Category: ACA - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

Health Care Reform Forum Meetings

4/8/2019

Health Care Reform Forum Meeting - Tuesday, April 16th at 6:00 pm

St. John's Lutheran Church
45070 7th AV, Rock Island, IL (map)

Our Forum is now meeting twice a month.

At our April 2nd meeting we decided to first focus our efforts on "Health Care 101," a program to educate (especially) people who are uninsured on the basic concepts and terminology of health insurance, and to encourage them to check out how they may get insurance through Government programs and the ACA. This will be a primary focus of our next meeting.

The second focus will be on planning an event celebrating the (almost) 10th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. This event will be in late October to help jump start the ACA open enrollment period which begins November 1st.

Other priorities will be to refine "Health Care 201" which we "premiered" at St John's congregation last month, to get the results of the ACA petitions used with students at Augustana and to consider other venues to collect signatures.

We have ambitious goals. Please join us in planning and accomplishing these goals.

A Message from the Health Care Reform Forum

1/14/2019

Have You Contacted Your Senators Lately About the ACA?

A month ago, we were all alarmed about a Texas judge’s ruling that the Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional. He ruled that, since the requirement for all to carry health insurance was eliminated in the 2018 tax law, the entire Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional. If upheld, his ruling would strip away quality, affordable health insurance from millions of Americans, including protection for over 133 million Americans from losing coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Fortunately that ruling was widely criticized as faulty, or even frivolous, and Attorneys General of 17 states, including Illinois AG Lisa Madigan, have challenged the ruling in court. This and other legal appeals insure that the ACA benefits will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. So for now at least, the over 8.4 million Americans who signed up for insurance in 2019 on the ACA marketplaces will continue to have the security of good health insurance.

The midterm elections changed the political dynamics in the House of Representatives, and the new membership has already begun to take actions to support the ACA and to address the issue of the rapidly increasing cost of prescription drugs. The majority in the new House has formally authorized attorneys to join those who are challenging the ruling of the Texas judge, and this past week 235 members voted to support the ACA protections for those with pre-existing conditions.

We recognize that actions by the people’s House will probably be buried in the Senate and/or be vetoed by the President, but they will send an important message to all legislators, and to the public, that quality, affordable health insurance is supported by most Americans.

Our forum will continue to monitor developments in health care and inform you of actions you can take to support positive reform proposals. In the meantime, continue to contact your legislators and urge them again to recognize the popular support for quality, affordable health care, including coverage for pre-existing conditions, and to add their voices and votes to legislation that moves toward the goal of effective, accessible, affordable health care for all Americans.

Thank you for all you have done—and keep up the good work!

Frank Samuelson,
Health Care Reform Forum
cfsam22@gmail.com

Recent ACA Ruling in Texas

12/17/2018

Regarding The Recent Ruling Invalidating the ACA

from the PACG Health Care Reform Forum

We are, of course, dismayed that one federal judge in Texas has ruled to invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act, but we will immediately begin looking at what actions we might take and/or recommend to the PACG membership in order to help fight this ruling, to support the ACA, and to continue to work for quality, accessible, affordable health care for all Americans.

In the meantime, please remember that the ACA is still the law of the land.

There will be a long process of legal appeals, probably ending up in the Supreme Court. The five judges who voted to uphold the law when it was first challenged are still on the court. The ACA continues to gather increasing public support even as major benefits of the law have been challenged or eliminated by the present administration. We hope that support, including from grassroots Americans, will help elect a new congress and president in 2020 that will uphold, strengthen, and expand the provisions of the ACA.

So don’t panic. The ACA is still in effect for the foreseeable future, and we will be bringing forward some actions we can take to fend off this latest effort to repeal it.

Frank Samuelson
cfsam22@gmail.com

What You Can Do Now - Sign Up for the Affordable Care Act or Help Others to Do It!

11/20/2018

Help Someone Enroll In The Affordable Care Act

From the PACC HealthCare Reform Forum

If you do not have health insurance, check out coverage options under the Affordable Care Act. Do it now -- the deadline is December 15th!

If you know of a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker who might not have health insurance, ask them if they are insured. If they are not, urge them to check out ACA coverage. Offer to help them find out if they may qualify for subsidized premiums under the ACA. Use information from the “Need Health Insurance?” fliers below. They are available in both English and Spanish.

A first time applicant may need help from you or from one of the sources listed on the flier. Your personal help and encouragement may be crucial in getting your friend insured. This will not only benefit your friend, it will also help show public support for keeping and improving the ACA and health care for all Americans.

