Action Alert: Tell Congress to Extend Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Posted on December 8, 2011 by admin

The holiday season is here. Many people have family, food, and shopping on their minds. Yet, 1.8 million people are thinking of something else. They are wondering how they will take care of their families, put food on the table, and if they can afford any holiday toys for their children. They are members of the unemployed who have been hardest hit by the economic downturn and are set to lose their unemployment benefits in January 2012 if a one-year extension is not passed.

What is Congress’s response to this? Some of our elected representatives are considering cutting billions of dollars from programs that help unemployed workers, YWCA clients and others. Others are considering making monumental changes to the unemployment insurance program such as requiring unemployed individuals to work for their benefits. And at least one member of congress has mentioned extending tax cuts for people making over $200,000 a year- the very same tax cuts that the majority of people across the country oppose.

The YWCA sees first-hand the tough times facing women and families and as a result is providing shelter, childcare, bus subsidies, and medicine for sick children – the bare essentials people need. That is why it frustrates us to no end when some in Washington seem to ignore the real crisis facing women and families across this country and instead pursue policies that will not help those in need.

Budget and tax policy is a statement of our country’s priorities; right now, a priority should be helping YWCA clients, women, and families who have been hurt by this recession. Yet, even with unemployment at 8.6%, some in Congress still oppose unemployment benefits, want to cut vital programs, and extend tax cuts.

Thankfully, we have champions in Congress who believe this is the wrong policy. Please join the YWCA in standing strong with them and speak out on behalf of the millions of women and their families who rely on unemployment benefits and economic security programs. Help us tell Congress: YWCA clients, women, and children did not create this recession; and cutting programs that help them, while rewarding others with tax breaks, will not get us out of it.

Action:

Call your member of Congress at (888)-245-3381. You will have to make three calls: one to your Representative and one to each of your Senators. To find the names of your elected officials click here.

Message:

“My name is _________ and I am a constituent. I know Congress has a lot to do before it adjourns. However, I am calling to urge the (Representative/Senator) to do three things that will help families in (insert state):

1) support a one-year extension of long-term unemployment benefits for people including YWCA clients who cannot find jobs;

2) support passage of a year-long spending bill with funding for both the Child Care Development Block Grant Program, and Violence Against Women Act programs;

3) oppose extending tax cuts for people making over $200,000 a year.

As your constituent, I believe providing unemployment benefits and investing in programs such as childcare are sensible, and valuable, uses of federal funds. Extending tax breaks that will add billions of dollars to our national debt is not. Women and children did not create this recession; and cutting programs that help them, while giving others tax breaks, will not get us out of it.

Thank you.”

Background:

On the federal level, the budget and appropriations process is a statement of the priorities of the President and Congress as it outlines what the federal government will spend revenue on and how much it will spend. It also outlines what programs will receive cuts and how great a cut.

Similarly, federal tax policy outlines what individuals and/or businesses the President and Congress decide to provide tax relief for, and how much relief. Citizens influence budget and tax policy when they advocate for, or against, spending on programs, such as pushing to increase funding for child care, and when they advocate for, or against, tax relief such as pushing for cuts to property taxes.

Before Congress adjourns in December, three must-pass bills will have to be voted on:
1) extending unemployment insurance;
2) federal funding for fiscal year 2012; and
3) an extension of tax cuts that are set to expire on January 1, 2012.

You may find these links helpful:

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YWCA USA is a partner in HERvotes, a coalition of leading women’s organizations focused on mobilizing women voters in 2012 around preserving women’s Health and Economic Rights (HERrights.) This post is part of the #HERvotes blog carnival.

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Tell President Obama to Give All Women Access to Contraception without Co-Pays

Posted on December 1, 2011 by admin

The Affordable Health Care Act, the new healthcare law signed by President Obama included a number of provisions that helped women obtain affordable, quality healthcare. Over the summer, advocates secured a big victory when the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued recommendations regarding the new law, that would require all new health insurance plans to cover women’s health preventative services, including contraceptives, without co-pays!   The inclusion of contraception as a service to be covered with no cost-sharing is a tremendous step toward insuring all women have access to quality reproductive healthcare.

