Tag: ACA

Tues 7/24: Healthcare actions – do today!

On Wednesday, the House will be voting on two (2) healthcare bills.

#1 –  NO on H.R.6199  – We’re not subsidizing spin classes for the rich, thank you.

H.R.6199 – “Modernizing health savings accounts”, allows those 20 million people with “Health Savings Accounts” (HSAs), allowable when one has a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), to use these savings accounts to cover prescription and over-the-counter medication, menstrual care products, gym membership and other expenses that contribute to an individual’s health.

What’s wrong with this? It’s the same thing as rich people getting the lowest interest rates for bank accounts and credit cards…it’s another discount program for the well-off. HSAs are tax shelters that do nothing for poor people. In fact, most Americans do not have enough savings to account for an emergency, medical or otherwise. The wealthiest Americans disproportionately benefit from these insurance arrangements. Indeed, families making in excess of $100,000 make up 70 percent of HSA contributions.

CNN Money called HSAs “the best tax-free investment account you’ll be able to find.”

Conservatives love HSAs because of their “skin in the game” fantasy. This is what that actually looks like for a disturbingly large number of Americans.

  Continue reading “Tues 7/24: Healthcare actions – do today!” →

Senator, Stop Trump’s Sabotage of the ACA!

Minimal Script#1:  I’m calling from [zip code]  to ask Sen. [___] to oppose Trump’s Executive Order for “Association Health Plans” that will flood the market with junk health insurance plans, and undermine the California insurance market.

More Info:
http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/12/politics/trump-obamacare-executive-order/index.html

Minimal Script#2:   I’m calling from [zip code]  to ask Sen. [___] to compel the Federal government to continue subsidy payments to stabilize the health care markets after Trump’s assault on our health care by executive order.

More Script if you want it: His actions will cause millions to lose access to affordable health care and will plunge ACA markets into chaos.

More Info:  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/12/us/politics/trump-obamacare-executive-order-health-insurance.html

Contact info for both actions: Continue reading “Senator, Stop Trump’s Sabotage of the ACA!” →

Indivisible’s Potluck Blowout – How do we Move Forward with Healthcare?

Join Indivisible Ventura, Indivisible Ojai Valley,  Indivisible Conejo, Physicians for Progress, the National Health Law Program, Grassroots Ventura, MoveOn, and a host of other Ventura County organizations on Saturday, October 21. Bring a dish, bring a friend, and get ready to socialize and hear from a spectacular line-up of speakers!

When: Saturday, October 21, 11:30 – 1:30 PM
Where: Knights of Columbus Hall, 36 Figueroa Plaza, Ventura (directions here) 
Bring: Your favorite dish, a friend, and your unbridled energy!
RSVP (and SHARE) on our Facebook Event Page: facebook.com/events/1385884568176423 or by emailing indivisibleventura@gmail.com

Knowledge is key to understanding the options we have for moving forward toward the best healthcare our nation can deliver. Our aim is to learn about these options and share this knowledge into our communities.

Our line-up of incredible speakers (bios below):
Dr. Josephine Soliz will make the case that we as a country spend more money on poorer care on a smaller percentage of our population than all the other developed countries that have figured out, better than we have, how to provide health insurance and thus access to healthcare to 100% of their population.
Dr. Minako Watabe will present the case for universal access to health insurance from the patient harm perspective.
Dr. Clint McBride will key us in about single payer healthcare/insurance.
Michael Williams, Director of Grey Law of Ventura County will speak of the dangers to citizens currently on Medicare and Medi-Cal if the proposed changes to Obamacare are implemented.
Héctor Hernández-Delgado, Staff Attorney for National Health Law Program will give us an overview of our existing healthcare model, touching on single payer and legal implications/ramifications.
Afterward, we will screen the movie Fix it: Healthcare at the Tipping Point

Bios  (and detailed directions to the venue, including access to the rear entrance, due to construction):

Continue reading “Indivisible’s Potluck Blowout – How do we Move Forward with Healthcare?” →

As Senator Murkowski said, “She did not come to Washington to hurt people.” Let’s thank her.

Thanks to three Republican women senators, Obamacare might just survive the GOP’s campaign to repeal it. The fight is not over, so keep calling our own senators with words of encouragement in this fight, but let’s thank these women for their courage to stand up against their own party and for wanting to see something better for their constituents and the rest of us.

1) Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV):  https://www.capito.senate.gov/contact/contact-shelley
2) Senator Susan Collins (R-ME): https://www.collins.senate.gov/contact

3) Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK):  https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/contact/email

More Info: Continue reading “As Senator Murkowski said, “She did not come to Washington to hurt people.” Let’s thank her.” →

Protect our Health Care – Stop TrumpCare in the Senate!

