Whose Paying for Health Care Reform

Two questions that kept popping up during the health care service events in Connecticut this past weekend were "How is the President going to pay for this new health care reform?" and "Who will pay for it?" I was encouraged to find that 90% of the people I spoke with realize that doing nothing is not an option. But there is worry and concern on where the money to fix our broken system will come from.

We are already paying for health care, and dearly. We pay for procedures that are unnecessary. We are charged exorbitant fees for emergency room and hospital stays. We pay marked up rates for hospital supplies. Take a look at an itemized bill and see how much a box of tissues cost (makes you want to bring your own). These items are purchased in bulk at wholesale rates. The larger the quantity, the lower the wholesale unit price. Hospitals often charge the patient/consumer for these items at two to three times their retail value, and more. This is true for more than just boxes of tissues. It seems that any item that is provided by a hospital to the patient/consumer goes through a price markup that is higher than the retail value.

And who pays for those "goody bags" when a new born mother leaves the hospital? Something in my gut tells me the new born mother's health care provider is paying for that "gift."

Granted, these items noted above cannot be "shared" by patients, but that still does not justify the price hike. These costs are then paid for by the health care providers, who then in turn raise their rates. Obviously, the hospital is making a profit from charging these items to the patient/consumer. This is permissible in a free-market society.

So what do we as patient/consumers do? Do we brown bag for our hospital stays? That is to say, bring our own "goody bags" with our own tissues, lotion, plastic surgical gloves, cotton balls, tongue pressers, our own aspirin, etc. imagine telling your dentist, "Wait. Use my surgical gloves. I got them on sale at the local dollar store." While that might make good press to have people "brown bag" their hospital supplies for a day, it is highly impractical, since most trips to the hospital are not planned. Nevertheless, the gnawing feeling of being "taken in" remains.

It would be great if our lawmakers could take a look at hospital pricing in the same manner as was most recently done with credit card interest fees. We have to look at how we are charging the patient/consumer from all angles.

It is great to see that our administration is making headway on cutting costs and eliminating waste within our current system. Most recently, the US Dept. of Health and Human Services brought charges against various groups, involving $82 million dollars of Medicare/Medicaid fraud.

Turning up the HEAT to Stop Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
Most health care providers are doing the right thing and providing care with integrity. But sadly, due to the illegal actions of a small but active group of heath care fraud perpetrators, billions of dollars are stolen from taxpayers each year. Medicare fraud schemes have grown bolder and more elaborate, resulting in billions of dollars in false billings and fraud schemes which are robbing Medicare and Medicaid blind and leaving our most vulnerable citizens at risk ...

Some schemes that have been uncovered include:

Miami Physician Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison for Role in $10 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

Eight Miami-Area Residents Charged in $22 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme Involving Home Health Care Agencies

Medicare Fraud Strike Force Operations Lead to Charges Against 53 Doctors, Health Care Executives and Beneficiaries for More Than $50 Million in Alleged False Billing in Detroit

No doubt, these efforts of our current administration will save us billions of dollars and allow us to spend money wisely.

Thank you for all that you do.

Val McCall, State Chair
Organizing for Connecticut


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National Health Care Day of Service in Hartford a Total Success

Organizing for Connecticut volunteers team up with Goya Foods and Hartford's Hispanic Health Council to promote health and wellness in the heart of Hartford's Latino community and market place, La Plaza Del Mercado, on Saturday afternoon, June 27th.

Throughout the day, over 300 neighborhood residents stopped by to obtain samples of traditional Spanish foods that were organic and low in sodium content. "I tried these new food items at home and there's no difference in the taste," commented Hilsa Morgan, a volunteer from Vernon CT. Hilsa shared why she had driven all the way from Vernon to Hartford on such a beautiful day to volunteer saying that,

"I was talking to Thea a couple of weeks ago about how people, especially women, in the Latino community die so young and so often from diabetes, obesity, cancer and about our starchy diet. I am Puerto Rican and I cook the same way. I talked about today with my husband, who is a chef. He called Goya Foods and they were delighted to donate samples of their new line of low sodium, organic foods. I really feel good about doing this and helping my community to eat healthier for a better life.

Margarita Valdez helped to pass out food samples and said, "When I heard about this event, I wanted come and learn more about eating better. I eat Goya foods all the time. I think it is great that the company is doing this." Margarita stated that she thinks President Obama is taking the right approach with health care by encouraging each person to take better care of themselves. "I just got health care insurance," Margarita stated. "I was without it for a long time and I hope that the President will be able to get health care reform accomplished this year."

The Hispanic Health Council set up a table and, as residents stopped to pick up food samples, Yizza Galdamez (HHC) talked with them about the importance of a healthy and balanced diet, coupled with regular exercise. Yizza had on hand a wealth of information packets in English and Spanish on the various HC health care initiatives. She stated that she was so excited about this activity and wants to continue to work together in this way for the Latino community. She too is hopeful that President Obama will be able to pass his health care reform plan stating that,

"One of the concerns that frustrates me with our current system is that I come in contact with people who are working, trying to improve the quality of their life be denied health care coverage because of the fact that they have a small, part-time job. They do not earn enough to pay for private health care and, because they have even just a small job, they are disqualified to receive public health assistance."

Yizza also stated that she was happy to see volunteers from the community get involved.

In addition to the materials that HHC had on hand, OFC volunteers brought along fliers highlighting President Obama's health care plan in English and Spanish, sharing the fliers and talking about health care reform with neighborhood residents. "It is important for people to know what the facts are," stated Amy Martin, a volunteer fluent in both Spanish and English. "I believe that our doing days of service is also very important," she continued. "It shows we are not just about politics, we actually care about the community and are willing to help."

In the spirit of service, OFC is donating the left over packages of rice and seasonings and the cans of beans to a local homeless shelter. OFC and HHC will continue to work on various health care service projects in the Latino community over the next few months.

Thank you for all that you do.

Val McCall
State Chair
Organizing for Connecticut


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The Power of Unity: Connecticut's New Energy

There is an amazing energy that is building in Connecticut. The energy is the power of unity -- many in body / one in mind. Time and again during this past legislative session, ordinary citizens united together to bring about change in our state. In the town of Waterbury, citizens and elected officials rallied together, unanimously passing SB 3 to prevent the world's largest garbage dump from being built in the heart of the town's most populated area. Similar efforts statewide won continued funding of matters concerning charter schools. It was our united voice that brought about the strong passage of two critical health care bills, SustiNet and Connecticut Partnership bills. And in the town of East Hartford, high school students rallied with parents and teachers, and students from middle and elementary schools to put back the funding in the city budget for sports, arts and gifted/talented programs -- and they won.

This kind of actual proof shows us that when we unite together, we can accomplish anything.

