This event is also on our calendar (off to the left-hand side), but given the significance of the launch event, it deserves some additional exposure. Hope to see you there!
Health Care for America Now! is launching nationwide on July 8 with the goal of getting quality, affordable health care that we can all count on in 2009.
The Universal Health Care Foundation just sent out information about some upcoming plays to be performed by the HartBeat Ensemble throughout July. Here are some excerpts from their message:
Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut is joining with HartBeat Ensemble, Connecticut’s theater for social change, for a series of outdoor summer plays that spotlight the state’s growing health care crisis. These free performances are based on personal stories derived from interviews with Connecticut residents.Here is a list of the dates and locations for the events, which all start at 4pm:
[...]
The HartBeat Ensemble scripts were developed from extensive interviews with state residents - including patients, health care providers, and business owners - who have suffered under Connecticut’s broken health care system. Although the plays deal with a serious topic, they use humor and drama to deliver the message.
[...]
Among the stories adapted for the stage are those of two beauty salon owners who can’t afford health insurance for their employee; a woman who can get the surgery she needs – if she leaves her husband and travels half-way around the world; an insurance company worker who can no longer stomach the job she’s asked to do; and a doctor’s office assistant who is losing ground in her battle against insurance denials and red tape.
The Charter Oak Plan, which intends to provide affordable health insurance for adults who are neither eligible for HUSKY nor Medicaid and Medicare, received its first applications on June 30. Ellen Andrews at the CT Health Notes blog succinctly summarizes the key points of the plan:
...universal, and high quality.
Unfortunately that is not yet the case, but if it were, perhaps the health care costs of Hartford retirees would not be about to increase by over 200%. Christine Stuart at CT News Junkie reports:
Flora Long and her husband currently pay about $4,900 a year for their health insurance, but as of July 1, they will be asked to pay $12,100 a year.
As a retired executive assistant to a school principal, Long said the 251 percent increase is simply unaffordable. “It’s incredulous to take on the group that’s the most vulnerable,” Long said before rejoining the picket line of about 50 other retired city and school workers outside City Hall Wednesday.
“This is not the City of Hartford I worked for,” Kathleen Collins, vice president of the Hartford Federation of Retired Teachers, said.
These retirees are covered for as long as they can afford to keep up with the ever-increasing contribution levels asked of them, but what kind of security is that? The fact that the costs borne by the retirees can increase unpredictably (and exorbitantly) from year-to-year requires them to make difficult decisions based on financial considerations as opposed to what is best for their health.
The CT News Junkie report about these retirees just serves as a reminder of why we are working toward health care that is continuous, affordable, and sustainable. When we get to that point, retirees will no longer have to protest a 251% increase in their premiums, levied on them in order to balance a municipal budget.
This week on the Health Care for All blog, we'll be featuring health care stories from real people. Several powerful personal health care stories were filmed at the HealthCare4Every1 rally (and the council meeting that followed) in Bristol, this is Rhiannon's.
This week on the Health Care for All blog, we'll be featuring health care stories from real people. Several powerful personal health care stories were filmed at the HealthCare4Every1 rally in Bristol, this is Rep. Boukus'.
This week on the Health Care for All blog, we'll be featuring health care stories from real people. Several powerful personal health care stories were filmed at the HealthCare4Every1 rally (and the council meeting that followed) in Bristol, this is Jody's.
This week on the Health Care for All blog, we'll be featuring health care stories from real people. Several powerful personal health care stories were filmed at the HealthCare4Every1 rally in Bristol, this is Joella's.
Rep. Frank Nicastro
Rep. Frank Nicastro spoke passionately at last week's rally (previous report here) about the importance of never forgetting where you came from, and about our responsibility to fight for adequate and affordable health care for all.
Governor Rell announced late Friday, June 13th that she had vetoed HB 5536, An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership. In her statement, Rell emphasizes her agreement with the spirit of the bill:
“Not only do I believe the measure is well-intentioned, I also believe the concept has real potential to help at least some cities, towns, nonprofits and small businesses reduce their health care costs,” Governor Rell said.
As nice as it is that Governor Rell agrees with the intention of the bill, Representative Chris Donovan says that the basis of her veto is flawed, as reported by Christine Stuart at CT News Junkie:
Majority Leader Chris Donovan, D-Meriden, said, “The information the governor used to reach her decision is wrong - she was swayed by threats and numbers from the insurance companies and not the comprehensive analysis that we provided.”
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said, “This veto will be a lasting legacy — an unnecessary, unfair setback to public health. This tragic missed opportunity blocks good insurance for hundreds of thousands of Connecticut citizens.”
Want to help us bring about health care that is universal, continuous, affordable, sustainable and high quality?
Of course you do!
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