Report from the second annual Student Summit

Abstract

T he second national Student Summit was held at PNHP headquarters in Chicago on Saturday, May 11 . Forty-two students were in attendance, from fourteen different medical and other health professional schools . During an introductory session, each student described why they are working for single payer and what they would like to achieve at the summit . Answers reflected a diversity of backgrounds and experiences, yet many students affirmed the need to restructure the current system of health care as a commodity to one of health care as a human right . Students desired to form relationships with like-minded people from around the country in order to strengthen resolve, build momentum, and further deepen their knowledge and understanding . This introductory session set an optimistic tone that persisted throughout the day . T he student-organized conference featured diverse programming carefully created to help participants expand knowledge; share and develop skills; motivate and energize each other; and form lasting relationships . Above all, organizers wanted to encourage participation of attendees and impart a sense of shared ownership of the movement . Many attendees gave presentations and led sessions, several for the first time . T he opening presentation covered an evidence-based rationale for converting our fragmented, inefficient system into a single-payer, universal syste . It explained why the ACA has key inadequacies . Next, a presentation about the legacy of health professional activism emphasized that we are joining a long and bold tradition of those who saw the need for social change and acted . The final large group session of the morning was a detailed look at HR 676 . Breakout sessions provided a chance for students to discuss strategies, share skills, learn what other student chapters and social groups have accomplished, and deepen their understanding of healthcare economics and policy . These included a presentation on heroism vs . evil in medicine; transitioning from sympathizers to activists; and a summary of healthcare economics with an emphasis on refuting the “iron triangle” of cost, quality, and access . Interactive skill-building workshops included effective communication skills, responding to difficult questions about single payer, and a lesson in successful organizing given by a student familiar with Southside Together Organizing for Power (STOP), a group focused on building the power of residents on the Southside of Chicago . Students were given opportunities to meet in geographically based groups to discuss previous and future chapter events, how to grow the movement and collaborate to avoid “binge advocacy” that results in burnout . Our keynote speaker, Dr . Paul Song, spoke about California’s efforts to achieve a state-based single payer system, ways that students can help, and employing diverse tactics such as forming coalitions with other groups, working to elect progressive politicians who will fight for single payer, and disseminating fact-based material about single payer benefits over the current system . Finally, we asked students to consider how they envision the role of students in the fight for Medicare for All . The feeling was unanimous that health professions students have a unique opportunity and role .