News
Enrollment for 2018 Affordable Care Act (ACA / Obamacare) starts November 1and ends December 15. Trump has cut the ADVERTISING funds to announce when people can enroll.
Dates verified here: www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines
Cuts verified here: trump-administration-cuts-funding-for-health-care-sign-ups
They're not having a hearing on SB 562 specifically, but a more general hearing on getting to universal health care, including single payer options or filling in the gaps in the current system. Here's Lara's response: http://sd33.senate.ca.gov/news/2017-08-24-statement-senator-ricardo-lara-assembly-speakers-creation-select-committee-universal (He's the original author of SB 562.)
Assemblymember Wood's statement is also worth looking at to see where some of the issues may be https://a02.asmdc.org/news/close-home-path-universal-health-care
Assemblymember Arambula didn't issue a statement, though he has spoken positively of single payer in the past.
At least they are all talking to each other . . .
Citing simplicity, fewer hassles with insurers and more stable coverage for patients, U.S. physicians increasingly support a single-payer healthcare system, new reports indicate.
The Healthy California Act is NOT a framework bill. It is NOT a shell bill. And it is NOT “woefully incomplete.” In fact, the design of the bill, where an appointed board would craft and implement a single payer system, is not a unique design, and it was written this way for a reason.
Although summer is here, the Health Care Group continues to meet monthly, the second Monday of each month. The next meeting is on July 10th at El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) at the intersection of Missouri Flat and Green Valley Rd. Meeting starts at 6:30 with potluck snacks and social. Work meeting starts at 7pm and goes till 9 or so.
Please bring a name tag.
There is much to focus on locally, and at the State and Federal Levels. Join us to meet like minded people who are passionate about improving access to health care and reproductive health services.
1. Booth at the County Fair: We helped staff a booth with the theme "Rallies", along with the Local Democratic Clubs.
We conducted a brief "Health Care Survey". It was good to get out there and talk with our community about their health care concerns and provide information about the Bills at both the Federal and State level. Over 100 surveys were completed and the results are being tabulated. Overall 95% of people surveyed had health care concerns with high prescription drug prices and insurance costs at the top of the list.
2. Continue Local Health Care Rallies which were held twice in June. We want to raise local visibility about our health care concerns. Overall, we receive positive responses from many people. We walk with our signs and banner from the Cozmic Cafe down Main St to the intersection of Canal and then stay awhile along Route 50; then walk back to the Cozmic. Total time is one hour and it is a nice way to meet "health care friends".
3. Participation with the Single Payer Rally at the State Capitol to protest the tabling of SB562 by Assemblyman Rendon. The bill needs to be completed and discussed.
We Rallied in the rotunda, left personal messages at Speaker Rendon's Office and then also rallied in front of the Governor's office.
4. Phone calls to key US Senate Republicans who are wavering on their support for the Republican "UnHealth" Care Bill. The GOP couldn't get enough votes so it has been delayed. We will continue with calls and resistance. It is not over yet. Public support for the Republican Bill is very low.
5. The Reproductive Health Care Workgroup continues work to develop a Teen Wallet Card and dissemination plan to provide resources about the State of California Family PACT Program. This program provides free, confidential services to teens for birth control and sexually transmitted infections. We are working with County Public Health and Marshall Medical Center on this project. This groups next meeting is July 17th also at the El Dorado County Office of Education. 6:30 for potluck snacks and social, followed by meeting start at 7pm.
6. We are considering planning a Local Town Hall Meeting and a Medical Education Program on Health Care Issues. This will be discussed at our next Work Group Meeting.
The Sanders Institute and National Nurses United delivered a research paper, titled Medicare For All vs All the Healthcare Each Can Afford, to every Senate and House of Representatives office on Capitol Hill. This report analyzes our current fragmented healthcare system and suggests a system of healthcare reflecting the nurses' values of caring, compassion and community.
Read it here: https://www.sandersinstitute.com/blog/health-care-research-paper-delivered-to-congress
A series of 5 minute youtube videos by Dr. Aaron Carroll on his Healthcare Triage channel, taking a peak at healthcare around the world. Published in 2014.
