A DECLARATION OF HEALTH CARE INDEPENDENCE

The Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative has begun its campaign to guarantee quality, affordable health care for all Marylanders.

The official unveiling came October 4 at a well-attended press conference hosted by the Central Maryland Ecumenical Council at the Episcopal Diocesan Center in Baltimore. At the event, 27 organization's signed on to the campaign's Declaration of Health Care Independence. The day's last signer was, appropriately, the moving force behind this potentially historic initiative, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Peter Beilenson.

Among the organizations so far enlisted in support of the Declaration:
American Federation of Government Employees Local #4060
The Baltimore Hispanic Ministry of the United Methodist Church
The Maryland Public Health Association
Service Employees International Union District 1199E-DC.

The campaign's immediate goal: to get at least 2,000 organizations in Maryland to sign the Declaration by the end of the year 2000. Campaign organizers are urging state groups with affiliates or local chapters to send the Declaration onto them with a letter urging them to sign on. Below, the Declaration text. Please fillout and return their resolution to show individual or organizatonal support for the Declaration.

Please return their resolution to:

Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative Education Fund, Inc.
2600 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218

410- 235-9000 (phone) 410- 235-8963 (fax) E-Mail: demarco@mdinitiative.org.