Currently, HHS is in the process of deciding whether or not to allow employers the ability to deny contraception coverage with no cost-sharing to their employees. They issued an interim rule that would allow some employers, such as religious employers like Catholic Hospitals and universities, to be exempt from the contraceptive coverage provision based on religious objections.

While exempting employers is bad enough, HHS  is now being asked to extend this exemption to schools, hospitals, and social service agencies, thereby allowing them to deny contraceptive care and counseling with no co-pays to those they employ. It is estimated that this would impact more than a million more women.

Action:

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not yet issued a final decision (final rule) on the issue of contraception coverage. Please contact President Obama and tell them that all women should have coverage of contraception without co-pays!

Contact the White House at (202) 456-1111 with the following message:

“My name is _____ and I am calling in strong support of the Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to adopt the Institute of Medicine recommendations for women’s preventive health services, including contraception, to be covered by all new health plans and provided with no cost sharing. This policy represents a huge step forward for women’s health and it would not have been possible without the passage of the landmark health care law.

However, I am deeply concerned about the exemption allowing some religious employers to opt out of this policy. The reality is that nearly all of sexually active women in the U.S., regardless of their religious beliefs, use contraception at some point in their lives, and it is a preventive health service that should be covered regardless of where they work.

President Obama, I respectfully ask you that you do not broaden this religious exemption.   

Thank you.

Background:

The YWCA USA believes that access to quality, affordable health care should be provided to all women and girls nationwide.

The YWCA believes that decisions regarding reproductive health care, including decisions about contraception, should be made by a woman in consultation with her doctor, not by the government, politicians, employers or others. Taking the decision out of the hands of women by broadening the religious exemption would limit and jeopardize the healthcare of women.

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Action Alert: Tell the Super Committee to Pass a Fair Deal!

Posted on November 18, 2011 by admin

The Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the “Super Committee,” is approaching a deadline of November 23, 2011 to craft a deficit-reduction package of at least $1.2 trillion.

Media reports have outlined proposals released by committee members that would make changes to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and vital human needs programs, and decrease taxes for people making over $250,000 a year–proposals that have been rejected over and over again by people in poll after poll.

Please contact your members of Congress and tell them the committee must not pass a bad deal that leaves our country worse off.

Action:

1. To find your members of Congress, click here. You will need to make three calls; one to your Representative and one to each of your Senators. To find if your member of Congress is on the Super Committee, click here.

2. Call (888) 907-1485 to be connected to your member’s office and give them the message below:

“My name is __________ and I am with the YWCA of ____________. I am also a constituent. I understand the Super Committee is working on a deal to address the deficit. I would ask the Representative/Senator to urge his/her colleagues on the committee to support the following:

  1. Revenue and military spending must be part of a balanced approach to the deficit.
  2. No eligibility and benefits changes to entitlement programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and SNAP/Food Stamps.
  3. No additional cuts to domestic discretionary programs, including the Community Development Block Grant and no changes to the charitable deduction.

I also strongly oppose extending tax cuts for people making over $250,000 a year. These tax cuts have been rejected in poll after poll by the American people. And extending them would add trillions of dollars to deficit, making reducing the deficit even tougher.

The Super Committee must address the deficit with a balanced approach and not take steps that will add trillions to our deficit. Thank you.”

Background:

The Bipartisan Congressional Super Committee was created this summer under the Budget Control Act of 2011. The committee is made up of 12 members (six Republicans and six Democrats) who must come up with at least $1.2 trillion dollars in spending cuts or revenue increases by November 23. Congress must vote on the Committee’s package by December 23. The committee has authority to consider anything that might help it achieve its minimum target of $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction.

It is vitally important that the committee listens to the American people and finds a balanced approach to reducing the deficit. There is support among Americans and policymakers for reducing waste, fraud and abuse in defense spending. Similarly, poll after poll shows that the majority of the public wants a balanced approach that includes revenue. For example:

1) An October Washington Post-Bloomberg news poll found: 80% of Democrats, 67% of Independents and 53% of Republicans supported raising taxes on people making over $250,000 a year.

