ProgressOhio

"We will not sacrifice profitability for membership." -WellPoint CEO Angela Braly to investors, April 2008.

We need your help in Columbus on Tuesday.

Two weeks ago, we launched the Health Care for America Now campaign in cities across the country. Our question for decisionmakers in Washington and in state capitols across the country: "Which Side Are You On?" Are you with us for quality, affordable health care for all? Or are you for leaving us on our own with the insurance industry?

Click here to take action

Already, the health insurance industry has started its own campaign, and it launches this Tuesday in Columbus. They're claiming their new "Campaign for an American Solution" is a "grassroots" movement to "reform" the health care system.

We're going to call it what it is: Industry is running a PR campaign to protect its profits in the face of massive public outcry about the health care system.

This Tuesday, we need YOUR help to tell the real story of how the insurance industry puts profits first:

• From 2000 to 2006, Health insurance premiums in Ohio increased more than 8 times faster than paychecks.
• From 2003 to 2007, the biggest health insurer in Ohio saw its profits double - and shipped out of Ohio.
• Meanwhile its top two executives made over $9 million in 2007.
• In 2006 health insurers gave $135,000 to candidates for Governor and State Legislature to be sure that the State didn't enact laws to protect Ohio's health consumers.

This Tuesday, while the Industry holds its sham "grassroots" event at the YWCA downtown, we'll be rallying outside. We need YOU to help us let the public know what the Industry is really up to. Tell the real story of the health care crisis in this country and why we need real reform. We need you to ask the leaders of your community, "Which Side are you on?" Are you with us for quality, affordable health care for all? Or are you for leaving us on our own with the insurance industry?

WHAT: "Which Side Are You On?" March and rally

WHO: HCAN (Health Care for America Now) coalition partners

WHEN: Tuesday, July 22, 11:00 AM

WHERE: March from Hyatt on Capitol Square (corner of State and S. 4th Sts.) to the YWCA (65 S. 4th St., downtown Columbus)

Click here to RSVP.

We will provide signs and banners.

Can't come Tuesday? Click here to tell us YOUR health care story. The Industry puts profits before people - how has that impacted you and your family?

1.2 million Ohioans continue to go without health insurance. And for those of who are insured, we keep paying more and getting less.

Insurance companies are launching their campaign Tuesday to protect their bottom line, so they can keep putting profits before people.

It's time to put our leaders to work for taxpayers again, not for big insurance companies.

Click here to take action today.

Thanks for your support!

Brian Rothenberg
Executive Director
ProgressOhio.org

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Kathleen Kelly is the mother of three. A little more than a decade ago her marriage ended and Kathleen found herself with sole custody of her children aged 5, 8, and 10 years. Since her ex- spouse was not involved and in fact non- supportive, Kathleen’s labor provided their sole means of support.

Working in retail she never got enough hours to qualify for any benefits. It seems that her employer never considered working her enough to qualify or perhaps it was by design….she never knew. Even though she remained not quite full time she was able to provide the basics for her family.

With the older children in school and just enough to hire daycare for the youngest of her children their existence was practically “hand to mouth”.

Then one day the inevitable happened. In the wee hours her eight year old woke with an upset stomach and fever. Like all parents, Kathleen sat up in the night trying to comfort her child, while waiting for the hour at which she could call the physician’s office to arrange an appointment.

The other, more agonizing reality, was that she would have to call her employer. She knew that she would, at the very least, be forfeiting her wages to take care of her child. There was no question what her decision would be. What she didn’t know was the extent to which she would be threatened.

Once on the phone, with the her manager at the high-end women’s apparel shop where she worked, Kathleen was exhorted by the manager to make other arrangements for the care of her child. The manager even suggested the older sibling might stay home with the younger child.

With no support system of extended family and the impossible suggestion of leaving her ill child with a sibling, it became apparent that there was no compassion for her situation from her superior. At some point in the conversation it was even suggested the employer would have to find someone more reliable.

