The Katrina Myth: The truth about a thoroughly unnatural disaster / Will USACE do it again with Gustav? / NEW VIDEO

Broken Levees, Broken Lives"...the Post-Katrina Focus on Health

Three years after Hurricane Katrina, the people of New Orleans are still waiting...

Even though flooding only occurred in the basement, which was cleaned up and ready to reopen in October of 2005, the famous Charity Hospital in New Orleans remains closed in 2008 as the Louisiana State University (LSU) systems office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) squabble over plans to build a newer, prettier hospital—a project which would take years and millions of dollars to complete while Charity stands empty.

Meanwhile, the people of NOLA rely heavily on free health clinics, or wait in long lines to be seen at smaller remaining hospitals while their health deteriorates. Many Americans are unaware that Charity is the second-largest hospital in the nation, and had been serving as the primary trauma center for all of southern Louisiana. They also may be unaware, as Dr. James Moises highlights in the video, that there is a national trend to close public hospitals like Charity, marking the end of our public health safety net as we know it.

Will America be ready for the next disaster?

"We're still not prepared," says Kim Lange, a New Orleans native and nurse practitioner featured in the video. "We need a national healthcare system that has the capability of stepping in at the time of impact and providing the healthcare services needed."

Regardless of age, socioeconomic status, religion, cultural background, or race, we all must face the fears of illness, aging, and death. Guaranteed universal healthcare for everyone in America is the only compassionate solution!

*** Please make comments and share this video widely! ***

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TAKE ACTION at:
[link to www.GuaranteedHealthcare.org]

* Sign our online petition for HR 676

* Donate to NOLA's free health clinics

* Join the RNRN Disaster Relief Network

* Tell us your own healthcare story

TAKE ACTION at:
[link to www.GuaranteedHealthcare.org]

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Related News:


Fixing Charity is the faster, cheaper option, study says
But state supporting brand-new hospital
The Times-Picayune 08/21/08

[link to www.calnurses.org]

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New Orleans braces for hurricane Gustav on Katrina anniversary
Times Online 08/28/08

[link to www.calnurses.org]

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Three Years Post-Katrina, New Orleans in Healthcare Crisis and Bracing for Gustav - Nurses release anniversary video documenting the crisis
CNA/NNOC Press Release 08/28/08

[link to www.calnurses.org]

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A CNA/NNOC Presentation

Colette Washington, Producer / Director

Jay Johnson, Cinematographer / Editor