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Posts Tagged ‘Health Care Reform’

New Health Care Bill Seems Almost Assured

1:11 pm By la Macha · Health|society · 5 Comments

22 Mar 2010

Well, the weekend brought us some mixed good news. The good news seems to be that the US will soon have a health care bill that will make affordable health care a reality for all.

The bad news is, is that it’s just not true.

I am still trying to unpack everything that is being said about this health care bill, but it’s been difficult work as it seems that every hour another change is taking place. But the essentials seem to be most accurately described here at Fire Dog Lake.

Some of the more points that are not making me happy:

3) Individual Mandate

The individual mandate, which uses the IRS to force people to buy a product from a poorly regulated, private industry, is an affront to the American people.

4) Abortion

This bill is a massive rollback of a woman’s right to choose. It would take away the abortion coverage of millions of Americans. The system of exchanges and affordability tax credits could easily be modified to ensure federal funds are not used to pay for abortions, while still not taking away the ability of women and small businesses to buy insurance packages that cover abortion.

6) Immigration

Under this almost-law, undocumented immigrants would not be allowed to buy insurance on the new exchanges, even if they are willing to pay the full cost of the insurance with their own money.

I am rebelling against this legislation. I am trying very hard not to. I am trying to believe and listen when various news outlets tell me that this is some of the most life changing world changing legislation–as if it is a positive thing. I’m not going to go on a massive rant quite yet, as I know that a lot can happen in even the one week it is estimated that it will take to get the Senate to apply all their changes.

But…I’m am worried. And a bit scared. How many people do I know who can’t afford health insurance–even “affordable” health insurance that they get vouchers on? I know people (and was one of those people for a long time) that couldn’t even afford to go to the community clinic where they had a sliding scale fee chart because even the bottommost fee (15$) was too much for me.

Forcing poor people to buy health insurance that isn’t even going to cover them when there are surprises (abortion) is little more than a cruel joke to me. Penalizing those same people for not having health insurance (even “affordable” insurance) when that insurance isn’t going to cover them during times they need it most is nothing short of criminal.

But–it’s seems to be a wait and see game at this time. Wait and see, wait and see. How badly will we all be screwed over?

One Reason to March for America : Immigrant Health Care Needs Excuded in Reform Bill

17 Mar 2010

In just a few days the March for America will jump off and thousands of gente from comunidades across the country will arrive in D.C.. Each person will have their own individual story and reason for being there and some of the messages will even conflict pero the unifying message is justicia for migrantes and their familias.

I will be highlighting over several posts some reasons why people are heading to D.C., including why I am going, and even some issues I have with the rally itself.

One reason to attend the March for America is to demand that immigrants not be ignored when it comes to health care reform.
In recent posts here at VivirLatino, La Macha has been pointing out how the current immigration and health care system fail immigrants, especially mujeres. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), who was poised as the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Champion, has been taking heat for saying that he won’t support the current health care reform proposal on the Senate floor because it prevents undocumented immigrants from using their own money to buy into the health care exchanges.

Wait, aren’t Republicans supposed to be against telling peeps what to do with their money?
When you’re an immigrant, I guess the rules are different.

PS. I never do this, pero please click on the March for America ad on the sidebar and the NCLR banner on the top to show them that you support them supporting independent Latino media like us, even when we disagree with them

President Obama’s Health Care Proposal : The Good, the Bad and the Ignored

12:47 pm By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Health|Obama|Politics · Comments Off

23 Feb 2010

At 11 pages, President Obama’s health care reform proposal is an easy read. You can download the PDF here and read for yourself. So far it’s been the clearest and easiest to understand out of all the health care documents to come out over the last few months.

The White House’s proposal does not include anti-abortion Stupak-like language. What also isn’t in the proposal is a public option, although Obama’s plan lowers the “fine” for those who still don’t have health care once it becomes a mandate.

According to Obama’s proposal, families like mine should be exempt from being required to have health insurance and maybe I can get the entire family under the same coverage, as opposed to my kids having health insurance and their primary caregiver, me, not having anything.