On Sunday, June 23rd, over 200 citizens and elected officials came out and rallied at the State Capitol to save medicaid services. “We’re here to ask our leaders to remember the people behind the budget cuts,” Brenda Kelley, AARP state director, said Tuesday. “One in eight people in the state of Connecticut depend on Medicaid.” (full article)

On Tuesday, June 24th, once again Connecticut citizens and elected officials lead by the Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care united their voices and first held a vigil outside of the State Capitol that was followed by a march to the Governor's mansion, seeking access to quality affordable health care -- with a strong public option -- for all.

Late in the evening of June 24th and on June 25th, Connecticut citizens joined with thousands of people from across the country and rallied at the nation's capitol calling for health care reform. "Harry's dead and Louise has got diabetes," Gerald McEntee, international president of the AFSCME, told the thousands at the rally, sponsored by the organization Health Care For America Now. He was referencing the infamous television commercial, funded by the Health Insurance Association of America, that had a hand in killing President Clinton's attempt at health care reform in the 1990's." (See full article.)

The battle is not over and there is still much work to be done.

We must continue to stand with President Obama and each other in a united voice and call members of Congress to let them know that quality, affordable health care with a strong public option is in the best interest of all of America's citizens. Our united voice brought us this far and it will carry us to victory. Everyone is being encouraged to call members of Congress today to keep the momentum going.

Call Congress and let them know that we strongly support President Obama's three principles for health care reform in 2009. Namely:

Congress must pass a plan that reduces costs, guarantees choice – including the choice of a public insurance option – and ensures quality care for every American.

It gets better. This weekend, Connecticut citizens are participating in the President's National Health Care Day of Service. What a great way to end the week. Click here to find an event near you.

Goya Foods and Hartford's Healthcare Hispanic Council Support Pres. Obama's National Health Care Day of Service

On Saturday, June 27, 2009, Organizing for Connecticut (OFC) in support of Organizing for America (OFA), will be one of many organizations around the country who are hosting community service events designed to educate the public on the importance of health care reform, and to take responsibility for one’s own health. In support of President Obama’s prevention/nutrition and wellness approach to health care reform, OFC has joined with OFA, Goya Foods and the Hispanic Health Council to host a nutrition and wellness fair at La Plaza Del Mercado Market, 704 Park Street (corner of Babcock and Park Streets) Hartford, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

“This is the first of several health care service events being planned that will take place over the next 81 days,” stated Thea Montanez, OFC state health care coordinator. “Health care reform is an important issue for all Americans, especially for the 32% of the Latino community under the age of 65 that are currently uninsured.”

Montanez stated that she chose the Hispanic community to launch this effort because it is the largest ethnic community in Connecticut. “Ethnic communities, whether black or brown, often have the highest rates of disease associated with diet and life style. We love rich foods that are high in calories, fat/transfats and sodium.” Montanez stated. She added that, “Studies have found this is especially true among Latina women. The leading cause of death for Latina women is heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. Research studies have shown that a balanced diet and regular exercise can prevent many health related issues, including heart disease and cancer.”

Goya Foods, Co-Sponsor, will be providing free samples of its low sodium and organic food products. Rice and beans is a staple of the Hispanic diet. The company now offers organic low sodium beans, organic rice, Adobo Light and other food items. Goya Foods is also featuring several light and healthy recipes on it's web site. Founded in 1936 by Don Prudencio Unanue and his wife Carolina, the Goya story is as much about the importance of family as it is about achieving the American dream. Goya was started in a small storefront in Lower Manhattan, New York, catering to local Hispanic families by distributing Spanish foods such as olives, olive oil and sardines. Driven by the belief that there was a growing consumer market for high-quality, fresh-tasting, Latino foods, the Unanues infused their personal philosophy throughout the company. This commitment to excellence is the cornerstone of Goya's popular credo, "If it's Goya, it has to be good". The result of this simple, yet deeply resonant pledge is the evolution of Goya Foods into a leader in the Latin American food industry, with operations spanning the globe. By providing traditional Latino foods that are produced organically and low in sodium content, consumers can enjoy familiar foods that promote a healthy diet.

The Hispanic Health Council (HHC), also a Co-Sponsor, will be providing tips and valuable information on exercise and diet, as well as services available in the community. Established in 1978 in response to the health care crisis in the Puerto Rican community, HHC is a community-based, non-profit organization located in Hartford. HHC integrates public advocacy, high-level community-based research and research-based service to provide outstanding care to the poor and underserved. To carry out this charge, the organization has established six Centers of Excellence in Hartford: Center for Community Health Research, Center for Risk Reduction, Center for Youth and Families, Center for Women and Children, Center for Community Nutrition, and Center for Creative Marketing and Design.

The President's health care initiative is critical for all Americans. Many underserved communities suffer from a lack of access to quality, affordable health care. In Connecticut, although the Latino community comprises only nine percent (9%) of the state's population, this community makes up 40% of the uninsured in Connecticut. In addition, fifty-seven percent (57%) of the state's Latino population are obese. When compared to non-Latino whites in the state, Connecticut Latinos have a sixty percent (60%) higher mortality rate due to diabetes. Each year the state loses approximately $1.64 billion as a result of preventable illness among the uninsured. (See A Profile OF
Latino Health in Connecticut: The Case for Change in Policy & Practice, by HHC and Latino Policy Inst.)

President Obama and Mrs. Obama have reached out to all Americans to engage in healthier diets and lifestyles by launching the National Health Care Day of Service. The First Lady’s Victory Garden and her efforts to educate youth to eat healthy have inspired Montanez to do the same in Connecticut starting with her own community. While this event focuses on the Latino community, all are welcome to come and get inspired to engage in a healthier diet and exercise.

This event is free and is open to the general public for all ages.

Click here to sign up for this event, as well as get a list of neighbors to call to come out and enjoy an afternoon of healthy food, fun and family.

Governing at its Worst - Defund. Veto. Just Say No.

When Governor Rell (R-CT) began submitting her budget proposals, one of the first items she proposed to defund was the State's Office of the Healthcare Advocate whose mission is "dedicated to serving Connecticut's health insurance consumers by resolving conflicts with their insurance plans," acting on behalf of consumers with insurance companies, empowering consumers "to become effective self-advocates" by educating them of their "rights and responsibilities under traditional and managed care health plans," and provide consumers with a voice in the legislative process. There was such a public outcry from citizens and elected officials, the Governor rescinded her proposal to defund OHA.

During this legislative session, OHA set out to close a major loophole in a 2007 law that had to do with an insurer's ability to rescind or limit individual policies or deny claims based on medical information they uncover after a claim comes in. In other words, one could be lying in a hospital, undergoing major surgery and suddenly, without warning or recourse, be dropped by your carrier, leaving you without a means to continue treatment, or possibly loose your home because now that you are uninsured, you cannot afford to pay for treatment.

To address the loophole in the 2007 law, a bill was proposed during this past legislative session that made it more difficult for heath insurers to rescind individual policies. The bill passed the House and the Senate only to be vetoed by the Governor. No doubt, industry lobbyists were hard at work. What is chillingly clear in the language she chose in her veto, Governor Rell's concern is with the special interest groups and not the people she has promised to serve. State Healthcare Advocate Kevin Lemob was quoted in The Hartford Courant, stating that the Governor's decision is "among the most callous veto messages I have ever seen from this governor."

