Penn's Participation in ‘Cover the Uninsured Week'

Although experts have estimated that 41 million Americans are living without health care, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation study released recently indicates the number of uninsured may be higher. The study found that about 75 million went without coverage at some point during 2001 and 2002.

As part of the RWJ Foundation's week-long, national public awareness program, Dr. Arthur H. Rubenstein, Executive Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System and Dean of the School of Medicine, and Dr. Afaf I. Meleis, Dean of the School of Nursing, and Dr. Richard J. Gelles, Dean of the School of Social Work, met last Wednesday to sign a proclamation supporting the campaign to find a solution to this national health threat.

They co-signed the statement endorsing a national effort to find an acceptable method of providing health care for every American. The School of Medicine provided an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to sign the proclamation last week at an information table in the Silverstein Pavilion. The School of Nursing students are hosting a table on Locust Walk this week.

Photo by Sally Sapega

Dr. Richard J. Gelles, Dr. Afaf I. Meleis, and Dr. Arthur H. Rubenstein, (left to right) signing the ‘Cover the Uninsured Week' proclamation which noted that "eight out of ten of the uninsured are in working families that cannot afford health insurance and are not eligible for public programs" and "uninsured Americans live sicker and die younger because they are forced to go without the health care they need" and "a slow economy, higher unemployment and rising health costs mean that more Americans are becoming uninsured in our community." The proclamation stated, "we recognize the urgency of seeking solutions to one of America's greatest problems." The signatures added to the national proclamation will be collected and filed in a national data bank as a demonstration of concern and support.

  Almanac, Vol. 49, No. 25, March 18, 2003