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Healthy MOM Act (New Proposed Legislation)
There are three main ways people can get health insurance: through their job, through government programs like Medicare (for those ages 65+) or Medicaid (for those below a certain income), or they can register for a subsidized plan through HealthCare.gov, nicknamed Obamacare.
A record 16.3 million people signed up via HealthCare.gov for 2023. That’s despite the elimination of a financial penalty: Republicans in 2017 removed the “individual mandate” which previously levied a tax on eligible people who didn’t sign up.
The general “open enrollment” period for health insurance occurs annually near the end of the calendar year, currently from November 1, 2023 to January 16, 2024. A few select “special enrollment periods” also allow people to obtain health insurance during the rest of the year upon special qualifying life events, including marriage, divorce, having or adopting a child, and changing jobs.
The Healthy MOM (Maternal and Obstetric Medicine) Act would add pregnancy to the list of “qualifying life events,” allowing pregnant women to register for health insurance at any point during the calendar year — even before they have the kid.
The House version was introduced as H.R. 6716 on December 11, by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ12). The Senate version was introduced as S. 3509, two days later on December 13 as Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
“Any mother knows that your health care needs change when you become pregnant — you should be able to change your insurance to meet those needs,” Sen. Brown said in the same press release. “Expectant and new moms should not have to worry about how they will get the healthcare they need to keep themselves and their baby healthy during pregnancy.”
It is estimated that 60% of pregnancy related deaths could be eliminated with this kind of legislation. Let’s let Congress know to support it.
ACTION
On your cellphone text SIGN PEJHQQ to 50409 to send the email below to your Member of Congress and Senators. Of course you can call/email them their contact info is in the Resources section below.
“I am your constituent and I want you to know that 60% of all pregnancy related deaths can be eliminated by making sure that pregnant persons have access to medical care and that means they have health insurance. Since we don’t have Universal Healthcare YET I strongly urge you to cosponsor and enact HR 6716/S 3509, the Healthy MOM Act. It would define pregnancy as a “life event” and allow people to obtain health insurance any time during the year when pregnancy occurs. Please support this legislation. Thank you.”
Miscarriage Prosecution
Brittany Watts, a mother of 3, was told by doctors that her pregnancy was no longer viable but refused medical treatment. At 22-weeks pregnant she went home and ultimately miscarried in her toilet. She has been criminalized for attempting to flush the fetus.
Brittany is currently awaiting a grand jury decision on whether she will stand trial for a felony (abuse of corpse) for how she responded in a moment that should never have been made public.
Needless to say this is a travesty of justice. Thank you to Chop Wood Carry Water - Jessica Cravens
ACTION
Let’s call Governor Mike DeWine. His number is: (614) 466-3555. We can say something like:
I’m calling to express my outrage that Trumbull County is charging Brittany Watts with a felony for her pregnancy loss. No one should be criminalized while they are grieving and recovering from a miscarriage. I urge your office to take immediate action to stop this prosecution. Thank you.
We can also email him here. You can adapt the above for your letter, but please make sure to customize it so it’s not discarded as spam.
Moms Rising has a petition here.
Finally, you can, and should, leave a bad Google review for Trumball County Prosecutor’s office here. I did.
If you want to share these actions with others most of them from this #JusticeForBrittany toolkit. Please share it!
Insurance Company Denies Essential Treatment
Imagine you were experiencing excruciating pain. After years your doctors found a solution–but your insurance company, Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BCBS), refuses to pay.
Unfortunately, that’s the case for Megan from Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. Megan has a condition called autonomic failure that means whole systems of her body don’t work on their own. Megan has trouble breathing, with blood pressure, and blacks out frequently.
There’s only one more medicine left for her to try that’s worked for others–but her private insurance corporation has refused to pay, blocking her from receiving infusions that could very well save and improve her life.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) made more than $346 million in 2022 alone and paid their CEO $9.47 million. They can afford to pay for the care Megan’s doctors say she needs. Megan can’t work due to her condition and is a medical dependent on her mother’s health care –there’s no way she can afford to pay for the care she needs if her insurance company refuses.
We live in the richest country in the history of the world. There’s enough for everyone to get the care they need–but greedy corporations like Highmark BCBS are getting in the way. The action is to tell Blue Cross Blue Shield to cover her medicine.
ACTION
Here is a link to tell Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to cover the care of people like Megan. I did.
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
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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