Lembo added that, "Nowhere in her veto message is there a recognition of the impact on a patient lying in a hospital bed whose policy has been ripped away ... No concern for people losing their homes or foregoing life-saving treatment because an insurance company decided it was too expensive." Read full article.

Each of us must become self-empowered to be our own health care advocate. We cannot continue to allow insurance companies to dictate our medical care. Six months ago, my husband's physician prescribed a medication to lower his cholesterol. Upon trying to fill his prescription, our insurance carrier decided that the doctor's request was too expensive and attempted to force my husband to take another medication, which was much less expensive. My husband called his doctor who insisted on the prescription he wrote for medical reasons. It took this doctor almost three weeks of phone calls back and forth between doctor and insurance carrier to finally get the insurance company to agree to the doctor's prescription.

It is up to us to take full responsibility for our health care in every way.

Stand Up for Health Care. Join with hundreds of organizations, groups and individuals and contact Congress and let them hear our united voice to provide viable health care reform THIS legislative session. And then come out on Saturday, June 27th, and attend one of the health care service events that is taking place in Connecticut and all across Connecticut. Click here to find an event near you.

If you are in the Greater Hartford Area, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Hispanic open market on Park Street in downtown Hartford, come out and try some of Goya's new low sodium brands as the company reaches out to the Hispanic community to enjoy traditional foods delivered in a more healthy way. Find out about health and exercise, get your blood pressure checked and more. Click here for full details.

Val McCall
State Chair
Organizing for Connecticut


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Fixing Health Care: A United Voice - Free Bus to DC

Here's a special message from John Murphy (CCAG Political Director).
This is a critical week for health care reform on both the national and state level. CCAG needs you to let your elected officials know that you need quality, affordable and accessible health care now! Below is information on two major actions you can participate in this week:

Wednesday, June 24 -- March to tell Governor Rell to sign the Sustinet and Health Partnership bills / sendoff rally for Health Care for America Now (HCAN) National Lobby Day

Thursday, June 25 -- Health Care for America Now (HCAN) National Lobby Day -- Washington, D.C. [Reserve a seat on the FREE BUS to D.C.]

Here are the details

On Wednesday, June 24, at 4:30 PM, The Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care will march from the Legislative Office Building in Hartford to the Governor's Mansion at 990 Prospect Avenue in Hartford, arriving at 5:30 PM. We will ask Governor Rell to sign SustiNet into Law, creating a plan for health care for EVERYONE.

In addition to appealing to Connecticut's Governor, participants of the procession are acting in solidarity with the national mobilization of concerned religious leaders and people of faith around health care for all, who are gathering in Washington, D.C. at the same time. They will also be sending their message of health care reform with those of us going to Washington, D.C. There will be van transportation available at the LOB for rides to the Governor's Mansion and back to the LOB. If you plan to march the whole way, please wear comfortable shoes.

The Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care is a multiracial and multicultural group of religious leaders of diverse faith traditions from throughout Connecticut who have come together to fight for quality, affordable health care for EVERYONE.

If you haven't signed up already, please reserve a spot on one of the free buses going to Washington, D.C. for HCAN National Lobby Day on Thursday, June 25!

HCAN Connecticut Co-Chairs Tom Swan (CCAG Executive Director) and John Olsen (CT AFL-CIO President) need you to come to Washington, D.C. to lobby the Connecticut Congressional delegation to pass the HCAN and Obama health care reforms that include a public health insurance option.

Connecticut has led the nation on health care reform by passing the SustiNet and Healthcare Partnership bills in the CT General Assembly, and now we need to take on Washington!

Join HCAN groups including CCAG, CT State AFL-CIO, AFSCME, healthcare4every1, Organizing for CT, Planned Parenthood of CT, SEIU, United Action of CT, and many others to work for quality, affordable and accessible health care for everybody!

So join us on the bus to Washington D.C. It is free of charge, and you can reserve a seat online right here.

There will be pickup points in the Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport and Stamford areas. Buses will leave the Hartford area at 11:50 PM Wednesday, June 24 and will arrive in Washington, D.C. at 8:30 AM. There will be lobbying visits, a rally, and a town hall forum to make your voice heard before we leave for Connecticut at 6 PM. Buses will be back around midnight. To reserve bus space, click here.

For questions or more information, contact me by e-mail info@ccag.net or phone (860) 995-3389. To reserve bus space, click here.

See you in D.C.,

John Murphy
CCAG Political Director

Gov. Rell on the Internet, Telecommunications, Libraries, Schools, Text Book Replacement: Just Say No

While cleaning out my basement, I came across several rotary phones and old typewriters, one of which is a manual Underwood typewriter with a two foot long carriage return that was too heavy for me to carry upstairs. It might turn out to be a good thing that I did not toss these items (or EBay them) what with the Governor defunding Internet access for certain state departments, including the Connecticut Education Network, the "fiber optic network designed to serve public schools and libraries in Connecticut." She might just need these things -- one can never be too frugal.

I find it unfathomable that on the one hand, we watch daily as the only news out of Iran on their election concerns is via Twitter because the Iranian government has cut off usage of cell phones, disallowed Internet access and is not allowing reporters to report from the streets. We watch daily to catch a glimpse of news from Iranian Twitter users for an update, as we comment how unfortunate it is that information is being censored.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch in Connecticut, our Governor has decided that the cost of Internet access for Connecticut's schools and libraries (among some other departments) is too costly -- even though some of these programs are matched through federal funding. She is also proposing similar kinds of cuts on other telecommunications that include cell phone usage. And this in the Constitution State! It is as if a parent who finds it difficult to buy shoes for their children decides the best alternative is to cut off their feet. While this example is extreme, so is the Governor's decision. It lacks leadership and so much more.

Connecticut needs leadership at its the helm.

Here are the facts about Governor Rell's proposed budget cuts on the Internet that appears on a post in the Face Book Group, CT2010: A Democratic Governor for Connecticut by Jonathan Pelto. Read the post and then join the group. Let's bring leadership back to the Governor's office in our state.

In a move worthy of Ray Bradbury’s book Fahrenheit 451, in which all critical thought through reading is outlawed, Governor Jodi Rell’s budget proposal seeks to quash any thought that Connecticut’s future is linked to our ability to compete in the information and internet age.

Some of you may have read about Rell’s proposal in a recent Bill Cibes Op. Ed. in The Hartford Courant, but if you haven’t, here are the basic facts.

Rell’s proposed budget cuts would shut off the Connecticut Education Network (The “fiber optic network designed to serve public schools and libraries in Connecticut”).

Rell wants to cut $3 million in funding for the network to eliminate "software licenses, Internet services and local/long distance telecommunications."

This cut would eliminate the state Internet connection from kindergarten through 12th-grade schools and all libraries in the state, and eliminate service lines to schools and libraries in the state’s non-urban districts.

