Last week Kate and Phil Villers, who should be known as the God Parents of Good Health Reform, were honored by FamiliesUSA, an organization that they founded in the early 1980’s. The award was given in recognition of their decades long commitment to improving the lives and health care for millions of people in this country.
At the national conference in Washington, advocates were treated to a remarkable list of Kate and Phil’s accomplishments, and then to some of the most humble and generous remarks that any two awardees have ever offered an audience. The two of them, in partnership, created a real movement for health reform, but in their remarks they reflected on how this movement has changed their lives.
To watch the award presentation and listen to the Villers’ remarks click here and scroll down to “Day Two – Luncheon Awards.”
What may not be evident from that video is that both Kate and Phil continue to spend every day working hard on social justice issues and toward achieving comprehensive health reform across the country, and they share a great deal of responsibility for the gains we made in Massachusetts. Kate is the Founder and President of Community Catalyst – our national sister organization in the struggle for health equity, comprehensive high quality care for all. She is also a beloved member of HCFA’s board of directors, and they are both trusted counselors for both HCFA and CC. Working with the Villers is among the great pleasures of being part of the 30 Winter Street family. I am delighted that they have received some of the national appreciation and thanks that they deserve, and I hope that you will join me in extending our personal gratitude for their continuing commitment and enthusiasm for achieving a comprehensive, patient centered, affordable, culturally competent, high quality health care system for all.
-Amy Whitcomb Slemmer
