Women with Cancer: Prisoners’ rights versus the Profit of Corporations

Rahul Gupta and Danisha Christian Contributed to this Series Sherrie Chapman found a lump in her breast. A prisoner in a California Corrections facility, Sherrie persisted in demanding an examination by prison medical personnel. Her pleas were not answered until 9 years later, when lumps were visibly protruding from her breast.  Even after receiving aContinue reading “Women with Cancer: Prisoners’ rights versus the Profit of Corporations”

FHFA, Fannie and Freddie Stage A Last Ditch Effort to Squash Homeowners

The Federal Housing and Finance Authority (FHFA) is taking dramatic actions against homeowners, and cities working to fix the housing crisis.  Just, this morning, Mark Harris, a Desert Storm veteran in Atlanta, who was highlighted in the Alliance’s report Wasted Wealth: How the Wall Street Crash Continues to Stall Economic Recovery and Deepen Racial InequityContinue reading “FHFA, Fannie and Freddie Stage A Last Ditch Effort to Squash Homeowners”

The Affordable Care Act and Women: A Nation Cycling Between Celebration and Obstruction

What Women Won with the ACA: What the Nation Should Celebrate What the nation has now, under Obamacare, is coverage for the many costs of being a woman—medically speaking: Insurance companies must now charge the same price to cover men and women. No pre-existing conditions clauses will be allowed. Maternity care is covered; upending anContinue reading “The Affordable Care Act and Women: A Nation Cycling Between Celebration and Obstruction”

The Great Big PhRMA Medicare Heist

Part 1: Rigging the System is Profitable   While millions of Americans struggle to pay for their prescription medication, big pharmaceutical companies reap $600 billion in annual profits.  $116 million is spent on direct lobbying, and with a 77,500% return, the investment certainly pays off.  Profits have been bolstered by pharmaceutical companies’ myriad of policyContinue reading “The Great Big PhRMA Medicare Heist”

Food Stamps and Farmers: The House of Representatives Got it So Wrong

After failing to pass a Farm Bill that included farm subsidies and food assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps) in June, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a skeleton of a Farm Bill on July 11—without the food stamps. The House effectively left 46 million Americans wondering how to feed themselves and theirContinue reading “Food Stamps and Farmers: The House of Representatives Got it So Wrong”

The Alliance Hosts Our First National Conference in Baltimore and DC

A week ago, to the day, the Alliance for A Just Society hosted our 2013 Summer Conference with all our national affiliates (#Justice2013). There was no better way to kick it off than taking close to 200 participants into Washington DC and hosting three separate actions on the Hill. As of this year, we areContinue reading “The Alliance Hosts Our First National Conference in Baltimore and DC”

Good Medicine: Better Rx Policies Addressed with Senate

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”

The Alliance Takes DC: #justice2013 National Conference Ignites

Bringing together friends and affiliates from around the country, the first national conference kicked off with three separate actions in Washington DC. #justice2013. 150 people from more than 10 states engaged Senators and Representatives on a message of equality and inclusion on issues as diverse as brewing up the big banks, healthcare and keeping familiesContinue reading “The Alliance Takes DC: #justice2013 National Conference Ignites”

If higher education is an investment we claim to believe in — then why does it take 30 years to pay off?

More than 37 million Americans are saddled with student loans — nearly one in five households. We glorified higher education for an entire generation, enabled an unsustainable system, and then blamed graduates for their choices. While some sectors of the economy have begun to see a recovery, student loan borrowers are watching their hopes ofContinue reading “If higher education is an investment we claim to believe in — then why does it take 30 years to pay off?”

Big Pharma gets slapped by SCOTUS– What does it mean for the American taxpayer?

The Supreme Court in the Spotlight Again!? Really? Actually, this one kicked off last week’s “Week in SCOTUS”, coinciding with their 5th Circuit kick down on  Affirmative Action in Texas, and predates both the DOMA and Voting Rights decisions.