Of course schools and libraries could purchase access for themselves, but it would further drive a wedge between the state’s wealthiest districts and those that are having trouble already making ends meet.

Amazingly Rell’s actions would also cost Connecticut over $1 million in federal "E-rate" funds, which help pay for these important programs, and [would] prevent [Connecticut] from accessing the new grants for broadband expansion under the federal stimulus bill.

Unwilling to stop there, Rell also calls for cutting the $2 million State Library’s digital content program that provides information for schools and libraries across the state. Rell also eliminates the funding ($675,000) for the statewide library database program which allows people to access library materials. Both of these successful programs receive 50 percent federal reimbursement, so the actual savings are minimal but the costs are high as library are forced to either eliminate the services completely or pay for higher costs as they week to purchase these services on their own.

And the list goes on ... the Governor proposes to eliminate funding for Connecticard payments, which support the inter-library loan program between the 195 participating libraries in the state. She cuts in half the funds to purchase legal books and journals ... and cuts ALL grants to the state’s public libraries at a time they are already facing cuts at the local level.

Oh, and as Bill Cibes noted in his op ed. – “just to make sure that Connecticut is totally ill-prepared for its economic future — all funding in the state Department of Education "to purchase replacement textbooks for the technical high schools" is cut for the next two fiscal years.”

Cibes ended by noting that Noah Webster would be so proud!

The fact is, so would the government of Fahrenheit 451.

Val McCall
State Chair
Organizing for Connecticut


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Keep the Public Option on the Table

President Obama has announced three key principles that we must adhere to in order to bring about meaningful health care reform:

REDUCE COSTS — Rising health care costs are crushing the budgets of governments, businesses, individuals and families and they must be brought under control.

GUARANTEE CHOICE — Americans must have the freedom to keep whatever doctor and health care plan they have, or to select a new doctor or health care plan if they choose.

ENSURE AFFORDABLE CARE FOR ALL — All Americans must have quality and affordable health care.

Last week, a new, "Co-op" health care proposal was announced and it may be gaining support in the Senate that could defeat the public option. The proposal would create a series of small, regional "co-op" insurance plans that would be weak and unable to truly compete with private insurers and bring down our costs. In addition, the "co-op" plans would mostly be privately run, and not accountable to voters or Congress.

We need a strong public health insurance plan that has the size and strength to reduce overhead, negotiate lower costs for drugs and treatments, and compete with national private health insurance plans. Small, regional co-op plans just won't cut it.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Call Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman today. They need to hear that voters want a strong, national public health insurance option. Ask that they please oppose the "co-op" proposal and any other half-measures.

Senator Chris Dodd
Phone: (202) 224-2823

Senator Joe Lieberman
Phone: (202) 224-4041

After you call Senators Dodd and Lieberman, sign the online pledge to Stand with President Obama on health care reform with a strong public option. If we are to succeed, members of Congress need to hear from us -- and often.

Thank you for all that you do.

Val McCall, State Chair
Organizing for Connecticut


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Milestones or Myths

It's June and a time for attending graduations and celebrating achievements of our students who worked diligently throughout the year to accomplish a great milestone in their life.

My granddaughter, Kamilah, graduates this week and not without special recognition for her achievements this past year. Among Kamilah's talents, including a beautiful voice and ballet dancer, is her incredible gift to communicate with animals. From an early age, Kamilah has expressed her desire to become a veterinarian. For that reason, Kamilah has been working very hard to pull up her grades with her eyes set on honor and AP classes when she enters high school in the Fall. Kamilah is a great cook and loves to eat. To ensure she maintains a healthy balance in her lifestyle, Kamilah has taken up boxing this year and works out at the gym regularly with her Mom and older sister. Kamilah is excited about high school and wants to be in shape to be able to join one of the sports teams this Fall.

Kamilah's younger brother, Marcus, at the age of 11 is an accomplished musician and plays just about any instrument he picks up. His main focus is piano and percussion. He loves football but due to an injury, he was benched for the year for his own safety. He is looking forward to getting back out on the football field in the Fall.

Marcus has always done well in his academic courses and has been an "A" student over the past few years. This year, Marcus has excelled even further and is slated to enter in high honors for all of his academic courses this Fall. What a grand achievement.

Kamilah's older sister, Izegbe (L-R Marcus, Ashley, Izegbe), a high school student, has achieved much this year, as she has in the past, in the arts and academics. A gifted dancer and singer, Izegbe is a member of her high school's Jazzapella performing group where she choreographed some of the routines that Jazzapella performed. She is a fine artist and has won awards for her paintings and collages. Most notable is her ability to write short stories. When she graduated from junior high school, Izegbe's valedictorian speech brought tears to the eyes of young and old alike. At high school, Izegbe became a member of the mediation team, successfully assisting in working out disputes of her peers. She ran for and was elected class president. It was no surprise for Izegbe to achieve honors English and her school chorus for next Fall, as well as be accepted into the school for the arts. She is slated to spend half her day in academic classes and half her day in classes for the arts.

On the surface, this family should be celebrating. All the hard work and efforts that each expended has paid off in spades. Not so fast.

When Marcus enters school in the Fall, there will be no high honors program for him to further excel, no football team for him to get back to and no music classes to continue his love of music. When Kamilah enters school in the Fall, there will be no honor classes or AP courses for her to aspire to, no choral groups or sports teams for her to participate in. When Izegbe enters school in the Fall, there will be no honors or AP classes, no choral group, and that special school for the arts is at risk because of budget cuts.

In every household across America, we promise our children that if they work hard, they will realize their dreams. If they apply themselves in school, they will be able to enter the college of their choice, thereby ensuring their future success. We encourage our children to take part in art, music and sports and strive for gifted programs to ensure their learning experience is a sustainable one. And now that our children have done just that, the rug is being yanked out from beneath their feet.

In true, trickle-down economics style, the economic mess of the past eight years is causing the majority of the cities in this state (among many other states) to defund the honors and AP courses, defund the arts, music and sports programs, defund access to the Internet -- and not just in schools but in all of the public libraries, as well! And what about the teachers and staff who ran these programs and classes, they are now slated to join the ever growing ranks of the unemployed.

As if this is not enough, we are subjected to the outright lies of Gingrich, Limbaugh, Pallin, et al, who blame this mess on our new President. This crisis that has infected itself into every aspect of our society did not start on January 21, 2009, it started eight years ago. And the likes of folks like Gingrich (who was ousted by his own party), Limbaugh, et al, need to either get on board and help fix this mess by doing everything they can to support the President's plan, or shut up and get out of the way.

Stepping back for a moment, when I first heard mention of all the great achievements my grandchildren had made, I was so excited that I got in my car and drove over to their house to hear about everything first hand. As I listened to my son and daughter-in-law talk about each one's progress, I did not feel any excitement coming from them. Then Izegbe came into the room and delivered the bad news, I saw the disappointment in her eyes but at the same time, I heard the determination in her voice.