But don’t bother reading the President’s proposal if you are looking for lifting the 5 year ban on immigrants accessing government subsidized services or for the undocumented to be able to use their own hard earned money to buy their own insurance. There is no mention of immigrant access and as the saying goes silence speaks volumes.

The President’s State of the Union : Missed Opportunities on the Push for Immigration and Health Care Reform

1:37 pm By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Health|Immigration|Obama|Politics · 10 Comments

28 Jan 2010

After President Obama’s State of the Union address last night, I needed to get out of Casa Mala. I knew what was coming, the analysis, the discussion, and the disagreements about what needed to done and what tone to use in doing it. But I needed a drink, I need to sing and dance a little as an act of mourning because in all of these discussions, which I am now engaged in, there was little mention of actual people.

While I was preparing mentally for the State of the Union address, I saw on the Spanish language news about an immigrant mujer, Alexandra Nunez, who died from massive bleeding during an abortion in a clinic walking distance from Casa Mala. A single mother, like me, made a decision about her body and life within the limits placed on her because of law and who she is.

During the State of the Union speech, Obama spoke about the problems with getting health care reform passed and spoke on immigration from a law and order perspective, following the laws and securing the borders. He failed, as so many do, in pointing out where health care reform and immigration reform intersect, in the very lost life of mami Alexandra Nunez.
Read more…

Martes Movie Moment : Health Care Reform Racistas!

9:26 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Health|Media|Politics|race · Comments Off

8 Dec 2009

Nothing like throwing down fear of the R word as a way to fight health care reform.

It could alternately be argued that those who support the current health care reform plan currently under debate in the Senate are racists, since the current plan limits access for immigrants, both documented and not. I’m just saying.

Via / Race Talk

Health Care Reform : Sacrificing Millions for the Approval of 60

1:52 pm By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Health|Immigration|Politics · 6 Comments

2 Dec 2009

health_care_reform1 With the health care debate in full swing in the U.S. Senate, there is much focus and attention being paid to access to abortion and rightfully so. My inbox is filled with petitions and requests to email Senators. Hell, even my 60 some year old mother says she wants to make sure she has access to an abortion. But so far there has been just one petition demanding that the undocumented should be able to purchase their own insurance with their own money (isn’t that what capitalism is all about?).

Recent polls show that overall Latinos are in favor of health care reform especially the public option.

Overall, Latino registered voters are very supportive of efforts to reform the nation’s health care system, and show especially strong support for including the ‘public option’ as part of the reform effort. While President Obama continues to enjoy strong support from the Latino electorate, less than 1 in 7 survey respondents felt the needs of the Hispanic community were fully taken into account during the health reform debate.

The House Health Care Reform Bill That Passed and Passed Over

11:28 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · GLBT|Immigration|Politics|Women · 4 Comments

9 Nov 2009

Some are celebrating the weekend passage of a health insurance bill in the House of Representatives. Pero those unhappy and critical aren’t just tea-baggers and others crying over a red scare. From jump, I was angered that health care reform was excluding and scapegoating some of the communities I feel strongly about, immigrants and women.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act, aka HR3962, passed 220-215 but the act contains provisions that bar access to services for women.

The Stupak Amendment (does that rhyme with stupid) bans coverage for abortion under any plans that use federal monies. This amendment apparently was a response to threats from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops who threatened to dis the bill at masses across the country if abortion was covered. I went to church this Sunday specifically to see if the health care reform bill would be mentioned instead the priest talked about the World Series. Hmm.

Additionally the amendment requires that those participating in the “health exchange”, individuals and employers, buy riders for covering abortion services. The only exceptions are for pregnancies that are the result of rape/incest or when the life of the pregnant woman is in danger (her life, not her health). Additionally employer sponsored and private plans that don’t take government money are exempt. This means that women who participate in the public option of health care exchanges couldn’t even use their own money to access abortions.

