Tag Archives: United States

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

‘Serious and Disturbing​’ Picture of VA’s Failure to Provide Timely Access to Care


by Patty Murray

Stop Child Summer Hunger

Stop Child Summer Hunger Act

During the school year, low-income children have the opportunity to receive free or reduced-priced meals at school. However, millions of these same children go hungry during summer break. That’s why I was proud to introduce the Stop Child Summer Hunger Act, a long-term, common-sense solution to reducing child hunger during school breaks. This legislation will provide families who have children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card. This EBT card will include funds that the family can use to purchase food to replace the meals that the children would otherwise be receiving at school.  The threat of hunger doesn’t take a summer break.  We shouldn’t either.  We must do more to make sure kids get the nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

Learn more about my bill.

“Sen. Murray proposes summer food benefits for low-income kids”
 – KUOW

“Bill would buy summer lunch for kids out of school”
 – The Olympian

“To fight students’ ‘summer hunger,’ Sen. Murray pushes debit cards for lunches” – KPLU

‘Serious and Disturbing’ Picture of VA’s Failure to Provide Timely Access to Care

The release of the VA’s Nationwide Access Audit of veterans health facilities paints a serious and disturbing picture of the VA’s system-wide failure to provide timely access to care for our nation’s heroes. I am especially concerned by the number of facilities that serve Washington state veterans that have been flagged for further review and investigation. This information confirms what I have been hearing from so many veterans who are struggling with extended wait times in the Pacific Northwest.

Thankfully, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the Sanders-McCain compromise, legislation aimed at addressing transparency, wait times, and accountability issues at the VA.  This legislation is a critical step toward addressing some of the immediate accountability and access concerns plaguing the VA. In addition, as further investigations and reviews are completed, we need to keep working to ensure the VA continues to take substantive action to address any management, resource, and personnel shortcomings that have contributed to today’s findings.

Read more.

“VA audit flags Seattle hospital, 6 others after investigation into wait times”
– Q13

“Wait times for Puget Sound VA up to nearly 59 days”
– KOMO

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Critical Federal Funding for Washington State in Appropriations Bills

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I was proud to deliver for Washington state in the Appropriations bills passed last week.  Funding will go toward projects in Seattle, Spokane, Pullman, Walla Walla and more, and includes everything from funding for the FAA Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment led by Washington State University, to new requirements for oil train safety, to funding for airport improvement projects, and more.

The Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill included funding for additional immigration judges to reduce case backlog, a new report on the next generation of polar icebreakers,  and funding for pacific salmon restoration.

Find a list of selected projects and programs in the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill that benefit Washington state.

“Murray seeks DOJ change in anti-gang grant process”
– The Yakima Herald

“Airport could get more federal funds”
– Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

“Murray works for jet biofuels center money; National center co-led by WSU in the Tri-Cities”  –  Tri-City Herald

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Strengthening Social Security Benefits for Seniors, Persons with Disabilities, and Young Adults who Face Serious Hardship

I was proud to join Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) in introducing the Retirement and Income Security Enhancements (RAISE) Act – a set of commonsense proposals to modernize, enhance, and protect our Social Security system in a fiscally responsible way. The RAISE Act would strengthen benefits for seniors, persons with disabilities, and young adults who have faced serious hardship in their immediate families, while helping to shore up the Social Security Trust Fund using an approach that protects middle class families, and asks those who can afford it to pay their fair share.  At a time when Social Security is an increasingly critical source of support for so many, the RAISE Act would take some important steps to ensure our Social Security system is doing everything possible to help seniors and their families.

Read more about my bill.

“Senate Democrats propose Social Security reform”
 – The Hill

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Virginia Governor Defies GOP, Pledges To Expand Health Coverage To Low-Income Virginians


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Virginia Governor Defies GOP, Pledges To Expand Health Coverage To Low-Income Virginians

Virginia has been embroiled in a political drama for some time now, but with real stakes for hundreds of thousands of the state’s residents. On one side is Governor Terry McAuliffe, who has consistently pushed to close the health coverage gap for low-income working Virginians by including a Medicaid expansion provision in the Virginia state budget. On the other is the GOP legislature, intent on putting politics over people by denying health coverage to working Virginians by preventing Medicaid expansion.

The stalemate appeared to break earlier this month, when the GOP took control of the state Senate in a dramatic turn of events that may have involved an illegal bribe to get a Democrat to step down. State Republicans then rushed to pass a budget that explicitly bans the state from expanding Medicaid.

Things didn’t look good for the roughly 400,000 residents of Virginia who would benefit if the state accepted the federal funding to expand health care under the Affordable Care Act. But today, Gov. Terry McAuliffe made a bold and surprising announcement that he would act unilaterally to close the coverage gap, whether by expanding Medicaid or through another avenue.

The Huffington Post reports:

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) used his line-item veto power Friday to nix portions of the state budget, extending his battle with legislative Republicans who oppose his attempt to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

McAuliffe struck language from the state legislature’s budget that Republicans had inserted in the hopes of blocking a Medicaid expansion, which could provide health care to 400,000 uninsured Virginians.

