Democracy for New Hampshire - Health care

Daschle tapped for HHS Secretary

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:17:29 -0500

SOURCE: Daschle to Be Nominee for Health Post in Obama Cabinet

Wednesday 19 November 2008

by: Helene Cooper and Peter Baker, The New York Times | Editorial

Former Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota to be nominated for Health and Human Services post in Obama cabinet. (Photo: Chris Maddaloni / The New York Times)

Washington - President-elect Barack Obama has decided to nominate former Senator Thomas A. Daschle of South Dakota as secretary of health and human services, and is leaning toward former Deputy Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. as attorney general, people close to the transition said Wednesday.

But most attention in Washington continued to be focused on the possibility that Mr. Obama might nominate Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to serve as secretary of state. Democrats close to the situation said Wednesday that former President Bill Clinton has agreed to several restrictions on his future business and philanthropic activities to pave the way for his wife to become the nation's chief diplomat..

Obama Health Plan is Disastrous

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:55:56 -0400

Obama’s health plan is unaffordable.
His solution to the uninsured will only lead to an eventual collapse of the system.
The uninsured problem is not what Obama says it is.
A percentage of the uninsured are already eligible for programs but haven’t signed up(therefore for these people no new “universal” healthcare is needed, rather just that they sign up for existing programs).
A quarter of the uninsured are illegal aliens. To deal with these people, some immigration reform may be needed and there’s an issue whether these people should be paid for at taxpayer expense because they are here illegally.
Some of the uninsured can afford to pay for at least a portion of their insurance(there is no need for such people to receive a vast government giveaway therefore and Obama is just throwing tax dollars away unnecessarily here)
Obama also, for some inexplicable reason, doesn’t want individuals to have the same tax deductions employers do when they purchase health care. Giving individuals these tax deductions would make health care more affordable(and therefore would cover more of the uninsured).

Obama Health Plan Disaster Awaits

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:29:34 -0400

In a speech before the AFL-CIO in 2003, Obama stated he favored a single payer system once “we took back the White House, the Senate, and the House.” Private insurers will be crowded out by Obama's government plan (because Obama’s government plan will be subsidized and private insurers will be subjected to unfair, costly mandates that will force them to charge higher premiums). Once the conversion to the dark side of single payer is achieved, you, the public, will only have one option for your insurance and if you don’t like it, too bad. Further, the cost of Obama’s plan will be staggering and, therefore(as has happened in Canada) care will be rationed and the government will be forced to cover less. Also, like in Canada, quality doctors will leave the system(because they will be paid less) and(because demand will increase) waiting times for surgeries and diagnostic tests will increase dramatically. We need to deal with the 10% of this country who are uninsured(a quar

The Power of One

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:26:59 -0400

Friday, August 15th, 7:30 pm: The Power of One: A Talk by and Conversation with Doris “Granny D” Haddock at South Church, 292 State St, Portsmouth NH. NH's own Granny D talks about how each of us can make a difference, and how public funding of elections can help us. Changing our election funding system can bring peace, the environment, alternative energy, education, poverty, healthcare and more the attention they deserve. Also, from 5-6pm join Granny D and the Leftist Marching Band for the Peace Vigil, Market Square, Portsmouth.
Free and open to the public. Refreshments and a book signing will follow the program. Sponsored by Outreach Associates of South Church, NH Codepink: Women for Peace & Seacoast Peace Response. For more info contact bgh3@comcast.net or 603-431-0138.

The Global Poverty Act

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:54:47 -0400

I'm writing on behalf of the Borgen Project- a seattle based non profit organization working to bring political attention to severe poverty. You can learn more about our organization through theborgenproject.org.

As you will see we have created the Global Poverty Act which has passed in the House and now we're trying to pass in the Senate. The way you can help is severly important and takes only thirty seconds to help pass this act.

We need roughly a dozen people (however the more the merrier) in New Hampshire to call Senator Sununu's office at (603) 647- 7500 and simply tell the staffer on the phone: “I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like the Senator to cosponsor the Global Poverty Act.” People can also email his office here:

sununu.senate.gov.

If you and your members can make the call or shoot an email it would greatly help the cause. You can see here (sample call log on right) how political offices tally each call and why it’s so important. Thank you so much for your consideration and let me know if I can answer any questions.
Thank you,

Candice Hays
The Borgen Project
theborgenproject.org

Manchester Area Health Care Group Kickoff Meeting

Thu, 15 May 2008 14:17:13 -0400

New Hampshire for Health Care will host the kick off meeting of a new grassroots citizens' action group of Manchester area residents committed to reforming the health care system to ensure every American has access to quality affordable health care.

When: Thursday May 22nd from 6:30-8 pm
Where: 40 West Brook St, Manchester
What: Kick-off meeting and discussion. Refereshments provided.
RSVP/Info: Please call Emmanuel at 227-0932 or email emmanuel@nhforhealthcare.org

Gov. Lynch Urges Senate Commerce Committee to Support NH HealthFirst

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:05:30 -0400

For Immediate Release

Bi-Partisan Legislation Is Aimed at Helping Small Businesses Better Afford Health Insurance For Their Employees

CONCORD - In an effort to help New Hampshire small businesses better afford health insurance for their workers, Gov. John Lynch today urged the Senate Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection committee to support legislation implementing the New Hampshire HealthFirst initiative.

