The Medical Committee for Human Rights (MCHR) was created during the summer of 1964 when doctors, nurses, and health professionals went south to provide health care for civil rights workers. Chapters soon appeared throughout the country in response to community needs, particularly in Northern urban ghettos. The scope of MCHR concerns grew to include community control of health institutions, drug rescue programs, free clinics, women's and prisoners' health projects, and occupational safety and health. MCHR also supported the Black Panther Party and anti-Vietnam war movements, and conducted physical examinations for those seeking deferment from the draft for medical or psychiatric reasons. The focus of the organization during the 1970's has been the creation of a national health care plan, with free and non-discriminatory health care provided to all. To achieve its goals, MCHR has directed its energies against “repressive” elements of American health care: hospitals, pharmaceutical and insurance companies, government agencies, profit-making nursing homes, and particularly, the American Medical Association.
By 1971, the Committee had headquarters in Chicago, and consisted of 71 chapters, divided among six regions. Governed by a constitution, the national executive committee acts as the body's policy maker, with final decisions being made at national conventions. A steering committee, representing each region, acts as the executive body between meetings. A series of task forces directs the actual work of the organization, in such areas as: prisons, occupational health and safety, health law and patient rights, national health care plans, medical aid for Indochina, medical presence, racism, and geriatrics.
The activities of the San Francisco Chapter reflect the concerns and actions of the national organization. In addition to its support of the Black Panthers and the anti-war efforts, the Chapter worked to reform conditions at Bay Area prisons and hospitals, founded local free clinics and health care centers, and provided health care during social disorders, such as demonstrations. The Chapter helped secure the outlawing of the use of mace in Bay Area communities (1968) and publicly confronted the AMA at its June 1968 convention in San Francisco.
