Input on Medicaid Reform Due by May 25, 2017

Do you know NC is proposing big changes to ‘reform’ Medicaid, and now is the time to give input on it? “The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking additional public input from April 25 to 11:59 p.m. on May 25, 2017, on the Medicaid and NC Health Choice programs transformation (also known as “Medicaid reform”), according to NCTracks notice here.”

From Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2015

DHHS also held four public input sessions around the state during May. Dates are listed in same NCTracks notice.  It says “Pre-registration is not necessary; please review speaker guidelines”. The last of those is Tuesday, May 16.

As always, NC Policy Watch is a great source of information on this issue. Learn more about so called “Medicaid Reform” changes at

• “The Medicaid blockade impacts hard working, average North Carolinians” – See more at: http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2017/01/25/medicaid-blockade-impacts-hard-working-average-north-carolinians/
• “Isn’t it ironic? The Medicaid blockade prevents health aides from getting health coverage” – See more at: http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2017/02/09/isnt-ironic-medicaid-blockade-prevents-health-aides-getting-health-coverage/
• “Another byproduct of the Medicaid Blockade: Catastrophic medical bills, massive debt for families” – See more at: http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2017/02/22/another-byproduct-medicaid-blockade-catastrophic-medical-bills-massive-debt-families/

See more on giving input at https://www.nctracks.nc.gov/content/public/providers/provider-communications/2017-announcements/Medicaid-Request-for-Public-Input.html.

Action: Stop AHCA/Trumpcare NOW! Here is how..

Did you write NC (US) Senators Burr and Tillis about stopping the AHCA (Trumpcare) bill yet? The AHCA bill that the Republicans forced through the US House on May 4, 2017  is devastating. 

“This bill will put women directly in harm’s way by making health care inaccessible to people with pre-existing conditions–including those who have survived domestic violence, experienced postpartum depression, or undergone a cesarean section. ” As NOW.org wrote in their suggested email action at http://now.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/AHCAEmailYourSenators.pdf.

Congress’ own Congressional Budget Office estimated that 24 million people would lose health insurance from the plan. This estimate is from the March 2017 version of the bill that was not put up for a vote (due to expected failure), and the current plan (May 2017) is only worse. Read more about the harm this plan would do at https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/115th-congress-2017-2018/costestimate/americanhealthcareact.pdf.

A more readable description of the damage this bill does is at Vox.com, “These are all the people the Republican health care bill will hurt,” 5/4/17, at

Legislative Update #10 – Medicaid, Abortion Pill Forced Lies, ERA

Republican resistance to expanding Medicaid is buckling.  Four Republican House members, including three House Health Committee Chairmen, have sponsored a bill (HB62) that would significantly expand Medicaid coverage to include low-income adults.  The bill would create a program called Carolina Cares and would be paid for by a new tax on hospitals.  It is modeled on Indiana’s program approved by then-Governor Mike Pence and includes a premium and a work requirement.  Because it does not conform to Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, it would require a federal waiver to be implemented.  This bill marks the first time prominent North Carolina Republicans have supported any expansion to the Medicaid program to include people not already covered.  For more details, see:  http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article143388024.html

Abortion is back in the General Assembly.  Two new bills—one good and one very bad—have been filed.

Read about the Medicaid bill, the abortion bills, ERA updates, Lawsuit updates, Voter ID/Voter Suppression Law updates and bill tracking in North_Carolina_NOW_Legislative_Update_#10.9Apr17.

NC Legislative Update #6 – 3/12/17

NC NOW legislative update #6 includes damage from the Trump administration’s new interpretation of Title IX, lawsuit updates, and bill tracking.

This Week

In light of the Trump administration’s new interpretation that Title IX does not allow transgender people to use the restroom consistent with their gender identity, the U. S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Virginia case concerning this issue.  The case was sent back to the lower court for reconsideration in light of the Trump administration’s new rule.  This non-decision will have the effect of making transgender bathroom rights a state-by-state issue.  The issues can still be challenged in federal court on constitutional grounds, but losing Title IX is a serious blow to framing a successful lawsuit.  The constitutionality of the new interpretation of Title IX could be challenged, but no suit on these grounds has been filed.  This refusal of the Supreme Court to rule in this case will impact both the North Carolina lawsuits and the effort to repeal HB2.  For more details, see:  http://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article136866748.html

Update on Women’s Marches in DC and around US on 1/21/17

Organizing a national Women’s March on Washington in Washington DC has been an adventure. First, let us recognize that there is a lot of interest in protesting in DC. Asheville NOW filled a bus in less than a week. Charlotte NOW is filling one now. And there are about 20 buses from North Carolina alone. At first the organizers didn’t realize they absolutely needed permits, where to send the buses, etc. Then, when Alice Cohan, of Feminist Majority (formerly of National Organization for Women/NOW) jumped in to help get permits, they found out many groups tried for permits for that date and those places, and they were working through the process. Then things changed and all protesters were being blocked from using normal rally/protest sites like large sections of Pennsylvania Avenue, as well as the Washington Monument, the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial! Now there is an update from that – we finally have a site. But here is some background on the process. Never discount a bunch of angry women!

