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(Washington, DC) The NAACP issued the following statement today, in response to the Kansas Health Care Freedom Amendment that was proposed today in the Kansas State Legislature.

This afternoon, members of the Kansas House and Senate will introduce a proposed Amendment to the Kansas State Constitution, called the “Kansas Health Care Freedom Act”. This proposed Amendment seeks to prevent the implementation of any national Health Care reform measures within the state of Kansas.

“This amendment is outrageous and does nothing to address the current health care crisis. The tactics being used by Representatives Landwehr and Mast and Senator Cook are the very same tactics perfected by segregationist Dixiecrats of the 1960’s,” stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “In the last century the Dixiecrats tried to obstruct the rights of Black Americans, and now in this century they are trying to obstruct the rights of everyday working Americans. It was wrong then and it’s wrong now. All who believe every Americans right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness must stand up and fight egregious pieces of legislation like this, we cannot let the greedy insurance company CEO’s trump the needs of patients and physicians.”

The legislation would add a new article to the State Constitution, which would read, “A law or rule shall not compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in any health care system or purchase health insurance”.

“The way to achieve real health care reform is not to preempt federal law, nor use political gamesmanship; this legislation will have an adverse effect on everyday working people and will put us further away from achieving comprehensive health care reform. Over 880,000 African Americans have died in the past decade due to the disparities in our health care system and having access to quality affordable health care is not something that should be reserved for the wealthy, or the few. It should be for everyone, and that’s not the case today, and will not be the case if this amendment is passed,” concluded Jealous.

Contact:

Chris Fleming

202/463-2940 x.1021

202/631-0929

cfleming@naacpnet.org

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Posted in Healthcare, Legislative issues, NAACP, NAACP State Issues, News |

Tags: Wichita |

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This is it! – US House of Representatives set to vote on Health Care Reform TOMORROW 11-7-09

November 6th, 2009 |

Author: admin

Original Article: This is it! – US House of Representatives set to vote on Health Care Reform TOMORROW 11-7-09

Tomorrow, Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on health care reform. The future of health care for you, me, and every American hinges on this historic vote. So now is the time to make your voice heard.

Please send an e-mail to your representative today and ask him or her to support a health care reform bill with a strong public option.

Unless we pass a strong bill, the color of your skin, your ethnic background, and where you live will continue to influence your access to health care, as well as the quality and cost of your care.

Leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus came by the War Room today to urge us to help them pass real health care reform with a strong public option. With your help NOW, we can end discrimination in health care coverage and ensure access for every American.

Click here to send an e-mail to your representative in Congress and tell him or her to support health care legislation with a strong public option requiring all individuals to have insurance.

So, this is it. Let us ensure that Congress stops a system that delays, denies and defends the lack of care.

Click here to listen to a personal message from Congressional Black Caucus Chair Barbara Lee. Then, send a letter to your member of Congress now to urge him or her to support real health care reform with a strong public option when the vote takes place tomorrow.

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Posted in Action Alerts, Healthcare, NAACP National Issues, News |

Tags: Wichita |

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“Can you hear us now?” – Congressional call-in for Health Care reform

October 27th, 2009 |

Author: admin

Original Article: “Can you hear us now?” – Congressional call-in for Health Care reform

Think Congress has heard enough about health care reform? Probably not, considering dozens of representatives and senators are still sitting on the fence.

They need to hear from you today!

Join the NAACP’s “Can You Hear Us Now” Congressional call-in days. Our goal is to make 88,000 calls to Congress by Thursday, October 29.

Do not leave the future of your health care to chance — call your representatives today to make sure they are working to champion quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

It is easy to call. Just call the number below and you will be connected to your representative’s office. We have provided a sample call script for you to follow, and once you are done, let us know what happened on the 880 site.

HOW TO CALL:
Call 1-800-577-1635 to be connected to your Members of Congress.

SCRIPT:
Hello, my name is ________. I live in [city or town] and I am a voter in your district. I am calling you today in conjunction with the NAACP to urge you to enact real health care reform that includes a public option.

