Category Archives: ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

What’s all this about Obamacare?

09/30/2013 Nativegrl77

Get yourself ready

Next week is a pivotal one for our country. Millions of Americans who need health coverage can begin signing up for it through new insurance marketplaces.

The marketplace isn’t like anything you’ve experienced. It’s a one-stop resource where you can easily compare policies and prices, see if you qualify for financial help, and enroll in a plan.

Like anything new in health care, it can be confusing. So Consumer Reports created
HealthLawHelper.org, an online tool to help you understand your options, responsibilities, and steps to take. Just answer a few questions about your family situation, and you’ll Chris Meyer, Vice President receive personalized information on what to do next.

We’ve identified a glitch with Health Law Helper for people using IE8, so switch browsers if you can. We’re working on it!

Chris Meyer, Consumer Reports

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Navigating Medicare can be confusing, especially if you’re new to the program. Here’s what you need to know.

350,844
consumer messages sent to the top six hip and knee makers asking that implants be warrantied. Send your own email here.

How will health reform affect you?

We know you’re wondering. And with next Tuesday’s biggest change – the opening of health insurance ‘marketplaces’ – you’ll likely need some help to cut through all the noise and confusion.

Consumer Reports’ new online tool, HealthLawHelper.org, does that. Just answer a few short questions about your family situation – your answers are anonymous – and you will get personalized information on what steps, if any, you may need to take. Even if you have coverage, it’s worth checking out. (You may experience problems with the tool if you use IE8, so try a different browser while we fix the issue).

It’s quick, easy and free. Take two minutes to find out what you need to know about health reform. The results may surprise you!

Enough with the defund Obamacare votes!
Despite taking 42 votes to gut the health law, a group in Congress is still trying to block it, even attempting to hold hostage our nation’s finances. It’s time politicians focus on implementing health reform right, rather than picking it apart before it’s given a chance. Tell Congress to stop obstructing and move forward.

Health reform: What’s real, and what isn’t
Judging from talk radio and Facebook posts, you’d think Obamacare will upend everyone’s health care. That’s not the case. At least 80 percent of people will notice little change because they already have insurance that meets the law. From the mandate to Medicare to who gets what help, get the straight story in our latest Consumer Reports coverage.

Will you be using the new marketplace?
If you’re among those who need coverage, either because your job doesn’t offer it, you’re retired but too young for Medicare, or you simply can’t afford it, we want to hear from you. Tell us about your situation and what you are hoping to find in the insurance marketplace.

Get the biggest bang for your health-care dollar
Consumer Reports has ranked 987 health insurance plans nationwide to help you choose the best one for you and your family. Check out where your plan ranks, or see how the plan you’re considering stacks up.

Average individual policy $328 a month under Obamacare

Progress on our hip and knee warranty campaign

CDC sounds alarm about growing antibiotic-resistance threat

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Setting the Record Straight

Image 09/30/2013 Nativegrl77

Load images to who Obamacare protects.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Something Big’s Happening

09/27/2013 Nativegrl77

The White House, Washington

Starting October 1st, Americans will have access to the Health Insurance Marketplace — a new, simpler way to compare plans and purchase health insurance — all in one place. The Marketplace will be run in partnership with states or fully by HHS in 36 states. In these 36 states, consumers will have a choice of 53 health plans on average, and young adults will have even more low-cost options.

In partnership with HealthCare.gov, we’ve created a map to help you explore a summary of the choices and premiums expected to be available on October 1st.

See the map and learn more about the Marketplace.

Delivering on the Affordable Care Act: Marketplace Premiums Lower than Expected

At the center of the Affordable Care Act is the premise that we need to make health care more affordable and accessible for more Americans, and a new report released today demonstrates just how affordable insurance will be. The report, released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), finds that in state after state, affordable options will be available through the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2014.

Yesterday, President Obama delivered a speech at UNGA — the United Nations General Assembly — in New York City. The President expressed optimism at the prospects for diplomacy in solving a range of long-simmering conflicts across the globe.

Last Friday, President Obama delivered remarks at a suburban Kansas City, MO Ford Motor Co. stamping plant — a plant that recently had to bring on a shift of 900 workers to keep up with the demand for the new F-150.

Will the news cover this?

09/27/2013 Nativegrl77

National Women's Law Center - Don't Discount Women: Demand Fair Change Not Spare Change
We’ve crunched the numbers. And they aren’t good.

The Census Bureau released new data on poverty in the United States. You may have heard that poverty rates overall were stuck at record levels. That’s bad enough — and our analysis has turned up even more disturbing information about older women.

Last year, Americans 65 and older — the majority of whom are women — saw significant increases in extreme poverty. That means their annual income is only about $5,500 or less.

Ironically, this is the exact same group that some Members of Congress like to target for cuts — especially around Social Security.

Enough is enough. People need know the truth. Please post this image to Facebook.

Share the image on Facebook (and check out our other graphics on the new poverty numbers)
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Or, simply forward this email to friends and family

This new finding is just one result from NWLC’s comprehensive analysis of recent Census data. Other key findings include:

Poverty rates for women were once again higher than for men. The poverty rate for women was 14.5 percent, compared to 11.0 percent for men.
Poverty rates are especially high for women of color, women who head families, foreign-born women, and elderly women living alone.
More than half of all poor children lived in families headed by women. More than one in five children — more than 16 million — were poor.
The gender wage gap hasn’t budged. Women working full-time, year-round were typically paid only 77 cents for every dollar paid to their male counterparts — just like they were a decade ago.

The increase in extreme poverty among the elderly should send an especially strong message to policy makers: They should take cuts to Social Security off the table, and start working on improving benefits instead. And they should start working on bringing down those other high poverty rates, by ending the sequester and making investments that create jobs and expand opportunities.

Sincerely,

Joan Entmacher
Vice President, Family Economic Security
National Women’s Law Center

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Obamacare in Washington ~~ Check out your State’s #ACA

09/27/2013 Nativegrl77

Ted Cruz managed to talk about Obamacare on the Senate floor for 21 hours earlier this week without saying much that was actually true about Obamacare.

It was an example of just how much misinformation there is out there about health reform — and we need to fight back with the truth.

We put together a beautiful new website that’s full of facts about how Obamacare is working across the country — including in Washington. Take a look, and share it with your friends and family:

Click on the learn more and find your State

Open enrollment in Obamacare’s exchanges begin in less than a week, so it’s never been more important to get the word out about the benefits of health reform.

So set the record straight on the misinformation about Obamacare — hold Ted Cruz and his Republican allies accountable:

http://www.thisisobamacare.com

Thanks,

Laura

Laura Santucci
Acting Executive Director
Democratic National Committee