Tag Archives: United States

4,831,590: That is the number of low-income Americans who will not receive health coverage through Medicaid simply because Republican governors and legislatures are refusing to expand the program under the Affordable Care Act. Because the expansion is almost entirely paid for by the federal government, states refusing to expand the program will forego billions in tax dollars, even as providers remain on the hook for uncompensated care provided to the uninsured.
Texas will lose out on more than $9 BILLION, while Florida is leaving more than $5 BILLION on the table.

from 2014

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

This still happens? by Emily J. Martin

12/06/2016 Nativegrl77 7 Comments

reposted … from 2013

This still happens?
It’s true — some pregnant women are still forced to make terrible choice between losing their jobs and endangering their pregnancies.
Too many pregnant women who need a temporary workplace accommodation to continue working safely are being shown the door. Employers know they can’t get away with this if a worker with a disability needs an accommodation — but they think it is fine to treat a pregnant worker like a second-class citizen.
We’re talking about adjustments like a temporary schedule change, permission to carry a water bottle, or sitting on a stool instead of standing all day at a cash register. Too often, employers say no to these simple requests. To make matters worse, the women most likely to be in this impossible position are often in jobs that pay the lowest wages.

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act - Pregnant women have been fired for drinking water, using the bathroom too frequently, and being unable to lift heavy objects.

Over the next several months, we’re turning the pressure up — to raise awareness and take action in support of pregnant workers. Thirty-five years ago this month, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act became law, but we obviously still have a lot more work to do to make sure pregnant women are treated fairly.

That’s why we need to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bill that would require employers to make the same types of accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions that they do for disabilities.

No pregnant woman should be forced to choose between her health and her job.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Washington State and the Reproductive Parity Act

11/23/2016 Nativegrl77

I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this.
As you know, the State House of Representatives passed the Reproductive Parity Act (RPA) – and the Senate Majority Caucus has refused to even hold a hearing.
We believe there are enough votes for the RPA to pass in the Senate, but the Majority leadership won’t let it move forward. In response, the pro-women’s health Senators are taking matters into their own hands: They’re holding a special legislative meeting today to consider the RPA. If you can’t be there in person we still have a great way to help.
Click to send a message to your State Senator that the Reproductive Parity Act must come up for a vote!
This meeting will look and sound a lot like a regular hearing, and it’s an important step in the process. But it’s not the last step! After today, the Senate will have the information they need and should give it the up-or-down vote it deserves. The RPA should be considered and voted on – and then it should be signed into law.
Help us move the RPA forward by passing along a quick message to your State Senator!
Thank you so much for your activism and support!
Sincerely,
Courtney Normand Washington Public Affairs Manager Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest

~ my 2cents ...

In the pursuit of 21st Century living … Vote4DEMsElection2016 #HillaryClinton

11/04/2016 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

Today, in this 21st Century life, women still have to demand and or protest for the right to make their own personal health care choices. It would be in all our best interests to remember the things Romney said about Roe V Wade, Planned Parenthood and to Minorities …including his comments about that 47% he targeted during his Presidential campaign. I admit to not being able to understand or want to think about the trump factor in any part of a Woman’s health care decision, we all heard him say some women would face punishment for exercising their rights and while the Presidential race is close the fact remains… Today’s republican politician’s in Congress are extreme. We still have Republican Governors bent on making reproductive rights a moral issue, pushing abortion clinics out of reach, making women jump through hoops, and go through unnecessary procedures to shame them like transvaginal scopes as well as requirements that treat women as less than. The idea that women would have to wait for a procedure they choose to pay for let alone have to hear a doctor telling patients what any Governor wants is beyond offensive. Women need to be asking if this is big Government at work and demanding a change?

There are Bishops who want control of the women in their circles; maybe we need to tax those who want government funds but discriminate.

I will admit, the cliché, “do as we say NOT as we do” keeps coming to my mind every time I hear folks like the Governor of Mississippi speak on issues of women’s reproductive rights. The donald has allowed and unleashed other anti-choice republicans in office to show their true selves and we need to vote their sorry asses out! Why do we accept that Men’s health care issues unlike women’s are treated different? We all know doctors provide enhancement drugs among other things without question to the men in our or out of our lives. The crazy thing is most women are happy that men can receive great health care services because it means the women in their lives are healthier as well. Unfortunately, women of colour are being singled out as abortion scarlet’s , abortion abusers, portrayed as something mysterious possibly evil and definitely disrespected by some extreme folks on the right who do not seem to understand that birth control , contraceptives and abortion if needed are a part of ALL women’s health care. This includes the notion that single women who decide to keep their babies as the ones who “create thugs” so for them there seems to be no win win situation with the left of center and extreme right.

Sadly, women know that the struggle to gain equality in all its forms is an ongoing fight ….We must continue the fight for reproductive rights! I appreciate all the bills that have been signed by President Obama to push Americans into 21st Century living …

Finally!

Be a Seed for Change

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The Supreme Court’s decision on voting access … a repost

10/19/2016 Nativegrl77

First posted 8/6/2015

The Supreme Court announced a major decision about voting access in the United States. You can start a petition now to address these issues and make your voice heard.

The Supreme Court announced a landmark voting access decision in the case of Evenwel v. Abbott, upholding the current standard for creating congressional districts – the geographical lines that determine where you vote and who represents you in Congress – around the country.

This is the first Supreme Court decision regarding voting access and congressional districts in 50 years, and it has reignited debates about these issues around the country.

Over the past few years, hundreds of thousands of Change.org users like you have taken action to protect voting rights, expand voting access, and ensure that the United States maintains a free and open democracy. From the Voting Rights Act to expanding early voting around the country, users have started petitions to voice their opinions. Now you can add your voice to the conversation.

You can start your own petition about voting rights, voting access, or issues concerning America’s voting process by clicking here. It only takes about five minutes.

Change.org users are using these tools to ask their states to create nonpartisan committees to draw up the new congressional districts, to ask Congress to address issues of voter access, to call on governors to create early voting in in their home states, and much more.

Want to do the same? All you have to do is go to the dedicated start a petition page for voting rights and access and follow a few easy steps: https://www.change.org/start-a-petition/protecting-democracy.

In just a few moments, you can make your voice a part of the conversation.

Thanks for being a change-maker,

The Staff at Change.org