2) A September 26 Pew poll found that people supported raising taxes on those making over $250,000 to reduce the debt by a two-one margin.

3) A September 19 National Journal poll found that 62 percent of people polled favor reducing the deficit by increasing taxes and cutting spending; 28 percent favored only reducing the deficit by cutting spending.

From April through August of this year, at least 23 polls showed that the majority of people polled believed the deficit could or should be reduced by having some increase in taxes.

Having revenue as part of the solution to our debt and deficit problem is not a new phenomenon. History shows that in times of economic need, elected officials of both parties have accepted the need for new revenues. Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Regan and others supported fair and balanced revenue as a means of addressing the needs of our nation.

The YWCA believes that revenue and military spending must be part of the balanced and fair approach to reducing the deficit; low and moderate-income families should not bear the costs of deficit reduction through eligibility changes in Medicare, Medicaid and Social security; and no cuts should be made to discretionary programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

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Action Alert: Call Congress to Oppose the Balanced Budget Amendment!

Posted on November 15, 2011 by admin

Call Congress Now!

The Budget Control Act (PL 112-25) passed this summer created the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction to cut the deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next decade.  Another key provision mandated that Congress vote on a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the constitution before December 31, 2011. Many economists oppose a BBA because it would result in a deeper and prolonged recession.

This week, the House of Representatives will take up (H.J. Res 2), a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the constitution. Sponsored by Representative Robert Goodlatte (R-VA), H.J. Res 2 would require Congress to balance its budget every year without regard to emergencies such as floods or recessions. The bill would also require a three-fifths vote to increase the federal debt ceiling, meaning the government could not pay its bills unless three-fifths of each chamber of Congress voted in favor of the government doing so.

Call your Representative and urge them to vote no on H.J. Res 2!

Action:

Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative. To find your Representative’s name, please click here.

Message:

“My name is _________ and I am a constituent. I urge the Representative to vote no on (H.J.Res 2), the balanced budget amendment.

Congress should reject balanced budget amendments. BBAs threaten the economy, increase unemployment, and would force huge cuts in Medicaid, Medicare, unemployment insurance and many other programs that assist women, children and families. Thank you.”

Learn More:

Center for Budget and Policy Priorities’ Analysis on the BBA and their report: Program Cuts Under a Balanced Budget Amendment: How Severe Might They Be?

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#HERvotes Blog Carnival: Women and Health Care

Posted on October 11, 2011 by admin

YWCA USA is a partner in HERvotes, a coalition of leading women’s organizations focused on mobilizing women voters in 2012 around preserving women’s Health and Economic rights (HERrights.) This post is part of the #HERvotes blog carnival.

Welcome to the #HERVotes Blog Carnival! This time, the focus is on women and health care. The blog posts below from YWCA USA and other HERvotes coalition members share details about the new benefits from the health care reform law, while also offering original insights on what’s at stake for women and health care. You’ll also find personal stories and analysis delving into the health care services we’ve all gained–and will gain–through the passage of the new health care reform law.

Some of the most impactful new health care services for mothers and families that have come about because of the new health care reform laws include:

  • All new health care plans now must cover certain preventive services such as mammograms and colonoscopies without charging a deductible, co-pay, or coinsurance.
  • Young adults are now allowed to stay on their parent’s health care plan until they turn 26 years old.
  • Insurance companies are now prohibited from imposing lifetime dollar limits on essential health care benefits, like hospital stays.
  • Insurance companies now cannot deny health care coverage to children under the age of 19 due to a pre-existing condition.

These new benefits are just the start of the increased coverage that will come about as a result of the new health care reform law. And to find out more about developments in coverage, go to www.Healthcare.gov for the most updated answers to your enrollment and coverage questions.

Last but not least: Since many of these resources and stories will help women and families looking for information about health care coverage, please be sure to share the link to this blog carnival on Facebook and to follow our Twitter conversation at #HERvotes.

