Carolyn Apel, chair of Health Care for All-WA dies of cancer

CAROLYN APEL: 1943-2008

Dedicated advocate for publicly funded universal health coverage

President of Health Care for All - Washington for 5 years

Advocacy for publicly funded universal health coverage in Washington state or in the U.S. has to be one of the most frustrating causes to choose. One could die before real health reform is enacted, and Carolyn Apel did just that on February 24 at age 64. As President of Health Care for All - WA (HCFA-WA) she tirelessly lobbied legislators in Olympia, helped put on educational conferences, gathered signatures for an initiative drive, and recruited new members from the concerned public. Only her final battle with cancer caused her to cut back severely on her activities. One of her last statements to a close friend was: “It is very comforting to know that I will die as President of Health Care for All. It has meant everything to me to be the head of the organization that wants to do what is right.”

Carolyn spread information from a wide variety of sources to all involved in the cause via email. She kept in touch with universal health coverage advocates in several national organizations such as Physicians for a National Health Program, Healthcare-NOW, and Universal Health Care Action Network, just to name a few. She also kept up-to-date with efforts in neighboring states (Oregon and California).

Most important of all, Carolyn ran a committee of HCFA-WA, the Helpline. This was her special project, and she almost single-handedly built a large referral network of dedicated physicians (U.S. and Canadian), mental health workers, and pharmacists (again, U.S. and Canadian) who were willing to see distressed patients unable to afford the usual medical care in the Seattle area. She even fielded calls from as far away as Michigan! All that Carolyn asked of the people she helped connect to needed medical care was permission to use their stories. Several of these have appeared in the HCFA-WA quarterly newsletter, where they help personalize how badly our U.S. health care system is functioning for so many people.

Here is a fairly typical story: From Linda S., Texas: “I am searching for information on a cardiologist in Canada since we have no health insurance. My partner has developed a definite heart problem, and so far has spent at least $1,000 just seeing a general practitioner and getting a stress test. An angiogram is recommended, but we can’t pay for it. We’re seriously thinking about going to Canada for the procedure and a consultation with a cardiologist. Whom should we contact?” Carolyn found ways to link patients such as this one with needed medical resources, often in Canada.

Carolyn’s energy, enthusiasm, and accomplishments will be sorely missed by her many friends who share her advocacy for publicly funded universal health coverage. Everybody in, nobody out!

Carolyn is survived by her brother Fred Apel of Detroit, MI.

A remembrance is to be held Tuesday, February 26 at 4:30 pm at Anderson Plaza, Main Activity Room, 17201 15th Ave. N.E., Shoreline, WA 98155. Donations in honor of Carolyn’s life can be made to: Health Care for All - Washington, P.O. Box 30506, Seattle, WA 98113.

All friends and supporters of Carolyn Apel, please spread the word about plans for her memorial.

Several years ago I wrote an article for JT News about Carolyn. She was a real hero of the people.