Share this:
|
| “We grieve and stand in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community against the ongoing anguish of racism in our shared land. We are reminded once again -- with painful heartache -- that the history and current experience of racist hatred in our country extends far beyond Black and White." Read our statement and reflections from the HCH community.
| |
March 25, 2021 | Volume 25, No. 3 | Archives
| |
|
Vaccines, Medicaid, Single-Payer NOW, and More!
| |
A hard winter season is behind us, and spring comes with opportunities to act, promises of recovery, and exciting new legislation (Single-Payer NOW!)
| |
| COVID-19 and Vaccine Prioritization
| |
While vaccination rates increase and supplies make their way around the country, vaccine distribution and access remain inequitable. The Council’s work continues on prioritizing people experiencing homelessness for care. See our open letter to Governors and local officials, with over 90 endorsements, about inequities in vaccination prioritization and the need for more flexible state-level policies. Sign up for the bi-weekly Council COVID-19 Flash Blast to get the latest resources and updates.
| |
| TAKE ACTION: The HCH community must continue talking with Governors, local health authorities, community partners, and other policymakers to ensure people experiencing homelessness are getting vaccinated. This requires expanded eligibility, low-barrier approaches, provider flexibility, and open communication. Reference our open letter and/or contact kleague@nhchc.org for further consultation and resources on advocating for people without homes in your community.
| |
|
Storytelling is a powerful form of advocacy. The latest edition of the National Consumer Advisory Board’s newsletter, The Consumer Voice, features perspectives from people with the lived experience of homelessness on getting the COVID-19 vaccine and surviving a COVID-19 diagnosis, along with other stories, poetry, interactive media, and contributions from the Council’s policy team.
| |
|
The single-payer bill (H.R. 1976 Medicare-for-All) was reintroduced on March 17 in the U.S. House of Representatives with a record-breaking 112 co-sponsors. Watch the launch event (and look for our CEO at 1:14:09). Learn more about single-payer and why the Council believes it is the best solution for achieving health equity on our landing page.
| |
| TAKE ACTION: To get a vote on the House floor, at least 106 more House members must signal support. Individuals may sign a petition telling Congress we need Medicare-for-All. Want to do more? Find online trainings, a storytelling portal, and local advocacy chapters with Healthcare-NOW! or contact rreed@nhchc.org and we’ll help connect you with your member of Congress.
| |
Medicaid Changes Under Biden
| |
The Biden administration is reversing actions of the Trump administration to undermine Medicaid. This month, following action to discourage work requirements, the Biden administration withdrew Medicaid waivers for work requirements in Arkansas and New Hampshire. Now a moot issue, the Supreme Court pulled the work requirement case off their agenda. There is now also a large financial incentive for the 12 states (AL, GA, FL, KS, MS, NC, SC, SD, TN, TX, WI, WY) that haven’t expanded Medicaid to do so. Currently, the vast majority of HCH patients in non-expansion states are uninsured (how does YOUR state compare?). The American Rescue Plan Act (see more below) includes provisions that would increase a state’s Medicaid match rate for the traditional Medicaid population by 5% if a state expands. (This is in addition to the 6.2% increase through the end of the public health emergency.) More than 2 million people are in the coverage gap and could benefit if all states chose to expand. This is a major opportunity to Take Action if you live in a non-expansion state. NOW is the time to be loud with your Governor (find contact info) about the need to expand coverage. Use the state-by-state cost saving and coverage estimates (as well as the HCH data linked above) provided by Kaiser Family Foundation in your advocacy.
| |
The American Rescue Plan Act and What's Next in Congress
| |
Eviction Moratorium Approaches Expiration
| |
Point-In-Time Counts Shows Chronic and Unsheltered Homelessness is Rising
| |
|
This month, HUD released the 2020 Point-In-Time (PIT) count report, conducted in January 2020 before COVID-19 began. For the first time ever reported, the number of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness outnumbers those staying in shelters (209,413 vs. 199,478). The report shows homelessness increasing nationwide and a 15% increase in individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. While the 2020 count of 580,000, up from 568,000 in 2019, is considered an under-estimate by homeless policy experts, the PIT report provides the best national attempt to demonstrate the ongoing crisis of homelessness.
| |
Drug Policy Reform Bills on Our Radar
| |
|
In late February, Rep. Tonko (D-NY) re-introduced the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act that eliminates the requirement for practitioners to obtain a separate “X-waiver” through the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine. In the next few weeks, Senator Warren (D-MA) is expected to reintroduce the Care Act, which provides $100 billion for the opioid addiction crisis (see past press events at Boston’s HCH and Baltimore's HCH). The Council looks forward to working with our partners on Capitol Hill to make addiction treatment more accessible. Stay tuned in future Mobilizers for opportunities to advocate and provide input as these two bills gain traction in the coming months.
| |
Housing and Health Officials Confirmed
| |
|
Following the confirmation of Marcia Fudge for secretary of the Department of Housing and Development (HUD), this month Xavier Becerra was confirmed as the first Latinx secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Dr. Rachel Levine was also confirmed as assistant secretary for health at HHS, becoming the first openly transgender Senate-confirmed appointee.
| |
|
Join us at the virtual 2021 National HCH Conference & Policy Symposium on May 10-14, 2021. Whether you’re interested in exploring racial equity or medical respite/recuperative care, harm reduction, or trauma-informed care, we hope you will join us as we unite to explore the future of homeless health care and real solutions to homelessness. Note, the Council is providing subsidies to support attendance for people with the experience of homelessness.
| |
Did you receive Mobilizer as a forwarded email or hear about it via social media? Register now to receive our action alerts each month!
| |
This publication and all HCH advocacy are funded by dues from Organizational Members of the Council and by private donations. Consider joining the Council to support this work.
| |
|
|
|
|
604 Gallatin Ave., Suite 106 | Nashville, TN 37206 US
|
|
