To your health

We previously told you that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is co-sponsoring "Cover the Uninsured Week," from May 1-7. The purpose of this effort is to focus the attention of the nation on the almost 46 million Americans who lack any form of health insurance. Locally, we report this:

A public forum titled "Universal Healthcare: How Do We Get There from Here?" will be held Sunday, May 7, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. The forum is sponsored by the Capital District Alliance for Universal Healthcare, a coalition of religious, labor and social justice organizations seeking reform of the nation's current healthcare system. It is part of the national week of action around the uninsured.

The program will feature talks by Dr. James W.L. Wilson of Queen's University in Ontario, Canada; Dr. Deborah Richter, president of Vermont Health Care for All, an organization that educates the Vermont community about the structure and features of universal health care systems; and Sister Gail Waring, vice president of mission services for St. Peter's Health Care Services in Albany.

In Albany on Wednesday May 3rd at 8 p.m., Medical students from Albany Med are organizing a candlelight vigil and speak out for the Uninsured at the Koinonia Health Care, 553 Clinton Ave, Albany.