When it Rains, It Pours—Literally and Figuratively

This week we are dedicating our Mobilizer to the Health Care for the Homeless Community in Texas and Louisiana, which is battling Hurricane Harvey. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the many people who were already without homes, those whose homes are now lost or are in jeopardy, and the many, many people who are working to save lives and assist those in need. As we all know well, natural disasters can be traumatizing events. Our work continues…

Next week Congress will return to Washington after a month-long recess, and we’ll be met with a deluge of issues, to include more on health reform, tax reform, budget decisions, and a possible government shutdown. Get ready. For our August issue, we’ve compiled a reading list of articles and resources to catch you up and prepare you for the coming months.

The Literal Storm: Hurricane Harvey

• New York Times: For Houston’s Homeless, a Terrifying Night under Siege by Hurricane Harvey: Emergency service workers were responding to large numbers of distress calls as catastrophic flooding hit the nation’s fourth-largest city.
• NPR: Here’s How You Can Help People Affected by Harvey: Many organizations are doing vital work to save lives and provide for those experiencing homelessness. Learn how you can help.
  

Use these Council resources in your community:

• Integrating Homeless Service Providers and Clients in Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
• Surviving Severe Weather: Tools to Promote Emergency Preparedness for People Experiencing Homelessness

The Figurative Storm: When Congress Returns

• Newsweek: Wake Trump Up When September Ends: The President and Congress face a debt limit and the government shutdown looms.
• Tennessean: Q & A with Sen Lamar Alexander on Why the Health Care Clock Is Ticking: Senator Alexander is pursuing bipartisan legislation to get a "limited result that actually helps people" after months of heated health care debate.
  

From the Administration

• HHS: What’s so Great about Health Centers: HHS Secretary Tom Price acknowledges the value of Health Centers and features Peak Vista in Colorado Springs, CO and Unity Health Care in Washington, D.C. Congrats to our members who hosted these HHS officials at their site!
• USICH: Strengthening the Federal Strategic Plan: It's time again for the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness to revise and strengthen the federal plan. Follow the link to learn more and submit your recommendations on the actions needed to prevent and end homelessness.

• ProPublica: Is Anybody Home at HUD?: A long-harbored conservative dream—the “dismantling of the administrative state”—is taking place under HUD Secretary Ben Carson.
• Vox: “Medicare for All” Is Democrats’ New Rallying Cry. “Medicaid for More” Would Be Even Better: Medicaid saved the ACA; let’s build on it.
• Roll Call: “Medicare for All” is the New “Repeal and Replace”: Why Democrats may be in danger of repeating the GOP’s mistake.
• Washington Post: How Democrats Can Win with Medicare for All: It’s time to stop talking about what we cannot do and start to dream big.
• New York Times: The Real Opioid Emergency: The current crisis fits a historical pattern of racial disparity in how society treats drug users.
• HBO: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on Opioids: In a much-needed nod toward humor, watch John Oliver discuss the extent and root of the nation’s epidemic of opioid addiction.

New Publications

• National HCH Council: NCAB Storytelling Guide: Created by the National HCH Council’s National Consumer Advisory Board, this guide offers practical advice for individuals seeking to relate their experience of homelessness.
• Innovative Models in Health and Housing: Read how nine communities have integrated housing and health care.
• American Journal of Preventive Medicine: Addressing the Nation’s Opioid Epidemic: Exciting new research from an unsanctioned Supervised Injection Facility in the U.S. shows how these models have good outcomes for those with significant opioid addiction.
  

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