Health Reform Action Alert:
Impact: As health costs continue to rise three times faster than wages, families will work harder and have less to show for it.
Update: This week House Ways & Means, Energy & Commerce, and Education & Labor Committees introduced a major health reform bill – America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (HR 3200).
What’s Right: Congress and the White House is promoting legislation to fix what’s wrong with health care, and keep what works. That means covering everyone regardless of pre-existing conditions, even when they switch or lose their job. It means being able to choose between a public or private health insurance plan, even if your employer provides it as a benefit. Health reform gives states like Illinois and California the ability to balance their budgets by accounting for the contributions and health needs of people who earn low-incomes and file taxes, including immigrants.
What’s Wrong: States can deny coverage to low-income people if they are legally residing in the United States for less than five years. A provision to repeal the five-year bar is only in the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009 (HR 3090), but is not in the major House bill (HR 3200).
Lift Your Voice to Push Health Equity Forward. Most of our community members are limited-English proficient, making it more challenging for them to call Congress. Your call represents millions of immigrants and is one step towards building a just and humane America.
This Week’s Targets: House Speaker Pelosi, and Chairman Waxman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee
What To Do TODAY:
1. Be strong and confident. They are working for you.
2. Call 866-584-3962 to reach Speaker Pelosi’s office. Call (202) 225-3976 to reach Rep. Waxman’s office.
3. Say your name, where you live, and your message:
I am calling from KRC/KRCC/NAKASEC to urge Speaker Pelosi / Rep. Waxman to pass health reform this year by lifting the five-year bar on healthcare for immigrants. No one should wait for health care. Please treat all taxpayers equitably, and ensure that all kids have healthcare. [Listen to response] Will the Speaker / Chair lift the five-year federal ban on health care for legal immigrants?
4. Let us know you called. Fill out the Google Form (if you cannot see the link, copy and paste: https://spreadsheets.google.com/a/nakasec.org/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dFhpRHp1WTdrTWlYU1JZd29ZSHJHUGc6MA
민족학교 Korean Resource Center (KRC)
900 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90019
Tel: (323) 937-3718/ Fax: (323) 937-3526 / www.krcla.org
한인교육문화마당집 Korean American Resource and Cultural Center (KRCC)
6146 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago IL 60659
Tel: (773) 588-09158/ Fax.773)588-9159/ www.chicagokrcc.org
미주한인봉사교육단체협의회 National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)
900 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90019
Tel: (323) 937-3703/ Fax: (323) 937-3753 / www.nakasec.org