Another way you can help is to print out some flyers and post them on bulletin boards in barber and beauty shops, pharmacies, libraries, coffee shops, family restaurants, etc. If you need copies of the flyers, contact me.

Frank Samuelson
cfsam22@gmail.com

need_health_insurance_flyer.pdf
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necesita_seguro_médic1_.docx
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Working Together Online Fund Drive: Make America Progressive Again - Health Care Reform Die-In

8/26/2018

Health Care Reform has been active since our founding. Although this video is long, it is definitely old gold. In the run up to the Affordable Care Act, many many PACG members took action for "affordable quality health care for all" even if they weren't officially in the Health Care Reform Forum. Are you in this video? Do you remember this memorable action?

Please watch and then Donate to PACG to help us continue our efforts. Also Like our PACG Facebook page, the Health Care Reform Facebook page and all of our posts!

A Message On Healthcare

7/23/2018

Healthcare Forum

As progressives we have plenty of issues to protest about these days. Let us not forget to keep reminding our legislators of the importance of health care issues. This administration has weakened the Affordable Care Act by repealing the individual mandate and thereby causing insurance premiums to rise. It has shortened the enrollment period, cut the budget for advertising and outreach, and reduced the funding for ACA Navigators to 16% of 2016 levels. Moreover, the administration has stopped requiring profitable insurance companies to help struggling insurers who have many more sick patients, and it is now threatening to allow cheap (and inadequate) insurance policies that do not cover pre-existing conditions and other important benefits to enter the fray.

As you contact your legislators, keep reminding them that adequate, accessible, affordable, health care should be available to all Americans. Share your convictions on health care issues with your families, friends and neighbors. Ask legislative candidates about their commitment to the Affordable Care Act and other health care issues, and express your commitment when you vote in November. Elections do matter!

Thank you!

Frank Samuelson
cfsam22@gmail.com

What You Can Do Now - Help Preserve the Benefits of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)!

1/8/2018

Call Members of Congress and tell them to resist any efforts to undermine provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Ask them to find bi-partisan ways to strengthen the ACA.

Background information: Enrollment for 2018 in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) reached 9 million Americans when open enrollment ended December 15. Many of those enrolled lived in states that voted for Donald Trump. This was achieved in spite of the fact that the administration shortened the enrollment period by 50%, and cut 90% of the funds for publicity and navigator assistance. The new tax law will eliminate the mandate that everyone should be insured; however, the other important health care provisions of the ACA remain intact. The ACA is still the law of the land!

This confirms the polls indicating that public support for affordable health care has grown substantially over the past year, now reaching well over 50%. This should make our legislators realize that they need to preserve and strengthen health care, instead of repealing or undermining it. It is time for Democrats and Republicans to work together to broaden coverage, strengthen the insurance marketplaces, expand Medicaid, and cut the costs of health care -- especially the rapid escalation of prescription drug prices.

Now is the time to write and call your Senators and Representatives and tell them to work on bi-partisan legislation that will begin to accomplish these goals that are so important for all Americans. As candidates campaign this year, make sure that they make clear their policies on health care. And vote accordingly!

Sample Script: I’m [your name], your constituent from [City, State]. I am one of the majority of Americans who support the many ways that the Affordable Care Act has benefited (me, personally and) many of my fellow citizens, especially our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. Congress should resist any efforts to undermine the law by cutting funding or reducing Medicaid and work to find bi-partisan measures to strengthen the insurance marketplace and improve access to good health care. Thank you for passing the message along to my Senator/Representative.

Iowa:
Senator Chuck Grassley (202) 224-3744
Senator Joni Ernst (202) 224-3254
Representative Dave Loebsack (202) 225-6576

Illinois:
Senator Tammy Duckworth (202) 224-2854
Senator Dick Durbin (202) 224-2152
Representative Cheri Bustos (202) 225-5905

Extra Credit – Ways to Do More to Protect Health Care:

If you know anyone who may be uninsured or who may be struggling to keep their insurance in force, encourage them to go to www.healthcare.gov for advice and assistance. Open enrollment for 2018 ended December 15, but some people can qualify for a special enrollment period. Go to www.healthcare.gov to see if you qualify. And if you have a limited income, are disabled or have other special needs you can apply for Medicaid or CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program).
Print out and copy the ACA enrollment flier and post it at your church, at restaurants, laundromats, bus depots, anywhere there is a public bulletin board, and had out to anyone who may be interested. A Spanish translation is also available.
Talk with your friends/family about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act and ask them to call their Members of Congress about it.
Come to the next meeting of the PACG Health Care Reform Forum on February 6, at 6:00 pm at St. John's Lutheran Church (4501 7th Ave, Rock Island, IL) to help plan more actions.
Write a letter to the editor about the importance of retaining the benefits of the ACA. Include a personal story if you have one.

