Keyword tag search: health care justice

Community Health Care Clinics Under Attack

By Bill Daley on February 18, 2011

Community clinics are an indispensable component of the health care infrastructure in the United States. They are widely regarded as a cost-effective way to provide basic care, saving the health care system billions of dollars every year. Clinics serve over 20 million people in America, and one out of three people in poverty rely on them for their medical needs. Community clinics are also critical for access to care for immigrants, many of whom have been shut out of health insurance coverage post-reform. Continue reading »

On Language Access, Holding HHS Accountable to People, Not Insurance Companies

By Jill Reese on October 20, 2010

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 weighing in on key aspects of reform that have been prioritized by the communities with which we work. One key issue is addressing the linguistic barriers limited English proficient (LEP) people face when trying to access health insurance coverage and medical care in the current system. Continue reading »

HROP Members Tell HHS: “We’re Sick Of Not Being Heard”

By Danisha Christian on October 6, 2010

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 Health and Human Services. Upon learning the news last week, the Health Rights Organizing Project (HROP) sprung into action. Continue reading »

Health Rights Organizing Project Members Work with HHS to Ensure Language Access

By admin on September 30, 2010

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, The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), and Washington Community Action Network, had the ear of many folks within HHS, including representatives from the Offices of Health Reform, Civil Rights, External Affairs, and Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. Continue reading »

Native Health Underfunded and Promises Unfulfilled: The Importance of Investing in the Indian Health Service

By Jill Reese on September 2, 2010

“If the Indian Health Service was fully funded, we would be able to implement some of the programs we can’t currently offer. And I believe there would be a direct correlation between increased funding and improved health status for Native people.” –Dr. Donna Polk-Primm, CEO, Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition Continue reading »

Prescriptions for Produce: A Step Towards Food Justice

By Danisha Christian on August 19, 2010

According to this New York Times article1, doctors at three health care centers in Massachusetts are handing out “prescriptions” (coupons) for patients to use at farmers’ markets. These coupons are part of an effort to promote healthy eating and combat childhood obesity in communities disproportionately affected by diet-related disease. Continue reading »

  1. Singer, Natasha, “Eat an Apple (Doctor’s Orders),” New York Times, August 12, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/13/business/13veggies.html?_r=1 [↩]

Celebrating Community-Based Health Centers

By Jill Reese on August 13, 2010

“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 private health insurance. Continue reading »

House Takes First Step To Increase Indian Health Services Funding

By Bill Daley on July 27, 2010

The average cost of mainstream health insurance plans is approximately 40% greater than the Indian Health Service (IHS) funding level for American Indian and Alaska Native people. This funding gap limits health care services and contributes to the lingering disparities of death and disease among Indians. The first step needed to redress this shortfall was achieved this year when Congress permanently re-authorized funding for the Indian Health Services Act. Now the push is on to get the Congress to provide increased funding. Continue reading »

Is Health Care Reform Just For White People?

By Jill Reese on April 13, 2010

Northwest Federation of Community Organizations Campaigns for Racial Justice in Health

Although the face of the health care debate was mostly a white one, community organizations and progressive groups across the country, including the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations and the Health Rights Organizing Project, prioritized health equity in their demands for comprehensive health care reform. They went into the fight bolstered by a big win for health justice – the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program with the removal of the five-year bar that prevented immigrant children from accessing the program. Their commitment to addressing racial disparities in health was front and center when they joined Health Care for America Now (HCAN), the largest national grassroots campaign fighting for national health care reform. Continue reading »

  • Donate

    graphical text that says donate

  • Stay Connected

  • Social

  • Southside Commons

    Southside Commons logo