“By refusing any and all compromise, the House leadership has turned its back on people all over Virginia who were looking to us to help them and their families gain access to lifesaving treatments and medicine,” McAuliffe said at a Friday press conference. “With respect to health care, I am moving forward. There are several options available to me.”

The governor’s office made clear that he doesn’t necessarily intend to extend health coverage by unilaterally expanding Medicaid, a decision that has been considered a possibility before.

“There are a number of options, so we’re exploring all options within the governor’s executive power to get Virginians access to the health care they need,” said a spokesman for McAuliffe.

Either way, this is great news for hardworking Virginia families. The fight will continue on Monday evening when the Virginia General Assembly returns to Richmond to consider action on upholding or overriding his vetoes.

BOTTOM LINE: In too many states, Republican lawmakers are refusing to provide health coverage to millions of Americans simply because of politics. These political games have real consequences. In the face of a Republican legislature refusing to compromise on Medicaid expansion, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe vowed to take matters into his own hands in order to make sure working Virginia families get the care they deserve.

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

did you know … the LaRouche movement


just another rant …

I am sure that attitudes about the LaRouche movement is different among left of center folks out there. I admit my attitude is for and about left of center actions that will help my family yours and possibly effect others that have like minded actions … ones that create change for the better like: clean air water environment living for the 21st Century that is inclusive … extremists on the right or the left are tough to accept when the goal or mission is only for a select few to reap the benefits … that is just wrong in my opinion. Anyway, a little information about their movement is below and contrary to what they say I just cannot believe they consider themselves apart of the Democratic Party

Lyndon LaRouche, who is, well, a fringe political cult leader of sorts.  LaRouche is a left-wing Marxist-turned-right-wing conspiracy theorist, and believes in off-the-wall policies like space colonization, a quarantine for everyone with AIDS, and opposition to abortion and gay rights. And LaRouche, himself a former perennial presidential candidate, has been accused of espousing fascist, racist and anti-Semitic views.  As the late Manning Marable once said, “LaRouche appeals to fear, hatred and ignorance. He seeks to exploit and exacerbate the anxieties and frustrations of Americans by offering an array of scapegoats and enemies: Jews, Zionists, international bankers, blacks, labor unions-much the way Hitler did in Germany.” Not running for political office these days, LaRouche, 91 years old, has his minions on the ballot—people such as Kesha Rogers.  Like other LaRouche supporters, Rogers has compared President Obama to Hitler, complete with the mustache, and likened Obamacare to the policies of Nazi Germany. And she wants to impeach him, too.

Resources: UK Progressives … the grio … state- election.info … Rogers official website

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The LaRouche movement opposed the UN sanctions against Iraq in 1991 and the Gulf War in 1991.[13] Supporters formed the “Committee to Save the Children in Iraq”.[14] LaRouche blamed the sanctions and war on “Israeli-controlled Moslem fundamentalist groups” and the “Ariel Sharon-dominated government of Israel” whose policies were “dictated by Kissinger and company, through the Hollinger Corporation, which has taken over The Jerusalem Post for that purpose.”[15] Left-wing anti-war groups were divided over the LaRouche movement’s involvement.[16]

In 2000, the Democratic Senatorial nominee in Wyoming, Mel Logan, was a LaRouche follower;[17] the Republican incumbent, Craig Thomas, won in a 76%–23% landslide. In 2001, a “national citizen-candidates’ movement” was created, advancing candidates for a number of elective offices across the country.

In 2006, LaRouche Youth Movement activist and Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee member Cody Jones was honored as “Democrat of the Year” for the 43rd Assembly District of California, by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.[18][better source needed] At the April 2007 California State Democratic Convention, LYM activist Quincy O’Neal was elected vice-chairman of the California State Democratic Black Caucus,[19][better source needed] and Wynneal Innocentes was elected corresponding secretary of the Filipino Caucus.[20][better source needed]

In November 2007, Mark Fairchild returned to Illinois to promote legislation authored by LaRouche, called the “Homeowners and Bank Protection Act of 2007”, establishing a moratorium on home foreclosures and establishing a new federal agency to oversee all federal and state banks. He also promoted LaRouche’s plan to build a high-speed railroad to connect Russia and the United States, including a tunnel under the Bering Strait.[7][21]

In 2009, a volunteer table in Mattituck, NY had a picture of Obama with a “drawn-in Hitler moustache” and “a picture of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi with Frankenstein-style bolts in her head.”[22] In Seattle in 2011 (?), an image of Obama with a “Hitler moustache” angered some. Police were called in regarding a LaRouche opponent telling a LaRouche volunteer “Look at me again and I’m going to punch your face.” In another case, during the prior month, “the same officer was called to investigated an incident in which a man threatened to rip down several political signs displayed by LaRouche supporters.” “Police investigated the incident as malicious harassment — the state’s hate-crime law.”[23] At one widely reported event, Congressman Barney Frank referred to the posters as “vile, contemptible nonsense.”[24]

