I posted this blog on 5/19/08: http://blog.aia.org/smallfirms/2008/05/a_challenge_to_the_aia.html
It was an open challenge to the AIA. “Be more to the current members than you presently are.” Apparently they weren’t reading or there was a particular cranial obstruction in a sanitary line which caused limited comprehension. It seems like there may still be somewhat of a mismatch between what the AIA wants and what members want.
I’d like to thank Adam H. of Henderson, Colo., for the following insight. He received a spam/e-mail from the AIA on 4/30/09 on “Affordable Healthcare for All Americans." He expressed extreme concern over the action the AIA was encouraging for its members.
In the coming months, Congress will debate legislation that would dramatically reform our nation’s health-care system. The AIA is currently analyzing numerous proposals to assess which policies will best serve our members. Although we do not support a particular bill at this time, we believe that any successful health-care reform policy must accomplish two goals: reduce health-care costs and increase access to quality health care.
I therefore urge you to contact your federal representatives in Washington and ask them to work quickly to debate and pass health-care reform legislation. At this point, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach that will benefit all members of the Institute equally. However, it is critical that Congress hears the voice of America’s architects and understands that health-care costs are spiraling out of control and are impeding our ability as design professionals to create healthy, safe, and sustainable buildings and communities.
Adam was moved by the e-mail and contacted the AIA, inquiring how the AIA could advocate for more governmental control on individual responsibilities?
Tell legislators to work quickly and reform (to what, something worse?)
stating that health-care costs are out of control and architects can’t design.
As of yet, I do not believe that Adam received a response. I wonder how I missed this gem of an e-mail from the AIA; I was at the convention (on my own nickel) presenting a seminar. So I’m wondering
- did you see the 4/30/09 e-mail?
- what did you do?
- how are your health-care costs? Spiraling out of control?
- does that cost keep you from creating?
What are Adam and I missing here?
—Lisa Stacholy, AIA