1 August, 2000

Dear Community Leader,

Within the month, decisions will be made that might close DC General Hospital and the Community Health Clinics.  Please join your neighbors on Thursday, August 17, 2000, 6:30 PM, at Union Temple Baptist Church,
1225 “W” Street, SE, to discuss:

What is happening to DC General Hospital and the Community Health Clinics.

How the various proposals to “save” the Hospital and Clinics will effect the kind and quality of health care available to our families and loved ones.

What the community can do to see that the Hospital and Clinics first are kept open and then rebuilt into a model community health system, and What steps the community can take to ensure that its voice is heard and felt in how the Hospital and Clinics plan and deliver health care.

We can’t afford to lose DC General and the Community Health Clinics. They are critical to the health of DC residents.  DC General Hospital provides the majority of hospital care to
the uninsured as well as 75% of our city’s trauma care.  The Community Health Clinics are often the only source of health care for some of our most vulnerable communities.  Residents
of these communities are predominately low-income African-Americans or immigrants.

The meeting will start promptly at 6:30 PM and should go on for about two hours.   Union Temple Baptist Church is located 4 blocks from the Anacostia Metro station.  Since light food
will be served, please call Mr. Gordy Broderick at 202/ 339-9336 by Tuesday, August 15, 2000 and let us know if you plan to attend.

The future of safe, affordable health care is at risk!  Please plan to attend this critical meeting; if you are unable to do so, please send a representative from your organization.  By organizing and working together we can make sure that everyone has access to high quality health care.

Sincerely,
Agnes Chase
Health Care Now
[And other signers and members of Health Care Now]