LaRouche supporters, Homer Alaska, May 2012

In March 2010, LaRouche Youth leader Kesha Rogers won the Democratic congressional primary in Houston, Texas’ 22nd District.[25] The following day, a spokeswoman for the Texas Democratic Party stated that “La Rouche members are not Democrats. I guarantee her campaign will not receive a single dollar from anyone on our staff.”[26] In June 2012, Rogers won the Democratic congressional primary for a second time.[27]

In March 2014, Rogers received 22% of the vote in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary, placing her into a runoff election with David M. Alameel.[28]

Resource: wiki

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In May David M. Alameel won the runoff by 72% against LaRouche candidate Rogers and will need help from the Democratic Party with his bid to unseat Cornyn ~~ Nativegrl77

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

I’m a mom with a rare form of cancer. ~~~ Victory


On February 18, Florida Hospital Healthcare System agreed to cover Holly’s surgery in DC. Holly said “I just received word that Florida Hospital/FHHS has formally signed the agreement and that my surgery can proceed as normal. I can’t even begin to thank you enough for your support and willingness to share this petition to help make this happen. I’m in the process of developing a CaringBridge link where my family and caregivers can share my progress once I’m hospitalized. THANK YOU!!”

 Florida Hospital/FHHS: Authorize a single case contract with Dr. Sugarbaker / Washington Hospital Center so I can have my lifesaving surgery

       By Holly Freuler

          St Cloud, Florida
My name is Holly Freuler. I am a 35 year old married mother of 2. I have a very rare form of cancer: Multicystic Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Only 130 cases have been reported worldwide.
I was first treated for this cancer back in June of 2012. Unfortunately, my most recent CT scan indicated a recurrence of my disease.
This type of disease requires a specialized surgery (Cytoreductive Surgery with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). No doctor within my insurance network has ever treated a case like this before and no doctor performs the surgery necessary to save my life: Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC (open perfusion). My local surgeon who is considered, “in network” recognizes this fact and is also recommending I have surgery with Dr. Sugarbaker in Washington, D.C. He has stated that, “No one here can cure what you have. You need to go to Dr. Sugarbaker.”
Cytoreductive surgerywithHyperthermic Peritoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is the standard treatment for my disease. There is NO alternative curative treatment.Itis approved by the FDA and my surgeon has a 90% survival rate at 5 years (well above the rest).

In 2012, my health insurer, Florida Hospital/FHHS, authorized the surgery with the same surgeon/hospital I am requesting now after I created a Change.org petition. Now, I need FHHS to authorize this treatment and sign a single case contract with Dr. Sugarbaker/Washington Hospital Center again. Since they have set a precedent of treatment and clearly agreed with the points I raised in my appeal in 2012, I hope they will authorize this treatment once again.
My surgeon’s office has been attempting to obtain authorization in a timely manner prior to my surgery date of February 26th, 2014. Unfortunately, they have been given incorrect fax numbers, claims of numerous lost received faxes, and other roadblocks preventing us from receiving the authorization.
I am proud to have been a Florida Hospital employee for 3 years. I’ve been a registered nurse for over 10 years.  Through my work not only as a registered nurse but also in Information Technology, I strive to provide the best solutions for our patients. It’s time for Florida Hospital to “extend the healing ministry of Christ” to one of their own employees: Me. They can do this by signing a single case contract to let me have my life saving surgery to cure me of cancer.
Please sign my petition and help me once again to convince Florida Hospital Healthcare System to give me the same chance at beating cancer as they did in 2012.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

#NotOneMore


You helped make this powerful message unavoidabl​e

If you were in D.C., this ad was all over news sites, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Basically, all the places political offices have to monitor.”

That’s how our ad team described MoveOn members’ powerful ad campaign targeting decision makers in Washington, D.C. and state capitals across the country. The ad featured a call for action on gun violence from Richard Martinez, whose son was killed in the recent shooting at UC Santa Barbara.

This ad generated 8.1 million impressions in capital cities across the country in a week, including nearly 1 million in Washington, D.C. While not all of those “impressions” mean that someone watched the entire video, we do know that it was viewed thousands of times by government staffers and more than 600 times by members of the media.

Together, we’re working to make this powerful message unavoidable—to demand action in the face of the continued scourge of gun violence in communities across America. Sadly, in just the past few weeks, there have been multiple mass shootings since UCSB and countless individual gun deaths.

But passionate messages like Mr. Martinez’s can break through. As this video was being shared from coast to coast, MoveOn member and UCSB student Kyley Scarlet started a petition on gun violence to the Obama administration, and Vice President Joe Biden responded with a personal video message for students at the school.1

That’s why, no matter how frustrating this effort can be, we have to keep lifting our voices. If you haven’t already, please share the ad with everyone you know.

Thanks for all you do.

–Garlin, Jo, Nick, Alejandro, and the rest of the team

P.S. Have an idea for reducing gun violence in your community? Start your campaign today.

Sources:

1. “Vice President Joe Biden’s video message for UCSB graduates,” KCBX, June 11, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=299639&id=97504-17809870-5iignsx&t=4

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