Senator Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination for health and human services secretary.

President Obama will now be faced with choosing another person to fill that important post. My hope is that he considers former 2 term Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber (MD), founder of the Archimedes Movement.

Founded in January, 2006 by former Oregon governor John Kitzhaber, the Archimedes Movement works to engage Americans in solving the biggest challenges we face today. We’re starting with health. Each day more Americans are at risk of losing their access to health care. This challenge requires an American solution that invests in our health and guarantees all families affordable, quality health care. The Archimedes Movement is creating the momentum for this fundamental change.

Go to the Archimedes website to read more.. Here are links to the Statement of Intent, Principles, and Framework for a New System. Gov. Kitzhaber has been working at the grassroots to look for real solutions to our healthcare crisis in this country. Watch these videos and learn more..

Health Care for the 21st Century: A Call to Action “Preview Clip”

(The complete film’s length is just over 44 minutes, go here to watch the full length feature in its entirety)

From YouTube:

Health Care for the 21st Century puts you in the audience as former Oregon governor John Kitzhaber presents the challenges we face if we don’t address the growing crisis in the US health care system. Kitzhaber launched the Archimedes Movement in January 2006, with a commitment to building meaningful opportunities for engagement and direct action to advance solutions to our common challenges. The first effort the movement is taking is on health care. John Kitzhaber has traveled the country speaking to groups about the urgent need to build a health system based on the needs of today, rather than relying on one that was designed for the 1950s and 1960s. The world has changed, yet we continue to hold onto programs that no longer function in the 21st Century. We can do better for ourselves and future generations. This presentation gives you the opportunity to share that message with others in your community. John Kitzhaber takes some of the most complicated information – how our health system was and is formed – and breaks it down so we can understand and do something about it. If you believe we can change our future, then invest some of your time and watch this film.

John Kitzhaber, M.D. discusses the health issues facing President-elect Barack Obama. (Recorded October 16th, 2008.)

This is the man we need to begin a meaningful national debate, and to lead the charge to reform health care in this country.

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