| The latest news from and for state health care advocates |
December 2011 |
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In each edition, we'll feature an action, victory, campaign, or interesting tactic shared by a state advocate. Send us your updates. |
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In This Issue:
Buzz around the States
Earlier this month, consumers in Iowa voiced their concerns about a proposed 9.4 percent premium increase at a public hearing and online. The state legislature ordered that hearings like this take place after there was public outrage over an 18 percent premium hike in 2010.
The Washington State Budget and Policy Center recently released a report that discusses the undeniable impact of at least $10 billion in budget cuts on communities throughout the state.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently recognized 10 organizations and individuals for their exemplary efforts to identify and enroll eligible children in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Among those recognized are Dayanne Leal of Health Care for All (MA), Ann Bacharach of the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, and Jodi Ray of Florida Covering Kids and Families. Kudos to all recipients!
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States in Focus
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Thanks to Colorado Consumer Health Initiative’s creativity and willingness to take a risk, the Thanks Obamacare campaign conveys a pro-Affordable Care Act message to the public. Through this campaign, they highlighted the law’s benefits in a user-friendly way and got the public to say, “Thanks, Obamacare!”
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Taking Back the Name with the Thanks Obamacare Campaign
In May 2011, staff at Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) began brainstorming how to take back the pejorative term “Obamacare.” Conservatives were using this term to make a disparaging reference to the president and show their opposition to the Affordable Care Act. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative decided to transform the negative connotations around the term “Obamacare” and reframe public opinion of the law. After months of planning, they launched the Thanks Obamacare campaign on October 24.
As part of its campaign, the Initiative created a new website, which is fun, eye catching, and user friendly. The site hosts a straightforward and powerful video that describes the benefits of Obamacare and explains why consumers should be grateful for the law. In addition, the website features 10 reasons to thank Obamacare and a list of 10 Obamacare myths. The website also has a user-friendly timeline that outlines when the provisions of the law take effect.
The social media component of the Thanks Obamacare campaign has engaged the public using a unique Twitter hashtag (#thanksobamacare). The organization has secured more than 500 Twitter followers, approximately 400 Facebook fans, and their Youtube video has been watched nearly 7,000 times. Most recently, the Initiative launched an online, interactive game that highlights the ways Obamacare helps individuals get the health care they need. The campaign has earned significant media attention, including hits in the Washington Post, National Public Radio, Politico Pro, Huffington Post, the Baltimore Sun, The Hill, and the Denver Post.
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Community forums are an invaluable component of public education. They also require a significant amount of staff time and resources. To reach a broader audience and increase your impact, partner with a television outlet in your state to produce a segment or story on the Affordable Care Act.
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Michigan Advocates Partner with Public Television to Educate the Public about the Affordable Care Act
It has been nearly two years since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. People throughout the country still want to learn what the law means for them, but it can be challenging to educate the public. One effective way to do so is through community forums, but with limited hours in the day, organizing these events can be a tremendous burden.
Advocates across the country have developed innovative strategies for securing media attention around events in the community as a way to reach a broader audience and use staff time more effectively. Michigan Consumers for Healthcare, for example, partnered with Detroit Public Television to produce a segment on the Affordable Care Act, which aired in late November.
As part of production efforts, staff at the organization conducted a series of forums in seven cities throughout the state. Each forum featured a panel of experts, including Don Hazaert, director of Michigan Consumers for Healthcare; Andrew Farmer, associate director of AARP Michigan; and Tameshia Bridges, senior workforce advocate at PHI.
In their effort to make sure that the television segment, as well as the forum itself, was entertaining and informative, panelists responded to participants’ questions instead of giving formal presentations. According to Don Hazaert, this unique partnership with public television allowed Michigan Consumers for Healthcare to educate a larger and much broader audience in the state. Additionally, the partnership helped advocates gain support from consumers about key implementation issues, such as the state health insurance exchange.
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Connecting the pro-Affordable Care Act message to a broader progressive coalition, such as the Occupy movement, helps to elevate personal stories, spread resources among various groups, reach a broader audience, and mobilize more people.
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Occupy the Capitol Brings Health Care to the 99% Movement
We are all well aware of the Occupy movement that has captured worldwide attention. Washington Community Action Network (Washington CAN), in partnership with community groups, unions, and the local Occupy movement, recently joined this large progressive movement as a way to deliver an important pro-Affordable Care Act message. Together, they organized Occupy the Capitol protests that took place during a special legislative session.
In recent years, $10 billion has been cut from Washington’s budget. Vital public programs in health care and education have been largely affected by these cuts. On November 28, the state’s legislature began a 30-day special session. Occupy the Capitol protesters decided to use the special session as an opportunity to tell legislators that it’s time to close corporate tax loopholes and make everyone pay their fair share, instead of making more cuts.
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The first day’s theme was “The 99% movement takes their demands to the Capitol.” More than 3,000 people gathered for a rally on the steps of the Capitol, where protestors urged legislators to raise revenues and eliminate unfair tax breaks. They told legislators that they would not tolerate another all-cuts budget.
On the second day of the special session, Washington CAN put a face to the 99% by focusing on personal stories and giving people the opportunity to share how they’re being affected by the budget cuts. A diverse group of people marched to the Capitol carrying red balloons that read “99%.”
They attached handwritten personal stories to the balloons. While the red balloons were eye catching, protesters captured even more attention by singing Christmas carols about taxing the rich and closing corporate tax loopholes as they marched. Several speakers talked about the impact of budget cuts in their communities.
Through these and a series of other community events, activists occupied the Capitol throughout the special legislative session. Protesters delivered the important message that any further budget cuts would not be tolerated.
Beat of the Month
Women work hard and deserve all the benefits that the Affordable Care Act provides them. Listen to “She Works Hard for the Money” as you stand in solidarity with working women throughout the country, and as you apply for funding through HHS’s Office on Women’s Health.
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Advocate Tip: Apply for a grant to educate women about programs, benefits, and rights under the Affordable Care Act!
HHS’s Office on Women’s Health recently announced that funding is available to support activities and events that provide awareness and education to women about the programs, benefits, and rights under the Affordable Care Act. Projects will be funded up to a maximum amount of $2,500. The deadline for submitting a proposal is 5:00 PM (MT) on January 20, 2012. If you have any questions or concerns, please email: owhapplication@jsi.com or call, toll-free, 1-866-224-3815.
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New Resources from Families USA and Stand Up for Health Care
Take me to the archives!
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