Two years ago when health care reform was on the line, thousands of Washingtonians shared their personal stories — and that helped shape the national debate.

Then, President Obama accomplished what presidents from both parties had tried to do for more than 70 years. He’ll be the first to admit he didn’t do it alone — he was bolstered by people like you who stood up to fight for reform.

Now, as we approach the two-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, we want to check in on the progress that’s been made. This is going to be a key issue in this election, and your stories will help show voters how this law is already helping millions.

Share how health care reform has helped you or someone you know.

If you’d rather make a video to tell your story, we’re all for it: Just upload it to YouTube and send us the link.

Before reform, hundreds of thousands of families each year would find themselves on the brink of bankruptcy just because someone got sick. Pre-existing conditions allowed insurance companies to deny coverage to children. A coverage gap for prescription drugs caught seniors by surprise, costing them hundreds of dollars out of pocket.

But then you spoke up and stood with President Obama for change. And on March 23rd, 2010, we made history by helping pass the Affordable Care Act.

Now, two years later, folks are starting to see the real-life impact of reform.

In Washington alone, 2.4 million people no longer have a lifetime limit on coverage; 483,000 women have seen their coverage for preventive services like mammograms expanded; 500,000 seniors and people with disabilities who have Medicare have already received free preventive care; and 52,000 young people who would otherwise be uninsured are staying on their parents’ insurance plans until they turn 26.

This isn’t where the story ends. The other side is bent on taking down the health reform we fought so hard for.

Will you help tell the story of the Affordable Care Act and why it matters to families in Washington, and across the country?

Or, submit a video telling your story:

Thanks,

Jen

Jen O’Malley Dillon
Deputy Campaign Manager
Obama for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Watch Our New Video and Join the Campaign – I Will NOT Be Denied

03/19/2012 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

In the past year, thanks to the health care law:Over 20 million women with private insurance have received at least one preventive health care service without a co-pay or deductible.
Over 39 million women no longer face lifetime limits on coverage, so they can get the health care they need.
About 2.5 million young adults gained health coverage because they could stay on their parents’ plans.
And this is just the beginning. The health care law is working for women by helping them get the care they need. So why are some opponents of the law fighting to take away these benefits and common-sense protections?

Sign the Petition

The new health care law is working for women

Join our campaign and sign our petition to tell your leaders: I Will Not Be Denied!™

First Name:		Last Name:
Email: (Required)		Zip:
Please send me email updates from the National Women’s Law Center

Petition Text

The health care law is working for women, helping them get the care they need. The law provides important benefits and protections that promote better health and lower costs. Now, millions more women can get preventive services like mammograms and colonoscopies without a co-pay. The law also stops insurance companies from dropping anyone’s coverage simply because they’re sick.

But this is just the beginning. Later this year, millions more women will have access to well-woman exams and birth control without a co-pay and all health plans will have to include maternity care. Other important benefits and protections will continue to roll out until the law is fully implemented, insurance companies will no longer be allowed to charge women higher premiums than men. But opponents of the law are fighting to take away all these important benefits and common-sense protections.

Take a stand and help us protect women’s health care. Join the National Women’s Law Center’s campaign and tell opponents of affordable care “I Will NOT Be Denied.”™

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Afghan Code Declares “Men are Fundamental, and Women are Secondary”

03/19/2012 Nativegrl77

In Afghanistan, the hard-won progress of women’s rights is in danger. President Hamid Karzai recently endorsed an oppressive “code of conduct” that will ban Afghan women from traveling without a male escort or mingling with men in public places.Worst of all, the code states that, “Men are fundamental and women are secondary.” Tell President Karzai that women are NOT second-class citizens!»

In addition, women can still be physically assaulted by their spouse if it is for a “Shariah-compliant reason.”
Karzai is apparently willing to sacrifice the rights and independence of half his citizens in order to appease the extremist conservative forces.

Stop the disintegration of women’s rights in Afghanistan and tell President Karzai to retract his endorsement of this extremist code!»

