MO

10
May
2017

Film Screening Event in St. Louis

BIG PHARMA: MARKET FAILURE

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

2:00 and 6:30 PM (90 minutes total. Includes open discussion.)

St. Louis Central Public Library 1301 Olive St., St. Louis MO 63103

Free registration required

Feeling hammered by out-of-control drug prices? If your doctor prescribed a drug on which your life depended, how much would you pay?

Richard Master is CEO of MCS Industries, a midsized American company. Last year his company spent over half million dollars on prescription drugs for his employees. Sometimes the annual cost of one drug can be more than double the salary of a single employee. Master pulled together a team of documentary filmmakers and researchers to go beyond the headlines and connect the dots. His team interviewed top experts and doctors to find answers to key questions. How much do pharma companies really spend on research and development of truly innovative drugs? Do “free market” principles impact drug prices and control cost? Do the normal rules of business apply to the pharma industry? How do TV ads impact consumers and doctors? He wanted answers to essential questions. Ultimately, he wanted a solution that made business sense for his company and health sense for his employees. Big Pharma: Market Failure is a new documentary that looks at the facts and makes an effective business case for realizable change. It is a compelling drama that reveals the truth of pharma cost and what we can do about it.

Flyer: Film Screening in St. Louis

Co-Hosts: 

Physicians for a National Health Program

Missouri Health Care for All

Missourians for Single Payer

Consumers Council of Missouri League of Women Voters

Empower Missouri

Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice

St. Louis Indivisible

Momentum: MO Moving Forward

Jobs With Justice

Posted by MHCFA in Events, MHCFA Blog, 0 comments
07
Apr
2017
Congressional Recess – Join Town Halls near you

Congressional Recess – Join Town Halls near you

Another Congressional Recess is upon us – meaning our Members of Congress are back home to hear from us – their constituents.

Here are the public town halls we currently know of – RSVP with us to let us know you’ll be there supporting access to health care.

US Senator Claire McCaskill has announced that she will have 8 town halls across Missouri. We will update this page as we have more information.

Wednesday, April 12th

Thursday, April 13th

Friday, April 14th

Wednesday, April 19th

Thursday, April 20th

Friday, April 21st

Will you be attending?  Let us know! Email our Deputy Director, Crystal Brigman Mahaney, to share what questions you would like your US Representatives and Senators to answer.

Looking for ideas on questions to ask our Members of Congress? Here are our concerns and sample questions:

  • Will you pledge to never vote for legislation that guts Medicaid by shifting costs to the states – through a block grant, per-capita cap, and rationing the care of seniors, kids, and people with disabilities?
  • Will you pledge to vote against any bill that results in people losing their health coverage or facing higher out-of-pocket costs?
  • Will you pledge to never vote for legislation that removes the guarantee that insurance companies everywhere cover basic services such as prescription drugs, maternity care, mental health and substance abuse treatment?
  • Will you pledge to never vote for legislation that creates an age tax that makes health care more expensive for people between the ages of 55-64?

Don’t see a town hall for your Members of Congress?  Contact them! Ask them when they are holding public events to hear from their constituents – or why they are not hosting any public listening sessions for constituents like you.

Posted by MHCFA in Events, MHCFA Blog, 0 comments
29
Mar
2017

Seeking Board Members and Leaders

Missouri Health Care for All is seeking Board members and community leaders to help us advance our Principle that every Missourian deserves quality, affordable health care.

Please read on for more information and a short application form.

Click here for the Board Member Application

Who We Are

Missouri Health Care for All is a statewide, non-partisan, movement committed to securing access to affordable, high-quality health care choices for all Missourians.

Our work spans several major program areas: Base-building, public education, storybanking, grassroots mobilization, media, coalitions, and policy and lobbying work. This breadth of strategies is allowing MHCFA to play a lead role in defending against federal and state attacks on current health care programs, while continuing to call for improvements in our system.

As of Spring 2017, more than 15,000 individuals from across the state have joined our movement. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization led by a volunteer Board of Directors, a 6 FTE staff, and grassroots leaders working in their local communities.

Wanted: Board Members and Local Leaders

We are seeking leaders who are passionate about expanding access to health care in Missouri. We are working to grow our Board of Directors, as well as grow our grassroots leadership in local communities.