Millions of Americans are worrying about what TrumpCare would mean for them and their families.  We need to keep the pressure up in the Senate.  

  • Don’t cut $880 BILLION from the safety-net Medicaid program;
  • Don’t reduce premium subsidies for moderate-income families
  • Don’t charge older Americans a huge increase, up to 750% increase above their current bill.
  • Don’t discriminate against people with pre-existing health conditions;
  • Don’t take away essential health benefits from insurance coverage; and
  • Don’t defund Planned Parenthood;
  • Don’t make women pay more than men;
  • Don’t put annual and lifetime caps back on the table;
  • Don’t cut Special Education funds for special needs kids (funded by Medicaid!);
  • Allows corporations to stop providing coverage without fines.

 Script:  I’m calling (____) to oppose any health care bill that (List your favorites from above)

Call Senator Feinstein: DC (202) 224-3841, LA (310) 914-7300, SF (415) 393-0707, SD (619) 231-9712, Fresno (559) 485-7430

AND Senator Harris: DC (202) 224-3553, LA (213) 894-5000, SAC (916) 448-2787, Fresno (916) 448-2787, SF (415) 355-9041, SD (619) 239-3884

More Info: Continue reading “Protect our Health Care – Stop TrumpCare in the Senate!” →

Your Weekly Dose of Sanity-saving Good News! This is What Democracy Looks Like!

“I have never canvassed before, but I will f—ing crawl door to door to make sure you lose.” A mild-mannered 60-year-old in Florida, to her Republican representative

Yep, the GOP has activated us, that’s for sure.

People across the country are refusing to stay silent. You can use Indivisible’s special guide to demand your member of Congress takes action, and then on June 3, you can join the March for Truth.

Click on every one of these amazing links! Citizens are stepping up and doing their jobs! Speaking out at town halls. Special shoutout to the New Jerseyans who confronted Rep. Tom MacArthur, the Congressman behind the key amendment that allowed Trumpcare to pass, for more than four hours and showed us all how it’s done.  Crowds also confronted Paul Ryan!

Indivisible Ventura showed up to support our sister districts for die-ins to express our anger about Congressmen’s votes to repeal ObamaCare. Read news items here, here, here, and here.

Betsy DeVos got the respect she deserves…

LOVE THIS. Democrats are showing up at Republican Town Halls! Democratic legislators taking town halls for cowardly GOP members. “Hey, listen, I have a question for you,” he said. “I’m Representative Sean Patrick Maloney. Where the heck is your congressman?”

Despite Trump’s attempt to end the investigation into his ties with Russia, the Senate Intelligence Committee invited Comey to testify next week and subpoenaed Michael Flynn. (Federal prosecutors also issued subpoenas to Flynn’s associates.) Meanwhile, Democrats slowed Senate activity to demand the appointment of a special prosecutor, and the media called out Trump’s “grotesque abuse of power.” A handful of Republicans also expressed concern. KEEP UP THE PRESSURE – MAKE MORE PHONE CALLS TO APPOINT A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR HERE.

Trump’s tax’s haven’t been forgotten… keep hammering away. We DEMAND Continue reading “Your Weekly Dose of Sanity-saving Good News! This is What Democracy Looks Like!” →

Stop TrumpCare in the Senate. Thanks, Donald, we’ll have what Australia’s having, please.

Tell the Senate that we will not stand for tax cuts for the wealthy flying under the guise of a repeal and repair of Obamacare. The bill that passed the house will leave millions uninsured, end any guarantee of insurance affordability for people with pre-existing conditions, and cut Medicaid for the most vulnerable. Share your health care needs with your Senator now.

Script: I’m calling to remind Senator (____) that Healthcare is a fundamental human right. Not tax credits. Not health savings accounts. Actual care. For all Americans. We don’t want any compromise on this. Here’s why…(tell your story here).

Call Senator Feinstein: DC (202) 224-3841, LA (310) 914-7300, SF (415) 393-0707, SD (619) 231-9712, Fresno (559) 485-7430

AND Senator Harris: DC (202) 224-3553, LA (213) 894-5000, SAC (916) 448-2787, Fresno (916) 448-2787, SF (415) 355-9041, SD (619) 239-3884

More Info: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/06/opinion/sunday/the-house-health-care-disaster-is-really-about-taxes.html?ref=opinion Continue reading “Stop TrumpCare in the Senate. Thanks, Donald, we’ll have what Australia’s having, please.” →