Category: Health Care Reform Forum - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

What You Can Do Now - Drug Price Control Action Alert

7/29/2019

Action Alert - Drug Price Control
Quad Cities Area

Health Care Reform

Action Alert - Drug Price Control

The Senate Finance committee chaired by Sen. Grassley, approved by a vote of 19-9, a bi-partisan bill to limit prescription drug prices to the inflation index, but drug company lobbyists are mounting forces to oppose the bill. Many Republican senators seem ready to oppose it or amend it to death during floor debate.

Now is the time for us to act. If you live in Iowa, call Sen. Grassley 515-288-1145 and thank him for his leadership on this bill, and urge him to keep fighting for its passage without crippling amendments. Then contact Sen. Joni Ernst 515-284-4574 and urge her to ignore industry lobbyists and support passage of this bi-partisan bill that will help protect all Americans from huge prescription drug price increases.

If you live in Illinois, you can also thank Sen. Grassley for his leadership on this issue and contact Sen. Durbin 202-224-2152 and Sen. Duckworth 202-224-2854 and thank them for their continuing support on this and other health care reform issues.

Frank Samuelson

Candidate Questions - Health Care Reform

4/22/2019

Candidate Questions - Health Care Reform

Let’s get organized before the next presidential candidates come to town! It’s hard to know what questions to ask, but here is a list that we have created. If you have additional questions you think should be asked, please contact our Office Manager, Amber Bordolo and we will add to this list.

If you attend a candidate’s event, print off this list (see the download link below) and have it handy in case you have an opportunity to ask questions. Listen carefully to the answers on the topics below. Take notes if you can, and report back to us in the Blog Comments below.

These are also good questions that should be addressed to your State legislatures when they hold legislative sessions or campaign for re-election.

1. How will you protect the progress made thanks to the Affordable Care Act? (more people insured, children insured on parent’s programs until age 26, protection for pre-existing conditions, etc)

2. The Medicare program is vital to the health of millions of people. Will you protect Medicare for cuts planned by some members of Congress?

3. There are efforts underway to cut Medicaid funding and turn it into individual state grants. How will you fight to keep Medicaid strong and protect it from future cuts?

4. If you favor health care expansion, could you describe your vision? What would be the key points? (Single payer? Incremental stages of expansion?)

5. How will you provide healthcare to low-income people in states that did not expand Medicaid?

6. How will you push pharmaceutical companies to reduce Hight prescription drug prices?

a. Do you support letting Medicare negotiate with prescription drug companies? If so, why?

b. Would you support a bill to allow lower priced generic drugs to access the market more quickly?

c. What efforts will you take to require drug companies to explain large price increases?

d. Would you require drug companies to give a two-month notice when they plan to significantly increase prices?

e. Should Americans be allowed to buy lower priced drugs from other countries or should the U.S. government regulate drug prices?

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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.

Health Care Reform Upcoming Meetings - March 11, 2049

3/11/2019

Health Care Reform Forum - Additional Meetings through June

Health Care Reform

At our March 5th meeting we laid out some ambitious plans for the coming year.

We also decided to meet twice a month on Tuesdays, at least through June. The first Tuesday meeting will be for regular business. And the third Tuesday meeting will focus on event planning.

So put the following on your calendars now!

March 19th - Event Planning
April 2nd - Monthly Meeting
April 16th - Event Planning
May 7th - Monthly Meeting
May 21st - Event Planning
June 4th - Monthly Meeting
June 18th - Event Planing

Debra Sperry

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

PACG Needs Your Support!

12/20/2018

PACG Needs Your Support!

This has been a busy year for progressives and everyone else resisting the drastic shift away from our traditional American values of equality, fairness, concern for our environment and taking care of the most vulnerable in our society. Throughout it all Progressive Action for the Common Good (PACG) continues to be a unique and respected force leading the resistance and promoting progressive principles.

We have four very active Issue Forums: Civil Rights, Environmental, Health Care Reform and our newest Issue Forum on Drug Policy. We started a PACG Book Club which right now is reading books with a racial justice theme. Check our website pacgqc.org for information on our many activities and events and to contact the leaders (facilitators) of any of our Issue Forums. Contact me if you want to start a new Issue Forum.

A great way to keep up is to sign up for our Weekly Email Update. You will need to respond to a confirmation email. Those of you on Facebook should like our Progressive Action for the Common Good page and join the PACG Facebook group of the Book Club or any Issue Forum that interests you.

