Congressman Cummings with dental staff at HCH in Baltimore
The National Health Care for the Homeless Council and Health Care for the Homeless in Baltimore released a joint statement that honors the life and legacy of civil rights champion, Congressman Elijah Cummings. “Congressman Cummings knew that housing and health care are human rights and never wavered in his commitment to making this country better for people experiencing poverty.” Watch here as Congressman Cummings implores us not to wait to seek justice and watch Barack Obama’s meaningful eulogy.
CEOs! Join Business for Medicare for All
Business for Medicare for All is a new national, nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating the business case for reforming our broken health care system. Members include large national chains, small family businesses, and everything in between. They believe a new system that guarantees health care coverage for Americans regardless of where they work “is critically important to maintain profits, grow wages for working families, spur entrepreneurship, and compete globally.” It’s free to join and open to businesses of all sizes. Help us ensure that nonprofits in the HCH community are well-represented by joining Business for Medicare for All. (Also see our policy brief: Medicare for All and the HCH Community.)
Congress provided a short-term extension of health center funding through November 21, but we need Congress to take more permanent action so health centers’ funding remains stable. Our partners at NACHC have developed quick and easy tools and templates to email and/or tweet your member of Congress. Be sure to incorporate 10 Important Things to Know About HCH Programs and Health Center Funding in your messaging!
Federal courts stopped the public charge regulation from taking effect on October 15th and for the foreseeable future while the lawsuit is decided. Immigrants and their families should continue to use services without fear, such as Medicaid, SNAP, and housing assistance (learn more from Protecting Immigrant Families). However, the Administration is continuing to build an “invisible wall” against immigrants with a White House proclamation that immigrants will be denied entry if they do not have health coverage. We will continue to share updates and opportunities for action as these proposals apply to the HCH community. Remember—creating a safe space is advocacy. You can print to post: ALL ARE WELCOME HERE and You Have Rights: Protect Your Health (Spanish) (French) (Chinese) (Arabic).
While neither housing nor homelessness were discussed at the most recent presidential debate, health care continues to make waves. See what the candidates are saying on health care and housing on the campaign trail. Of course, there are also upcoming elections at the state and local level! Use these questions to ask local candidates about issues important to the HCH community and let us know about your activities so that we can share it in upcoming issues of Mobilizer.
New Poverty Policy Podcast: Episode 6: "Food"
The newest podcast discusses food security and hunger for people in poverty and how federal policies help and hurt our efforts to combat hunger and shares the perspective of someone who uses food assistance to feed his family. This issue is particularly relevant given the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to the program. The podcast features an interview with Lauren Badger, Senior Government Relations Associate at the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), and Art Rios Sr., Chair of the National Consumer Advisory Board (NCAB). Learn more about the connection between food, poverty, and policy in our latest episode now on iTunes and Stitcher.
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.
