THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 24, 1995 TAG: 9502220167
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
A full-page ad published in August urged the public to become involved in straightening out ``The Health Care Mess,'' using Dr. Robert Su's book as a blueprint.
It was paid for by a Portsmouth-based organization, Coalition of the Public and Physicians USA (COPPS).
``Tell Congress to stop until they have heard from you,'' the ad admonished readers. It also advised readers to tell their elected officials that they wanted the following criteria considered in any health-care reform plan:
Cost containment by eliminating profiteering and waste
Quality care by preserving the doctor-patient relationship
Individual choice by retaining patient power of decision-making
Affordable accessibility to basic health care for all citizens
COPPS board chairman, James E. Walsh of Portsmouth, also wrote to members of Congress urging them to read Su's book. Before he left the White House, President George Bush asked for a copy of it.
After proposed health care reform was shelved, the organization backed away to recoup.
``Now we are planning a series of public meetings, starting in this region, to tell people what we are doing,'' Walsh said.
In addition, he said, COPPS members are being recruited in states such as California and Pennsylvania.
Walsh, who teaches business law and economics on the Portsmouth campus of Tidewater Community College, said Su is the ``inspiration'' for the organization.
``He is determined and he has the energy to he keep us going,'' Walsh said.
He added that in the United States, ``everybody is laying back when they need to do something.''
Membership in COPPS is $7 per year. The address is Box 6711, Portsmouth, Va. 23703. The telephone number is 483-5540.
- Ida Kay Jordan MEMO: Main story also on page 8
A full-page ad published in August urged the public to become
involved in straightening out ``The Health Care Mess,'' using Dr. Robert
Su's book as a blueprint.
It was paid for by a Portsmouth-based organization, Coalition of the
Public and Physicians USA (COPPS).
``Tell Congress to stop until they have heard from you,'' the ad
admonished readers. It also advised readers to tell their elected
officials that they wanted the following criteria considered in any
health-care reform plan:
Cost containment by eliminating profiteering and waste;
Quality care by preserving the doctor-patient relationship;
Individual choice by retaining patient power of decision-making;
Affordable accessibility to basic health care for all citizens.
COPPS board chairman, James E. Walsh of Portsmouth, also wrote to
members of Congress urging them to read Su's book. Before he left the
White House, President George Bush asked for a copy of it.
After proposed health care reform was shelved, the organization
backed away to recoup.
``Now we are planning a series of public meetings, starting in this
region, to tell people what we are doing,'' Walsh said.
In addition, he said, COPPS members are being recruited in states
such as California and Pennsylvania.
Walsh, who teaches business law and economics on the Portsmouth
campus of Tidewater Community College, said Su is the ``inspiration''
for the organization.
``He is determined and he has the energy to he keep us going,'' Walsh
said.
He added that in the United States, ``everybody is laying back when
they need to do something.''
Membership in COPPS is $7 per year. The address is Box 6711,
Portsmouth, Va. 23703. The telephone number is 483-5540.
- Ida Kay Jordan ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Dr. Robert K. Su signs copies of his book, ``The Health Care Mess,''
at Prison Square.
by CNB