Activistas

Do Caesarean Mamas Pay More for Healthcare?

Health care these days is so ridiculously complicated - at least for me.  And as someone who is about to step into the entirely different world of non-employer-based health care for the very first time, I am rather overwhelmed by its complexity and shortcomings.  So it was with great interest  - and a little fear - that I read a recent NYT article about women who have had Ceasareans paying higher premiums for health care.  Why?  Oh, 'cause they might have another and cost more!!  Why oh why am I not surprised?

So. I'm picturing this:  You get a Caesarean, then you leave your job (where if you're lucky you get benefits!).  Now you need to buy health care outside of an employer-protected risk pool, so pre-existing conditions really matter (that pesky problem with our health care system - if you're ill you just might be too ill to cover!).  And if a Caesarean is a pre-existing condition, well, you pay more.  Yikes.  What do you think, mamas?  Fair?  Worried?  Happened to you?

Health Reform in Oregon: Join the Conversation

Obviously, we're pro blogging.  Here's one we thought you might want to know about, in case you have VERY STRONG OPINIONS (like me!) about the dreaded state of our heath care system.  On the NW Health Foundation's Talk Health Reform blog, you can learn from the health care policy wonks, ask questions, and share your opinions - all in the great hope, of course, that they might have the expertise, the connections, the sheer persistence, to one day do something about it.  And you'll have been part of all the excitement.  Yahoo.

So, if you've got a minute to spend on something when you should really, really be doing something else (like, maybe, making a doctor's appointment, doing laundry, and cutting out construction paper shapes - simultaneously), visit TalkHealth Reform: A public conversation about health policy.  They do an excellent job of informing readers how it all works, what's happening now, and where you can step in if you're so inclined.  Plus, they actually draw from the blog comments to advocate change.  Love that.  You comment, they do something with it.  Check it out, mamas, the laundry can wait!

Health Equity Initiative: Watch & Learn Together

Multnomah County's Health Equity Initiative is kicking off next month in an effort to reduce local health disparities based on race and ethnicity.  Here's the gist:

The County is committed to improving health for all residents by addressing the social conditions in which people live and work. Launched in June 2007, the Health Equity Initiative is a county-wide effort focusing on health inequities, headed by Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Health Department. It also collaborates with local organizations to support policy change and monitor results. The initial work will be completed in June 2009.

The Initiative has three goals - the first will start up in March:

1. Create a common understanding of the causes of and solutions to health inequities, with a focus on justice and equity.
2. Raise the visibility of current disparities elimination efforts of community-based organizations and county departments.
3. Explore and advance policy solutions to address health inequities.

Children's Access to Health Care in Oregon: Act Now!

Sometimes a problem can seem greater than what we have to give it.  The lack of health care for so many of Oregon’s children is that way for me.  After the defeat of Measure 50 this past fall and last week's failure to override Bush's S-CHIP veto (by 15 votes!!), I wasn’t sure we had what it would take to find the needed resources and political will.  But Children First for Oregon’s Keep It Simple strategy gives me hope that – even if we can’t find new resources in an overlooked spot or redesign the programs to squeeze in 116,000 more kids – there’s something we can do – and we can do it NOW.  Of course, all this in the context of continued work to 'solve' the greater problem. 

Got enough health care?

I am increasingly grateful for the health coverage my family gets through my work - and increasingly afraid to ever leave my job for fear of losing what is now a privilege in our country.  Yet another reason for this workin' mama to stay at the same desk for 20 years.  I read this horrific story in NYT Op-Ed the other day about a woman with good health insurance whose daughter fell very ill and she hit her max coverage for the year.  Oh, I guess we'll just do that surgery next year when we have coverage again, honey.  Arggghhh. 

Vigil for S-CHIP, Anyone?

You may have gotten the e-mails from Move On and Moms Rising.  They are facilitating a nationwide vigil this Tuesday, October 16th called Light Up the Night for Children's Health Care.  The idea is to send a strong message to Congress that we really want them to override the President's S-CHIP veto.  And they want us to not only be there with our kids and our candles and our support (not so hard), but to host it.  Yes, mamas, that's a taller order.  But together, waddya say?  Here's how they describe hosting a vigil:

It's really easy. All you need to do is register a location, bring some candles, and follow a few simple steps in the short guide that MoveOn will provide you.  We'll invite other MomsRising and MoveOn members in your area to your vigil.  You may be the very person your community needs to organize for children's health care--don't be shy, sign up! We hope you'll join us and host a vigil in your community.

All we have to do is click and we're on our way, mamas (OK, so maybe there's a little more to it...).  But they promise to help 'every step of the way.'

Waddya say, Activistas?  Many mamas make light work.  If you're into this, coordinate in our comments section.  That's what we're here for!

Check out our previous S-CHIP posts if you haven't already for background, fascinating opinions, and more!

Measure 50 Family Canvassing this Saturday 10.13.07

Well we've talked about protesting with kids, and we've posted about recent protests, but here's a slight twist!  Canvass with your kids.  What's canvassing, you ask?  Knockin' on doors, mamas.  That's right.  Not online organizing.  Not e-mail activism.  As attractive as we all know that can be.  This is old-fashioned door knocking.  Gettin' out the vote - on foot.  Did you catch Thomas Friedman's recent Op-Ed piece in the NYT?  He was down, down on all this quiet online activism and fondly reminiscing about the good old days when people actually congregated in person to make a strong impression (maybe Thomas hasn't heard about the Activistas yet!). 