Picture from the March for Women’s Lives in 2004. Raleigh NOW delivered 3 buses and Mandy Carter of SONG delivered another from Durham. Our 4 buses traveled together to the national march.

Medicaid Reform and Expansion Panel Writeup

NC NOW still sees the need to expand Medicaid and is worried about the plans to reform Medicaid.  A few of us attended a panel “Medicaid Reform and Expansion: A Panel Discussion” on April 20th, 2016 at the NCSU McKimmon Conference Center (starting at 7:30pm).  This League of Women Voters (LWV) sponsored event featured a panel discussion about Medicaid reform and expansion in North Carolina. Panelists were Susan Shumaker, President of the Cone Health Foundation; Rob Luisana of Pilot Benefits; and Representative Marilyn Avila, House District 40 (R-Wake).  Dr. Jim Foster was the moderator and MC (he is standing at the podium in this picture).  Dr. Foster is a Retired Cardiologist, and a member of the LWV-ODC.

Photo Credit: LWV-Orange/Durham/Chatham Counties

First Dr. Foster explained the difference between Medicaid and Medicare.

10th annual HK on J march and rally in Raleigh – Feb 13, 2016

Join NC NOW chapters in the 10th annual Historic Thousands on Jones St March and Rally on Saturday, Feb 13, 2016.

Gathering begins at 8:30am.  Pre-rally entertainment begins at 9:00 a.m.  March step-off is at 10am. The march will take us to the mass people’s assembly on the doorstep of the State Capitol.

Look for NOW rounds and our NC NOW banner.  You can always bring your own signs – so much to say!

Be sure to dress for the weather!

More at http://www.hkonj.com/moral_march_on_raleigh

Here are some pictures from last year’s HK on J.

NC NOW group before the HK on J march. Photo Credit: Marena Groll

NC NOW’s banner at HKonJ.  Never Another Season Of Silence! Photo Credit: Gailya Paliga

Important events this week – Die In on 10/28/15, McCrory protest on 10/29/15

Quick note on events this week.

10/28/15, 4pm – “Die In” and funeral procession and press conference to call attention to the 2,800 people who may die each year that NC refuses to expand Medicaid.

Press conference begins at 4:00 pm at the NC Capitol Building, 1 Edenton St, in Raleigh, about the fallout from refusing to expand Medicaid, including consequences for women’s health.

The die-in begins at the Capitol at 4:30 p.m., followed by a funeral procession to the Governor’s Mansion, 200 N. Blount St, where there will be a candlelight vigil to memorialize those thousands of people who die each year because they can’t access health care. Expanding Medicaid in North Carolina would save up to 2,800 lives a year.

More at https://www.facebook.com/events/1496318383996359/

10/29/15, 3pm – Stop 318/Stop the Hate!

Protest against HB318, which targets immigrants and poor people. This one will be bigger and better.  3:00pm at the Governor’s Mansion, 200 N. Blount St, Raleigh.  Many in the immigrant and anti-poverty community have been protesting daily for FOUR WEEKS.  McCrory is expected to sign this cruel bill this week.

https://www.facebook.com/events/517450498431032/

NC NOW’s president Gailya Paliga will be one of the speakers against HB318.

NCGA waging wars on women, immigrants, the poor, and on non-partisanship! 9/25/15

NC NOW’s Legislative Update #32 Summary – Sep. 25, 2015

NCGA waging wars on women, immigrants, the poor, and on non-partisanship! 
This week’s legislative update is focused on progress in the various wars our legislature has been waging on the citizens of North Carolina. There have been developments in the War on Women, the War on Immigrants and the Poor, and the War on Non-Partisanship.  The only good news to report is that the legislature is expected to adjourn next week. But adjournment probably will not mean that the bad proposals that did not pass before adjournment will die. They can be kept alive by assigning them to study committees. Bills based on the recommendations of study committees can be considered in a short session—the tactic that was used to bring up the Equal Rights Amendment in 1982 to circumvent a “gentleman’s agreement” that it would not be considered in that short session.

NC NOW Newsletter – August 2015

The August NC NOW newsletter is hot off the presses and available at https://northcarolinanow.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/ncnraleigh-now-newsletter-august-2015-v2.pdf

Weird mid-summer realities are being exposed because the NCGA is still in session—over 3 weeks past when the budget was due on Jun 30th.  Many of our conservative lawmakers are in San Diego with ALEC this week (Jul 22-24) and 8,592 of our Teacher Assistants could become unemployed over the next two years if they don’t fix the budget, more on page 4.  And remember, one of the first punitive pieces of legislation done in 2013 (House Bill 4) SLASHED unemployment amounts and how long people can receive it (from up to 26 weeks to around 12-16 weeks).  If the TAs are eligible for unemployment. 

Pink Slip Truth Tour – Fayetteville NC Stop
Photo Credit: Frank B. Maness