Contact Frank Samuelson, Forum Facilitator, with questions/comments.

Need Health Insurance?

11/11/2017

Download the Need Health Insurance flier for yourself, to give to your friends, and to post around the community! A Spanish translation is also provided.

need_health_insurance.pdf
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necesita_seguro_medico_.pdf
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Here Are 5 Facts You Need to Know:

Open enrollment on the health care marketplace begins on November 1 and lasts until December 15 on HealthCare.gov. Beat the rush and sign up early.
No matter if this is your first time getting covered or if you are returning to shop and save, you must take action by December 15.
Those who choose to go without health insurance may have to pay a penalty. There is a minimum penalty of $695 for not having health insurance.
Coverage could be more affordable than you think. With financial help, many can find premiums between $50 and $100 per month.
Free help is available. If you have questions about signing up or want to talk through your options with a trained professional, free help is just a call or click away. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit http://localhelp.healthcare.gov.

Also, QC Navigators Can Help You To Sign Up

Unity Point Health -- 309-779-4584
Project Now Senior Center -- 309-788-6335 (60 and older or with disabilities)
Genesis Health -- Jennifer Busch at 563-421-3675 (M-F 7:30 am - 4 pm)
Community Health Care, Inc -- Mateo at 563-336-3202 (M-F 8 am - 5 pm)
Many local health insurance agents can also offer assistance.

Information provided by the Health Care Reform Forum of Progressive Action for the Common Good - www.pacgqc.org

Sample Letter to the Editor - ACA Replacement

7/28/2017

Sample Letter to the Editor on Proposed ACA Replacement
It is a tribute to the power of right wing propaganda that many in this country believe that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and “Obamacare” are two separate entities, even though they are just different names for the same law. As a consequence, people say they dislike Obamacare but support many of the ACA’s provisions, such as the ban on denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.

If the ACA is replaced with the GOP plan just released, not only the 20 million additional people the ACA covers will be hurt. The plan also places programs such as Medicaid and Medicare in danger, with federal funding cuts achieved in part by transferring “block grants” to the states, potentially to provide reduced Medicaid services. Medicare copays and deductibles are projected to increase. Proposed tax-free vouchers to help the poor will not be adequate unless they are generous enough to enable the purchase of decent plans and are indexed for medical inflation. And health savings accounts will only benefit wealthier Americans--how can anyone else afford to save enough to cover the cost of even relatively minor illnesses? Given what we know so far, the proposed legislation would result in loss of coverage for millions and impose financial penalties and decreased coverage for the poor while benefiting the wealthy.
The ACA must be improved, not repealed and replaced. Every other civilized country has implemented a comprehensive health care delivery system. Why can’t we?

Dr. Peter Metcalf
Bettendorf, Iowa

Prescription Drug Pricing

6/19/2017

Health Care Reform Forum

Trump Says House Health Bill "Mean." That was the headline after the President met with senators last week. We agree. Now, he should act and not just talk.

In the meantime, our Health Care Reform Forum continues its series of letters to the editors on Prescription Drug Pricing.

Pharmaceutical companies continue to be the most profitable segment of our economy. The companies claim that high prices fund necessary research and development (R&D). However, 9 of the 10 top pharmaceutical companies spend much more on marketing and sales, totaling $3 billion annually to consumers and $24 billion to healthcare providers, than on R&D. The U.S. is one of only two countries in the world to permit the advertising of drugs.

The drug companies have other strategies to increase prices to prescription drugs. Most new drugs are patented, giving the manufacturer monopolistic marketing and price protection for up to 20 years. But when the patent is due to expire, companies often make a minor change in the formula, and get a new patent to maintain profits

Another strategy is to keep generic versions of the drugs off the market, sometimes by paying generic manufacturers to postpone the introduction of cheaper versions.

Another strategy is to buy the rights to an old, cheap, “niche market” drug with only one supplier, and then hike the price by several hundred percent. Patients who need that drug are hostage to that inflated price.

They also encourage the use of prescription drugs for purposes other than that for which they have been tested and approved by the FDA.

By using these monopolistic strategies, pharmaceutical companies have proven that they cannot moderate their own pricing practices. We need to tell our legislators to regulate the costs of these necessary and often life-saving medications like is done in nearly every other country.

Doug McCollum,
Rock Island

Frank Samuelson
cfsam22@gmail.com