Photo: flickr/kecko
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Mike Reitz: Stop AIDS discrimination by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Louisiana.By Robert DarrowShreveport, Louisiana |
| Due to a new policy from Louisiana’s largest health insurer, hundreds of people living with HIV and AIDS are in danger of losing access to essential medication.BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) is rejecting checks from a federal program designed to help these patients pay for AIDS drugs and insurance premiums and has begun notifying customers that their enrollment in its Obamacare plans will be discontinued because it will no longer accept “third-party payments.” This funding was established through the Ryan White CARE Act of 1990 which has been crucial to ensuring that those living with HIV and AIDS can gain access to the medication they need.Several months ago, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) encouraged health plans to stop accepting “third-party payments,” but this weekend (February 8th), CMS stated unequivocally that “federal rules do not prevent the use of Ryan White funds to pay for health care plans.” BCBSLA said it is “reviewing and considering this new information,” but we need commitments to help save and extend hundreds of lives in Louisiana.
As someone living with AIDS who helped found the local organization in Shreveport that oversees Ryan White funding, I know these funds change lives — and I’m afraid that if BCBSLA gets away with denying this coverage, other insurers across the country could follow suit. Please join me in tell BCBSLA to accept federal funding for people living with HIV and AIDS and to stop this discrimination. |
I am taking a stand for civility.
In March of 2010, we saw people with signs acting as if not only had they lost their minds but were transported back to a time when no person of colour wants, will go or be forced to accept in the 21st century. There is no place in our political discourse for the abusive, derogatory and racist language used against or by our members of Congress yet since the overwhelming GOP vote in 2010 a group called the TeaParty has decided racial activism is the only way to win . We have seen a generation prove that primitive behavior that I call hate speech has been given a pass by judges on all levels the first amendment is being misused abused by those in positions of power. I want justice for what is clearly racist hate speech, that used to be treated and prosecuted accordingly. Now, we see those with privilege acting out and getting away with using nasty ugly words we all know are racist offensive threats to the lives of the President. There are folks making ugly threats, hopefully our secret service, FBI and CIA visit the homes of people who keep feeling their words of hate are covered by the first amendment … No one has the right to make threats of bodily harm to any human being no matter what race creed or ethnic origin
This sort of language degrades us all and undermines our democratic process.
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Drop charges against transgender teen defending herself! |
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My sister, Jewlyes Gutierrez, is a 16 year old teenager, who identifies as a transgender female. Her gender identity has caused her to be a victim of taunting, harassment, and bullying by her peers. On November 13, 2013, Jewlyes defended herself against three girls who were tormenting and then physically attacked her. This was captured on video and you can see Jewlyes trying to run away. The students involved were suspended but to our disbelief, District Attorney Daniel Cabral then filed charges against Jewlyes for battery – she’s the only one charged.
Jewlyes should not be charged criminally. Rather, this altercation should be the responsibility of the school district, who should take proper action and implement the necessary resources to prevent incidents like these from happening again.
One of the girls who attacked Jewlyes had repeatedly bullied her – even spitting gum in her face. Jewlyes sought help from the assistant principal in fear of her physical safety but the issue was not properly addressed, no necessary action was taken by the administration. The bullying continued.
Jewlyes attends Hercules High School in Hercules, CA – part of the Contra Costa Unified School District. Even the school district president disagrees with the charges being brought against Jewlyes: “This is just a young child who is 16-years-old, already going through a lot of stress,” he said. “This is a remedy? Is this the way we want to deal with children?”
Violence towards transgender and queer youth is a serious problem. Recently in Oakland, CA, a transgender teen was lit on fire. What message is the District Attorney’s Office sending when they prosecute a transgender teen who school officials labeled as the victim in this incident?
Sign this petition and tell District Attorney we are outraged by the decision to charge Jewlyes and that we hope he will use his discretion to allow for a restorative and educational solution rather than the court system to deal with what happened at Hercules High School.
Please tell the District Attorneys Office that we want our tax dollars spent on teaching tolerance and on conflict resolution programs in schools, not on prosecuting youth who are in need of a safe learning environment.
Be a Seed for Change 
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