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Jan. 12th, 2017
States Might Protect Contraception Access
Jan. 12th, 2017 12:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
executrixhttp://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-obamacare-contraception-idUSKBN14W1CD
Summary if the link doesn't work for you: There are state laws in California, Maryland, Vermont, and Illinois to back-stop the PPACA requirement that health insurance plans cover contraception, and similar bills may be introduced in New York, Minnesota, Colorado, and Massachusetts. In 28 states, insurance companies have to include coverage of contraception in policies, but not all of the statutes require contraceptives to be available to insured women *without copayments.*
Summary if the link doesn't work for you: There are state laws in California, Maryland, Vermont, and Illinois to back-stop the PPACA requirement that health insurance plans cover contraception, and similar bills may be introduced in New York, Minnesota, Colorado, and Massachusetts. In 28 states, insurance companies have to include coverage of contraception in policies, but not all of the statutes require contraceptives to be available to insured women *without copayments.*
satharihttp://elections.ap.org/content/state-election-systems-get-more-federal-aid-security
I'm posting this here as much for discussion on the pros and cons, and what kind of response people think we should have, if any, as a group. (The spirit of this is well-intentioned, but I can see a lot of ways for it to go wrong.)
I'm posting this here as much for discussion on the pros and cons, and what kind of response people think we should have, if any, as a group. (The spirit of this is well-intentioned, but I can see a lot of ways for it to go wrong.)
Action: Once more for the ACA
Jan. 12th, 2017 11:05 pmtassosssVox's rundown of the day. Top section is on what went on with last night's Senate votes to further set the stage for Obamacare repeal.
Basically the vote was straight down party lines, 51(R) to 48 (D). And the Ds forced amendment votes to keep all the major provisions like keeping kids on their parents plans till 26, covering pre-existing conditions, etc. The Rs voted them down, going for a straight up repeal.
Also from Vox: What the Republicans have so far for replacement plans.
These each keep different parts of the ACA. None of them solve healthcare.
Feel free to link to other articles. I picked these for their summary nature.
ACTION: Keep the pressure on the Republicans to at least have a replacement plan before they repeal, or not to repeal at all. Thank Democrats who support the ACA.
1. Info on finding your representatives contact info.
2. Call your Senators and Representatives. Star Wars achievement badges are in your future.
3. Here's your script from the "We're His Problem Now" google doc I would suggest copying the script into a word processor and filling in all the blanks before using it.
(If you use a subsidized plan) I’m ---- -----, a constituent calling to let <Senator/Representative ____> that I depend on <an ACA health plan, Medicare, Medicaid> for my health insurance coverage. I want the <Senator/Rep> to protect <ACA/Medicare/Medicaid> from cuts or changes that would result in a loss of coverage for me and millions of other Americans. Please ask <him/her> to fight for my right to health care!
(If you don’t use a subsidized plan) I’m ---- ---- a constituent calling to let <Senator/Representative ____> know that I want <him/her> to stand up for the subsidized health care plans that cover millions of Americans. Please ask <him/her> not to support cuts to Medicaid or Medicare or changes to the ACA that would result in a loss of coverage. Affordable health care is a priority issue for me and I will be paying close attention to how <Senator/Representative ____> votes.
4. Recognize that this will likely not be the last time you call about the ACA.
5. Let us know how it went.
Basically the vote was straight down party lines, 51(R) to 48 (D). And the Ds forced amendment votes to keep all the major provisions like keeping kids on their parents plans till 26, covering pre-existing conditions, etc. The Rs voted them down, going for a straight up repeal.
Also from Vox: What the Republicans have so far for replacement plans.
These each keep different parts of the ACA. None of them solve healthcare.
Feel free to link to other articles. I picked these for their summary nature.
ACTION: Keep the pressure on the Republicans to at least have a replacement plan before they repeal, or not to repeal at all. Thank Democrats who support the ACA.
1. Info on finding your representatives contact info.
2. Call your Senators and Representatives. Star Wars achievement badges are in your future.
3. Here's your script from the "We're His Problem Now" google doc I would suggest copying the script into a word processor and filling in all the blanks before using it.