We believe that a public option is the only way to keep insurance companies honest, ensure competition and provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Thank you.

Please, join the NAACP and call your representatives this week during our “Can You Hear Us Now” Congressional call-in days.

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Posted in Action Alerts, Healthcare, NAACP, NAACP National Issues, News |

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Join the 880 campaign and help ensure that every American has access to quality and affordable health care…

October 3rd, 2009 |

Author: admin

Original Article: Join the 880 campaign and help ensure that every American has access to quality and affordable health care…

Why “880″? Because according to the American Journal of Public Health, the deaths of 880,000 black people would have been prevented if the mortality rate of blacks had been the same as that of whites over a 10-year period.

The health care crisis has hit our communities especially hard:

Children born to black women are more than twice as likely to die within their first year of life than children born to white women
People of color are more likely to suffer and die from diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases
Uninsured Americans are more likely to use the Emergency Room for preventative care and routine checkups, forcing longer wait times and costing states and taxpayers more

But this struggle goes beyond statistics. This is about you – everyday American families and children.

With your help, in the coming weeks, we will organize to ensure that our elected representatives support real health care reform with real results that will ensure every American has access to quality, affordable health care coverage… and help solve the health problems that plague our parents, children, friends, and communities.

For more information and to stay informed, visit the 880 Campaign Site!

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Posted in Healthcare, NAACP, NAACP National Issues, National Issues, News |

Tags: Wichita |

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Share YOUR Health Care stories!!!

September 16th, 2009 |

Author: admin

Original Article: Share YOUR Health Care stories!!!

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Posted in Health, Health Disparities, Healthcare, News |

Tags: Wichita |

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Join the “Power to End Stroke” Campaign

August 18th, 2009 |

Author: admin

Original Article: Join the “Power to End Stroke” Campaign

The Wichita Branch NAACP has partnered with the American Heart Association and the Wichita Black Nurses Association in the ‘Power to End Stroke’ Campaign.

‘Power To End Stroke’ is an education and awareness campaign that embraces and celebrates the culture, energy, creativity and lifestyles of Americans. It unites people to help make an impact on the high incidence of stroke within their communities.

Power To End Stroke was created in 2006 by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to help reach the ASA mission to reduce stroke and risk of stroke by 25% by 2010. It was also meant to raise critical awareness within the African American population. Heart disease and stroke are major health risks for all people, but African Americans are at particularly high risk. Consider this:

Blacks have almost twice the risk of first-ever strokes compared to whites.
Blacks have higher death rates for stroke compared to whites.
The prevalence of high blood pressure in African Americans in the United States is the highest in the world.

To take the pledge and join the Power to End Stroke movement, visit the link on our header.

Sign up and join the cause today!

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Posted in Health, Health Disparities, Healthcare, News |

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A Detailed examination of Health Care Reform myths – with references

August 16th, 2009 |

Author: admin

Original Article: A Detailed examination of Health Care Reform myths – with references

Special Thanks to Ron Myles for compiling this list…

PG 22 of the HC Bill mandates the Govt will audit books of all employers that self insure.

The government(Federal and State) already has the authority to audit any and all books of any employer paying into any tax fund.) The bill does not mandate blanket audits, it expands the currently existing authority.

PG 30 Sec 123 of HC bill – There will be a Government Committee that decides what treatments/benefits you receive.

(For exceptional cases, a panel of BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS will make recommendations for treatment. The FINAL decision will rest with the patient and patient family and the attending physician(s).)

PG 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill – Your HealthCare is Rationed. You can only receive a certain amount of “care” per year.

(There is no limit to the amount of coverage that you will receive under the proposed health care plan, however to prevent fraud and abuse, multiple claims for the same treatment will be monitored and require explanation. This is currently done with ALL HEALTHCARE insurance systems.)

PG 42 of HC Bill – The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your HC Benefits for you. You have no choice.

