According to this New York Times article ((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)), 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 “Prescriptions for Produce: A Step Towards Food Justice”
Rules of the Road
Regulating Insurance Companies Is a Critical Component of Health Reform
Much remains to be decided about the rules of health reform. Accordingly, elected officials and policymakers on both the state and federal level should promote quality coverage and ensure the strongest possible oversight of the health insurance industry, thereby protecting the health and financial wellbeing of consumers.Continue reading “Rules of the Road”
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 private health insurance.Continue reading “Celebrating Community-Based Health Centers”
Native Health Underfunded & Promises Unfulflled
The Importance of Investing in the Indian Health Service
The United States government has an obligation based on treaty and statute to meet the health care needs of Native people. The Indian Health Service (IHS), a federal agency, provides health care to many Native people but also has been severely and chronically underfunded. To illuminate the problem of IHS underfunding, this report shares the perspectives of directors, administrators and physicians at health care organizations within the IHS system. These health care facilities deliver crucial services to Native people but often cannot provide needed comprehensive services because of the severe shortfall in resources.Continue reading “Native Health Underfunded & Promises Unfulflled”
NWFCO Launches The Justice Leadership Academy
Twenty-seven leaders from grassroots organizations in six states came together in Seattle during three very hot days in early July to launch NWFCO’s newest training program, the Justice Leadership Academy (JLA).Continue reading “NWFCO Launches The Justice Leadership Academy”
ICAN’s Voter Registration Work Makes the News
NWFCO affiliate Idaho Community Action Network (ICAN) is part of a newly-formed coalition, the Canyon County Latino Voter Collaborative, working to educate and ensure that Latino community members register and vote, as well as participate in other activities such as advocacy. On a recent weekend in July, more than 30 young Latino community members participated in a two-day event organized by the coalition and the event garnered coverage by the local news.Continue reading “ICAN’s Voter Registration Work Makes the News”
Federal Judge Rules Against Arizona Immigration Law
Today, Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Judge Susan Bolton ruled that Arizona’s controversial law SB1070 does indeed overstep the state’s boundary to enforce federal immigration law. The ruling will put an injunction on the most egregious provisions of the law, while other provisions remain intact. The ruling is a major victory for the immigrant rights movement, and for civil rights in America.Continue reading “Federal Judge Rules Against Arizona Immigration Law”
Washington CAN! Calls On Seattle Mariners to Boycott Arizona and Move The Game
This post was written by María Guillén Valdovinos of Washington CAN!
On Saturday, July 24, members of Washington Community Action Network and NWFCO, along with social activists from Seattle, rallied and dropped banners both inside and outside Safeco Field at the sold-out Mariners game against the Boston Red Sox. Wearing bright yellow t-shirts with black letters spelling out the message “MLB BOYCOTT AZ,” they used their bodies and banners to urge the Mariners, Major League Baseball (MLB) and Commissioner Bud Selig to “Do the Right Thing” and move the 2011 All-Star Game out of Arizona.Continue reading “Washington CAN! Calls On Seattle Mariners to Boycott Arizona and Move The Game”
House Takes First Step To Increase Indian Health Services Funding
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 “House Takes First Step To Increase Indian Health Services Funding”
Congress Passes Financial Reform Bill!
On Thursday, July 15, Congress passed the strongest financial reform bill since the Great Depression, tightening restrictions on banks and Wall Street, cracking down on lending practices, and expanding consumer protections in order to prevent a repeat of the 2008 meltdown, the consequences from which we are still reeling. President Obama will sign the bill into law next week.Continue reading “Congress Passes Financial Reform Bill!”