(If you use a subsidized plan) I’m ---- -----, a constituent calling to let <Senator/Representative ____> that I depend on <an ACA health plan, Medicare, Medicaid> for my health insurance coverage. I want the <Senator/Rep> to protect <ACA/Medicare/Medicaid> from cuts or changes that would result in a loss of coverage for me and millions of other Americans. Please ask <him/her> to fight for my right to health care!
(If you don’t use a subsidized plan) I’m ---- ---- a constituent calling to let <Senator/Representative ____> know that I want <him/her> to stand up for the subsidized health care plans that cover millions of Americans. Please ask <him/her> not to support cuts to Medicaid or Medicare or changes to the ACA that would result in a loss of coverage. Affordable health care is a priority issue for me and I will be paying close attention to how <Senator/Representative ____> votes.
4. Recognize that this will likely not be the last time you call about the ACA.
5. Let us know how it went.
tassosssThe question has come up for folks who can't make phone calls but who still want to get in touch with their representatives: how do you take a phone script and make it a letter?
Guidelines - I pulled this list off of my representative's website and it's sound advice, I think:
Example
I'm going to use the ACA script from the We're His Problem Now google doc, since I have it handy.
Here's the phone script
I’m ---- ---- a constituent calling to let <Senator/Representative ____> know that I want <him/her> to stand up for the subsidized health care plans that cover millions of Americans. Please ask <him/her> not to support cuts to Medicaid or Medicare or changes to the ACA that would result in a loss of coverage. Affordable health care is a priority issue for me and I will be paying close attention to how <Senator/Representative ____> votes.
Step 1: Break the script into its parts. The easiest way is to put each sentence on a separate line.
I’m ---- ---- a constituent calling to let <Senator/Representative ____> know that I want <him/her> to stand up for the subsidized health care plans that cover millions of Americans.
Please ask <him/her> not to support cuts to Medicaid or Medicare or changes to the ACA that would result in a loss of coverage.
Affordable health care is a priority issue for me and I will be paying close attention to how <Senator/Representative ____> votes.
Step 2: Use each script sentence as the first line for each paragraph in your letter. This is your outline.
Header with your address
Header with Senator/Representitve's address
Dear Senator/Representaitve -----
I’m ---- ---- a constituent calling to let <Senator/Representative ____> know that I want <him/her> to stand up for the subsidized health care plans that cover millions of Americans.
Please ask <him/her> not to support cuts to Medicaid or Medicare or changes to the ACA that would result in a loss of coverage.
Affordable health care is a priority issue for me and I will be paying close attention to how <Senator/Representative ____> votes.
Sincerely
Badass Letterwriter
Step 3: Change any words needed to address the representative directly
Header with your address
Header with Senator/Representitve's address
Dear Senator/Representaitve -----
I’m ---- ---- a constituent writing to let you know that I want you to stand up for the subsidized health care plans that cover millions of Americans.
Please do not support cuts to Medicaid or Medicare or changes to the ACA that would result in a loss of coverage.
Affordable health care is a priority issue for me and I will be paying close attention to how you vote.
Sincerely
Badass Letterwriter
Step 4: Personalize the letter. Read through and probably in the second paragraph add something personal that makes this real to you. This letter is from the script where the LW isn't personally covered by an ACA plan, BUT that does not mean the LW is not personally affected by it. Drug prices. If you have female parts you may get contraceptive coverage, or equal premiums that you wouldn't otherwise. Young adults have staying on their parents insurance till 26. You may have a family member who has an ACA plan. Pre-existing conditions.
This part can be as short as a couple sentences, as in the example below, or you can go on for a paragraph. I wouldn't do more than that though unless it's a good story.
Header with your address
Header with Senator/Representitve's address
Dear Senator/Representaitve -----
I’m ---- ---- a constituent writing to let you know that I want you to stand up for the subsidized health care plans that cover millions of Americans.
Please do not support cuts to Medicaid or Medicare or changes to the ACA that would result in a loss of coverage. My sister has a pre-existing condition that prevented her from being covered by health insurance until the ACA. Before the ACA she was handed a $50,000 hospital bill for surgery that saved her life. Under the ACA she doesn't have to fear that she has to choose between her life or bankruptcy.
Affordable health care is a priority issue for me and I will be paying close attention to how you vote.