All of my children and grandchildren eagerly took on an active role in the past presidential campaign. My granddaughter Elektra (Adelphi Univ.) canvassed in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. All of them knocked on doors, made phone calls and more. Izegbe got to meet Mrs. Obama in person and hear then Sen. Obama speak in person, as well. Izegbe's involvement in the campaign inspired her to run for class president and she won.

Now Izegbe is busy uniting with fellow students, teachers and parents to go to East Hartford's town hall meeting on June 16th to testify against the budget cuts. She looked at us and said "everyone has to be there." They are wearing their team uniforms, Jazzapella sweatshirts and T-shirts, choral robes and more to show their solidarity and to give testimony on what these programs mean to them. Izegbe's message on Face Book says it all, "I think everyone needs to go to the Town Hall meeting on the 16th because we cannot let them get rid of our sports, arts and gifted programs ..."

We must drown out the negative voices of the naysayers -- the ones who got us in this mess -- with the truth about them and by doing everything we can to support President Obama's plan for the future. Our youth have stepped up and out in front, rallying for a just cause. Let's not allow the milestones that our precious youth have achieved turn into a myth. Let's support them in every way. The road to our victory is our united voice.

Birth, Age, Sickeness & Death

Life's cycles can be divided into four stages, namely: birth, age, sickness and death. While I could write about some profound philosophical tenet of life, at this moment, I, us, we need to be practical and address one of the inescapable common denominators intertwined in these four stages, and that is health care insurance. How mundane is that! We use health care insurance as a means to ensure a healthy birth, to maintain a healthy growth cycle, to cure and address our ailments, and it is there at the final moment. While mundane, when compared to the complexities of life, there is no denying that health care insurance is inescapable throughout our life span.

All that to say it is time for you, me, us to take our quest for quality health care reform to the Governor's ears. Here's an update of what is happening and what you can do.

Yesterday, many organizations, including AFSCME and CCNE, sent email blasts out to their members urging them to sign the petition urging Governor Rell to sign the SustiNet health care bill into law. You can too. Click here to sign the petition.

The Connecticut Catholic Conference and the American Cancer Society sent email blasts out calling for the Governor to sign SustiNet. In addition, many people are participating in a post card writing campaign to the Governor and have been dropping signed post cards off at the Healthcare4every1.org office since yesterday. There are postcards available. Contact Healthcare4every1.org to participate.

With the end of the regular legislative session, the media is looking at SustiNet as one of the major legislative accomplishments. Chronic disease advocate Jennifer Jaffe gave SustiNet a glowing endorsement on WNPR yesterday (listen to the 3 minute clip.) Jennifer talks about how the health care crisis has worsened, how central the patient voice is in SustiNet, and how important SustiNet is as a model for the Obama administration to follow.

On Thursday morning at 9:00 am, Juan Figueora, Stan Dorn, Chris Murphy, and CBIA's Eric George will be featured on WNPR's Where We Live "Reforming Health Care" show. Should be quite the hour. Be sure to tune in.

Help generate letters to editor supporting SustiNet and calling for the Governor to sign. Click here for information on how to submit letters.

Let's unite and win together right now.

Thank you for all that you do.

Val McCall
State Chair, OFC


Visit Organizing for Connecticut

Dodd Joins Kennedy, Help Committee Democrats in Announcing the “Affordable Health Care Choices Act"

Important Press Release from Senator Dodd's Office
June 9, 2009

Bipartisan Talks Continue on Outstanding Key Issues

WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the past year, Chairman Edward M. Kennedy, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Democratic Members and staff of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) have been working to develop legislation that reduces health care costs, allows Americans to keep the coverage they have if they want it, and makes health insurance affordable to those who do not have it today.

Today, while discussions between HELP Committee Democrats and Republicans on key outstanding issues continue, Senator Dodd joined Chairman Kennedy in releasing the landmark “Affordable Health Choices Act.” Click here for a copy of the bill.

“Our health care system is a crisis for American families and President Obama and members of Congress of both parties recognize the urgency of the problem. Our goal is to strengthen what works and fix what doesn’t. Over the next few days, we will continue working with our Republican colleagues on common sense solutions that reduce skyrocketing health care costs, assure quality care for all and provide affordable health insurance choices. Much work remains, and the coming days and weeks won’t be easy. But we have a unique opportunity to give the American people, at long last, the health care they need and deserve,” said Senator Kennedy.

“Health care reform cannot and must not wait. Today, we will introduce legislation that will strengthen what works and fix what doesn’t. If you like the insurance you have today, you can keep it. If you don’t like what you have today, we’ll give you better choices, including a public option for health care. This does not symbolize the end of the game or even the end of the first quarter. We still have a lot of work ahead of us and are looking forward to working with our colleagues on a bipartisan basis to resolve the remaining issues and move forward with a mark-up of this legislation next week,” Senator Dodd said.

Earlier this year, Kennedy and Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Finance Committee, which shares jurisdiction of health care reform with HELP, established a joint process that will lead to complementary legislation being marked-up in June and on the Senate floor by July. The HELP Committee is on track to meet that goal. On Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11, Democrats and Republicans on the Committee will meet to discuss outstanding legislative options such as the public option and employer mandate.

A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 11 at 3 p.m. in Dirksen 430. Mark-up will begin Tuesday, June 16 at 2:30 p.m. in Russell 325.

Last year, Kennedy asked Senator Dodd, vice chair of the HELP Committee, to be his chief deputy on health reform to help lead the overall effort. In addition, Senators Tom Harkin, Barbara A. Mikulski, Jeff Bingaman and Patty Murray have also assumed leadership roles on key aspects of reform within the Committee. Since January, the Committee has held over a dozen public hearings on improving the quality of care, prevention and wellness, and expanding insurance coverage.

“All stakeholders in the health reform debate agree one of the keys to reining in the rising costs of health care in this country is to reduce chronic disease. Data shows that with an investment of $10 per person per year, community prevention programs could yield net savings of more than $18 billion annually within 10 to 20 years,” said Senator Harkin. “This reform provides one of the largest investments in prevention and wellness initiatives, offering choices throughout the health care system. At the federal level, it creates a new inter-agency council to develop a national health strategy and a dedicated funding stream to support these efforts; at the clinical level, it provides coverage of preventive services and the elimination of co-pays and deductibles for these services; and at the grassroots level offers grants for community initiatives. It short, it realigns incentives to make it easier to be healthy and removes the barriers to preventive services like screenings for diabetes, depression, tobacco cessation, and nutrition counseling – to name just a few.”

“We can’t fix the economy without fixing health care so families can afford it and businesses can afford it. We can’t afford not to fix health care,” said Senator Mikulski, who was asked by Chairman Kennedy to lead the Senate effort on improving health care quality. “A national health care quality strategy will provide solutions to the biggest problems – medical errors, preventable hospital readmissions and failure to manage chronic disease – that severely impact people, their lives, their checkbooks and national health care costs. Emphasizing quality improves lives, saves lives and helps pay for reform by saving money.”

