Healthcare Reform - Welcome to the 118th Congress

January 10, 2023

Jan 10, 2023

Good Day Healthcare Advocates

Every day we advocate for better healthcare for all of us is a good day. Thank you also to all of you advocates who have recently subscribed and to those who have asked for particular topics. Please send topics in the comment button below. Thank you.

Mission

The Healthcare delivery system in the United States is a patchwork that leaves much to be desired. It is the most expensive system among the top 35 industrial countries and covers far fewer participants delivering lower levels of quality care than many of our peer nations. This blog will provide:

Current problems in healthcare
Actions you can take
References.

OOPS. Learn About Universal Healthcare - Wednesday Jan 11th 7 PM Pacific

(Not Tuesday Jan 10th)

Healthcare For All Washington is hosting a lecture tonight by ZOOM on Healthcare in Norway. My wife and I are attending. Norway is a shining example of how to do it right. Here is a link to register

Current State of Affairs – 118th Congress Did What?

Between last night and this morning our new 118th Congress began filing bills. When I woke up this morning in Washington State there were 243. They are mostly titles only. I decided to read all 243 titles to see what the sense is for healthcare. You can search and read them here.

There were several directly related to healthcare. Descriptions are below. One related to the VA was also submitted and it sounded good but I want to see the text before I open my big mouth and the text is not available yet. Until we have universal healthcare we have to watch carefully to make sure we do not lose any more rights, and if at all possible, expand coverage to those who need it.

Here are the bills worthy of support that increase coverage to those who need it and protect health care providers and those seeking reproductive care.

VOTE YES

HR 33 Adds Dental Vision and Hearing to Medicare

HR 46 To authorize funding to increase access to mental health care treatment to reduce gun violence.

HR 62 To protect health care providers and people seeking reproductive health care services, and for other purposes.

Here are the ones that deserve to be opposed. They seek to cancel the Affordable Care Act, restrict access to reproductive care, making sure that Federal funds are not used and that any money you pay for reproductive health DOES NOT COUNT TOWARDS YOUR DEDUCTIBLE.

HR 73 removes funding from HHS Healthcare Access Task Force, whose job is to focus on access and equity with respect to reproductive healthcare. HR 127 removes the need to have health insurance at all if you are in a small market (note that Universal Healthcare FIXES THAT).

VOTE NO

HR 7 Restrict Taxpayer funded abortion

HR 73 To prohibit the use of Federal funds for the HHS Reproductive Healthcare Access Task Force.

HR 106 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that amounts paid for an abortion are not taken into account for purposes of the deduction for medical expenses.

HR 112 To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

HR 127 To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an exemption to the individual mandate to maintain health coverage for individuals residing in counties with fewer than 2 health insurance issuers offering plans on an Exchange; to require Members of Congress and congressional staff to abide by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with respect to health insurance coverage; and for other purposes.

So take a look. If we had Universal Healthcare we wouldn’t be worried about the bills to support and we definitely would not be fighting against bills that seek to take rights and coverage away and harm us.

What You Can Do – Contact Legislators

Use Resistbot below or call your representative and senators say

“My name is __________________(name) and I live in __________________(zipcode) and I am your constituent. We all deserve a healthcare system that works for all of us NOT SOME OF US. I want you to vigorously support Universal Healthcare. Until we get to that point please SUPPORT legislation that expands healthcare coverage, including reproductive care, measures like HR 33, HR 46, and HR62.

I also need you to vigorously OPPOSE bills that restrict reproductive health and facilitate people not having insurance. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. OPPOSE HR 7, HR 73, HR 102, HR 112, and HR 127. Thank you. I need you to do this and protect all of us.

Resistbot

Text SIGN PZESYP to 50409 to send the letter below to your representative and senators.

We all deserve a healthcare system that works for all of us NOT SOME OF US. I want you to vigorously support Universal Healthcare. Until we get to that point please SUPPORT legislation that expands healthcare coverage, including reproductive care, measures like HR 33, HR 46, and HR62.

I also need you to vigorously OPPOSE bills that restrict reproductive health and facilitate people not having insurance. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. OPPOSE HR 7, HR 73, HR 106, HR 112, and HR 127. Thank you. I need you to do this and protect all of us.