Consumers for Affordable Health Care



	CAHC Foundation Executive Director, Joe Ditre, is being honored at the Common Cause/Maine Special Recognition Event for Maine Health Care Leaders Sunday, September 7, 2003 4:00 TO 6:30 pm Capitol Room, 2nd fl. AUGUSTA CIVIC CENTER Keynote Speaker: Chellie Pingree, President & CEO Common Cause Special Recognition Award Recipients: Joseph Ditre, Executive Director Consumers for Affordable Health Care Trish Riley, Director Governor's Office of Health Policy & Finance Charlene Rydell, Health Consultant Office of Congressman Tom Allen Paul Volenik, Brooklin Resident Former legislator and sponsor of single payer health care legislation Honorary Guests, Common Cause Chairman Emeritus: Archibald Cox and Phyllis Cox OUTLINE OF THE EVENT 4:00 Welcoming, Al Smith, Chairman Common Cause of Maine 4:20 Chellie Pingree, Common Cause President & CEO Some Visions for the Future Q&A BUFFET 5:00 RECOGNIZING SOME LEADERS IN HEALTH CARE Joseph Ditre, Executive Director Consumers for Affordable Health Care Trish Riley, Director Governor's Office of Health Policy & Finance Charlene Rydell, Health Care Consultant Office of Congressman Tom Allen Paul Volenik, Brooklin Resident Former member of the Maine Legislature & Consistent Sponsor of health care for all of Maine residents Concluding Comments Book Signing By Archibald Cox Book Sales and Literature Tables Available ABOUT JOHN W. GARDNER, FOUNDER, COMMON CAUSE John Gardner, Founder of Common Cause had a keen interest in health care issues. Appointed Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare in the Johnson Administration, John Gardner was the architect of Medicare, launching the program for the Administration. As the president sought reelection civil unrest was developing throughout the nation. The war, riots in the streets and cuts in domestic programs convinced John Gardner that LBJ had lost his capacity to lead. Mr. Gardner sent a personal letter to the president expressing his belief. After a personal meeting with the president expressing this lack of confidence, Mr. Gardner resigned. Within two years (1970) COMMON CAUSE was founded and John Gardner, together with a nation of citizen advocates pressured Congress to legislate and end to the Viet Nam War. Openness and accountability in government became an additional goal. The courage of John W. Gardner, to address a powerful president, to walk away from a leadership position and to subsequently found an organization to address issues consistent with his beliefs reflects in the character of the man outlined in, "Living, Leading and the American Dream", John W. Gardner. Common Cause President Chellie Pingree's past work in the Maine Legislature, working for an affordable prescription drug program now has the potential to receive a national focus. Common Cause is tracking the millions of dollars in contributions to elected officials and political parties made by the pharmaceutical industry. Issues of health care continue to be a focus of COMMON CAUSE. To Register Return to Foundation News and Publications