“This bill introduction marks a very important step toward fixing our nation’s broken health care system. As we continue developing this measure in the coming days and weeks, our primary goal will be to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and quality health care,” Senator Bingaman said.

“Our health care reform bill is a step toward ensuring all Americans can see a doctor when they need one and that our long term economic strength is not held captive by the skyrocketing cost of care,” Senator Murray said. “I applaud my colleagues for the hours of work they have all put in and thank Senators Kennedy and Dodd for their leadership in moving this forward. I am particularly proud that as we work to offer quality, affordable coverage to all Americans that we have included a plan to ensure we have enough health care professionals to provide that care. We still have work to do, but this bill is a good step forward on protecting patient choice, lowering costs and providing coverage for the millions of Americans who currently have none.”

###

Your Chance to Make a Difference for SustiNet

A few days ago, I wrote about how we all need to come together to blitz the Governor's office with our support for the SustiNet bill. Naturally, there may be some of you thinking, "I'm to busy to do any of that", or, "It's summer! I can't waist a minute of this beautiful weather".

If this describes you, or if you have any other excuse as to why you cannot to take action, then I have something simple for you do that will still make a big difference. In fact, it will take less time than it took for you to read this. Please sign your name to this petition that is heading straight to Governor Rell's desk.

This has been circulating around the State Legislature and I encourage you to join many of us at the state and fill this out: CLICK HERE

So please, help make a difference. Your 2 minutes of time could mean relief for Connecticut families for years to come. Thank you.

Public Option & Insurance Companies: Oil & Water?

By now, many of us have seen the swiftboat ads on television that try to dissuade us from having a public option in health care. Insurance and pharmaceutical company lobbyists and supporters are out there 24/7, doing whatever it takes to persuade our legislators to either dilute proposed legislation so that a public option becomes such in name only, or simply vote no.

This is nothing new. Not too long ago during the presidential election the opposition pulled out every "tried and true" battle-plan, every thinkable swiftboat ad and more. At the end of the day, however, it was the power of the people that triumphed because our concern was for the benefit of all and not an elite few.

We will not be moved! Let us not allow swiftboat ads and scare tactics to speak for us. Let us remind ourselves what the goal of health care reform is about, namely, putting into place a system that provides access to quality, affordable health care for all, and corrects the shortfalls of our current broken system by putting into place the necessary checks and balances so that we never again have to cross this bridge.

The irrational screaming heads (Limbaugh, Hannity, et al.) would have everyone thinking that we are socialists, that we want big government control, that we are overspending. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that the American Journal of Medicine released a national study on June 4th that states 62% of bankruptcies filed in 2007 were "linked to medical expenses."

New Study: Bankruptcy Tied To Medical Bills, By Sarah Lovenheim (Washington Post Online)

Sixty-two percent of all bankruptcies filed in 2007 were linked to medical expenses, according to a nationwide study released today by the American Journal of Medicine. That's nearly 20 percentage points higher than that pool of respondents reported were connected to medical costs in 2001...full text.

We cannot wait for some other time or some other person. It is up to us to get on the phone and call our Congressmen and Representatives and tell them that public option language in the proposed health care legislation cannot be either diluted into non-existence or removed.

Here are some talking points from Marta Evry, Grassroots Volunteer:

1) Enact concurrently with other significant expansions of coverage and must not be conditioned on private industry actions.

2) Consist of one entity, operated by the federal government, which sets policies and bears the risk for paying medical claims to keep administrative costs low and provide a higher standard of care.

3) Be available to all individuals and employers across the nation without limitation.

4) Allow patients to have access to their choice of doctors and other providers that meet defined participation standards, similar to the traditional Medicare model, promote the medical home model, and eliminate lifetime caps on benefits.

5) Have the ability to structure the provider rates to promote quality care, primary care, prevention, chronic care management, and good public health.

6) Utilize the existing infrastructure of successful public programs like Medicare in order to maintain transparency and consumer protections for administering processes including payment systems, claims and appeals.

7) Establish or negotiate rates with pharmaceutical companies, durable medical equipment providers, and other providers to achieve the lowest prices for consumers.

8) Receive a level of subsidy and support that is no less than that received by private plans.

9) Ensure premiums must be priced at the lowest levels possible, not tied to the rates of private insurance plans.

Click here to Contact Congress

Here are a list of key legislators:

Senator Max Baucus at (202) 224-2651
Senator Charles Schumer at 202-224-6542
Senator Edward Kennedy at (202) 224-4543
Senator Bill Nelson at (202) 224-5274

House Ways and Means Committee Chair Charlie Rangel
(202) 225-3625

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman
(202) 225-2927

House Education and Labor Committee Chair George Miller
(202) 225-3725


Thank you for all that you do.

Val McCall, state chair OFC

Visit Organizing for Connecticut

One Final Blitz for SustiNet

The SustiNet bill has moved along farther than most would have predicted it would this session. Passing in both the House and Senate was quite a task and may not have been accomplished without OFC's efforts. I am proud to say I am a part of this health care reform.

However, before we crack open the champagne we have one final step... a hurdle even. We must convince Governor Rell not to veto the SustiNet bill. This is no easy feat. Though she has not officially declared that a veto is coming, believe me it is. Unless, we do what we have been doing all along- and then even more!

We need to blitz the Governor's office with calls, letters and emails. She must hear our crys louder than our representatives and senators did. There are not enough votes in the legislature to overturn a veto; so the buck stops with Gov. Rell.

We have all worked very hard for the last few months to come this far. It would be a shame to loose it all because we could not convince one last person. So let's dig deep and leave no regrets. Connecticut is counting on us!

Take Action for Health Care Reform in Our State and the Nation

Through our united efforts, we are seeing some great changes in Connecticut during this legislative session.

SustiNet (HB6600) passed the House 107-34 (click here to see the House Vote), 35-12 in the Senate (click here to see the Senate Vote). Take a moment to thank your legislators via email or telephone and encourage them to contact Governor Rell to sign HB6600 and HB6582 (AAC Establishing a CT Health Care Partnership).

Our jobs are not over until these bills are made law. Let's each take a moment to contact Governor Rell and share with her why signing these bills into law is an historic step for Connecticut, bringing quality affordable health care to all of our fellow citizens. Call her today at 860-566-4840, toll-free 800-406-1527, and TDD: 860-524-7397.

OFA/OFC National Health Care Organizing Kick-off. As you know, this weekend, folks are gathering all across Connecticut and the nation, organizing on health care reform. Here's a quick list -- with links for details and to sign up -- on how you can continue your great efforts.