Enjoy reading the many thoughtful and eye-opening blogs below!

This blog is part of the #HERvotes blog carnival.

***

YWCA USA’s  Post:

 

Coalition Blog Posts:

 

Personal Stories from the HERvotes Coalition:

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The Affordable Care Act and Women

Posted on October 7, 2011 by admin

By Desiree Hoffman
YWCA USA Director of Advocacy and Policy

March 23, 2011, marked the first anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Yet polls show that less than 47% of Americans know how it affects them.1  Lack of understanding was highest among low-income households and the uninsured.  When asked, “Do you feel you have enough information about the health reform law to understand how it will impact you personally?,” 61 percent of households with incomes less than $40,000 per year said “no;” 60 percent of uninsured individuals responded “no.”

Today, many households are struggling in a difficult economy and rightly feel a sense of disconnection between their own lives and politics.  It isn’t surprising that many people don’t feel they have enough information about the ACA, let alone feel they have accurate information.

Recently I had the chance to speak to a room full of seniors and retirees about the ACA.  What stood out to me was the audience knew more about how the law protected their grandchildren than they did about how ACA helps them.  Under the new law, the audience knew that insurers could no longer discriminate based on a child’s preexisting condition, and that dependent children under the age of 26 could remain on their parent’s health care plans.  What the mostly female audience did not know, however, was that they would no longer be charged co-pays for preventative services such as mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, immunizations, and annual physical exams.

Retirees and seniors were not aware that the ACA:

  • provides free mammograms every one to two years for women aged 40 and above, and patients identified as high-risk candidates for breast cancer can receive consultation on chemoprevention, and genetic evaluation;
  • makes it illegal for insurers to deny coverage to women based on pre-existing conditions, including cesarean sections, breast cancer, chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes and even domestic violence; and
  • ensures that low-income and moderate-income women and families are able to afford health care by expanding Medicaid and offering new affordability credits to families — between 133 percent to 400 percent of the federal poverty level (Example: The range is between $29,328 to $88,000 for a family of four based on 2009 HHS guidelines) — to help pay for health care premiums.

Most shocking to me was that the audience of primarily women had no idea that, before ACA, insurers refused to cover survivors of domestic violence. Before the law, insurers defined domestic violence as a pre-existing condition since many victims often had higher utilization rates of the emergency room and, thus, were viewed as “high risk” or more costly to insure, providing the basis for refusal of health care coverage at all. Under ACA, an insurance company can no longer discriminate against  — and re-victimize — a domestic violence survivor by denying health insurance coverage.

From the provisions that help children and grandchildren, to the measures that address breast cancer and help domestic violence survivors obtain health care insurance, the ACA clearly makes healthcare more affordable for women and their families. While the affordability credits do not kick- in until 2014, they are important components of the law that help low and moderate income families. People are struggling with rising healthcare costs and stagnant wages in an economy where unemployment remains high; expanding Medicaid and providing subsidies to help pay for health care premiums will help tremendously.

Despite these benefits, there are intensifying efforts to repeal or weaken the ACA.  At the beginning of the 112th Congress, bills were introduced to repeal the entire law, but they did not muster enough votes to pass.  Now, there is a flurry of amendments to halt agencies from fully implementing key provisions of the ACA, and bills to restrict comprehensive reproductive health care services.

This month is declared both national Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Knowing the important benefits that ACA means for breast cancer prevention and treatment and for survivors of domestic violence, there is no better way to commemorate this month than by speaking out in support of the ACA to your Senators and Representative or by educating yourself and your loved ones on the benefits of the new law.

To learn more about the new law visit:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/relief-for-americans-and-businesses#healthcare-menu

1 Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, March 2011

 

Desiree Hoffman, YWCA USA

Desiree Hoffman

 

Desiree Hoffman is Director of Advocacy and Policy at YWCA USA.

YWCA USA is a partner in HERvotes, a coalition of leading women’s organizations focused on mobilizing women voters in 2012 around preserving women’s Health and Economic rights (HERrights.) This post is part of the #HERvotes blog carnival. Read other HERvotes blogs here.

