Share this:
|
December 19, 2019 | Volume 23, No. 12 | Archives
| |
|
| 'Tis the Season for Advocacy
| |
by Barbara DiPietro, Ph.D., Senior Director of Policy
It’s been a busy year for advocacy! A government shutdown over border wall funding, work requirements and other barriers in Medicaid and food stamps, anti-immigrant policies, cuts to housing, and rollbacks of many civil rights protections occupied much of our attention throughout the year. Yes, we’re outraged, but we’re using that energy to make us stronger, more focused advocates—nationally and locally. We are battling human rights abuses and protecting vulnerable populations from being targeted. We are demanding diversity and equity in the face of racism and racial violence. We are advancing upstream solutions like single-payer health care and permanent housing. We are putting our values into action because we believe in a better community and in the inherent dignity of all people.
This holiday season, I give thanks to everyone out there in the HCH Community who is working hard to create a better world for all of us. Our advocacy allows us to experience Joy in the struggle for Justice together, and be invigorated by it. The feeling of solidarity with each other is the greatest gift we can share.
Happy Holidays to the HCH Community!
| |
- New Trump Administration Leadership on Homelessness: The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness has named Robert Marbut as its new Executive Director, replacing Matthew Doherty, who was ousted just prior to Thanksgiving. Mr. Marbut has a long history convincing local governments that the solution to homelessness lies in large-scale shelters rather than in housing-based approaches. We remain very concerned about the next steps the Trump Administration might take related to the criminalization of homelessness, a retreat from Housing First approaches, and a return to blaming individuals for their plight rather than addressing the structural causes of homelessness. More information about Mr. Marbut’s work and his views on homelessness is available in this 2017 HuffPost article and a recent Mother Jones article.
- Community Health Center Funding: By the end of the week Congress is expected to pass a massive spending bill for 2020 that includes five years of funding for community health centers (CHCs) and essential workforce programs. This is good news for health center advocacy, although budget negotiations are not without windfalls such as major cuts to Puerto Rico’s Medicaid money. TAKE ACTION! Follow funding levels for health centers and all health and housing programs relevant to the HCH community on our budget chart.
- Historic Hearing on Single-Payer: Following first-time hearings earlier this year, the Energy and Commerce Committee, which holds jurisdiction over health care issues, held a hearing this month entitled “Proposals to Achieve Universal Health Care Coverage.” Nine health care bills were discussed with a strong showing of support for Rep. Jayapal’s (D-WA) “Medicare for All” bill, HR 1384. Amidst presidential debate fodder and a pending attack on the Affordable Care Act, the Council and our partners will continue to push for recognition in Congress in 2020 for health care as a human right and the single-payer solution.
- More Work Requirements on Health Care and Food: The federal government approved South Carolina’s request to add work requirements to its Medicaid program, which is estimated to impact 7,000 individuals. Of the 18 states that have pursued Medicaid work requirements, three have been stopped by the courts and three more have quietly suspended their plans—leaving seven states with requests still pending approval and five with approved plans that have not yet gone into effect. Also this month, the Trump administration finalized a new rule that makes it difficult for states to waive work requirements in SNAP/food stamps, expected to eliminate benefits for almost 700,000 adults.
- Small Victory Against Criminalizing Homelessness: People experiencing homelessness sued the city of Boise after being arrested for sleeping outside when no shelter beds were available. A series of court decisions agreed that it is illegal to arrest people if there is no other choice. This week, the Supreme Court upheld these decisions by refusing to hear an appeal in the case, thereby issuing a small victory in the fight to end the criminalization of homelessness. Unfortunately, efforts continue to grow to penalize people for living their private lives in public spaces (see a new resource below on this topic!).
| |
To prepare for an exciting year ahead, take action by marking your calendars with key election dates: debates, conventions, primaries, etc. (do you know when your state’s primary is?!). Find all crucial dates here and a handy print-out here. Read-up on where the presidential candidates stand on housing and homelessness and health care.
| |
New Resources and Research
| |
Credible data complements personal stories and anecdotes and makes advocacy more effective.
| |
- The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty released its updated Housing Not Handcuffs 2019 report showing that the criminalization of homelessness continues to increase throughout the country—despite strong evidence showing it is counter-productive and expensive.
- New research published in the National Bureau of Economic Research, summarized here from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, shows the expansion of Medicaid saved at least 19,000 lives and decisions to not expand are responsible for 15,000 deaths.
- *Homeless Mortality Toolkit Coming Early 2020* Data informs advocacy and is necessary to end the tragedy of homeless deaths. In late January, a volunteer committee of Council membership is releasing a Homeless Mortality Toolkit, which local communities can use to develop or expand homeless mortality counts. This toolkit will include an overview of homeless mortality nationwide, how-to instructions on starting a local homeless count, the latest research findings, and an overview of best practices in homeless mortality clinical reviews. For more information contact Katherine Cavanaugh.
| |
Homeless Persons' Memorial Day
| |
This Saturday is Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day (HPMD). On that day, communities come together to remember those who have died without housing, to reflect on the preventable tragedy of homelessness, and to call for meaningful policy changes to stop homeless deaths. Cities across the United States—from Yakima, WA, and Billings, MT, to Milford, PA—will hold HPMD events: find one near you to honor those in your community. Share your thoughts on Twitter (and mention us @NatlHCHCouncil!) on how we can achieve a world with #NoMoreHomelessDeath.
| |
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! Coming in 2020, interviews are lined up with HCHers who ran for public office, housing experts, and even vermin specialists. Rate and subscribe to get the latest episodes!
Are you grateful for the work of the Council? Your donations help support our advocacy.
| |
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.
| |
|
|
|
|
PO Box 60427 | Nashville, TN 37206 US
|
|