SATURDAY JUNE 6TH

RSAC for Healthcare Now! - 10:00 AM
Shannon's House (Guilford, CT)
We will hear reports of the progress of the Healthcare Now campaign.
DETAILS / RSVP

The Beginning - 12:00 PM
Hartford (Hartford, CT)
My family will be hosting the Health Care Organizing Kickoff. This is new for us and we are open and welcome all suggestions and viewpoints....
DETAILS / RSVP

Health Care For All Kickoff Potluck - 1:00 PM
Mary Newell's House (New Haven, CT)
Let's get together to figure out what we can do to make health care reform a reality; it's long overdue. We will also be planning...
DETAILS

Waterford Health Care Kickoff - 6 1:00 PM
Julie & Greg Jones (Waterford, CT)
Come join us in watching President Obama's video and follow up with discussion.
DETAILS / RSVP

Healthcare Organizing Kickoff Meeting - 1:03 PM
Susan Titus Glascoff (Westport, CT)
GUESS WHAT?? The Washington DC office managing this health car kick off just called to say THEY will call OUR local media to try to...
DETAILS / RSVP

Health Care Organizing Kickoff at Jen's House - 4:00 PM
Jen's House (157 Center Road, Woodbridge) (Woodbridge, CT)
Hello! Please join me to kick off OFA's mission to promote President Obama's Health Care reform.
DETAILS / RSVP

Learn About Health Care that Works - 4:00 PM
Rosemary's house (Hartford, CT)
We have to admit that we, the organizers, support a single-payer system, AT LEAST AS AN OPTION.
DETAILS / RSVP

Help Get HealthCare Reform Passed - 4:00 PM
Kate's house (Stamford, CT)
A grassroots gathering to get information and ideas on how to support Obama's health care reform initiatives and help get them passed. You bring your energy,...
DETAILS / RSVP

Health Care Reform Forum (Give us YOUR ideas) - 5:00 PM
Ken Reid's House (East Haven, CT)
We want Health care Insurance for all. How can we do that? What do we really need to accomplish this?
DETAILS / RSVP

Health Care Organizing Kickoff - 5:30 PM
Burgundy Books (East Haddam, CT)
An Invitation to meet and talk about health care reform. To become more informed about the developing ideas in government and to make sure that our voices...
DETAILS / RSVP

Health Reform NOW 2009 - 6:30 PM
Dr. Westbrook's Office (East Hampton, CT)
Health care reform enthusiasts will join together to share our thoughts, hear our president's plan, and organize support to make it happen now. We know...
DETAILS / RSVP

Groton Kick-Off Event - 7:00 PM
John and Jurate Waller's Home (Groton, CT)
Join us as we prepared to kick-off President Obama's health care reform initiative that includes his three core principles -- reduce costs, guarantee choice, and...
DETAILS / RSVP

MONDAY JUNE 8TH

ABVICE® Core Health-care Monday, June 8 12:00 PM
NEw Haven Green, New Haven CT (New Haven, CT)
To show support why the Government critically needs to allocate the necessary funding to increase physical exercise in the adult population and in schools to...
DETAILS / RSVP

TUESDAY JUNE 9TH

Health Care Organizing Kickoff - 12:00 PM
St. John's Parish (Waterbury, CT)
Lunchtime meeting at local church. Bring own brown bag. Share health care stories and ideas for needed change in community health care. Pick an activity...
DETAILS / RSVP

SUNDAY JUNE 14TH

Complimentary and Alternative Health Care Meeting - 3:00 PM
The Beale Home (Wallingford, CT)
At this meeting, we'd like to discuss the experiences of people using alternative and complimentary forms of healing and how it might fit in with...
DETAILS / RSVP

FRIDAY JUNE 19TH

"EMBRACE" Health Reform Plan - 12:00 PM
BRIDGEPORT HOSPITAL (Bridgeport, CT)
Back to Healthcare Professionals for Healthcare Reform (HPfHR) Topic: EMBRACE and Single Payer Displaying the only post.
DETAILS / RSVP

SATURDAY JUNE 27TH

We Care About Health Care - 10:00 AM
Bridgeport/Seaside Park (Bridgeport, CT)
A faith based presentation with local health groups sharing information with the community concerning health care issues. Groups are welcomed to distribute literature and give...
DETAILS / RSVP

Health Care Reform - 4:00 PM
19 Berrios Hill Rd. (Windsor, CT)
Event Host for Health Care Reform
Health Care Organizing Kickoff
DETAILS / RSVP

Yéle Haiti - established by musician Wyclef Jean to assist his native land of Haiti

Yéle Haiti - established by musician Wyclef Jean to assist his native land of Haiti

Snip Snip Snip: And so the Governor Goes.

I was just on my way to put some veggies up on the grill. Husband returning home soon after a long day at the office and I, long since retired from the "9 to 5" routine, must at least put a meal or two in place. Before I took out the cooking utensils, I just had to sneak a peak on my Face Book wall and there it was, GLARING, DEMANDING my immediate attention. The Governor is at it again -- snip, snip, snip, snip snip.

Former head of the state Office of Policy and Management, William Cibes, wrote an editorial in The Hartford Courant yesterday wherein the Governor proposed to eliminate Internet links for schools and libraries, despite the fact that the programs she seeks to cut are funded 50% by the federal government. Yesterday, I was appalled because the Governor is slashing the charter school budget so much so, charter schools are at risk -- period.

Cibes stated, "Cutting $3 million in "Other Expense" funding for the network, would — in the very words of her proposal — eliminate "software licenses, Internet services and local/long distance telecommunications." Defunding would:

• Eliminate all Internet circuits in kindergarten through 12th-grade schools and all libraries in the state.

• Eliminate all filtering of "adult" content for schools and libraries.

• Eliminate service lines to schools and libraries in rural areas of the state." (See full article.)

Further, and in the Governor's own words, her cuts would deprive "Connecticut citizens and students with access to a wide selection of databases and electronic resources to support their educational, cultural, economic and personal interests."

As if eliminating funding for the Internet and other programs associated with it were not enough, the Governor proposes to cut "all funding in the state Department of Education "to purchase replacement textbooks for the technical high schools" is cut for the next two fiscal years."

For certain these are difficult economic times wherein difficult choices must be made. Those choices, however, should not include throwing our education system, our technical and charter schools and our libraries under the bus. Furthermore, cutting those programs that afford us matching (to a degree) federal dollars seems counter-productive.

Tomorrow is another day and once again, we must call Governor Rell at 860-566-4840 or toll-free 800-406-1527 or TDD 860-524-7397 and tell her we cannot destroy our libraries and schools and other vital agencies by eliminating their funding.

Val McCall
State Chair
Organizing for Connecticut

Visit Organizing for Connecticut

Stop Chestnut Hill from turning Connecticut into the largest garbage dump site in the world

There is a proposal to build the largest garbage dump in the world in Waterbury, CT by a Massachusetts firm, Chestnut Hill Bio-Energy. As reported online at the Providence Journal on May 9th:

Chestnut Hill Bio-Energy has signed an agreement to buy the site of a former factory in Waterbury and convert it into what it says would be the country’s (actually the larges in the world) largest food waste-to-energy plant. The company says the plant would be able to produce electricity for 10,000 homes ... The plant would accept 625 tons of garbage a day ... generate 12 megawatts of electricity, which it would sell to Connecticut Light & Power ... [and] ... would also create 40 to 50 jobs.