Join the National Call-In Day for Women of Color to Demand Health Reform!

3:55 pm By la Macha · Health · 3 Comments

26 Oct 2009

From the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health comes this call to action. Even if you can’t call in today, calling in tomorrow will work just fine! Call in whenever you can!

On October 20, hundreds of women of color heard from the White House. If you missed it, you can hear a recording of the call here. Now, it’s time for us to take the message to Congress.

Women of color keep this country working. That means that our national health care system should work for us. But, as health care consumers, workers, and decision-makers for our families, we know that the current system is greatly failing women of color.

Right now, we have the opportunity to really do something about it.

Congress is working to finalize a health reform bill that – if passed – will improve access to quality, affordable care. But there are lots of people out there who are trying to block the process. We must add our voices to the debate. Congress must hear that women of color demand real health reform.

TOMORROW, Women of Color United for Health Reform is hosting a National Call-In Day in support of real health reform. Take action and join the call!

1. Dial 877-264-4226. Many thanks to our friends at Health Care for American NOW! for letting us use this service.

2. Ask the operator to connect you to your Senator or Representative and give the operator your zip code. Once the operator connects you to your Representative/Senator’s office, a staffer in the office will answer the call.

3. Say:

My name is _____ ________, and I am calling today to ask you to support health reform.

I work hard, and I deserve a national health care system that works hard for me. As a woman of color, I see first-hand how the current system is failing. More people in my community are likely to be uninsured or under-insured. We also have a higher rate of chronic or pre-existing conditions, and spend a greater percentage of our income on health care than others.

This country should have a health care system that ensures everybody can access affordable, quality, culturally appropriate care over the course of their lifespan.

[If you would like, insert your own story!]

Please pass a health reform bill that will work for women of color.
Thank you for your time.

4. Repeat. You have two Senators and one Representative representing you in Congress. If you can, call three times to leave this message with all three of your federal elected officials.

To learn more about Women of Color United for Health Reform and what we believe should be included in Congress’ health reform bill, click here.

First Dems Throw Immigrant Health Under the Bus, Now Reproductive Health

8:12 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Health|Politics|Women · Comments Off

29 Sep 2009

When President Obama presented his health care reform plan, two points made me want to throw a shoe at my computer screen. One which I discussed in depth, was the treatment of immigrants. The second was reproductive health, specifically abortion. The President said clearly that the undocumented wouldn’t be covered and that abortions wouldn’t be covered. Now that the actual legislation is being worked on, I am nearly banging my head against my keyboard this morning as I read a New York Times article that lays out how some Democrats are working their asses off to make sure my uterus can’t have access to an abortion.

Abortion opponents in both the House and the Senate are seeking to block the millions of middle- and lower-income people who might receive federal insurance subsidies to help them buy health coverage from using the money on plans that cover abortion…At least 31 House Democrats have signed various recent letters to the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, urging her to allow a vote on a measure to restrict use of the subsidies to pay for abortion, including 25 who joined more than 100 Republicans on a letter delivered Monday. Monday.

Representative Bart Stupak of Michigan, a leading Democratic abortion opponent, said he had commitments from 40 Democrats to block the health care bill unless they have a chance to include the restrictions.

Health Care Reform : New and Improved Formula With More Barriers for All Immigrants

10:38 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Health|Immigration · 2 Comments

17 Sep 2009

LaClinica President Obama’s original health care reform proposal was bad enough, but now the Democratic party is bowing to racist rhetoric and immigrant bashing by creating more barriers to access for immigrant families, even the “legal” ones with the Senate Finance Committee’s draft legislation.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to be on a press call regarding health care reform and immigrants. What I heard gave me disturbing background on how undocumented immigrants were thrown out of the debate by fellow Latinos from the get because of politics as usual and how now Obama is showing himself all too willing to sacrifice immigrants (browned as Latino) as pawns in negotiations, instead of as humans.
Read more…

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Maegan La Mala: Thank you Julio! To be honest I was a little nervous. [...]

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