The foreclosure crisis continues to destroy wealth on a large scale across the U.S. and here in Seattle. Due to historical inequities and predatory banking practices, the most devastating impact has been felt in communities of color.
On Thursday, members of Washington CAN! gathered with members of Casa Latina, SEIU 775 and Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action in a special action in honor of Mother’s Day.
With over 16,500 Seattle homes foreclosed on and over 42,000 homeowners underwater, Washington CAN! is working with faith, community and labor groups to launch a campaign calling on City Council to stop at nothing short of principal reduction to provide real relief to struggling families.
Washington CAN! is strongly opposed to the “Fix the Debt” campaign, which is a front group for the corporate CEO agenda. Fix the Debt is pushing deep cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security in order to extend tax breaks for large corporations and the wealthy.
Join Washington CAN! members and allies as we take to the streets on Wednesday, May 1st to ask Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
Wondering why it’s important for you to get involved? Watch this inspiring video to learn more about immigration reform efforts and the need to join together in solidarity.
The time is now to:
Join fellow members and Washington CAN! staff at the annual May Day march & rally. We’ll be meeting on Wednesday May 1st at 1:15pm at the Casa Latina building (317 17th Avenue South, Seattle).
If you have any questions about immigration reform, feel free to email Mauricio Ayon, our Political and Legislative Director at mauricio@washingtoncan.org.
#thetimeisnow
March 28th marked the Washington Care Council’s 1st annual coalition lobby day in Olympia. With over 120 people from across Washington State, the day was full of energy.
Our statewide coalition of over 30 organizations representing seniors, people with disabilities, caregivers, domestic workers, the LGBTQ community, immigrants, and family members is working together for dignity and respect.
In Washington, our 2013 state legislative agenda includes Medicaid expansion and implementation of the Basic Health Option, new investments in home care through the Community First Choice Option, Paid Sick Days and Family and Medical Leave Insurance, and support for immigrant workers in Washington State.
The day started with a program highlighting personal stories of why we need to transform care in Washington State. We heard from Jean from Washington CAN, who had worked as a live-in care taker for a fun-loving senior in Olympia. During this time, she was low-income and uninsured, but not eligible for Medicaid. Jean spoke to the importance of implementing Medicaid expansion and having a Basic Health Option, so that more low-income people have access to healthcare.
Charley and his care-giver Jackie from SEIU 775NW came all the way across the mountains from Spokane (along with 32 others) and shared about how home care allows to Charley to be an active, spirited member of his local community.
We prioritize our kids and communities over tax breaks we can no longer afford. Sounds simple, right? Apparently not for the Senate budget writers.
Last week the Senate released a budget proposal that pits funding for education against healthcare and essential community services, while protecting unjust tax loopholes.
This is the wrong direction for our state. Racial disparities in health, education, home ownership, employment, criminal justice and other areas continue to increase. In order to move forward, we need to raise new revenue and invest in programs that promote greater economic security and health for all Washington residents.
Our state budget is a moral document. It highlights the values we hold as a community and as a state. It’s time for legislators to stand up to large corporations and special interests and put our families first.
Last Wednesday, a group of seniors and community members who rely on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security gathered outside Amgen to demand that Congress allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug costs with big Pharma.
Recently, the Center for Economic and Policy Research estimated that the federal government could save from $230 billion to $541 billion over the next ten years if Congress and the President would allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, as is done in other countries.
At the event, seniors and doctors shared personal stories outlining the impact of high Rx drug prices and called on large corporations and the wealthy to pay their fair share. After a short program, we walked across the $10 million bridge Amgen constructed and tried to get into their locked campus to deliver our demands and empty prescription drug bottles with messages on the label.
Saturday marked the third anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, a landmark law that will extend health benefits to more than 30 million people who are now uninsured. Since the law survived a Supreme Court review and the 2012 election, we now know the law is here to stay. Affordable, quality health care will be woven into the fabric of American society, making us stronger and healthier as a nation.
Already, we’ve seen people with pre-existing conditions enabled, for the first time, to buy affordable insurance. Children with health problems can no longer be turned down for coverage. Small businesses have access to tax credits to get health insurance for their employees. Women have access to preventive care without co-pays, seniors are paying less for prescription medicines and health insurers now must adhere to strict guidelines on the share of your premium dollar that must be used on medical care rather than overhead, salaries and marketing costs.
Starting in October, individuals and small business owners will be able to buy health private insurance in state-based marketplaces or enroll in expanded Medicaid programs. Both will increase access to no-cost preventive care millions.
In 2014, with the law in full effect, annual limits on insurance coverage will be eliminated, exclusion of people with pre-existing conditions will be outlawed and tax credits for families and small business will be expanded.
Despite the good news, the fight to make sure that all Americans benefit from the law isn’t over. This week the House passed the 2014 spending plan put forward by GOP Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, the failed GOP vice-presidential nominee in 2012. This extremist budget would repeal Obamacare and end Medicare as we know it. Meanwhile, some states are fighting the Medicaid expansion needed to make the Affordable Care Act work for those most in need.
So even though we celebrate this great anniversary, Washington CAN must continue the fight to make sure everyone has access to quality, affordable health care. We will fight to ensure that the Obamacare provision guaranteeing no-cost contraception stays on the books. We will resist every House GOP repeal attempt, and oppose every budget item that raises prices for consumers to protect insurance and pharmaceutical companies. We will fight because our tens of thousands of members, and every American, needs a health care system they can count on.