By this time openly sobbing Kathleen pleaded with her manager exclaiming “Please, just don’t fire me!”

The manager eventually relented and Kathleen was able to care for her child and keep her job. With a days wages gone however, that month was a little tighter financially at the Kelly household. After that experience Kathleen never viewed her workplace the same again. In short order she found a better situation with another employer and left the retail job.

Though many years have past, Kathleen vividly remembers her feelings that day and knows that it is wrong to treat people in that way. She solidly supports the Ohio Healthy Families Act and the dignity it recognizes in every person.

Please Sign a Message Of Support For The Ohio Healthy Families Act Here

Introduction by Michael Carano

It seems that our drive for single-payer is being diffused by those pushing to get voters out for the Democratic candidate, Obama. Now electing Obama is a good thing, so don’t get me wrong, but my fear is that the Dems will be using the health care card in 2008 as they did the Irag Occupation card in 2006 in order to get votes.

In the process, as you will see by the two articles I post, one from a Labor Party writer whom I know and respect, and the other from a woman in Florida who has insight into what is going on and how it will confuse voters about what is the best solution for real health care reform (single-payer, specifically Rep, John Conyers H.R. 676) and the fuzzy incremental approaches as put forth by Obama and the new coalition mentioned in the articles.

Let us not be confused as to what the new coalition is proposing, and let us be clear as to why we support single-payer over these wishy-washy plans proposed under the guise of “Universal Health Care” and their real shortcomings, they being bandaids to the real problem that a true universal, single-payer health care plan will cure.

So let's start acting with a bit of honesty in the debate.   Since we tend to lead first then educate when possible, this for your consumption. Our hope is that you will start being honest brokers in the debate and begin dealing fairly with Progressive Democrats of America and quit--like your precursors--as seeing us as a threat.  We only are a threat to the those who will hold back real reform. Thus, this is a kind of request too.  Please don't undermine our work through co-opting it, and reference our lead when applicable, as any honest group would do, as in Rep. Suttons stop-loss work; our being a prime  mover behind of Citizens Save Our Sewers Coalition in Akron, and our consistent and unremitting anti-war work, as in our past March organizing.  We are the good guys, so please quite seeing us a threat.  We understand what you are about. We just expect you to be honest about it. We will always be honest with what we are about.  Thus, on with the education portion of our work:

By Miles Mogulescu
Huffington Post
July 10, 2008

Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, questioned Sen. John McCain's commitment to women's health care after Sen. McCain could not answer when asked if he thought it was fair that insurance companies cover Viagra but not birth control.

"Time after time, Sen. McCain has shown that he is out of touch when it comes to women's health care," said Cecile Richards, Planned Parenthood Action Fund president. "Birth control is basic health care for women. But yesterday, Sen. McCain ducked a straightforward question about whether he thinks insurance companies should cover birth control. Women in America are still waiting for his answer." 

In 2003, McCain voted NO on the Murray Amendment (S.Amdt 258 to S. 3, vote 45, 3/11/03), which would have improved the availability of contraceptives for women and required insurance coverage of prescription birth control.

Yesterday, aboard his campaign bus, the Straight Talk Express, had this exchange with a reporter: 

Reporter: "? It was unfair that insurance companies cover Viagra but not birth control. Do you have an opinion on that?"

McCain responded: "I don't know enough about it to give you an informed answer."

McCain went on to say, "It's something that I had not thought much about, and I did hear about her response, but I hadn't thought much. But I will get, I will get back to you today on it."

According to the Guttmacher Institute, "Nearly all sexually active women (98 percent in 2002) have used at least one method of birth control."

Guttmacher also reports that women spend 68 percent more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men, in part because of reproductive health-related supplies and services.

Watch It:

Obama Endorses Paid Sick Days

Ohioans for Healthy Families, the state-wide coalition behind the paid sick day ballot initiative in the Buckeye state, expressed delight today that Illinois Senator and Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama has decided to make seven paid sick days a key part of his campaign for the White House.

