Grassroots delegates from 10 states joined Senator Rockefeller’s office to host a town hall today at the Capitol Senate Budget Committee Room. Also supported by Budget Committee Chair Senator Patty Murray’s office, the town hall was held to address health disparities, the national budget and specifically the importance of the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings Act.Continue reading “Good Medicine: Better Rx Policies Addressed with Senate”
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Health Care 2011: Year in Review
The election in November of 2010 shifted the political ground both in D.C. and in many state legislatures. These political changes brought efforts to repeal the ACA and to reduce the national commitment both to Medicaid and to critical programs funded as a part of reform. The efforts by the political right to reset theContinue reading “Health Care 2011: Year in Review”
Left in the Dark
Today, members of the Health Rights Organizing Project called on the federal government to prevent health insurance companies from denying health care to people who speak limited English. Under the new health reform law, patients have the right to appeal insurance companies’ health care denials. Insurers are supposed to inform patients of these rights, includingContinue reading “Left in the Dark”
Insurance Companies Weaken Language Access Regulations while Getting Wealthier
A few weeks ago, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a regulation stipulating that insurance companies only have to provide language services to a person with Limited English Proficiency if 10% of people in their county speak their same language. This is a high bar – only 177 out of 3,143 counties inContinue reading “Insurance Companies Weaken Language Access Regulations while Getting Wealthier”
Around the Country, Organizations Show that Language Access in Health Care is a Human Right
During the week of December 6, organizations throughout the country hung banners with the message “Language = Life: Language in Health Care is a Human Right.” They sent a clear message to the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services that language access is right, not a privilege.
On Language Access, Holding HHS Accountable to People, Not Insurance Companies
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently creating the regulations that basically put the meat on the bones of this country’s health care reform law. It is the outcome of these rule-making decisions that will determine the success, or failure, of reform. NWFCO, with the Health Rights Organizing Project, has been weighingContinue reading “On Language Access, Holding HHS Accountable to People, Not Insurance Companies”
HROP Members Tell HHS: “We’re Sick Of Not Being Heard”
Almost nine percent of people in the United States are of limited English proficiency. To understand and navigate their health insurance–and get the care they require–they need access to competent interpretation and translation. Access to such language services is a matter of civil rights and is currently under threat by new rules established by HealthContinue reading “HROP Members Tell HHS: “We’re Sick Of Not Being Heard””
Health Rights Organizing Project Members Work with HHS to Ensure Language Access
On Tuesday, September 14, NWFCO organized a meeting in Washington, D.C. with the Department of Health of Human Services to discuss the importance of language access in health care. Members from NWFCO and several organizations from the Health Rights Organizing Project, including Make the Road New York, The Community Service Society of New York, TheContinue reading “Health Rights Organizing Project Members Work with HHS to Ensure Language Access”
Celebrating Community-Based Health Centers
“Generally I am in good health, but when I do need to go to the doctor, I’m glad that Bailey’s clinic is available. I work as a stocker at a big box store, and they don’t provide health care. I only make $9.25 dollars an hour, so I certainly wouldn’t be able to afford privateContinue reading “Celebrating Community-Based Health Centers”
NWFCO Celebrates New Health Care Law!
I’m signing [this health reform bill] for 11-year-old Marcelas Owens, who’s also here. Marcelas lost his mom to an illness. And she didn’t have insurance and couldn’t afford the care that she needed. So in her memory he has told her story across America so that no other children have to go through what hisContinue reading “NWFCO Celebrates New Health Care Law!”