The Hartford Courant also posted an article about the proposed plant on May 19th:

An urban location was what Chestnut Hill needed, according to Michael Maynard, a principal of the group, because the group was looking for two things — major highway access and a place "where all the people are."

"You want to be where the people are because the people are where the waste is," he said.

The deal, at an undisclosed price, has some wondering whether a new generation of "green" power generators can revive some of the other factories across Connecticut that have been vacant for decades. It remains to be seen whether neighborhood opposition will prevent this and similar projects from moving ahead.

While on the surface, this seems like a great idea to convert brownfields into plants that transpose our food waste into energy, there is a growing opposition:

* Increased Traffic on Connecticut's Highways and Resulting Smog. This plant will draw over 50-65 tractor trailer trucks per day on route 84 and onto city streets. The pollution from these trucks will add to Waterbury’s existing burden (Waterbury had higher rates for particulate matter than Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven and Boston in 2007 data).

* Odors and Potential Toxic Fumes. Garbage plants have been plagued with odors throughout the country. Chestnut Hill will be bringing in 625 tons per day of food waste with a truck containing 11 tons of garbage every 11 minutes into Connecticut's neighborhoods and the downtown Waterbury area. The odor consultant that Chestnut Hill hired “helped” a plant in the Bronx NYC who is now in court due to odors problems.

* Untested Scale/Size of Plant. Chestnut Hill's plans for the Waterbury plant will be the largest garbage plant in world and will take in over 212,000 tons per year. This technology has never been tested at this scale in North America, let alone in an urban location or in Connecticut.

* Lack of Access to Chestnut Hills Track Record. Chestnut Hill has not provided any information about their track record on running a plant like this. They did operate another facility in New Jersey that was shut down due to problems and owe $2,000,000 in fines. Waterbury citizens deem they have a right to know that whoever is coming to their community knows what they are doing.

* Waterbury's Greenway. Chestnut Hill's proposal is to build this garbage plant right next to the proposed greenway that will run through the city along the Naugatuck River. After all the time and energy that has been spent to clean up the river and move Waterbury forward, we should not move backward with a garbage plant.

connecticut legislators are standing firmly behind Waterbury's citizens in opposition to Chestnut Hills proposed garbage plant by passing Senate Bill 3 (unanimously in the Senate) and are now urging Governor Rell to sign the bill.

Sen. Joan Hartley recently added in a press release:

“[T]he food to waste energy plant ... has unproven technology ... at the scale being proposed ... It would require at full capacity 54 garbage tractor trailer trucks (8-14 wheelers) coming into the ... city ... 6:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday using the most congested and problematic segment of the I-84 Mixmaster interchange.

“This would result in 660 tons of raw food garbage (227,000 tons annually) coming into a very densely populated area of the city ... within close ... range of more than 6 schools including 2 magnet schools ... 6 churches, a 2500 seat performing arts entertainment venue, a university regional campus and 2 hospitals. It is also located within several blocks of the recently cited 96 megawatt turbine combustion power plant and an 18 million gallon natural liquefied gas storage tank.

“This is not the case of ... Not In My Back Yard. This proposed siting would be a clear violation of H.B. 5145 An Act Concerning Environmental Justice Communities And The Storage of Asbestos-Containing, which was approved by the General Assembly in 2008. When is enough, enough for one community.”

I think it is clear that everyone in Connecticut should unite and call Governor Rell and urge her to sign SB3 and stop Chestnut Hill from turning Connecticut into the largest garbage dump site in the world.

CALL GOVERNOR RELL TODAY AND TELL HER TO SIGN SB3 at 860-566-4840 or toll-free 800-406-1527 or TDD 860-524-7397.

Val McCall
Organizing for Connecticut
mccall.val@gmail.com

Visit Organizing for Connecticut

It's All About Health Care

OFC is uniting together with OFA to bring about health care reform at the federal level. Now that we are a breath away from health care in our state, let's make sure we do the same at the federal level. There are marches being planned to DC on June 25th and on July 11th. Be sure to mark your calendars for these two dates. More information will be following.

Things to do right at home: Host or Attend a Health Care Organizing Kickoff: After decades of false starts, the dream of quality, affordable health care for every American is finally within reach. To succeed where others have failed, we must build a groundswell of support for real health care reform in every district and every state. And we have no time to lose.

On June 6th, thousands of people across the country are organizing for health care reform by hosting or attending a Health Care Organizing Kickoff. This moment is so critical that President Obama recently joined registered hosts and attendees on a live conference call.

No experience is required to host or attend. All the tools we need for a successful event are in the Health Care Organizing Host Online Guide.

At these kickoffs, you’ll watch a special message from the President, meet like-minded supporters in your neighborhood, make plans for reaching out in your community--and start to put those plans in action.

Together, we will win health care reform the same way we won the election: Building support one block, one neighbor, one conversation at a time. Please sign up today.

Thank you for all that you do.

Val McCall
State Chair
Organizing for Connecticut
mccall.val@gmail.com


Visit Organizing for Connecticut

Tell Rell to Sign HB6600 and HB6582

We are steps away from realizing our dream to have quality, affordable and accessible health care for everyone in Connecticut!

To get there, we have to call Governor M. Jodi Rell at 860-566-4840 or toll-free 800-406-1527 or TDD 860-524-7397 and tell her to sign two important health care bills into law: HB6600, the SustiNet bill and HB6582, the Health Care Partnership bill.

Input from hundreds of public forums and constituent meetings with legislators has been incorporated into both HB6600 and HB6582, and together these bills will allow for greater cost control and increase access to health care for everybody.

HB6600 An Act Concerning SustiNet Plan, is the plan we have been advocating for along with the HealthCare4Every1 campaign and the Universal Health Foundation of Connecticut.

HB6582 An Act Establishing the Connecticut Health Care Partnership, authorizes State Comptroller Nancy Wyman to begin converting state insurance plans to self-insured plans, allowing nonstate public employers, municipal-related employers, small employers and nonprofit employers to join such plans and make conforming changes.

Connecticut's House and Senate recently passed both of these bills by large margins.

Last year, Governor Rell vetoed important health care legislation and we cannot afford to assume that the Governor will support these bills this year. We cannot afford to take anything for granted.

Call Governor Rell at 860-566-4840 or toll-free 800-406-1527 or TDD 860-524-7397 and tell her to sign the SustiNet bill and the Partnership bill into law!

When planning your call, please note that Governor Rell's office only takes calls between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Now is the time to bring quality, affordable and accessible health care to everyone in Connecticut! Call Governor Rell today!

How to Contact Governor Rell After 5:30 PM.

On Face Book, On Twitter,
Email Governor.Rell@ct.gov

Thank you for all that you do.

Val McCall
Organizing for Connecticut
mccall.val@gmail.com


Visit Organizing for Connecticut