As Obama tries to get health care reform passed, the national debate about rights to health care are heating up again. According to Dr. Ted Brown, our guest this week, about 22,000 people every year die as a direct result of not being able to afford health care. The number of uninsured people in this country is up to fifty million. What are the solutions being proposed? Why is single payer, or medicare for all, so steadfastly avoided by the political elite, including Obama? What are the forces shaping the public debate?

Dr. Ted Brown, a professor of History and Community and Preventative Medicine and Medical Humanities at the University of Rochester helps us begin to answer some of these question on Indy TV this week.

On July 23, 2009 a panel discussion on Health Care Reform was held at the Underground Railroad Cafe. It was sponsored by the Interfaith Health Care Coalition, International Socialist Organization, Progressive Democrats of America and the group Rochester for HR 676. HR 676 is a bill in the US House of Representatives sponsored by John Conyers (D-Michigan) and co sponsored by our own Eric Massa (D-NY 29) which would expand Medicare to all citizens. Panelists were Dr Jim Gaden, a family practice physician, Melanie Funchess, a mental health advocate and Brian Erway, a medical technician and community organizer with 30 years experience in health care.

From a few blocks away, only a narrow red banner could be seen swaying in the breeze at the intersection of Exchange Blvd. and Broad St. At a closer glance, one could make out six to eight well-dressed men, hair gelled to the side, yielding signs reading: "Honk for traditional marriage — 1 man + 1 woman" and "God's marriage = 1 man & 1 woman." But upon closer inspection—-in the form of prying questions posed to the individuals holding the signs—-a message frothed with hatred, bigotry, and a misreading of history was revealed.

Video: Coming Soon!

Additional Information: Creep of the Week: American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property | The Catholic Church Calls for Jihad against The Da Vinci Code | Poland's Sweeping New Anti-Gay Education Bill

After a bit of a hiatus, Indy TV returns for our 27th episode. In this weeks show, Local Filmaker Davy V talks about his work using video to document police brutality in the Rochester Police Department. His award winning "RPD Exposed" came out in 2001 and was followed by "RPD: Badges of Dishonor, Corruption, and Murder" in 2003.

The themes he discusses are just as relevant now, in 2009, and point to the need for people effected by Police Brutality to break the slience, come together, and use tools such as video to hold the Police Accountable for abuse.

Around 70 people marched through downtown Rochester yesterday, July 20th, to call for an end to RICO charges against 24 local residents (background Members of the so-called "Wolf Pack" Gang Proclaiming Innocence, RICO LAWS? PROVE IT!!. Organized by Activists Against Racism Movement (AARM), the march started at the Federal Building, wound through the city and ended with a rally at the city/county jail. Powerful and energetic, the march sent a message that community safety will come when people unite together to fight for justice not by longer prison sentences or harsher policing.