(Applicants will be given a series of health care providers to chose from. Those health care plans approved for use will have been evaluated as meeting the greatest needs of the public at the most effective cost.)

PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill – HC will be provided to ALL non US residents, illegal or otherwise

(CURRENTLY, a medical facility can NOT refuse emergency treatment to anyone and currently those individuals being treated do not have to provide identification to prove citizenship. The proposed plan will provide the treatment, BUT the proper authorities will be notified of the individual if they are in an illegal status.)

PG 58HC Bill – Govt will have real-time access to individuals finances & a National ID Health Card will be issued.

(There are no provisions in the proposed bill that proposes for the government to have “real-time” access to anyone’s finances and there is no current technology that would provide that capabilities to the government. The proposed bill does provide for a National Health Care ID card, similar to CURRENT national health care cards for BC/BS, Aetna, CompuCare, etc.)

PG 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Govt will have direct access to your banks accts for funds transfer.

(There are no provisions for the government to have direct access to anyone’s bank account.)

PG 72 Lines 8-14 Govt is creating an HC Exchange to bring private HealthCare plans under Government control.

(The proposed plan will establish standards and regulations, for medical care provided to the American people, under which all health care provides will be required to conform. Those health care providers who chose not to conform will simply not be on the government provided list available to the American people.)

PG 84 Sec 203 HC bill – Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for private HealthCare plans in the Exchange

(This is not true. Private health care plans can operate, but they will not receive government funds. They will receive payments for EMERGENCY treatment provided to those covered under the government plan. This is a current practice of all PRIVATE health care plans)

PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill – Specifies Benefit Levels for Plans = The Govt will ration your Healthcare.

(Again NOT TRUE SEE ABOVE Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC )

PG 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill – Govt mandates linguistic appropriate services…… Example – Translation for illegal aliens

(This will provide, but not mandate, that efforts will be made to provide interpreters for non-English speaking patients to improve diagnostics of patient complaints. This is currently a practice of all HIGH quality hospitals and major medical facilities)

PG 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The Govt will use groups i.e., ACORN & Americorps to sign up individually for Govt HealthCare plan

(The government may use what ever resources available to get the major task of enrollment done. The significance of ACORN or Americorps, or any other contracted service group, is not relevant, what is important is getting the job done expediently.)

PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill – Specs of Benefit Levels for Plans. #AARP members – your Health care WILL be rationed

(AGAIN NOT TRUE SEE ABOVE Pg 29 . And one note AARP does not provide health care or any insurance directly. It uses Hartford and other insurance company.)

PG 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill – Medicaid Eligible Indiv. will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice.

(This is a much needed service. Many qualified individuals are not aware of Medicaid part B, which would relieve them of the burdensome cost of prescription drugs. Individuals would have the choice of rather they use this service or not. This would be an excellent service to the American people.)

PG 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No “judicial review” against Govt monopoly.

(That is the way health care should be. “PRICE FIXING” is a term intended to mislead people. TVA (True Value Assessment) is the payment offered for services that is based on a fair cost and reasonable profit determined by actual value assessment. Once established the payment is FIXED and may not be exceeded except for extenuating circumstances.)

PG 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill – Doctors/ #AMA – The Govt will tell you what you can make.

(THIS IS NOT TRUE — The Government will tell you WHAT THEY WILL PAY FOR YOUR SERVICES)

PG 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into public option plan.

(True: As a payroll deduction. Just like income taxes, etc. Prevents the employee from having to deal with it.)

PG 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for HC for part time employees AND their families.

(TRUE Just as they currently have to pay for workman’s comp for part time employees.)

PG 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Employer with a payroll 400k & above who does not prov. public option, pays 8% tax on all payroll

(And?)

PG 150 Lines 9-13 Businesses with payroll between 251k & 400k that don’t prov. pub. opt pay 2-6% tax on all payroll

(And?)