At campaign events yesterday and today in New York, Virginia, Michigan and Missouri, Sen. Obama and his wife, Michelle, are highlighting paid sick days as part of a plan to bring economic security to America's working women. According to the Obama campaign, the plan is designed to help women and families deal with a range of work-related challenges.

In a statement accompanying the plan's release, Sen. Obama said:

"I don't accept ... an America that makes women choose between their kids and their careers. It's unacceptable that women are denied jobs or promotions because they've got kids at home. It's unacceptable that 22 million working women don't have a single paid sick day. When I'm President, we'll take these critical issues head-on and help women and families thrive in a changing economy."

Coalition spokesman Dale Butland offered this reaction:

"We're delighted that Sen. Obama recognizes the importance of paid sick days and is making it a key part of his Presidential campaign. With Ohio polls consistently showing over 70% support for the Healthy Families Act, we hope Sen. McCain will do likewise. In any event, it's now clear that the Presidential campaign dialogue will include paid sick days. As a result, voters will be learning a lot more about this family values issue in the weeks ahead."

Note: In the U.S. Senate, Sen. Obama is a co-sponsor of S.910, a federal bill that would mandate allowing workers to earn 7 paid sick days per year. Sen. McCain is not a co-sponsor, and his position on paid sick days is unknown.

$40 Million Health Care Campaign to Launch in OHIO and Nationwide

Ohio Community Leaders Join Together to Push for Quality, Affordable Health Care for Every American

Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio- July 8, 2008 - Standing in a room where State Senators debate Ohio law, Coya Mobley of Dayton and Rev. Gregory Chandler of Cincinnati launched a major $40 million campaign to push for quality, affordable healthcare for every American Today.

Mobley and Chandler were hosted by Senate Minority Leader Ray Miller in the Statehouse's Minority Conference Room as she and 37 other state capitals and 52 cities began a new national campaign to bring together millions of Americans to make progress on healthcare access for all Americans.

Health Care for America Now (HCAN) is being launched by 95 national and local groups that represent labor, community organizations, doctors, nurses, women, small businesses, faith-based organizations, people of color, netroots activists, and think tanks. The goal is to create an environment where the first order of business of the next President and Congress is to pass legislation in 2009 that guarantees quality, affordable health care for all.

Health Care for America Now is an unprecedented coalition led by ACORN, AFSCME, Americans United for Change, Campaign for America's Future, Center for American Progress Action Fund, MoveOn, National Education Association, National Women's Law Center, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, SEIU, United Food and Commercial Workers, USAction through its Ohio Partner ProgressOhio and the Center for Community Change through its Ohio partner, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative (Ohio Gamaliel, Ohio ACORN, Ohio Baptist Convention and ESOP).

"In 2009, we will either have a guarantee of quality, affordable health care we all can count on or we will continue to be at the mercy of the private health insurance industry that is charging us more, giving us less and putting company profits before our health," said Coya Mobley of ACORN. "Back in Dayton and in communities all across the country, we're asking one question, 'Which side are you on?' Are you on the side of quality, affordable health care? Or are you on the side of being left alone to fend for yourself in a complicated, bureaucratic insurance market?"

One in four teenage girls has a sexually transmitted infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control. One in four! "Additionally, teen birth rates are going up and the cost of birth control is skyrocketing," said Gary Dougherty, State Legislative Director, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio.

On May 30, 2007, the bi-partisan Ohio Prevention First Act was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives.  This landmark legislation will reduce unintended pregnancies through:

• Realistic sex education and teen pregnancy prevention programs
• Funding for family planning programs
• Guaranteed access to birth control prescriptions
• Contraceptive equity
• Emergency contraception access and education

It is critical that this commonsense legislation be scheduled for a hearing before the end of the year.  You can help make that happen. 

Sign the petition urging the Chairman of the House Health Committee, Rep. Lynn Wachtmann (R-Napoleon), to schedule a hearing on the Ohio Prevention First Act.

PPAO and I appreciate your support. I can't think of any legislation the General Assembly could undertake that could benefit more Ohioans more positively health-wise.