 

 

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Marie Johnson: From Homeless to YWCA Director

Posted on September 27, 2011 by admin
Marie Johnson

Marie Johnson’s journey took her from homelessness and addiction to serving on the Board of Directors at YWCA Evansville (Indiana).

All across the country, YWCAs see amazing examples of resilient women who defy odds, overcome incredible obstacles, and empower themselves to create the lives — amazing lives — they want to live.

One such example is Marie Johnson in Evansville, Ind. A few years ago, she faced homelessness and drug abuse. With the help of a 12-step program, YWCA transitional housing, lots of hard work and lots of faith, Marie has turned her life around. Today, she stands ready to give back and make a difference in the lives o other women — by serving as a member of the Board of Directors at YWCA Evansville!

“She was part of our transition housing recovery program where we provide housing and services for homeless women in recovery,” says Erika Taylor, CEO of YWCA Evansville. “Marie lost everything. She has since become clean, remarried her husband and lives with her children. She is going to college and helping others in recovery. She will join our board of directors in March 2012. We are so proud!”

Marie’s Story:

A few years ago I was an IV meth user, among other things. I had already lost my home, my husband and a successful family business. I had no hope and my spirit was gone. One day amidst the chaos and desperation that had quickly become my life I uttered the most simple and heartfelt prayer; “God, please make it stop.” Sometimes God and I have different ideas about how to go about things, however thus far my attempts to change and control my life had failed.

God’s plan was a much more drastic measure involving the loss of my physical freedom. My chains of addiction were removed and replaced with the very real chains of shackles and cuffs. In that moment walking to face the judge behind my ex-husband I was indeed freed.

When the physical chains were removed I had nowhere to turn.

Everything I owned had been looted by my “friends” in the drug world. I come from a good family who loved me enough that they could no longer watch me die slowly. They had painfully decided to love me but to no longer help and enable me.

During treatment I discovered the YWCA Transitional Housing Recovery Program (THRP). The hard fact was there were no other facilities of its kind anywhere near my two children whom I missed with an aching deep in my soul. God knew I could not stay clean without at least a glimmer of hope in that area. I was accepted in the program and moved to a cozy little bedroom all my own with a wonderful view of the river. I was broken, but I was home. I arrived with a duffle bag of clothes and a bible to my name.

All of my immediate needs were met upon arrival including scheduled visits with my children. I decided to surrender my will and follow the suggestions of those that God and the judge had put before me.

I participated in every program offered at the YWCA. I was taught budgeting and planning by a professional banker. I took parenting classes from a CASA worker and was educated by the volunteers of Matthew 25 on the dangers of disease spread by needles. We had a weekly relapse prevention education group. The staff set me up with services necessary to get glasses, receive health care, clothing and transportation among other things.

They treated me with dignity and respect that began to break down the walls of self-loathing I had constructed around myself. I began attending 12-step meetings and Celebrate Recovery through Restore Ministries. There I found the support system I needed to assure the efforts I made would affect permanent change. I remained in the program for 14 months and slowly my spirit was renewed and awakened. I was able to begin rebuilding every area of my life. I have since remarried my husband and regained custody of my children. A few years ago I didn’t even have the privilege of freedom. Nobody needed me for much of anything, I was broken and damaged. Not long after I left the program, I heard a statistic that broke my heart and lit a fire in my soul. It said that only .07% of meth addicts recover. I am now a 38-year-old college sophomore going for a social work degree. I hope to touch lives that have been torn apart by the disease of addiction. God placed a dream in my heart to get well, get an education and share with others how I did it.

Each and every “hassle” in my life is a privilege. My life was empty and meaningless and now I am everything to a few people that need me.

Sometimes I wonder if I can handle my blessings. Then I remember that God started this work in me and He will be faithful to complete it. He will never give me more than I can handle although I think He thinks too highly of me sometimes. None of this would have been possible without the THRP program and the YWCA helping me to let go of what I was, so that I could become what I might be.

