all debate.
We need to raise $250,000 to fund our fight to stop the teabaggers from derailing health care. After two months of your hard work, 65 members House drew a line in the sand: no public option, no health care reform. Now that we've shown progressives in the House it's possible to stick together, it will be our job to make sure these members hold the line on a strong public option.
Will you help us fight the insurance industry lobby in the battle for affordable health care for all? Contribute what you can below. Thanks for all you do.
Eve Gittelson
NYCEve
These are hard times and many don't have any spare money. I understand.
You can also tell Eve thank you in the comments. Eve, slink, and Jane are people like you and me. They are struggling to make change, to help others. They don't claim to be perfect, but I will attest that their hearts are good and they are sacrificing much to help others.
Tell Eve, thank you. She is my healthcare hero.