April Newsletter
The temperature and the health care campaign are both starting to heat up, and we hope that you're ready to actively participate in all this spring has to offer. Since the primary ended (at least in New Hampshire!), our team has been contacting the thousands of new Health Care Voters that have joined with us to push for access to quality, affordable health care for every American. It is incredible how we have grown to a powerful group of over 75,000 Health Care Voters in New Hampshire in just five years.
This year will be more important than ever to the health care movement. Health Care Voters across the country are going to lay the groundwork this summer and fall to make sure that the next legislature enacts comprehensive health care reform at the federal level in the spring of 2009. Health care costs are continuing to skyrocket while access is continuing to decline. Elected officials and candidates have heard loud and clear that we want change. New Hampshire for Health Care has a determined and committed plan to hold these public officials accountable for lowering health care costs and expanding access to health care coverage.
We're going to need your help to make it happen. This newsletter has details about upcoming events, phonebanks and actions that will help keep health care at the top of the agenda. Whether you're able to join us in these activities or simply sign-up more Health Care Voters, every advancement we make brings us one step closer to making sure working families have access to quality, affordable health care.
In good health,
John, Emmanuel, Andy, Derek, Tim, Zandra
In the newsletter:
- Health Care Voters Call on Senator McCain to Fill in the Gaps
- State House Health Care Legislation
- Purple Points online
- Health Care in the News
- Health Care Story: Kathleen Shine Cain
- The Road to American Health Care
- Campaign Internships
- Cover the Uninsured Week
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Health Care Voters Call on Senator McCain to Fill in the Gaps
Recently, Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain returned to New Hampshire for a "Thank You" rally in Exeter. New Hampshire for Health Care attended the event to recognize Sen. McCain for securing the Republican nomination, while at the same time continuing to pressure him to fill in the gaps in his health care proposal. These include gaps in ensuring access to quality, affordable health care coverage for every American, gaps in addressing disparities in insurance coverage, gaps in controlling spiraling health care costs, and gaps in choices of doctors and health care plans.
One of the glaring omissions in Sen. McCain's health care proposal is a commitment to stop insurance companies from discriminating against individuals who have a pre-existing condition, like cancer survivors. Instead of preventing the insurance companies from picking and choosing only the healthiest people to provide coverage for, Sen. McCain has instead pushed for tax incentives. We need our next president to stand up to the insurance companies – not give them tax giveaways for doing the right thing.
- Health Care Voter Testimonial: "As a medical billing secretary, I have witnessed for many years patients being denied insurance coverage because of their medical history, including birth anomalies or surviving a fight with cancer. Senator McCain needs to recognize the gaps in his health care proposal and put patients' needs before the insurance companies." - Ann Delaney, Manchester
- Elizabeth Edwards Speaks Out About McCain's Plan: Last week, Elizabeth Edwards also highlighted that Senator McCain's health care plan doesn't prevent discrimination against pre-existing conditions. Under his current proposal, neither Edwards nor McCain, both cancer survivors from breast cancer and melanoma respectively, would be covered. Elizabeth Edwards has a guest blog entitled "Why Are People Like Me Left Out Of Your Health Care Proposal, Sen. McCain?" Blog
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State House Health Care Legislation
New Hampshire for Health Care has been following the progress of health care-related bills at the State House. Here are brief descriptions and updates on the status of a couple of those bills:
SB 540 / NH HealthFirst
Description. Senate Bill 540 authorizes the creation of a comprehensive and affordable, wellness-focused health insurance benefit for small businesses (nonprofits included) and their employees. It doesn't use public funding and small business participation is voluntary, but it does require all health insurance carriers with over 1,000 covered lives in New Hampshire to offer the NH HealthFirst coverage plan for small businesses with up to 50 employees.
Proactive measures. The legislation is modeled on a successful initiative in Rhode Island and is designed to decrease the burden of rising health care costs on small businesses and support employer efforts to maintain coverage. Five key components that otherwise drive health care costs are proactively addressed: promotion of patient wellness, primary care, and the establishment of a medical home; coordination of care for persons with chronic or acute illness; the use of effective, least cost care; and the employment of best practice, evidenced-based, patient-centered care.
Proven success. If approved, it is projected that small businesses taking advantage of the NH HealthFirst plan (and their employees) would experience a cost savings of at least 15% on their health insurance premiums, based on current data. The equivalent plan in Rhode Island has resulted in a 17% reduction in small employer premium cost.
Update. The NH HealthFirst bill is an innovative and bipartisan initiative proposed by Governor Lynch, with Senator Kathy Sgambati as the lead sponsor. It passed the Senate on March 20, 2008 and the House Commerce committee heard public testimony today, April 10, 2008. It's expected that the committee will take a vote in the near future.
