ACA Subsidies: Addressing Gun Violence
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ACA Affordability
Democrats launched a legislative push to extend federal subsidies that defray the cost of health insurance for millions of Americans. The effort tees up another Affordable Care Act fight that could stretch into next year — and perhaps challenge the next president.
Insurance runs $1000/month or so for a healthy person without subsidies.
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced legislation to make permanent tax credits that lower the cost of plans sold through the Affordable Care Act. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), who helped craft the initial legislation to create the expanded tax credits almost four years ago, introduced companion legislation in the House. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) joined Shaheen and Underwood at a news conference to unveil the legislation on September 25th (Wednesday).
The Urban Institute, a nonprofit organization specializing in policy research and analysis, concluded that about 4 million people could become uninsured if Congress stops funding the enhanced subsidies.
These expanded subsidies will only perpetuate a never-ending cycle of rising premiums and federal bailouts — with taxpayers forced to foot the bill,” the influential House Republican Study Committee wrote in its budget proposal this year. “… The RSC Budget would end these taxpayer bailouts while adopting reforms that reduce premiums and increase access to and choice of care for all Americans.” (Washington Post)
Let’s take a minute to think about what this Republican community leader just said. The insurance industry is squeezing the public and the government and making huge sums in profit from premiums not spent on healthcare and through capitation to their networks to screw doctors and hospitals out of a fair price for their services AND THEN Republicans don’t want to help regular low income people with these exorbitant costs - so they can just get sick and die and go broke. What the hell is wrong with them?
STOP THE MERRY GO ROUND - THIS IS MADNESS
The answer is basic universal healthcare - everyone covered - save $400 billion every year staring in year one - per the 2020 Congressional Budget Office Report. Insurance companies won’t go broke and won’t go away. Trust me there will be optional insurance these guys will sell us - just like they did in Switzerland when they implemented Universal Healthcare.
ACTION
Let’s let our elected representatives in the House and Senate know that we deserve a healthcare system that works for all of us.
If you want to call/email here is a link to contact them or use RESISTBOT via [Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER] or by texting SIGN PQDGDI to 50409 on your cell phone to send this message.
“I am your constituent and I bet you get tired of the federal government adjusting subsidies for health insurance. Here is a way to save a fortune, cover everyone and be a hero. Get universal healthcare passed. Our country will save $400 billion every year by eliminating overhead costs from private insurers (per the 2020 CBO report) and we will all have insurance we can afford. There is even a method for putting more doctors and facilities in medical deserts and rural areas. What part of that don’t you like? Send me a note and let me know. Just get HR 3421 to a vote - the Medicare for All Act.
P.S. Here is the CBO report I mentioned - let’s go with facts and data - not feelings shall we. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/56898.
In The Looking Glass
Here is a story from the Hill today. The Trump administration’s former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the “right man for the job” to lead a commission on chronic childhood disease. In an op-ed published Tuesday in Newsweek, Robert Redfield said he believes in Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. (The Hill)
Put the anti vax guy in charge of chronic childhood disease? Not a doctor, and thinks vaccines are dangerous. I am at a loss for words.
Gun Violence is a Public Health Issue
President Joe Biden will sign an executive order today aimed at restricting new firearm technology that makes existing weapons more dangerous and helping students address the trauma caused by active shooter drills at schools.
White House officials said the executive order will target machine gun conversion devices that turn regular firearms into machine guns that fire fully automatic, plus 3D-printed guns that do not have the typical serial numbers.
White House officials say Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have heard from parents and educators about the potential trauma caused by a new barrage of active-shooter trainings in schools. Biden's executive order directs a bevy of federal agencies, including the Departments of Education, Homeland Security and Surgeon General to prepare a report in 110 days about how to implement drills and when. Here is a link to the White House Announcement.
Extra Credit Action
You can send a note to President Biden and Vice President Harris and thank them for the executive order restricting devices that turn guns into weapons of war. Here is a link, https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/share/
Or use RESISTBOT via [Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER] or by texting SIGN PJJCMJ to 50409 on your cell phone to send this message.
President Biden and Vice President Harris, thank you for taking action to restrict weapons of war in our country. No one needs a machine gun at home and I’m glad you are taking action. Now let’ts remove the assault weapons. Thank you.
RESOURCES
Find My Elected Officials
Contact State and Federal Representatives - phone and email
Healthcare Advocacy (Us) Website
Our Newsletter resources including reproductive healthcare - Healthcare Advocacy Reading List
Important Healthcare Resources
League of Women Voters Healthcare Reform Toolkit
Organizations to Contact
National Nurses United Medicare4All
Physicians for a National Health Program
One Payer States
Healthcare Now
Reproductive Health
NARAL - Pro Choice America
Charley. chatbot abortion resource - make sure to use a secure incognito browser if you live in a state that has banned abortion
Planned Parenthood
Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline has references about where to procure abortion medications. They also assist women in the process of self managed abortion or miscarriage by phone or text and will respond in an hour. Details and hours of operation at their website.
United State of Women Reproductive health page (bottom of the page) has important resources such as medical support, access to Telehealth, prescriptions by mail, and legal support references.
Practice careful communications - The Digital Defense Fund has a number of tips to keep texts, calls, and internet use private. Here is their site.
If you need financial help with an abortion try abortionfunds.org
Claims Denials and Appeals & What to Do
Appeal a Healthcare Decision
Appeal/Negotiate a Hospital Bill
Disinformation Management
Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency
Save Democracy
Chop Wood, Carry Water by Jessica Cravens
RESISTBOT
Link to the RESISTBOT site to learn more
Link to Chop Wood, Carry Water RESISTBOT write up
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