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

the so-called JOBS Act bill … AFL – CIO has the facts

03/19/2012 Nativegrl77

Urgent: Congress is rushing to deregulate Wall Street—pushing a cynically named “JOBS Act.” This bill could pass as early as Monday.

Senate Democrats, including Jack Reed, Carl Levin and Mary Landrieu, have offered the “INVEST in America Act” to amend the “JOBS Act” and make it less harmful. We need to support these amendments while making it clear that working families oppose the so-called JOBS Act bill.

Please urge your senators to vote FOR the “INVEST in America Act” to make the JOBS Act less harmful to workers and consumers—and AGAINST the cynically named “;JOBS Act” bill.

America needs jobs. Yet Congress has not yet passed basic legislation like a measure to reauthorize surface transportation programs, which would create hundreds of thousands of jobs. Instead, next week Congress once again will look to deregulate Wall Street.

Workers’ retirement savings will be at greater risk of fraud and speculation if securities market deregulation once again is railroaded through Congress. Our economy will be at risk from the folly of policymakers promoting financial bubbles and ignoring the needs of the real economy.

The AFL-CIO calls on Congress to set aside the politics of the 1%, the old game of special favors for Wall Street, and turn to the business of real job creation.

Urge your senators to vote FOR the “INVEST in America Act,” which will amend the JOBS Act to make it less harmful to workers and consumers—and AGAINST the cynically named “JOBS Act” bill.

Thank you for all the work you do.

In Solidarity,

Richard L. Trumka
President, AFL-CIO

Black History

Congress:the Republican led House-Ryan budget plan revised? And a fake JobsAct! — the Senate considers HR3606,the Capital Formation/IPO bill

03/19/2012 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET March 19, 2012

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.3606, the Capital Formation/IPO bill.
The filing deadline for all first degree amendments to the Reed-Landrieu-Levin-Brown (OH), et al, substitute amendment #1833 and H.R.3630 is 4:00pm on Monday.
As previously announced, there will be no roll call votes on Monday. Senators should expect the next roll call vote on Tuesday, March 20^th prior to the weekly caucus meetings.

As a reminder, the filing deadline for first degree amendments to the Reed-Landrieu-Levin-Brown (OH), et al, substitute amendment and #1833, the IPO bill, is at 4:00pm today. If your Senator has a germane first degree amendment and would like to preserve her or his right to offer, please send a signed copy of the amendment to the Cloakroom prior to the deadline so that we may filed it at the desk for you. If you have already filed, there is no need to re-file.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Notwithstanding the passage of S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill, the Senate agreed to the Boxer amendment #1903, which is a technical amendment, striking title V of division C with the heading entitled “Research and Innovative Technology Administration Reauthorization Act of 2012”, which was moved to division E.

Discharged the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs from further consideration of S.2076, a bill to improve security at State and local courthouses and referred it to the Judiciary committee.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.2204, the Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act. (Menendez)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

————————————————————————————————————

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 19, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

-The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.5:23:34 P.M. -H.R. 3992At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.5:13:45 P.M. -H.R. 3992DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3992.5:13:41 P.M. -H.R. 3992Considered under suspension of the rules.5:13:26 P.M. -H.R. 3992Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3992 — “To allow otherwise eligible Israeli nationals to receive E-2 nonimmigrant visas if similarly situated United States nationals are eligible for similar nonimmigrant status in Israel.”5:13:12 P.M. -H.R. 4086Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.5:13:10 P.M. -H.R. 4086On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.5:04:35 P.M. -H.R. 4086DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4086.5:04:32 P.M. -H.R. 4086Considered under suspension of the rules.5:04:16 P.M. -H.R. 4086Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 4086 — “To amend chapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, to clarify the exception to foreign sovereign immunity set forth in section 1605(a)(3) of such title.”5:04:04 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.5:03:54 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 19.4:11:33 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. today.4:04:14 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.4:03:51 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Faleomavaega to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.4:03:41 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.4:01:00 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.4:00:00 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.