SB 312 / Coverage for Obesity & Morbid Obesity
Description. This bill would require each insurer that issues or renews a policy providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses to extend coverage for the diseases and ailments caused by obesity and morbid obesity and treatment for such, including bariatric surgery, when the prescribing physician has issued a written order stating that treatment is medically necessary and in accordance with the patient qualifications and treatment standards set forth by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery or the American College of Surgeons. Such treatment standards may include, but not be limited to, pre-operative psychological screening and counseling, behavior modification, weight loss, exercise regimens, nutritional counseling, and post-operative follow-up, overview, and counseling of dietary, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
Proactive measures. According to Sen. Clegg, the primary sponsor: "In 2005, "the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that obesity has an annual cost of $117 billion and was associated with a 37 percent increase in per capita annual medical expenses." These costs are associated with expenses from heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other diseases and ailments connected to obesity. By providing resources, treatments and, if necessary, surgery, the bill intends to lower health care costs by circumventing the development or prolongation of these diseases.
Proven success. One of the examples cited by Clegg, "Recent studies have shown that just a month after bariatric surgery, roughly 90 percent of diabetics no longer need insulin."
Update. SB 312 passed the Senate on March 20, 2008 and the next hearing is scheduled for the House Commerce committee on April 15, 2008.
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In appreciation of all of our dedicated volunteers, we are launching Purple Points Online.
As you may know, Purple Points is a way for us to recognize the people who have joined together to make our work in advancing health care reform a success. Though nothing could match the gratitude we have for you, we hope that the accumulation of points towards New Hampshire for Health Care gear and gifts expresses some small portion of it. The launch of Purple Points Online - the rewards system incorporated into our website - makes it easier than ever to participate. You can access thru the Purple Points button on the right-hand side of this web page. Here, you can track your volunteer activities and reward potentials as you help us continue to work toward ensuring every American has access to quality, affordable health care.
If you're already enrolled in Purple Points, you should have received log-in information last week. If you would like to join the Purple Points program and earn points towards New Hampshire for Health Care gear and other exciting purple wear, contact your local organizer or e-mail volunteer@nhforhealthcare.org.
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Health Care in the News
Forced to work: People are working past retirement age to afford health insurance
VENTURA, Calif. – There are many reasons H. Gene Hansmeier wants to retire. He has worked since he was 10 and delivered the Waterloo Courier newspaper in Iowa. He wants to restore antique Fords, build his own furniture and travel to Ireland with his wife. There is one reason the 59-year-old man continues to work 10-hour days as the director of a training program for apprentice electricians: health insurance. "I'd have to pay for it out of my own pocket," he said. "It'll be somewhere around $900 a month. It's a good reason not to retire." Many public and private employers that once helped retirees pay for healthcare have either cut or eliminated the contributions. People who want to retire before they qualify for Medicare have to find insurers willing to cover them. They have to pay premiums that for a couple ages 60-64 average $9,200 a year, according to a study from the insurance industry. They'll have out-of-pocket costs of close to $1,500 a year, according to the National Institute of Aging. Read more
Insured and fighting for coverage: Nashua man covered by 3 insurance plans has filed 2 suits to get medical bills paid
NASHUA – Leo Marquis had health-insurance coverage under three different plans. You wouldn't think he would need to hire a lawyer to get his medical bills paid, but you would be mistaken. The 60-year-old Nashua man has had to file not one but two lawsuits in an attempt to get one of the plans to pay more than $25,000 in medical bills owed to local health-care providers, court records show. Marquis first sued in 2006, seeking to goad at least one of his insurers to cover his medical expenses. Last year, a federal court judge ruled Marquis' wife's employer should pick up the tab. Marquis sued again earlier this month in Hillsborough County Superior Court, after the company still refused to pay, the suit states. "It's just a tragedy. The man is a victim of having multiple coverage, and responsibility is shirked by everyone by instinct," Marquis' lawyer, Peter Webb, of Nashua, said Thursday. Read more
New Hampshire for Health Care was also in the news recently, drawing attention for our efforts calling on Senator McCain to fill in the gaps in his health care proposal.