Gov. Lynch unveiled the proposal, which will help reduce costs by making wellness insurance plans available to small businesses, during his State of the State Address last month.

"With this legislation, we are working to help New Hampshire small businesses better afford health insurance coverage for their workers," Gov. Lynch said. "New Hampshire HealthFirst is aimed at giving small businesses access to the same types of innovations that large employers, including state government, are using as part of their efforts to control the growth in their health care costs, which will help keep workers healthier and keep health insurance in reach of employers."

Buckey withdraws from U.S. Senate race

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:34:44 -0500

Dear Friends,

Today I'm announcing with regret my withdrawal from the campaign to represent New Hampshire in the US Senate. I remain committed to the goals of our campaign, but I do not have the financial resources needed to campaign full-time for the next nine months, which is what would be required to beat John Sununu.

I would like to thank all the people who have volunteered their time, money, and energy to support the campaign. I'm proud that our campaign has brought the need for an Apollo Program for Energy to the forefront of the Senate debate here in New Hampshire, and Im going to continue to work for the issues that have been the foundation of our campaign, including:

Promoting the awareness that Americas energy policy is crucial to our national security and economy as well as to our environment.
Keeping our nation a leader in the global economy by investing in education, supporting science and technology research and development, and providing affordable, portable health care for all Americans.
Eliminating the excessive power of special interests in our political process.

Shea-Porter Votes to Override President’s Veto of SCHIP

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:47:58 -0500

Congresswoman Shea-Porter Votes to Override President’s Veto of Children’s Health Care Bill
Congress Faces Off with President
New Hampshire Denied Funds to Cover More Children

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter voted today to override President Bush’s veto of a bill increasing funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which is known as the Healthy Kids program in New Hampshire. Although a wide majority of the members of the House voted in favor of the bipartisan legislation, supporters were not able to get the two-thirds necessary to override the President’s veto.

Today’s vote was part of an ongoing battle between Congress and the President over spending on children’s health insurance. SCHIP is supported by some of the most conservative members of Congress, by 43 governors, 270 independent organizations and 81% of the American public. Yet, the President has twice vetoed the bipartisan proposals to reform SCHIP.

Author to discuss "Fear and Courage in the Democratic Party" at Jan. 3rd Portsmouth event

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:49:35 -0500

Come ring in the Iowa caucus vote with progressive political author Glenn Hurowitz.

Glenn will be speaking at RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth, NH on Thursday, Jan. 3rd, 2008 at 7 p.m. His new book, "Fear and Courage in the Democratic Party," challenges Democrats to show more political courage and embrace confrontation.

Sicko

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:18:09 -0500

The film series about how international corporations impact local communities continues in January, 2008.
January 6 -- SICKO -- new date! A documentary about private health care in the U.S. and how it compares to universal health care plans around the world.
Film will be followed by a discussion and light supper. No charge; donations are accepted.

Disabilities "R" US

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 14:58:04 -0500

The first weekend in November, Granite State Independent Living, along with a half dozen sponsors and over two dozen supporting organizations, held a bi-partisan presidential candidate forum in Manchester, New Hampshire. Perhaps because some of the Republican candidates hadn't yet committed themselves, only two were invited and only John McCain actually participated via a conference call. Perhaps Rudolph Giuliani, having struggled to overcome some significant disabilities without, apparently, much success, decided that bragging about things he hadn't actually done would not go over well before such an audience.

December 2nd New Hampshire Presidential Town Hall Meeting

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:18:43 -0500

WHAT: December 2nd Presidential Town Hall, “A Healthier and Safer New Hampshire” will introduce Presidential candidates to issues of concern to individuals and families who are supporting policies to promote prevention, treatment and recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.

Presidential candidates have been invited to speak at various times during the event and answer questions from area residents. There will also be an educational program, including excerpts from HBO’s Emmy award winning program Addiction and a panel discussion featuring Ann Corson, a family member whose son is now in recovery; Barry Timmerman, LADC, coordinator of Substance Abuse Services for Odyssey NH which runs the first recovery high school in NH; Niki Miller, MS, CPS, a person in long-term recovery and Executive Director, NH Taskforce on Women & Recovery; Peter Dalpra, LADC, an addiction professional and Clinical Director of Serenity Place; and Joe Harding, Director of the NH Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Policy.

"Sicko" the movie

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 10:02:12 -0500

Watch the movie, "Sicko" and participate in a conference call with Michael Moore.

RSVP to http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=25108

Equality, Opportunity and Access Forum in Manchester, NH

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 10:02:26 -0400

Although the Presidential Candidates Forum for some 600 attendees was hosted by Granite State Independent Living and some 28 co-sponsoring organizations on behalf of Americans with "disabilities," the goals of Equality, Opportunity and Access obviously apply to all Americans and, after listening to some of the presentations, it was hard not to conclude that every single one of us has some disability, or lack of talent/competence, which we would not want to limit our full participation in the affairs of our communities and nation.