Recently I met Steve Chaffin, an organizer for "Working Families Win". WFN strives to assist America's workers by changing government policy.

Steve is developing grassroots connections for new trade rules, improved healthcare, workers rights and increasing the minimum wage. As inflation continues; particularly in energy, organizations like WFN can become opportunities for rural communities to work together for a better future.

For more information: http://www.wfwin.org/index.php

Interviews with business owners and employees reveal strong evidence of the need for paid sick days in Ohio. Currently more than 2.2 million Ohio workers have no paid sick days and 3.3 million cannot use paid sick days to care for a sick child or parent. A coalition in Ohio seeks to change that. This report gives a face to the reasons why. Among the stories it tells:

• A now-retired volunteer administrator who used a paid sick day to get a mammogram, revealing a malignant lump – she worked through her treatment and has been cancer free since.

• A restaurant worker who has no paid sick days and admits to working when sick.

• Two employees who confess they’ve driven trucks or buses while sick because they couldn’t afford the day without pay.

• A mother with 17 years of seniority at a Cleveland factory who has a good vacation policy but gets “points” if she calls in sick without giving her employer advance notice.

• A mother who says she gave birth on a Saturday and returned to work without missing a day.

• Two employers who argue that providing paid sick days makes their workplaces more productive and competitive.

• A husband who could not miss work when his wife’s lymphoma required chemotherapy

• A father who, after what he describes as years of steady attendance, had to take unpaid time off for serious injuries, forcing his family to go into debt and seek food stamps and church assistance.

• Several professionals whose supportive policies have helped them meet their families’ needs and inspired deep commitment to their workplaces.

• Two men who felt torn when their mothers were hospitalized (one for heart surgery, one for cancer) and they couldn’t take a day off to assist.

• Widespread support for a legislative standard allowing employees to earn paid sick days.

The interviews reflected what government data confirms – that many Ohio employees (42 percent) do not have paid sick days and that low- and middle-income workers are less likely to have this standard than more affluent Ohioans. Half of those with paid sick days still do not miss a single day of work in an average year and a study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research finds that providing paid sick days in Ohio would yield a net savings of more than $1.00 per worker per week.

Press Release From Policy Matters Ohio

Full Report From Policy Matters Ohio

Paid Sick Days Ohio

As pressure mounts on policymakers to find a solution to America’s health care crisis, some lawmakers are promoting the individual health insurance market as the best avenue for reform. They propose providing tax credits for people who seek out and purchase health insurance on their own, suggesting that individuals will be able to find the best deal for themselves. However, without adequate consumer protections, the individual insurance market offers a raw deal. Individuals seeking health coverage on their own have virtually no bargaining power to obtain good health benefits at a reasonable rate.

OHIO FAILS TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS FROM ABUSIVE HEALTH INSURANCE PRACTICES, REPORT SAYS

Ohio law is failing to protect health care consumers from abusive practices by insurance companies, according to a report released Thursday.

Insurers are denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing health conditions, refusing to cover common ailments, and dropping policies for those facing rising health care costs, said Cathy Levine, co-chair of the Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage.

The group questioned the viability of Ohio statutes during a news conference to publicize the Families USA report.

"Ohio does not have adequate protections for consumers purchasing insurance on the individual market," Ms. Levine said.

The 50-state study of insurance regulations found that Ohio:

• Is not one of 35 states that limit how much insurers can increase premiums based on an individual's health status.

• Does not prohibit insurers from "cherry picking" the healthiest consumers. Five states do have such regulations.

• Allows insurers to exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions for up to a year, unlike 26 other states that prohibit the practice.

Ms. Levine called for state regulations to prevent insurers from continuing such practices.

"Right now there's a window of opportunity to make great strides in Ohio's health care system," she said, noting the topic has become a major campaign issue and is the subject of the governor's State Coverage Initiative to increase access to insurance.

Source: Gongwer News Service Ohio (Sub req)