All who are interested are encouraged to apply.

About our Board of Directors

Missouri Health Care for All’s Board of Directors serves as both our organization’s guiding group and our most active leaders. We maintain a “working Board” that both governs and and helps move our work forward. Our goal is to have a statewide board that is truly diverse, with special emphasis on representing different geographic regions, including a rich array of denominations and faith groups and reflecting our state’s diversity in ethnic origin, racial background, party affiliation, and ability. We are a nonpartisan organization and welcome board members of differing political parties who share our belief that all Missourians deserve access to quality, affordable health care.

Expectations of Board Members

The time commitment for board members is approximately 5-10 hours per month.

Board meetings are held six times a year on the third Tuesday of the month (unless a major conflict arises). Our meeting schedule is as follows:

  • January – Conference Call
  • March – In-Person, Jefferson City
  • April – Conference Call
  • June – Annual 2-day Board retreat, St. Louis
  • September – In-Person, Jefferson City
  • November – In-Person, Jefferson City

Most board calls and meetings are held from 11am – 2 pm.

In addition to attending monthly meetings, we ask Board members to:

  • Actively participate in discussions and decisions about the direction of the organization
  • Help grow our movement by networking with potential Missouri Health Care for All supporters
  • Positively represent Missouri Health Care for All in the community
  • Provide monthly oversight of the Missouri Health Care for All’s finances (fiduciary responsibility)
  • Help with fundraising efforts, including making a personal financial gift each year
  • Volunteer for local and statewide programming as appropriate

Please click here to read our Board of Directors Commitment Policy, signed annually by all Board members: MHCFA BOARD COMMITMENT POLICY

Applying for Board Membership:

Our Board of Directors is seeking applicants for Board service. To help us elect the best possible slate for the organization, interested potential board members are asked to submit a short application. We will review all of the received applications and nominate a slate that brings the greatest strength possible to the board.

If you are not nominated for a board position at this time, we will contact you about other ways you can help Missouri Health Care for All.

Click here for the Board Member Application.

Applications for 2017 election are due Friday, April 28 at 5:00 pm Central Time. 

Thank you for your interest!

Posted by MHCFA in MHCFA Blog, 0 comments
01
Mar
2017
MHCFA is Seeking Board Members and Leaders

MHCFA is Seeking Board Members and Leaders

Missouri Health Care for All is seeking Board members and community leaders to help us advance our Principle that every Missourian deserves quality, affordable health care.

Please read on for more information and a short application form.

Click here for the Board Member Application

Who We Are

Missouri Health Care for All is a statewide, non-partisan, movement committed to securing access to affordable, high-quality health care choices for all Missourians.

Our work spans several major program areas: Base-building, public education, storybanking, grassroots mobilization, media, coalitions, and policy and lobbying work. This breadth of strategies is allowing MHCFA to play a lead role in defending against federal and state attacks on current health care programs, while continuing to call for improvements in our system.

As of Spring 2017, more than 15,000 individuals from across the state have joined our movement. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization led by a volunteer Board of Directors, a 6 FTE staff, and grassroots leaders working in their local communities.

Wanted: Board Members and Local Leaders

We are seeking leaders who are passionate about expanding access to health care in Missouri. We are working to grow our Board of Directors, as well as grow our grassroots leadership in local communities.

All who are interested are encouraged to apply.

About our Board of Directors

Missouri Health Care for All’s Board of Directors serves as both our organization’s guiding group and our most active leaders. We maintain a “working Board” that both governs and and helps move our work forward. Our goal is to have a statewide board that is truly diverse, with special emphasis on representing different geographic regions, including a rich array of denominations and faith groups and reflecting our state’s diversity in ethnic origin, racial background, party affiliation, and ability. We are a nonpartisan organization and welcome board members of differing political parties who share our belief that all Missourians deserve access to quality, affordable health care.

Expectations of Board Members

The time commitment for board members is approximately 5-10 hours per month.

Board meetings are held six times a year on the third Tuesday of the month (unless a major conflict arises). Our meeting schedule is as follows:

  • January – Conference Call
  • March – In-Person, Jefferson City
  • April – Conference Call
  • June – Annual 2-day Board retreat, St. Louis
  • September – In-Person, Jefferson City
  • November – In-Person, Jefferson City

Most board calls and meetings are held from 11am – 2 pm.

