Rights in Jeopardy - Don't Be Silent
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Happy Thursday Healthcare Advocates
I would like to encourage comments and suggestions from you if you have time. If there is a special topic you’d like to see please let me know. Please use the comment button below. Some of the topics in work are funding for key medical research, rural healthcare, and healthcare in prison.
Medical Fraud Against the US - It is Pursued
A medical clinic in Montana filed millions of dollars in false claims to Medicare. A judge ordered them to pay the government about $6 million. The clinic filed for bankruptcy. Here is a link to the story.
Not overly interesting except for one thing. When you cheat the federal insurance trust - it is a crime. People can lose the ability to work with the insurance trust, pay restitution or even go to jail.
When private insurance is cheated, they can try to get the local district attorney to file charges, or sue to recover their money, but often, they just let it go and bump up premiums to cover the loss.
Of course, the same rules will apply when Universal Healthcare (HR 3421 or S 1655) passes - I am being aspirational here.
GET VACCINATED
For the first time this fall, there will be three different vaccines against the biggest respiratory virus threats: a new Covid booster, the yearly flu shot and two RSV vaccines for older adults. On Tuesday, state health officials urged eligible Americans to get the vaccines ahead of what many believe could be an intense winter respiratory season, especially after several years of unpredictable viral activity. (Link)
Take a Walk - Live Better/Longer
Walking just 4,000 steps per day is associated with a lower risk of death, according to the analysis published Tuesday in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The research pooled the results of 17 studies that looked at the health benefits associated with step counts across six countries. The least active people in the studies took around 4,000 steps per day and still saw a reduced risk of death from any cause. The more steps people took, the lower their risk of dying. Link to the story.
Culture WARFARE in Healthcare
Pick a group to attack and blame them for your troubles. Persecute them and if the minority is not able to push back the “silent majority” allows the fascist to take over to take care of the problem.
Those who have been given such power then seek to remove rights from others and relegate them to lesser status as citizens. This frequently means denial of services and legalizing discrimination. This is the playbook of tyrants and dictators and it works well. Hold that thought.
Here is a brief lesson in civics.
There are 12 separate appropriation measures that Congress must pass. They fund everything the government does. Homeland security, rural development, Agriculture, Defense, Judiciary, Energy, and many more. You get the picture.
A new report from the Human Rights Campaign found that all of the annual spending bills brought in the House contain anti-LGBTQ+ provisions. I recommend clicking the that link. It takes quite a while to read but it gives an in-depth view of how hateful the Republicans in the House of Representatives are. Meanwhile, measures to restrict access to abortions have been written into nearly all of the spending bills passed by the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee.
Some of these measures preclude enforcement of existing federal anti discrimination laws, some allow people and businesses to discriminate, some make it difficult to access abortion (like the defense bill). There is even one that precludes Veteran’s Affairs from providing abortions under any circumstances - life of the mother doesn’t matter.
ACTION
We all deserve to live in our country where we all have equal rights, equal access to healthcare, and have an equal right ro have our voices heard. That is not what’s going on. Our rights are being stripped away and if we are silent then we are complicit. Let’s not be silent.
We need to let our senators know that we do not want them to allow passage of any of the appropriations bills that contain measures that deny reproductive care, foster discrimination against anyone, or limit federal enforcement of existing discrimination laws. You can find your Senator’s phone number/email here.
You can use RESISTBOT by Texting to 50409 on your cellphone SIGN PUCYTL to send them this email.
I am your constituent. I am disgusted that the Republican Controlled House of Representatives has passed their appropriation bills loaded with riders and amendments that deny reproductive health care, deny gender affirming care, seek to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (which is desperately needed in health care) and make it legal to discriminate against LGBTQ+ persons. You are my Senator. My America, is inclusive, and treats everyone equally, gives all of us the same voice and ability to be heard. I do not want you to allow passage of any of these measures that makes others into second class citizens. If you are silent or allow them to go forward then you are abdicating your responsibility and I will remember.
While I have your attention pass S. 1655 the Improved Medicare for All act. Thank you.
Find My Elected Officials
Contact the White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Contact State and Federal Representatives
https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/addr/
Important Healthcare Resources
League of Women Voters Healthcare Reform Toolkit
Our Newsletter resources including reproductive healthcare
Healthcare Advocacy Reading List
Organizations to Contact
National Nurses United Medicare4All
Physicians for a National Health Plan
Reproductive Health
NARAL - Pro Choice America
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
Insurance Commissioner in your state- This website can get you their phone number.
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