Health Equity Connection for January 2013
In this Issue
- New Resources
- Policy Updates
- Fellowship Opportunities
- Register for Health Action Conference 2013
- Upcoming Events
New Resources
Policy Updates
Four GOP Governors Indicate Support for Medicaid Expansion
Following Republican Governor Brian Sandoval’s announcement that Nevada will be participating in the Medicaid expansion, three GOP governors have recently indicated that they, too, will opt to expand Medicaid in their state. Earlier this month, Governor Susana Martinez announced that New Mexico would participate in the expansion. Governor Jan Brewer, a leading opponent of the Affordable Care Act, announced in her State of the State speech that Arizona would also expand its Medicaid program. North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple is the fourth Republican governor to support the expansion, submitting a bill to the state legislature that proposes the state broaden Medicaid. To see where states stand on the Medicaid expansion, click here.
Big Challenges Lie Ahead in the Budget Battle
President Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner were able to come to an agreement over the “fiscal cliff,” averting large income tax increases on most Americans and preventing large spending cuts. However, big challenges remain. Lawmakers must now raise our nation’s debt limit and agree to further deficit reduction. Recently, House Republicans agreed to vote on a bill that raises the debt limit for 3 months and does not include spending cuts. However, Republicans are gearing up for the larger budget fight and will seek large cuts in the health care and other domestic programs that largely benefit low-income people and communities of color. But, in his inaugural address, President Obama stood by his commitment to protect these important programs. Read Bob Greenstein’s blog on how the budget battle will affect low-income people, and check out our fact sheet on what’s at stake in health care for communities of color.
Oregon and California Pressure Health Insurance Companies on Transgender Discrimination
Regulators in Oregon and California have directed some insurance companies to stop denying coverage for transgender patients because of their gender identity. Several private insurers were told that they must pay for services such as a transgender person’s hormone therapy, breast reduction, cancer screening, and any other procedure deemed medically necessary if the insurer covers them for patients who are not transgender. In August 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services clarified that provisions in the Affordable Care Act prohibiting sex discrimination in health insurance also apply to transgender people.
Fellowship Opportunities
The Villers Fellowship for Health Care Justice (Families USA)
Application due: 1/25/13
LEARN Fellows Program (National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems)
Application due: 2/1/13
Disparities Leadership Program (Disparities Solutions Center/Massachusetts General Hospital)
Application due: 2/8/13
Health Action 2013
Families USA is pleased to invite you to Health Action 2013! Our annual conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, from Thursday, January 31, through Saturday, February 2, 2013. This year, we will be honoring Jennifer Ng’andu from National Council of La Raza for her commitment and dedication to advancing health equity. Register here.
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We’d like to hear from you!
Did we miss something? If you’d like to highlight an organization, event, activity, or other resource in our newsletter, please contact us at healthequity@familiesusa.org.
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