In this month’s issue, take action against LGBTQ discrimination, raise the issue of homelessness at the next presidential debate, schedule a meeting with your Congress member over August Recess, and catch up on the latest news.
Tell the Trump Administration that Discrimination in Health Care is Not Ok!
The latest proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) jeopardizes the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly those in the LGBTQ community, by erasing protections in the Affordable Care Act that prevent discrimination based on gender identity and other factors. Not only is this rule a clear violation of decency and public health principles, but it would permit providers and insurers to discriminate against patients and make it harder for people to get the care they need. This may also cause patients to avoid care out of fear of discrimination. Read more.
Read our comment letterand use it as a template or resource for your own. Submitting a letter is important because HHS will have to read and respond to all comments. Customize your comments as much as possible, but note that we recommended prioritizing submitting a letter over developing unique content. To learn more about the rule and find more templates and guidelines, visit our partners’ sites at Protect Trans Health and Human Rights Campaign.
Take Action: Submit your letter by Tuesday, August 13!
Twitter Storm! Mark your calendars for the day before the debates—this Monday, July 29, at 2 p.m. ET—to tweet CNN (or just retweet the Council’s tweet!) and ask them to include housing, poverty, and homelessness in the discussion. View sample tweets and add the Twitter storm to your calendar: Outlook.
Note: as a non-profit organization, the Council is not endorsing any candidate or party.
It's Not Too Late: Engage with Congress Over August Recess!
Congress takes a month-long break from their work in D.C. in August. This is a great time to invite your member to visit your program, speak with them in their local office, or attend an event or town hall.
Learn more about Taking Action over August Recess and catch up on policy news you missed in last month’s Mobilizer.
New Episode of the Poverty Policy Podcast
The Council’s Poverty Policy Podcast's new “Episode 5: Work” explores what employment looks like for people living in poverty and how work requirements in programs like Medicaid push people further into poverty. The podcast features an interview with Kevin De Liban, attorney at Legal Aid of Arkansas, and Tsedeye Gebreselassie, attorney at Director of Work Quality at the National Employment Law Project (NELP). Learn more about the connection between work, poverty, and policy in our latest episode now on iTunes and Stitcher.
Consumer Advocate Speaks on Capitol Hill
This month, the National HCH Council joined the Partnership for Medicaid, a coalition partner that advocates to preserve and improve the Medicaid program, to host a congressional briefing on “Medicaid Myths” and common misconceptions about the Medicaid program. Desmond Williams, a client advocate from Health Care for the Homeless in Baltimore, was one of three speakers on the panel. Desmond said "Medicaid helps me get all the services I needed to be clean and successful in my recovery. If I didn't have Medicaid insurance, I don't know where I'd be today."
Health Care for the Homeless Advocates in the News
Public education through media is a powerful advocacy for our mission to end homelessness.
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.