In addition to attending monthly meetings, we ask Board members to:

  • Actively participate in discussions and decisions about the direction of the organization
  • Help grow our movement by networking with potential Missouri Health Care for All supporters
  • Positively represent Missouri Health Care for All in the community
  • Provide monthly oversight of the Missouri Health Care for All’s finances (fiduciary responsibility)
  • Help with fundraising efforts, including making a personal financial gift each year
  • Volunteer for local and statewide programming as appropriate

Please click here to read our Board of Directors Commitment Policy, signed annually by all Board members: MHCFA BOARD COMMITMENT POLICY

Applying for Board Membership:

Our Board of Directors is seeking applicants for Board service. To help us elect the best possible slate for the organization, interested potential board members are asked to submit a short application. We will review all of the received applications and nominate a slate that brings the greatest strength possible to the board.

If you are not nominated for a board position at this time, we will contact you about other ways you can help Missouri Health Care for All.

Click here for the Board Member Application.

Applications for 2017 election are due Friday, April 28 at 5:00 pm Central Time. 

Thank you for your interest!

Posted by MHCFA in MHCFA Blog
23
Feb
2017

The Medicaid Block Grant; Who Will Suffer?

The Medicaid Block Grant; Who Will Suffer?

Assault on Medicaid – The Block Grant Edition

By Lexi Amos, Parent advocate for children’s rights
Published in Missouri Autism Report, March/April 2017 edition

In January, Missouri Senator David Slater (District 29: serving Barry, Lawrence, McDonald, Stone, and Taney Counties) introduced a bill that would change the financial structure of Missouri Medicaid (Mo HealthNet) into a dangerous block grant system.

Missouri’s current Medicaid program is a partnership between the state and federal governments, funded partially by the federal government and partially by the state of Missouri. For every dollar that Missouri spends, the federal government spends $1.72. In the current system, if the cost of providing Medicaid services is more than expected, the federal government provides assistance to the state.  The current funding system accounts for events such as epidemics, economic downturns, and natural or man-made disasters –  all possible reasons a state might exceed their expected Medicaid costs.

A block grant system would drastically change the funding structure of Medicaid. Under a block grant, the federal government provides only a pre-set amount of funding for our state’s Medicaid program. If Missouri’s Medicaid program exceeds our federal funding, our state is responsible for all of the excess costs. This would require our state government to either increase taxes to cover the healthcare costs or limit the coverage and services available to Medicaid participants.

Jen Bersdale, Executive Director of the patient advocacy group Missouri Health Care for All, said “Senate Bill 28, as currently written, would hand complete control of our state’s Medicaid program over to a small administrative committee with no actual accountability to voters”. And legal experts Joel Ferber and Geoff Oliver, with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, found that 243,000 to 357,000 Medicaid recipients would lose coverage under a Medicaid block grant.Block Grants & CPP WHO LOSES UNDER SB28-

We know how important disability Medicaid is to the lifetime success of many people with disabilities, and we must work with our legislature to ensure that Medicaid is a sustainable assistance program well into the future. However, a block grant is not the solution we are looking for. By changing the current federal-state cost share to a block grant program Missourians are providing a “legal” avenue of denying medical coverage to people who qualify and depend on government assistance programs.

In our state’s difficult economic climate, it is unlikely our state government will raise taxes or other revenue to cover the funding gaps a Medicaid block grant would cause. It is much more likely that integral services would no longer be covered, care would be rationed, and hundreds of thousands of Missourians would be completely cut off from Mo HealthNet. Bottom line, if we are not diligent in monitoring and protecting our access to quality health care and safety net systems, our elected officials may dismantle the programs our families and neighbors depend on.

If you would like to get involved and share how block grants would affect you or people you care about please contact Crystal Brigman Mahaney, with Missouri Healthcare for All at 417-693-5690 or email at crystal@mohealthcareforall.org.

Posted by MHCFA in MHCFA Blog, State Updates, 0 comments
21
Feb
2017

We’re bringing the town hall to Senator Blunt this Saturday morning

Do our elected representatives care about our health care?