McCain gets cheers, some jeers, in Exeter
While McCain received tremendous support inside Town Hall, protesters outside criticized him for being "more of the same" as President Bush, bringing on a continuing failing economy and urging him to do more with his health care policy. Full article
McCain says he's ready for the call
McCain was met outside the town hall by sign-holding demonstrators chanting, "Bush-McCain, more of the same," and was both criticized before his arrival in the state by the organized labor leaders, who called him anti-worker, and questioned by a group called New Hampshire for Health Care for not supporting universal health care. Full article
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Health Care Voter Story: Kathleen Cain, Windham
"My brother suffers from severe rheumatoid arthritis, the treatment of which involves a variety of prescription medications, frequent physician visits, and occasional invasive procedures—all of which are exceedingly expensive. Jim works in a restaurant that requires service personnel to average a minimum number of hours per week in order to qualify for health care benefits. If an employee fails to maintain the required number of hours in a given quarter, benefits are suspended until the next open enrollment period, which could be as much as a year away. Even those who maintain benefits pay high premiums and co-pays. Since the cost of health care is skyrocketing, it is in the best interest of the restaurant chain to attempt to keep the number of eligible employees at a minimum. At the same time, illness that prevents an employee from maintaining the minimum number of hours already jeopardizes coverage. Thus, employees who rely on coverage from the chain are constantly struggling to keep their medical coverage, while the employer is constantly attempting to eliminate employees from eligibility." Read more
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The Road to American Health Care
Americans for Health Care – the national outreach project that New Hampshire for Health Care is a part of – is launching a national Health Care Voter tour similar to the very successful NH tour we hosted in December.
The Road to American Health Care Tour will increase urgency and momentum for health care reform by building an ever louder drumbeat for health care. Through nationally coordinated days of action, it will involve Health Care Voters, allies and partners across the country to build a broad movement for change and amplify our message for comprehensive health care reform. New Hampshire for Health Care will be participating in these thematic national days of action. More info coming!
Interested in helping organize and coordinate a national day of action? Have creative ideas for keeping health care reform front and center? Contact Field Director Emmanuel Falck, Emmanuel@nhforhealthcare.org to join the planning committee.
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Campaign Internships
New Hampshire for Health Care is looking for motivated, organized and dedicated individuals to assist in our grassroots educational campaign to raise the national voice on health care specifically around the November elections. Interns will assist the staff in organizing Health Care Voters to participate in neighbor-to-neighbor programs, Lobby Days, electoral education, press opportunities, phone-banks, canvasses, voter contact, and other grass roots campaign tactics. Interns will be given significant leadership opportunities and be expected to demonstrate enthusiasm and flexibility in a fast-paced campaign setting.
We're seeking:
(3) Field Organizing Interns
(1) Communications Intern
(1) Documentary Film Intern
This opportunity is perfect for students seeking a rewarding intern experience, or individuals with spare time who want to learn the ropes of grassroots campaigning. Full internship descriptions are available on our Web site - see side panel.
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Cover the Uninsured Week is the nation's largest mobilization on behalf of America's 47 million uninsured. The week has brought together business owners, union members, educators, students, patients, hospital staff, physicians, nurses, faith leaders and their congregants, and many others to speak out on behalf of the uninsured and demand that our national leaders make the issue of the uninsured their top priority.
New Hampshire for Health Care, in collaboration with other health care advocacy groups, is hosting a state event on Saturday, April 26th to kick-off the sixth annual Cover the Uninsured Week, April 27th - May 3rd, and help get America covered. We'll start with a short press conference/canvass kick-off and then go door-to-door in Manchester to talk with people about the need for comprehensive health care reform. These one-on-one conversations at the door are among our most effective tools for building public support for a more cost-efficient, accessible health care system. Please join us –
Event: Cover the Uninsured Week press conference and canvass*
Date: Saturday, April 26th at 10:00 a.m.
Location: 40 W. Brook Street, Manchester
Info/RSVP: volunteer@nhforhealthcare.org
* Phonebank option for those unable to walk door-to-door.
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Health Care by the Numbers
3,300 The total number of events and activities from Cover the Uninsured Week 2007, with actions in all 50 states, including 1,898 enrollment events, 533 health fairs, 135 campus events, 95 interfaith events, 90 community forums, 87 small business seminars and 38 news conferences.
75,000 Health Care Voters in New Hampshire
44,883 Number of picture views on New Hampshire for Health Care's Flickr page
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Messages from our friends
Health Care Voter Ann Marie Morse, the driving force behind Michelle's Law, and Michelle's mom:
Michelle Morse Memorial Blood Drive will be held at Pembroke Academy (where I teach) on Friday, April 18 from 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Please contact Carolyn McNamara, of the Manchester Red Cross at 625-1951 ext 134 to schedule an appointment. Pembroke Academy Student Senate is hoping to collect at least 65 pints of blood. Hopefully, you will be able to donate so P.A.S.S. will make their goal. Again, please feel free to forward this email to others who may be interested in giving blood. Please, donate blood ? share your good health - lives are depending on it!
On behalf of patients who will benefit from your generosity.
Hope to see you on the 18th.
Many thanks!
AnnMarie
Michelle's Mom
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A message from our friends at the Sierra Club:
A Healthy Environment = Healthier People
Power 2 Change Rally
Join us for an Earth Day Rally for Clean Energy! We will call on candidates up and down the ballot to take action for a clean energy future for America. We'll have speakers, music and fun!
Tuesday - April 22nd 5:00-7:00 PM
City Hall Plaza - Manchester
If you're unable to make it, please check out our petition at www.sierraclub.org/power2change.