PG 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesn’t have acceptable HealthCare according to the Govt will be taxed 2.5%

(True and they will be covered on the government plan. Every American citizen will be covered with quality Health Care))

PG 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill, Any Nonresident Alien is exempt from individual taxes; American taxpayers will pay for them

(This is the CURRENT policy)

PG 195 HC Bill -officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans financial/personal records

(THIS IS NOT TRUE. There is no current technology that would provide that capabilities to the government.)

PG 203 Line 14-15 HC – “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax”

(It will be treated as an entitlement fund, similar to Social Security)

PG 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill, Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor will be very affected

(NOT TRUE: The government will more closely monitor the payments made and take corrective action if and when required.)

PG 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill – Doctors, regardless of specialty, will all be paid the same

(NOT TRUE AT ALL. Payments will be made bases on level of difficulty, i.e. specialty, and other factors. Additional payment will be made based on extended expertise. THE SAME AS CURRENT PAY FOR: Public Health Service doctors.)

PG 253 Line 10-18 Govt sets value of Dr’s time, professional judgments, etc.

(NOT TRUE. Participating doctors will be paid based on TVA. TVA (True Value Assessment) is the payment offered for services that is based on a fair cost and reasonable profit determined by actual value assessment. Once established the payment is FIXED and may not be exceeded except for extenuating circumstances.)

PG 265 Sec 1131, Govt mandates & controls productivity for private HC industries

(THIS STATEMENT IS INTENDED TO MISLEAD OR DECEIVE. What productivity does the health care industry provide?) The health care industries provide a SERVICE not a product.

PG 268 Sec 1141 Fed Govt regulates rental & purchase of power driven wheelchairs

(GOOD)

PG 280 Sec 1151 The Govt will penalize hospitals for what Govt deems preventable re-admissions.

(THIS IS TRUE, and it will reduce the hospital’s overall malpractice insurance cost. And reduce the huge costs of law suites against doctors and health care providing facilities.)

PG 317 L 13-20 PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Govt tells Drs. what/how much they can own.

(THIS IS A HUGE LIE The proposal would regulate self-serving investments of PARTICIPATING physicians.) (A doctor who treats LUNG CANCER should not own stock in a tobacco company.)

PG 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Govt is mandating hospitals cannot expand

(THIS IS NOT TRUE)

PG 321 2-13 Hospitals have opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input required.

(True and this should be the case. The people should have a say.)

PG 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 – Govt mandates establishments of outcome based measures.. Rationing

(NOT TRUE AS STATED.)

PG 341 Lines 3-9 Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Adv Plans, HMOs, etc. Forcing all into Govt HC plan

(NO medical facility will be FORCED into participating, but once accepted they will have to conform to regulations. If they do not, they can be put on an improvement plan or expelled from the participating program.)

PG 354 Sec 1177 – Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs

(NOT TRUE)

PG 379 Sec 1191 Govt creates Telehealth Advisory Committee. HealthCare by phone

(Currently BC/BS, Aetna, and other HC plans have such a service. It is a GOOD service.)

PG 425 Lines 17-19 Govt will instruct & consult regarding living wills, durable powers of atty.

(The Government will provide payment and reimbursement for end of life consultations)

PG 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Govt provides apprvd list of end of life resources, guiding you in death

(TRUE. A list of APPROVED participants in the Public Health Care Program)

PG 427 Lines 15-24 Govt mandates program for orders for end of life. The Govt has a say in how your life ends.

(NOT TRUE. Government payments may be suspended if there is no indication by BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS that the dying patient can be expected to recover.)

PG 429 Lines 10-12 “advanced care consultations” may include an ORDER for end of life plans.

(NOT TRUE. Government payments may be suspended if there is no indication by BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS that the dying patient can be expected to recover.)

PG 429 Lines 13-25 – The govt will specify which Doctors can write an end of life order.

(NOT TRUE. Government payments may be suspended if there is no indication by BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS that the dying patient can be expected to recover.)

PG 430 Lines 11-15 The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life

(NOT TRUE. Government payments may be suspended if there is no indication by BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS that the dying patient can be expected to recover.)

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