The Pulse welcomes submissions such as this article, written by Michael Massey (photo: front row, left) and edited by Lauren Genco (front row, second from right). Michael is a first-year student in the College of Medicine and is the president of SNaHP at NEOMED. Lauren is also a first-year student in the COM and is the treasurer of SNaHP at NEOMED.
To submit content, go to thepulse.neomed.edu and choose “NEWS & ARTICLES,” “EVENTS” or “DISCUSSIONS,” then follow the prompts.
What Is Students for a National Health Program (SNaHP)?
Students for a National Health Program (SNaHP) is the student arm of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP). PNHP/SNaHP is a single-issue organization advocating for a universal, comprehensive, single-payer, national health program. It has more than 23,000 members and 100 chapters nationwide, including chapters at the medical schools of The Ohio State University, Wright State University, Case Western Reserve University and now, NEOMED.
SNaHP believes that a single publicly funded, privately delivered universal health care system is necessary for us to provide high-quality care to all our patients. In short, we advocate for Medicare-for-All.
The NEOMED chapter was formed this fall by several students with the help of faculty advisor, Joseph Zarconi, M.D. Our chapter has 40 members and a 12-person leadership team, mainly composed of M1s and M2s; however, College of Pharmacy and College of Graduate Studies students are encouraged welcome to join!
What is the Mission of SNaHP at NEOMED?
The NEOMED chapter aims to bolster the advocacy efforts of the national PNHP/SNaHP teams through direct lobbying to legislators, as well as by raising awareness on the need to adopt a single-payer health care system from the perspective of future health professionals.
We are beginning to draft Op-Eds, testimonials, resolutions and petitions to spread our message. We are also exploring ways for our members to engage in single-payer research or publishing Op-Eds expanding upon existing research – all of which says that Medicare-for-All would cost less than our current system over the next 10 years, while providing every person in the country with great medical, dental, vision and mental health care, by the way!
Why Should You Join SNaHP at NEOMED?
NEOMED students who support Medicare-for-All, or would like to learn more, can join our CampusGroups page. We all know that our health care system is broken. For too long, physicians and pharmacists have failed to fight side-by-side with our nation's incredible nursing unions, who have been on the forefront of this struggle. While the push for true universal health care is decades in the making, the rapid popularity and energy around the Medicare-for-All movement in recent years has made this change more possible than ever before! Join us and be remembered as the generation of health professionals that finally helped achieve true health care justice in this country!
Students in the College of Pharmacy: We are currently seeking out students who would be interested in serving as co-president of SNaHP, as well as in other leadership positions, catered to managing the COP-wing of our interprofessional advocacy group.
SNaHP provides many career-building experiences too important to pass up. You will learn how to lead successful advocacy work, which many medical specialty or future employer looks for in applicants. You will develop a deeper understanding of the health care system you will soon work in. Also, published Op-Eds and resolutions are great for CVs. We hope to hear from you soon!