 

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“Dear Congress…”: A Young Woman’s Letter to Our Elected Officials on Jobs, Student Loans, and More

Posted on September 12, 2011 by admin

by Rhonda Bishop
YWCA USA Advocacy Associate

I watched President Obama lay out his framework for putting Americans back to work last Thursday and thought if I could write one personal letter to Congress—what would I say?

So here it goes…

Dear Congress,*

I pay my taxes, make timely payments to all three of my student loans, respect my elders, pay my parking tickets, kind to animals, and graduated with honors.

I have done everything you have asked of me and yet, I stand by as you question my reproductive rights, strip more and more taxes out of my meager pay checks and eliminate subsidized loans for graduate programs after I decide to pursue grad school.

Yet, my struggles sheepishly pale in comparison to the millions of women, children and families that are served by the YWCA every day.

The struggling economy has alarmingly increased domestic violence occurrences, women are being laid off in thousands, mothers struggle to provide childcare for their children, and one in six Americans struggle with hunger.

Intently, I watched President Obama lay out his framework for putting people back to work.  Congress, you are fully aware that we are in an economic crisis of epic proportions!  I am counting on you to decrease the bickering, increase employment opportunities and advocate for fair, progressive tax policies that benefit everyone.

YWCA providers save thousands of lives through successful programs and rehabilitation services—and we invite you to tour our facilities, speak to our clients and learn just what “Persimmon Power” really means.

I love the YWCA. As one of the women it represents, I am proud of its history and hopeful for its future. We won’t sit idle and let a handful of people determine the direction of this country.

We are the voices for women who need jobs and have jobs, women seeking childcare, women seeking shelters from abusive partners.

We are the voices for women across the country and you will hear from us.

We will stand together in support of funding for programs that include VOCA, childcare, housing and workforce training for those who need it most.

Congress, I respectfully give you notice that the YWCA is 2 million strong…and counting. We will write. We will call. We will vote. We may even meet with you.

But I promise–you will hear from us.

Respectfully,

Rhonda Bishop
A Frazzled-Yet-Hopeful-Post-Graduate

* The opinions and views expressed by the author in this letter are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of YWCA USA, YWCA associations, affiliates, or employees.

Rhonda Bishop

Rhonda Bishop


Rhonda Bishop, a native of East Lansing, Mich., is an advocacy associate at YWCA USA. A graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C., Rhonda majored in journalism and has been navigating the post-graduate voyage ever since.

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YWCA Recognizes Women of 9/11; CNN to Air Women of 9/11 Documentary

Posted on September 9, 2011 by admin

Join us as we commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

The YWCA USA recognizes the courage and strength of our women first responders, who selflessly risked their lives to help thousands of victims of 9/11.

No such act should go unrecognized; the YWCA honors these women, and we welcome you to join the chorus.

Let us honor those we’ve lost, those who continue to serve our country and the countless “sheroes” who saved lives on September 11, 2001.

Donate now to help us continue to support servicewomen and military families. With donations of $250 or more, you will receive a free vintage military women poster!

Also, tune in to CNN Sunday, Sept. 11 at 10PM ET/PT to watch Soledad O’Brien’s documentary, “Beyond Bravery: The Women of 9/11“:

 

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YWCA CEO Gloria Lau Meets with White House Officials on Jobs for Women

Posted on September 8, 2011 by admin

Tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern time, President Obama will address a joint session of Congress. The President’s speech will focus on his jobs plan which is expected to include initiatives aimed at creating jobs, assistance for state and local governments and assistance for unemployed workers.

In anticipation of the speech, YWCA USA Chief Executive Officer Gloria Lau, along with leaders of other national women’s organizations, recently met with members of the President’s team to discuss the needs of working and unemployed women.  Lau’s remarks specifically focused on how the nonprofit sector is both a sector of employment for women and a critical provider of services to women.

You can tune in to watch President Obama’s speech on http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/Live.

Immediately following the President Obama’s address, the White House will host a live public discussion with policy experts answering your questions on the President’s speech. You can submit your questions through WhiteHouse.gov, Facebook and Twitter.

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