In the shadows of the impeachment trials, which are likely to continue for weeks and months, the Trump Administration is advancing actions on homelessness and threatening the Medicaid program. Meanwhile, Congress is drawing out the budget process, and the courts are preventing some of the worst of the administration’s policies from taking effect. Catch up on the news you need to know and take some time to share some gratitude in this Thanksgiving Week edition of The Mobilizer.
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Health Center Funding: Last week, Congress passed a temporary funding bill through Dec. 20 that includes funding for community health centers, setting the stage for a month of negotiations as we come up against yet another funding cliff. Follow the latest updates and TAKE ACTION on health center funding by emailing your member of Congress with quick, easy tools from our partners at the National Association of Community Health Centers.
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Upcoming Medicaid Proposals: Earlier this month in a speech to the National Association of Medicaid Directors, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid’s Director, Seema Verma, gave advance notice of proposed regulations involving a number of issues important to the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) community: permitting block grants, scrutinizing supplemental payments, incorporating social determinants of health into value-based financing, and tightening eligibility verification standards. Dedicated advocacy efforts from the Council and many others paid off when the administration pulled back guidance (rather than finalizing it as expected) on block grants. We expect other proposals—especially the one around tightening eligibility—will be released in the next few months (heads up!). Meanwhile, check out new research on how Medicaid saves lives!
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Judge Tosses Trump’s Moral Conscience Rule: A judge blocked the rule that makes it easier for medical providers to refuse to administer care based on moral or religious objection, calling it "unconstitutionally coercive." We are awaiting action from the administration to see if they will continue to challenge this in the courts. Read our comments against the implementation of this rule.
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Candidate Corner: The November mid-terms produced notable results for health care, particularly in Kentucky, where work requirements were on the line. The sixth Presidential Debate in Atlanta, GA, raised the topic of affordable housing for the first time on a national level. Watch Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren, and Cory Booker talk about housing and mark your calendars for the next debate on December 19. Stay tuned for more opportunities for action as we get closer to the 2020 elections and refer to our letters on state and local and national questions for candidates.
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Immigration Policy: Last month federal courts stopped the public charge regulation from taking effect. However, we continue to see how this policy and others that attempt to punish immigrants negatively impact the health of our communities. Remember—creating a safe space is advocacy. You can print to post: ALL ARE WELCOME HERE and this new resource, Public Charge: Does this apply to me? Available in: Anharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
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| Honor Homeless Persons' Memorial Day on December 21
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On Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day (HPMD)—commemorated annually since 1990 on or around December 21, the first day of winter and longest night of the year—communities across the country come together to remember those who have died without stable housing, reflect on the shocking inhumanity of homelessness, and call for meaningful policy changes to ensure that no life is lived or lost in homelessness. Each HPMD event is unique to its community, and the commemorations often include reading of names, candles, prayers, personal remembrances, marches, and moments of silence. Find an event near you or register your event with our partner, the National Coalition for the Homeless. For questions about how to organize an event or to share photos of your event, reach out to Katherine Cavanaugh, Consumer Advocate. Stay tuned for more from the Council in the next few weeks.
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Publications in the media are a highly effective advocacy tool that educate the public about the work of the HCH community. Has your work or program been featured in the media? Share it with us.
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Listen, subscribe, rate, and review the Council’s Poverty Policy Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher. In each episode, Council staff talk with expert guests to explore the connection between structural and social policy issues and poverty. Topics include yoga, community, work, immigration, and food security!
Are you grateful for the work of the Council? Your donations help support our advocacy.
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Did you receive Mobilizer as a forwarded email or hear about it via social media? Register now to receive our action alerts each month!
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Take Action: Practice Gratitude
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Statements of Gratitude from National HCH Council Staff:
• I am grateful that in the face of a rise in homelessness, and the NIMBYism and cruelty that accompany it, our members are as persistent and passionate as ever. - Michael Durham, Technical Assistance Manager
• I am thankful to have a job that helps keep a roof over my head (and be able to repair the leaks) and offers health insurance coverage. - Brenda Wright, Executive Assistant
• I am grateful for inspiring colleagues that I learn from every single day. - Lily Catalano, Project Manager
• I’m grateful for three informative and successful training events this year and for the opportunity to continue to learn something new every day! - Cecilia Teichert, Training Coordinator
• I’m grateful for a community full of advocates who are pushing for health care and housing justice! - Barbara DiPietro, Senior Director of Policy
• I’m grateful to work for an organization with a mission so closely aligned with my own values, on a team of social justice warriors who I learn from and laugh with daily! - Regina Reed, National Health Policy Organizer
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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.
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