Health Care Access

ICAN believes that affordable, quality healthcare should be accessible to all people living in America. Unequal access to healthcare is a fundamental injustice in our society that has profound implications for families’ physical and economic security.

ICAN fights for access to quality healthcare through campaigns to bolster public health care programs such as Medicaid, ensure access to community benefits from health insurers and hospitals, protect the rights of managed care enrollees, and achieve the just and equitable financing of our healthcare system. Continue reading »»

Medicaid Matters

Medicaid Report 2011

Congress is locked in a budget battle that’s grabbed round-the-clock media attention. Lost in the coverage are the real stakes in the debate, including the lives of the more than 50 million people covered by Medicaid, which is now in the budget-cutting cross-hairs. More than half of these 50 million are people of color. Racial disparities in health coverage have already reached alarming proportions. Cuts to Medicaid would make these disparities even worse, taking a toll on the real lives of real people.

The experiences and perspectives of some of these real people are captured in Medicaid Makes a Difference: Protecting Medicaid, Advancing Racial Equity, from the Alliance for a Just Society and 14 members of its Health Rights Organizing Project (HROP), a network of grassroots organizations across the country committed to the fight for health equity. ICAN is a member of HROP.

Thanks to Medicaid, Adan Ramirez, of Heyburn, Idaho, has received medical coverage for his ailing heart. Eduardo Magaña, a youth from Burley, Idaho and his family are able to get medical checkups because of Medicaid. Without the program, none of this care would be available to Adan and Eduardo and millions of people like them.

Congress has been doling out tax breaks to corporations and millionaires. It’s time for Congress to change its priorities, because Medicaid matters, and so do our country’s communities of color.

Click here to download the MEDICAID MAKES A DIFFERENCE – Protecting Medicaid, Advancing Racial Equity report.

Click here to call your Member of Congress and tell them to protect Medicaid and stand strong for people of color.

Happy 46th Birthday for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security

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Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are critical programs that help Ida-hoan’s get needed health care and keep countless seniors out of poverty. July 30, 2011 marks the 46th birthday of these programs. Normally we would celebrate with birthday cake and balloons but this year is different. This year, we needn’t be celebrating with elected officials. In Idaho for example, politicians cut $39 million from Medicaid in last year’s legislative session. Now Congress is flirting with the idea of cutting billions from Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

Idaho Community Action Network and Idaho Main Street Alliance urge members to contact U.S. Senators Crapo and Risch and your U.S. Repre-sentative (either Labrador or Simpson) and wish Idaho’s elected officials an un-happy Medicare/Medicaid/Social Security Birthday. Tell them how important the Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security programs are to you, your family and friends or to your small business and why you aren’t happy with the cuts.

Senate Contact Information (contact one or both):

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo - Phone: (202) 224-6142

U.S. Senator James Risch - Phone: (202) 224-2752

Congress Contact Information (contact Congressman for your district only):

U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador - 1st Congressional District Phone: (202) 225-6611

U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson - 2nd Congressional District Phone: (202) 225-553

Unsure of what Congressional District you live in? Click on the link below to determine your Congressional District: Click here.

You may also take action on Medicaid by clicking on the link below:

http://tools.advomatic.com/8/AJSnomedicaidcuts.

Medicaid Cuts—Let’s take action!

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Last year the Idaho legislature made significant cuts to Medicaid and now families are feeling the effects.

Join ICAN as we demand change and accountability from lawmakers. Call ICAN to share your story: 208-385-9146×109. Ask for Kirsten or Leo.

In addition, we encourage our members to take action on this issue by writing a letter to the editor. Letters to the editor must be under 250 words and must include your name, address and telephone number. Only your name will be published along with your letter, but they need your contact information to confirm you wrote the letter. One way to structure you letter is to include the problem, solution and action in your piece. Below is a sample letter that has these characteristics:

Dear Editor,

This past year when the Idaho legislature made cuts to Medicaid, it really affected me and my family. It recently hit home when I was told that Medicaid would no longer pay for dental care. I am disabled and low- income. I am on a fixed disability income which leaves no room for savings. I am afraid that my children may be next to be cut from essential services.

Medicaid is a significant part of my family’s life; it’s our only affordable access to health care. The Idaho Legislature and the Department of Health and Welfare must preserve this essential program. Thousands of Idahoans depend on this program. What will I do when I have to take my children to the emergency room?

During the summer I urge our legislators and the Department of Health and Welfare to look into alternative ways to deal with this issue. Cutting essential services from our most vulnerable is not the right answer.

Sincerely,

John Doe

1125 Wild Goose Ln

Anytown, ID 12345

Medicaid Matters in Idaho

The federal health reform adopted in 2010 builds on a number of strong components of our health care system. One of these components is the Medicaid program which provides comprehensive, affordable health coverage to approximately 210,000 Idahoans.

However, Medicaid is not only a health coverage program. It is also an economic engine. Medicaid spending supports health care industry jobs in Idaho’s counties and directly purchases goods and services. These direct health care purchases trigger further cycles of earnings and purchases that ripple throughout the economy, affecting individuals and businesses not directly associated with health care, and generating jobs, income, and economic activity. Medicaid’s contributions are particularly important in rural areas, which would face even more severe strains without the boost Medicaid provides. Continue reading »»