Demand Universal Healthcare (DUH) is a far-left activist group that organizes protests in support of a single-payer, government-controlled health care system. Duke University Social Movements Project reports that DUH’s founders identify as Democratic Socialists, and DUH has endorsed radical-left members of Congress associated with the Democratic Party, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). 1 2
In addition to advocating for a single-payer health care system, DUH has supported prohibiting voter identification policies and voter registration purges, as it argues they discriminate against ethnic minorities. 3
Background
Demand Universal Healthcare was founded in Chicago in 2011 and was originally named “Demonstration for Universal Healthcare.” It was created to support a protest at the National Mall in support of a single-payer health care system and to oppose the Obama administration-backed Affordable Care Act, which maintained much of the private insurance system. 1
DUH then became inactive until 2013, when it reformed as Drive for Universal Healthcare that visited 33 cities through 2016 to advocate for a single-payer healthcare system and promoting The Healthcare Movie. It has since changed its name to Demand Universal Healthcare and engages in online campaigns. 1
Activities
In November 2016, Demand Universal Healthcare held a protest alongside National Nurses United and Single Payer Action Network (SPAN) in Cleveland Heights, Ohio in support of a single payer healthcare system and in opposition to then-Speaker of the House Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) support for private Medicare accounts. The event included a screening of the film Now is the Time, by Laurie Simons and Terry Sterrenberg, that negatively compares health care in the United States to Canada’s system, criticizing privatized health care and advocating for a single-payer system. 4 5
In November 2019, DUH endorsed a policy brief by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights that advocated eliminating election integrity policies to address alleged discrimination against women and ethnic minorities and to advance left-of-center policy initiatives. The brief advocated prohibiting voter identification requirements and voter-roll purges. It also advocated increasing funding of polling locations in ethnic minority communities, the Voting Rights Enhancement Act, and allowing convicted felons to vote. 3
In May 2024, DUH cosigned an open letter written by the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Broward County, Democratic Socialists of America, and the Labor Community Alliance of South Florida to the Florida Democratic Party. The letter was in support of the 2024 Palestinian nationalist protests across college campuses and called for arrested protestors to have their charges dropped, arguing that they were protected by the First Amendment. It also supported the idea that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians. 6
Endorsements
Demand Universal Healthcare has been listed as an endorser by Representative Pramila Jaypal (D-WA) for her Medicare for All Act proposal. 7
DUH endorses Democratic Party and Democratic-aligned politicians and candidates, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). 2
Leadership
Donna Ellington has worked as deputy director and social media director of Demand Universal Healthcare since 2015. She previously was a volunteer for Americans for Healthcare. 8
References
- “Demand Universal Healthcare.” Duke Social Movements. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://socialmovements.trinity.duke.edu/groups/demand-universal-healthcare4da3.html?qt-group_tabs=1.
- “Facts for All.” Vote Smart. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://justfacts.votesmart.org/interest-group/2666/demand-universal-healthcare.
- “Fortifying the Franchise in 2020 and Beyond.” Civilrights.org. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/voting/Vision-For-Democracy.pdf.
- “Nurses, Healthcare Activists Plan Rally for Our Future in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.” National Nurses United, December 6, 2017. https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/nurses-healthcare-activists-plan-rally-our-future-cleveland-heights-ohio.
- “Health Care Documentary to Be Screened.” Ventura County Star, June 25, 2017. https://www.vcstar.com/story/money/business/2017/06/25/health-care-documentary-screened/407870001/
- “Progressives Send Open Letter to Florida Democratic Party on Right to Protest.” West Orlando News, May 18, 2024. https://westorlandonews.com/progressives-send-open-letter-to-florida-democratic-party-on-right-to-protest/.
- “Medicare for All Act of 2023 Endorsing Organizations.” Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, July 20, 2023. https://jayapal.house.gov/medicare-for-all-act-of-2023-endorsing-organizations/.
- “Donna M. Ellington.” LinkedIn. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-m-ellington-21951818/.