Save Our Community Hospitals (SOCH)
In October 2009, UPMC announced that it would close UPMC/Braddock on January 31, 2010. In response, a group of concerned citizens, convened by Citizen Power’s president and CEO David Hughes, met to organize opposition to the closing of the hospital. Thus began a three year effort by Save Our Community Hospitals to, first, keep UPMC/Braddock open, then, after it closed, to expose the predatory nature of UPMC. SOCH members were not naïve and understood that UPMC would most likely not keep Braddock Hospital open. This did not deter a very successful campaign on the second objective that included numerous protests at UPMC’s downtown Pittsburgh headquarters. The extensive media coverage given to SOCH’s protests clearly impacted UPMC’s image in the region. The group continues to monitor the Pittsburgh region’s healthcare institutions and stands ready to give voice to consumer concerns.
If you would like to find out more about SOCH or get involved, please contact David Hughes at [email protected].
Braddock Free Clinic
The closure of the UPMC Braddock Hospital in January 2010 left a huge void in needed health care services in the Braddock area. Some of that void has been filled by the Muslim Council of America. The Council’s project to open a free clinic in Braddock became a reality in August 2011 when the Braddock Free Clinic opened. David Hughes, founder of Citizen Power, was instrumental in securing funding for the Clinic. The clinic only provides services to those with no health insurance of any kind, and a household income at or below 350% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The doctors are all volunteer and the clinic includes some specialists. For more information, call 412-723-2086.
Braddock Free Clinic address – 415 6th St, Braddock, PA 15104
Hours: Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.
Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Single Payer Healthcare
Citizen Power believes the establishment of a non-profit, single-payer, universal health care financing system will resolve many of the problems associated with our current health care system in the United States. Advocacy work is being done at a local level through the Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Single Payer Healthcare (WPCSH). Citizen Power’s president and CEO sits on the Steering Committee of the WPCSH. Find out how you can get involved HERE.