July 9, 1971
Dear Mary:
We have developed a really sensational idea for the Fall: a Rally for Health. It will be held in Washington, at the Kennedy Center, if available. We will seek the participation of show business personalities such as Alan King, Paul Newman, Mike Nichols, Flip Wilson, Danny Kaye (a friend of yours, I know) and many others. Speakers will include Muskie, Kennedy, Humphrey, Hughes, Bayh (I am convinced the Democratic National Committee has thus far failed to evaluate properly the importance of the health issue; it touches every life and almost everyone you talk with has problems with the system). The Rally will place the health issue above politics. We will launch a March of Dimes-like "Campaign for Health Security." It will also produce income to help us achieve the goal.
Mike Gorman shares my enthusiasm for this idea. He suggested I talk with you directly about asking you to support the development of this project. Unless we begin now the opportunity will be postponed and perhaps even pass. We believe we can do all the spadework and bring the show right up to curtain, for $10,000. We believe the Rally will not only give our efforts high national exposure, and give the whole campaign a lift to new credibility, but that it will also produce as much as $65,000 net for our skimpy budget.
I await your early, and I hope favorable, reaction.
Sincerely,
Max W. Fine
Executive Director