He evoked the very powerful image of James Meredith, the first African-American to enter Ole Miss in 1962.  He described a life-size statue of him,

striding toward a tall limestone archway, re-enacting his fateful step onto the then-segregated campus — defying a violent, angry mob and protected by the National Guard.  Above the archway, carved into the stone, is the word “Courage.”  That is what real activism looks like. There is no substitute.

Like, wow, mamas.  That is inspiration.

Event Specifics: Saturday's event ties in so well with so much of what we've been sharing lately - kids walking more, involving kids in activism, supporting legislation that we believe in.  It's all here, wrapped up into one pretty fun sounding event.  Children First for Oregon is hosting this family-friendly event from 10 am - 1 pm.  Yes, they want your kids in the mix and this is how to do it!  Meet up at their offices at 1125 SE Madison (97214), create outreach materials with your kids, eat some snacks, listen to some tunes, then hit the trail. 

RSVP or learn more by e-mail or phone (503.239.8800).  Wanna canvass with other Activista families?  Connect in the comments section. See you there!

Not the Canvassing Type?  No worries, there are a bunch of other ways to get involved & support the campaign through Children First for Oregon:

• Send an e-card to friends & family telling them about the issue and how you plan to vote.
• Download a window sign for your car or house (way down on left of site).
• Sign up to receive the Children's Action e-newsletter (and find out 1st about events & action opportunities)

Help Override Bush's S-CHIP Veto - NOW!

How many times can a mama be expected to take action on one issue???  I mean, isn't the S-CHIP issue over and done with by now?  Hardly.  In fact, it's pretty dramatic stuff.  So much so that one recent NYT article on the topic was titled "Gunfight at the S-CHIP Corral."  You've probably heard that our Leave-No-Child-Behind President just vetoed the program's reauthorization, leaving millions of children without health care.  Now that'll boost their test scores, George! 

So, the next step for supporters of this program - like you and me  - is to see that his veto is overridden in Congress.  This is one of those times when a solid understanding of the legislative process in Congress can be hand-y.  To override a Presidential veto, both the House and Senate must override with a 2/3 majority vote.  And that, Activistas, is the the problem.  We ain't at 2/3 yet in the House.  And Rep. Greg Walden is part of the problem.  Here's where we come in, Activistas:

Contact Rep. Walden & tell him to vote to override (yes, that's you over there on the phone!!!).  Better yet, if you have friends or family in his district, ask them to call - constituent voices are a lot louder.  And, if you've got the time, call Senator Smith, too.  He is voting to override, so ask him what he's doing to convince Walden to do the same.  Here's how - it's easy!

1. E-mail Walden.  Call Walden: (541) 389-4408 in Bend.  And, mamas, word to the wise: no need to say you're from Portland!  You know how that goes.   

Your message can be simple - but embellish (of course!) as desired - drama is good (especially personal stories that drive home a point): Please join your colleagues in voting to override the President's veto of the S-CHIP reauthorization.  It is a successful program without which many Oregon children will suffer unnecessarily without medical care and create life-long difficulties themselves, their parents, and ultimately all Oregonians. 

2. E-mail Smith.  Call Smith: (503) 326-3386 in Portland.

Another simple message: Please do what you can to convince Rep. Walden to override the president's S-CHIP veto.

Get busy, mamas, the clock's ticking and we've got to bring Oregon into line.

Rally for Children's Healthcare

We've tried to do our best to deliver the low-down on S-CHIP, encouraging interested parties to make their voices heard if they support this plan to fund healthcare for all children.

... this just in ... Bush vetoed the bill that would have expanded S-CHIP.  Now, the effort focuses on overriding the veto, finding 15-20 votes are needed from Republican House members.

MoveOn is organizing a rally in Portland, tomorrow, Thursday Oct 6 at 6PM.  Can you make it?  RSVP here and also let us know in the comments.  We were just talking about attending protests and rallies with our kids; this could be the perfect event.

S-CHIP: Bring It On In, Mamas

OK, OK, I'll share the good news first: the U.S. House of Representatives just passed new legislation that extends S-CHIP, an essential and successful national children's health insurance program.  And, better yet, it looks like our Senators are ready to pass it, too.  That just about wraps it up, huh?  Well...

Which brings me to the bad news: Not surprisingly, President Bush continues to threaten to veto the bill.  As you may have read, the debate over this bill grew larger than the program itself, essentially pitting those who support universal health care (like me!) against those who don't.  Opponents see the extension and expansion of S-CHIP as a step toward government-run health care, and they'll do anything to prevent that, including deny health care to millions of lower-income children. 

That's where we come in. President Bush may have an opinion, but if his mamastituents don't like it, and they tell him how very much they don't like it, well, maybe, just maybe, in this democracy of ours, we'll convince our representative to, uh, represent us.  So hop on it, mamas.  You don't have much time and there's not much time left to let Mr. Bush know how you feel, to tell him NOT to veto this important bill, to not let politics get in the way of kids health.  I mean, really George.  Send this quick but important e-mail message prepared by the National Partnership for Women and Families.  As they say and we know well, Activistas, Actions Speak Louder Than Words.

To learn more, or remember what you already learned (who me, forget?), check out our previous posts on this topic.