Debbie speaking out at Blunt's officeThis week is Congressional recess – meaning our elected officials have left their DC offices to join us, their constituents, back home in our home districts. Across the country members of Congress are holding public town halls to hear from their constituents.

Currently, US Senator Roy Blunt has yet to schedule public meetings, so we’re accommodating his schedule and bringing the town hall to him!

Springfield Street Town Hall & Save Our Care Rally
When: Saturday, February 25th from 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Where: In front of University Plaza Hotel, 333 S John Q Hammons Pkwy Springfield, 65806
Why: Our DC delegation needs to hear from us, their constituents, about how the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid and health policy impacts our health, our lives and our communities.
RSVP: https://www3.thedatabank.com/dpg/616/mtglistproc.asp?formid=calendar&caleventid=1826

Health Care remembranceSenator Blunt will be speaking at the Lincoln Days’ breakfast Saturday morning. We’re joining forces with concerned citizens to rally early in the morning – 6:30 AM – to share our stories and show Senator Blunt that we need to talk about health care.

What else?

We know this is early – so be sure to dress warmly – but know you won’t be alone! Bring your stories, your passion, your friends, and we’ll bring the coffee and extra signs to spread our message.

We know stories matter – bring a photo of a loved one or your reasons why health care matters so much to your life and our families. We’re going to show the strength of our voices and our concerns.

Posted by MHCFA in MHCFA Blog
17
Jan
2017
Senate Bill 28 on the move. Act now to save Medicaid.

Senate Bill 28 on the move. Act now to save Medicaid.

All session we have kept you updated on a dangerous bill – Senate Bill 28. Grassroots pressure from supporters like you stopped this dangerous bill in its tracks once.

We’re at the point in session when bills turn into amendments to move through the process. We must remain diligent and we need you to take action again – now.

P.S. Here’s a reminder of what’s at stake:

Senate Bill 28 seeks to drastically change our Missouri Medicaid program by seeking a “block grant”.

The impact of Medicaid block grants or per capita caps:

  • Deep cuts to Missouri’s federal funding for Medicaid, ripping health care from kids, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and older adults
  • Financial risk to the state of Missouri

 

Posted by MHCFA in MHCFA Blog
12
Jan
2017
Health Advocates Denounce U.S. Senate Vote to Gut Health Care

Health Advocates Denounce U.S. Senate Vote to Gut Health Care

 

The United State Senate voted in the wee hours of the morning, Thursday, January 12, to pass a budget resolution intended to dismantle much of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare or the ACA.

The vote was 51-48, with all Republican Senators except one voting for it and all Democratic Senators voting against it. Missouri Senator Roy Blunt voted yes on the resolution, while Senator Claire McCaskill voted no.

While this vote is only the first step, it shows where lawmakers are on this issue.

Last night’s vote was the first step in a process known as budget reconciliation, which will allow opponents of the Affordable Care Act to dismantle the law’s protections while avoiding a Democrat-led filibuster.

While many of the Senators pushing for an immediate repeal of the ACA have promised to “repeal and replace” the law, there is no replacement plan in place. None of the plans that have been proposed by individual lawmakers come close to matching the comprehensive protections of the Affordable Care Act.

“Moving to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a plan in place to replace it is a reckless move,” says Jen Bersdale, Executive Director of Missouri Health Care for All. “Last night’s vote is the latest example of elected officials putting politics before the lives of millions of people who stand to lose their health insurance under this scheme.”

Health care supporters across the state have contacted Missouri Senators and Representatives, urging them not to repeal the Affordable Care Act before there is a replacement plan that guarantees those currently covered do not lose their insurance.

We applaud Senator McCaskill for heeding the calls of her constituents and standing strong for their health care. Senator Blunt should have followed her leadership and that of his Republican colleague, Senator Paul, who voted no because there is no replacement plan in place. He is playing a dangerous game with his constituents’ health and should reconsider his position in future votes.

The resolution now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives, which is expected to vote on it by Friday, January 13.

Missouri Health Care for all urges the House of Representatives, including the members of Missouri’s delegation, to act more responsibly than their colleagues in the Senate. Missourians have too much at stake in this debate to have their health care used as a political football.

Posted by MHCFA in MHCFA Blog