Sincerely
Badass Letterwriter
(If you want to throw down, you can add as a last line before Sincerely: "See you at your next townhall." But only if you're actually going to go.)
Step 5: You're done! Sign the letter, pop it in the mail, and wait anxiously by the mailbox to see if you get a form letter in response.
Guidelines - I pulled this list off of my representative's website and it's sound advice, I think:
- In an easy to read format, with a clear purpose stated in the first paragraph
- Regarding a single issue, not a group of unrelated issues
- Not attempting to begin a dialogue, which is better conducted on the phone or in person
- Directed to the appropriate office: committee business to the committee, and constituent business to the Member's personal office
- In your own words, not copied from a form letter or Web site
- From an individual, not an intermediary organization or Web site
Example
I'm going to use the ACA script from the We're His Problem Now google doc, since I have it handy.
Here's the phone script
I’m ---- ---- a constituent calling to let <Senator/Representative ____> know that I want <him/her> to stand up for the subsidized health care plans that cover millions of Americans. Please ask <him/her> not to support cuts to Medicaid or Medicare or changes to the ACA that would result in a loss of coverage. Affordable health care is a priority issue for me and I will be paying close attention to how <Senator/Representative ____> votes.
Step 1: Break the script into its parts. The easiest way is to put each sentence on a separate line.
I’m ---- ---- a constituent calling to let <Senator/Representative ____> know that I want <him/her> to stand up for the subsidized health care plans that cover millions of Americans.
Please ask <him/her> not to support cuts to Medicaid or Medicare or changes to the ACA that would result in a loss of coverage.
Affordable health care is a priority issue for me and I will be paying close attention to how <Senator/Representative ____> votes.
Step 2: Use each script sentence as the first line for each paragraph in your letter. This is your outline.
Header with your address
Header with Senator/Representitve's address
Dear Senator/Representaitve -----
I’m ---- ---- a constituent calling to let <Senator/Representative ____> know that I want <him/her> to stand up for the subsidized health care plans that cover millions of Americans.
Please ask <him/her> not to support cuts to Medicaid or Medicare or changes to the ACA that would result in a loss of coverage.
Affordable health care is a priority issue for me and I will be paying close attention to how <Senator/Representative ____> votes.
Sincerely
Badass Letterwriter
Step 3: Change any words needed to address the representative directly
Header with your address
Header with Senator/Representitve's address
Dear Senator/Representaitve -----
I’m ---- ---- a constituent writing to let you know that I want you to stand up for the subsidized health care plans that cover millions of Americans.
Please do not support cuts to Medicaid or Medicare or changes to the ACA that would result in a loss of coverage.
Affordable health care is a priority issue for me and I will be paying close attention to how you vote.
Sincerely
Badass Letterwriter
Step 4: Personalize the letter. Read through and probably in the second paragraph add something personal that makes this real to you. This letter is from the script where the LW isn't personally covered by an ACA plan, BUT that does not mean the LW is not personally affected by it. Drug prices. If you have female parts you may get contraceptive coverage, or equal premiums that you wouldn't otherwise. Young adults have staying on their parents insurance till 26. You may have a family member who has an ACA plan. Pre-existing conditions.
This part can be as short as a couple sentences, as in the example below, or you can go on for a paragraph. I wouldn't do more than that though unless it's a good story.
Header with your address
Header with Senator/Representitve's address
Dear Senator/Representaitve -----
I’m ---- ---- a constituent writing to let you know that I want you to stand up for the subsidized health care plans that cover millions of Americans.
Please do not support cuts to Medicaid or Medicare or changes to the ACA that would result in a loss of coverage. My sister has a pre-existing condition that prevented her from being covered by health insurance until the ACA. Before the ACA she was handed a $50,000 hospital bill for surgery that saved her life. Under the ACA she doesn't have to fear that she has to choose between her life or bankruptcy.
Affordable health care is a priority issue for me and I will be paying close attention to how you vote.
Sincerely
Badass Letterwriter
(If you want to throw down, you can add as a last line before Sincerely: "See you at your next townhall." But only if you're actually going to go.)
Step 5: You're done! Sign the letter, pop it in the mail, and wait anxiously by the mailbox to see if you get a form letter in response.