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Why Are We Advocates

Because we all deserve to live in a country where we can make the country, and healthcare work for all of us.

I grew up as a mathematician and Aerospace engineer. Sometime we can talk about cool things I was privileged to help build. The point is that when we have a vision, we can imagine a better future. When we understand the root causes of problems we can identify solutions. When we know the history of how we came to today, we can learn how to get to the tomorrow we want the is better for all of us. Not better for some at the expense of others. PS That’s one reason why it is so important to keep education open and to keep teaching uncomfortable subjects. The discomfort let’s you know that there are situations that can be made better and problems to solve.

Today I would like us to remember that while there are so many problems with healthcare in the US, it is our hope that in our democracy, we can all raise our voices to let our elected officials know the future can be so much better and that when we choose that we can make it so.

Tomorrow is Election Day in so many locations in the US. Reproductive healthcare is on the ballot in many states, school boards, county and local commissioners/administrators are also on the ballot. Keep in mind that people with open minds and an eye on the future, who understand history, are probably good at evaluation solutions to problems. We all deserve that.

Reproductive Rights Need Help

Almost half the country treats women as second class citizens. I know we have mentioned that in Texas, in so many locations, it is illegal to help someone get an abortion by giving them a ride on public roads to an airport or bus terminal or over the state line to get an abortion. In Iowa it is illegal to help a minor get an abortion without parental consent. Alabama wants to prosecute women who have abortions as criminals. Doctors are fleeing states with abortion bans leaving many pregnant women at risk having to travel hours to seek care.

This is an effort for some to return to a time when abortion was illegal, a time some think was better in the US. It was NOT BETTER. Abortions don’t go away when they are illegal, We just have more women sho suffer and more women who die. That’s not improving healthcare and making a better country for anyone.

Here is something we can do. Over and Over so our senators and representatives know we want them to see a better future for women.

ACTION

Let’s let our Member of Congress and Senators know we want them to support and pass

HR 12 - The Women’s Health Protection Act - codifying Roe v Wade nationwide.

HR 782 Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act that affirms that everyone has the right to travel across state lines to seek abortion care.

HR 3420 My Body, My Data Act of 2023. that creates privacy standards so that our personal health data stays personal.

HR 4303 Abortion Justice Act-This bill removes systemic barriers to care and address disparities and systemic racism in reproductive health care.

Their Contact info is in the Resources section below or youse RESISTBOT to send the message below by texting to 50409 SIGN PTVONH.

I am your constituent and I want you to know we all deserve a healthcare system that works for all of us. Part of that is reproductive healthcare. Almost half the US has made abortion illegal even though more than half of us want it to be legal. I want you to know that in Texas it is illegal in much of the state to drive on public roads giving someone a ride to help get an abortion, Alabama is considering felony charges for women who have abortions, In Idaho it is illegal to get an abortion and criminal to help a minor without their parents, even then it is also illegal. This is not going to a future that is better for all of us, it is a return to a dark time when women suffered and died for reproductive health. We all deserve a better place. Please actively support and pass the bills below and their companion bills in the Senate

HR 12 - The Women’s Health Protection Act - codifying Roe v Wade nationwide.

HR 782 Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act that affirms that everyone has the right to travel across state lines to seek abortion care.

HR 3420 My Body, My Data Act of 2023. that creates privacy standards so that our personal health data stays personal.

HR 4303 Abortion Justice Act-This bill removes systemic barriers to care and address disparities and systemic racism in reproductive health care.

Thank you.

Elder Abuse by Hospitals

Here is a story from the Washington Post about a different kind of elder abuse. It details the end of life of a pilot. He lived alone and had to be hospitalized. At some point he needed to be discharged to a care facility because the hospital did not want to send him back home since he lived alone. No one checked very hard to see if he had family to care for him.

The hospital sought a guardian for him. The court assigned a professional. An ex real estate agent. She placed him in a care facility. To pay the facility, attorneys, and herself she liquidated his assets. His home was sold for 2/3 its value, he lost all his rights and assets and attorneys and the guardian made a good living.

It seems that hospitals are sometimes anxious to move patients to other care facilities, like nursing homes, when they no longer need a hospital’s care or when home may not be ideal. Three out of five of us 80 and over live alone.

You would think that a hospital would make an effort to find a relative first, but they don’t always do that especially during the pandemic when they needed to clear out beds.

Once a guardian is assigned by a court, they have the right to place you in a care facility, liquidate all of your property to pay bills, even to sell your house. All of this without your approval because they court has taken away all of your rights to make any decisions. The situation is rife for corruption. Some guardians do this as a profession. Some states have no requirements for the profession. Guardians are required to inventory patient’s assets but it is often unmonitored and so if items go missing there is no recourse.

Because data regarding guardianships is scarce across the country, it is difficult to know what percentage of guardianships are initiated by or at the behest of hospitals and nursing homes. One study of 700 guardianship cases in New York determined that 17% of guardianship petitions were filed by hospitals and 12% were initiated by nursing homes. That’s almost 1/3.(NY Times Article 2015) .

Here is a link to a Law review article from Syracuse Unitversity on the guardianship problem that contains a number of recommendations. Keep in mind that when it comes to court proceedings there is no one to stand up for the patient in the face of the nursing home or hospital that seeks payment. It is often akin to getting a default judgement.

This is a very complicated issue, but if hospitals had to have an ombudsman who represented the patient’s rights. It might help. Limiting the guardianships to specific medical care might help, searching out family to contact might help.

Some states have changed the law to allow hospitals to identify a surrogate guardian for health care decisions, a family member of friend. They have significantly shortened the stay of such patients in the hospitals. Are patient’s rights protected? I’m not sure that’s always the case. (Link)

What To Do

There are state level methods to complain about abuses. Go to your state’s website and search for elder abuse or guardian.

Here is the Department of Justice Site detailing what can be done to help and what to look for if you see a suspicious situation. It also addresses what the courts can do when they are told. Sometimes states have an office that addresses elder abuse and if you see it you can ask them to step in.

Make sure you have proper documentation when you have to go to a hospital - this includes medical power of attorney and advance directives, as well as contact info for a family member. I know all of this isn’t always possible but if we can prepare it can help. Make sure older friends and family members have such documentation and it might be a good idea to share it with their doctors.

I’m sure we will be revisiting this subject later.

RESOURCES

Healthcare Advocacy (Us)

Website

Our Newsletter resources including reproductive healthcare

Healthcare Advocacy Reading List

Find My Elected Officials

Contact the White House  https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Contact State and Federal Representatives

• By phone: (202) 224-3121

• By email: democracy.io

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

Library of Advice

Specific Advice

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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