Category: Health Care

Washington CAN! members send a special Mother’s Day message

By Gabi Sanchez-Stern | Published May 10, 2013

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.

Those present at the event, including seniors, domestic workers and immigrant rights advocates, delivered hand-made paper flower bouquets and giant Mother’s Day cards to Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, thanking them for supporting policies that stand up for mothers in Washington State and across the country.

hand-made flowers and cardBoth Murray and Cantwell support a comprehensive immigration reform policy, and have previously sponsored Sense of the Senate resolutions in favor of expanding and supporting a strong homecare work force, and making homecare more affordable and accessible. We are grateful to have champions in the Senate who support a common sense immigration reform that prioritizes keeping families together, and who stand up for the rights of seniors and domestic homecare workers.

As we gathered on the steps of the federal building and chanted, “Ho, ho, hey, hey, common sense reform today!” passersby stopped to look at our signs and hear the stories told by members negatively affected by our broken immigration system. After listening to their stories we sent up a delegation of five people to go and hand-deliver our Mother’s Day gifts to the Senators’ offices. Continue reading »

Also posted in Economic justice, Events, Featured, Immigration, Social justice | | Leave a comment

“Fix the Debt”: A Corporate Front Group

By rachael_decruz | Published May 2, 2013

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.

These cuts directly threaten the livelihood and well-being of seniors, people of color and low-income families in Washington State and across the country.

Here are some of the reasons we’re opposed to “Fix the Debt”:

  • The campaign has raised $60 million and has recruited more than 80 CEOs of America’s most powerful corporations to lobby for a debt deal that would reduce corporate taxes and shift costs onto the poor and elderly
  • 63 Fix the Debt companies that are publicly held stand to gain as much as $134 billion in profits if Congress approves one of their main proposals — a “territorial tax system.” Under this system, companies would not have to pay U.S. federal income taxes on foreign earnings when they bring the profits back to the United States.
  • Of the 63 Fix the Debt CEOs at publicly held firms, 24 received more in compensation last year than their corporations paid in federal corporate income taxes. All but six of these firms reported U.S. profits last year.
  • For millions of seniors, Social Security is their sole source of income, and is particularly important for people of color because they are even less likely than white Americans to have pensions or retirement savings. Specifically, Social Security is the sole source of income for 36 percent of Hispanics and African Americans, and 25 percent of Asian and Pacific Islanders, as compared to 19 percent of whites aged 65 and older.

Continue reading »

Also posted in Economic justice, Featured, Social justice | | Leave a comment

Caring Across Generations Lobby Day in Olympia

By rachael_decruz | Published April 15, 2013

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.

Charley & Lucas

Continue reading »

Also posted in Economic justice, Events, Immigration, Social justice | | Leave a comment

Senate Budget: The Wrong Direction for Washington

By rachael_decruz | Published April 8, 2013

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.

Continue reading »

Also posted in Economic justice, Education, Social justice | | Leave a comment

Rx for Big Pharma: Pay Your Share

By rachael_decruz | Published March 27, 2013

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.

Continue reading »

Also posted in Economic justice, Social justice | | Leave a comment

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