Dr. Margaret Flowers

Dr. Margaret Flowers is a pediatrician from the Baltimore area and co-chairs the Maryland chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP).  On May 5, 2009, Dr. Flowers was one of eight health care advocates, including two other physicians, who stood up to Co-Chairs, Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and the Senate Finance Committee during a “public roundtable discussion” with a simple question: "Will you allow an advocate for a single-payer national health plan to have a seat at the table?"

Baucus's answer as the eight stood one after the other to ask this question was, “Get more police!” All eight were arrested.  Click here to read the statement issued by Dr. Flowers following their arrest.   http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/42427

Dr. Flowers's courage had a resounding effect that galvanized public awareness of how the insurance industry, by cutting single-payer out of the debate, was effectively destroying any hope for real reform in healthcare.  Subsequently, single-payer finally received media attention from Ed Schutlz's The Ed Show on MSNBC (including an interview with Dr. Flowers) and on Bill Moyer's Show on PBS.  And, ultimately Dr. Flowers was seated at the table as an expert witness for Single-Payer at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, June 11, 2009 in Washington, DC.

Dr. Flowers speech will be the keynote address prior to a direct action that will take place the following day at Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield headquarters in Des Moines.

Margaret Flowers is interviewed on The Ed Show.

Arrests of Dr. Flowers and others at Healthcare Reform hearing.

Dr. Margaret Flowers, left, and Aetna Chief Executive Officer Ron Williams, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 11, 2009, during the Senate Health Committee's health care roundtable. Read her testimony by clicking the phone above.

Dr. Margaret Flowers being arrested at the Senate hearing on May 5.  Read story by clicking the photo.

(AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)