Single payer activists David Himmelstein and Steffie Woolhandler are moving to New York City.

In the fall of 2010, they will become full professors at the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Public Health at Hunter College.

The two doctors – leaders in the movement for a single payer system in the United States – have lived and practiced in the Boston area since 1982.

Both currently teach at the Harvard Medical School.

They are co-founders of Physicians for a National Health Program.

The two single payer docs were in New York City this weekend looking for a place to live.

Both Himmelstein and Woolhandler have family in New York.

Himmelstein grew up in New York City and went to school there.

Himmelstein said that there were pushes and pulls in their decision to leave Boston and Harvard for New York and CUNY.

The pull included a “very attractive offer” from the City University where “we can do what we want and not have to worry about raising funds.”

CUNY is home to a number of public health activists – including the acting dean of the school – Kenneth Olden – and Professor Nick Freudenberg.

Obama Health Care Summit

Make Me An Offer I Can’t Refuse

Obama: Toasted?

Franken Lays Into Ax

Watch Bill Moyers Journal tomorrow night.

That’s Friday February 5, 2010 at 9 p.m. EST.

Why?

The single payer doctors’ White House campaign will be featured.

What campaign?

A group of single payer docs want Obama to listen up.

During his State of the Union, Obama said he wanted to hear from people on a better approach to health care reform that will “bring down premiums, bring down the deficit, cover the uninsured, strengthen Medicare for seniors and stop insurance company abuses.”

“Let me know, let me know, let me know. I’m eager to see it,” Obama said.

Ever since, single payer doctors have been trying to let him know — without success.

For example, on January 28, Dr. Margaret Flowers — who will be featured on the Moyers’ segment — went to the White House to drop off a letter for Obama detailing the single payer Medicare for All proposal.

Flowers was turned away at the gate.

The next day, on January 29, Dr. Flowers and Dr. Carol Paris, went to Baltimore, where Obama was speaking to a group of Republicans.

They carried a sign that said — “Just Letting You Know: Medicare for All.”

They were arrested and charged with trespassing for refusing to leave the sidewalk in front of the hotel where Obama was scheduled to speak.

White House health care officials have repeatedly refused to meet with leading single payer advocates.

But they have met repeatedly with health insurance industry and pharmaceutical industry executives.

Why Can’t We Get Health Insurance?

Two Track

Letter to Obama

CD for SP