Health Equity Connection for March 2013
In this Issue
- New Resources
- Policy Updates
- Fellowship Opportunities
- #ACAturns3
- Sign On to Protect Health Equity Programs from Cuts
- Upcoming Events
New Resources
Policy Updates
Budget Update: House Republicans and Senate Democrats Release Budget Proposals
Last week, both House Republicans and Senate Democrats released their proposed budgets. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan introduced the Republican budget plan, which includes major cuts to the Medicaid program and replacing the current Medicare program with a voucher system. Under this proposal, millions of Americans would lose access to health care. Additionally, the proposed cuts to Medicaid come at a time when many Republican governors are publicly supporting expansion of the program in their states. Meanwhile, the sequester—the automatic spending cuts that hit March 1—is now taking effect and having a severe impact on community health care services.
Many Groups Concerned over Complexity of Application for Health Insurance
Starting in October of this year, millions of Americans will have the opportunity to use new health insurance marketplaces to compare, apply for, and enroll in coverage. The new marketplaces are meant to make it easier to find a plan. However, the draft application has raised concerns among advocates that consumers may struggle to complete the process. Many are encouraging the Department of Health and Human Services to fund robust consumer assistance and navigator programs. Several groups have also expressed concern that the application is not accessible for limited English proficient (LEP) populations and have sent a letter to CMS urging them to translate the application into multiple languages. Check out our Language Access Checklist for Marketplace Implementation to learn how marketplaces can tackle the language barrier.
California Endowment Launches Campaign to Cover Undocumented Immigrants
The California Endowment, a private foundation that advocates for affordable health care, has produced a video called “Dreaming of Healthcare” as part of their campaign to expand medical coverage to all uninsured California residents, including undocumented immigrants. An estimated 3 to 4 million Californians, or about 10 percent of the state’s population, could remain uninsured even after the Affordable Care Act takes full effect in January.
Fellowship Opportunities
Health Leadership Fellows Program (Connecticut Health Foundation)
Application due: 4/1/13
2014 Public Health Fellowship in Government (American Public Health Association)
Application due: 4/8/13
Health Communications Internship Program (National Cancer Institute)
Application due: TBA
#ACAturns3
On March 23, health care advocates across the country will be celebrating the third birthday of the Affordable Care Act. Families USA will be hosting a week of online actions to celebrate this landmark event. The Asian American and Pacific Islander Health Forum has released an educational toolkit for community advocates who want to celebrate the ACA’s third birthday with their communities. Be sure to join the Twitter storm with the hashtag #ACAturns3.
Sign On to Protect Health Equity Programs from Cuts
The budget fight is heating up, and crucial health care programs for communities of color are at risk. We need your help to protect programs that serve as a lifeline for these communities. We are circulating this letter and soliciting organizational sign-ons. To sign on, please email bdavanzo@familiesusa.org. Include your organization's title as you want it to be listed on the letter.
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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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