Another way to help is to become a paying member. An individual membership is $10 and family membership is $20. Those who can afford to give more are encouraged to do so. We especially appreciate those who give monthly. You can donate through our pacgqc.org website or send a check to:

PACG
1212 W 3rd St, Suite 3D
Davenport, IA 52802

PACG is a 501(c) 3 organization, and donations are tax-deductible as charitable contributions to the extent allowed by law.

We have a new part time office manager and organizer, Amber Bordolo. She will support the efforts of our many volunteers, whether they serve on an Issue Forum or the Board. Amber will also help us utilize social media more effectively. You will meet her soon!

Resistance is hard work and must be on-going. The only way to succeed is by uniting with other progressive individuals and organizations. We couldn’t do it without you!

Alta Price
Board President
altaprice@gmail.com
563-505-2996 cell

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

Power of 3 - Health Care Reform

3/25/2017

The Health Care Reform Power of Three Action Plan

Here are some actions YOU can take to save the Affordable Care Act in the next....

3 HOURS
Spread the word: The ACA - The Affordable Care Act is actually called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The name “Patient Protection” is also used. We prefer these to "Obamacare." Share this message with a friend or family member and/or post on social media.

3 DAYS
Internalize the deep principles underpinning the ACA:

Meaningful access to quality health care is a basic moral and human value.
It is an American value implicit in the rights to “life” and “liberty,” as stated in the Declaration of Independence.
It is a hallmark value of a civil society.

Start to become comfortable with a few main talking points - AND DON’T BE INTIMIDATED BY DETAILED POLICY POINTS:

“Access” to health care means nothing unless it is affordable, and modern high-tech medicine is often too expensive for individuals, so individuals must obtain access as part of a larger group, hence the need for insurance.
Covering more people - young and old, sick and healthy - spreads the risk and keeps down cost for individuals and their families when health care is needed most.
Avoid using the word “mandate” - it antagonizes some people who actually support the protections afforded by the ACA.
Accidents and illnesses can happen to anyone at any time.
Health insurance coverage saves lives.
Health insurance coverage gives individuals and families peace of mind, especially when they are under stress because of accident or disease.
Always emphasize the benefits of the ACA.
The ACA can and should be improved, not repealed, but we must base changes on facts, not ideology.

Call your senators and representatives in both main political parties to let them know you support keeping the ACA and the principles behind it.

Ask those you know who have benefitted from, or support, the ACA to contact their senators and representatives.

3 WEEKS

Come to the PACG Health Care Reform Forum meeting on Tuesday, April 11; 6:45 pm, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4501 7th Ave, Rock Island.
Write a letter to the local newspapers expressing your support for the reforms in health care achieved through the ACA.
Review and reinforce your commitment to the basic principles of health care reform, as noted above.

3 MONTHS

Follow the news about changes to the ACA.
Sound the alarm at developments that could undermine the basic principles of the ACA.
Consider joining the Health Care Reform Forum of PACG.

3 QUARTERS OF 2017
Remember that we are all human beings who are likely at some point(s) in our lives to need quality, affordable health care: if not this year, then next year or ten years down the road. What we reasonably want for ourselves and those for whom we care is no different from what others feel and want today. Quality, affordable health care for everyone in this country is not yet a reality, but the ACA has brought us closer to that goal and it is worth fighting for!

Call Congress About the ACA!

3/25/2017

Health Care Reform - Call Congress

How to Call Your Members of Congress About the ACA

Have notes available to refer to as you talk.
If you must leave a message with aides, push “1” at the end to leave a recorded message.
Say “thank you” when you’re finished.

Calling Topic Suggestions

Please keep the Affordable Care Act (don’t use the term Obamacare).
Everyone needs reasonable health insurance. Before the ACA, millions were one accident/one diagnosis away from health and financial ruin!
If you have a story, share it. Making it personal and emotional is best.
The mandate is misrepresented to the public! The gradually increasing penalty is to encourage everyone to obtain health insurance - the healthy as well as the sick, young and old, everyone - to balance the system and make it cost effective.
In the short existence of the ACA with more than 20 million more people insured, Health Care cost increases are gradually slowing. Give the ACA time to work!
Repeal of the ACA does affect Medicare and Medicaid. The donut hole for prescription drugs will open instead of closing as we hoped. Those with Medicare Advantage plans could pay more for their insurance, since these plans have been subsidized by ACA.
The ACA has preventative/wellness programs. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Examples of preventative/wellness services covered by the ACA: cancer screenings, mammograms, prostate exams, preventative testing, and vaccines.