Author Archive for atoleos

The PCIP website provides state-by-state information

For many direct-care workers who have been unable to obtain health insurance due to pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, or a work-related injury, a new high-risk pool program is now available.

The program is called the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) and represents the first major coverage expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Continue reading ‘Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) Now Accepting Applications’

PHI’s Health Care for Health Care Workers campaign has released a fact sheet highlighting key health reform provisions related to investments in direct-care worker training and workforce development:

• Health Reform Facts 1: Workforce Development and Training Opportunities for Direct-Care Workers (pdf)

These investments include the creation of national advisory panels as well as grant opportunities for states and individual employers.

The following chart from the fact sheet summarizes the key opportunities available between now and when the law is fully implemented in 2014. Download the full fact sheet (pdf) for more information.

More information related to health reform and its impact on eldercare and disability services is available at the PHI Health Reform Resource Center.

Continue reading ‘Let’s Finish the Job of Health Reform’

The nonpartisan League of Women Voters has debuted a television ad asking Americans to call and urge their senators to support health care reform.

In the 30-second advertisement, League of Women Voters president Mary G. Wilson decries the “desperate tactics” used by health care-reform opponents. The ad is an uncommonly forceful statement from an organization that has long avoided taking sides on controversial issues.

“This is an unusual step for us,” Wilson said. “But as a non-partisan membership organization that believes in reasoned and civil debate we felt compelled to take a stand against the lies and the distortions” being disseminated by reform opponents.

The ad will air from October 14-28 in Arkansas, Maine, and North Dakota.

Tuesday, October 20, will be a day of action for health care advocates. There is a major mobilization underway across the country to hold events and place calls to Congress with a common theme:

It’s time to deliver.

PHI Health Care for Health Care Workers has joined with Families USA’s STAND UP FOR HEALTH CARE campaign, and other organizations to get help get the message out to elected officials.

So here is how YOU can take action on Tuesday, October 20th:

1. Contact your Members of Congress by calling this toll-free number: 1-800-828-0498
2. Tell them that we need quality, affordable health care now to strengthen America’s direct-care workforce. For talking points, review A Health System that’s Good for Direct-Care Workers is Good for America (pdf).

At this moment, we are closer to passing national health reform than we’ve ever been. Let’s keep the pressure on.

Carol Regan, Director
HCHCW /  PHI Government Affairs