Happy Birthday 19^th Amendment!

Believe it or not, it’s only been 90 years since the 19^th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote in our democracy was made part of the Constitution. Since 1971, we’ve celebrated the anniversary of August 26, 1920, as Women’s Equality Day.

One great way to celebrate would be to make sure that every eligible woman is registered to vote. That includes women turning 18 and those who have recently become naturalized citizens. After all, as important as the right to vote is, it’s even more important to use the vote to help shape the direction of our nation. So make sure you’re registered and encourage everyone you know to do the same.

Women’s Equality Day is also the perfect time to consider what the United States can do to advance women’s rights as human rights.  Social workers concerned with social justice and equity have an opportunity on this day to promote women’s rights by supporting CEDAW – the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

CEDAW, also known as the Women’s Treaty, is a landmark international agreement that affirms principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women around the world. CEDAW helps women and girls by offering a practical blueprint for ending discrimination, stopping violence against women and trafficking of women and girls, ensuring education and vocational opportunities, and increasing political participation including the right to vote and to hold political office.

The United States played an important role in drafting CEDAW, which the United Nations adopted in 1979. But the U.S. remains one of only seven countries, including Iran, Sudan, Somalia, and three small Pacific Island countries (Nauru, Palau and Tonga), that have not yet ratified CEDAW.

That could change this year. It takes the votes of 67 senators to ratify a treaty, and President Obama and over 100 national organizations have expressed their support for the treaty’s ratification.

Ratifying the CEDAW treaty would continue America’s proud bipartisan tradition of promoting and protecting human rights, and it would strengthen the United States as a global leader in standing up for women and girls in countries around the world.

The CEDAW website – www.cedaw2010.org – has more information about CEDAW along with practical suggestions on how you can help the treaty become ratified.  The NASW website also has more information about its work on women’s rights.

The fight for women’s suffrage took more than 70 years of persistent advocacy, organizing and education and was only secured when a 24-year-old member of the Tennessee legislature, acting on a note from his mother, changed his vote from “no” to “yes” so Tennessee became the final state needed to ratify the 19^th Amendment.

So let’s make history again – and help ratify CEDAW.  TAKE ACTION HERE

Kenneth Feinberg, Administrator of the Independent Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF), which will adjudicate claims for individuals and businesses experiencing health and economic losses due to the Gulf Coast oil spill, stated last month at a House Judiciary Committee hearing that he would likely not compensate individuals for mental illnesses that result from the disaster. NASW has written Mr. Feinberg to express its deep disappointment with his intention to exclude mental health and substance use conditions from coverage by the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.

NASW’s letter stressed that mental and addictive illnesses, including those conditions that have occurred as a result of experiencing extreme stress and trauma, are real and potentially debilitating illnesses that can lead to disability and death by suicide, if not properly treated. NASW urged Mr. Feinberg to reconsider his position of discriminating against individuals who have developed legitimate behavioral health disorders that result from the BP oil catastrophe.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) New Awardees convened in Washington, DC last week for a conference of networking, orientation and education.  NASW members were among the attendees and reported enthusiastically about the conference and about their work as part of the Corps.  The Corps helps Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in the U.S. get the medical, dental, and mental health providers they need to meet their tremendous need for health care.  Social workers with clinical licenses are eligible to participate in the Loan Repayment Program. 

A major site of employment for members of the NHSC are Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC).  Their  mission is to improve the health of underserved communities and vulnerable populations by providing comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services.  President Obama has proclaimed this week “National Health Center Week,” encouraging people to celebrate by visiting the centers and learning more about their providers and their services. In addition to working as NHSC employees, social workers can serve as volunteers in the clinics. 

This week, NASW especially acknowledges the work of clinical social workers in these vital and important clinics. If you are not familiar with the FQHCs, visit a center in your community this week.  Learn more about the ways social workers are contributing to the health of the nation.

The Affordable Care Act contains many provisions that strengthen the Medicare program. However, polling data recently released by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a nonprofit service and advocacy organization whose mission is to improve the lives of older Americans, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged, reveal that many seniors are still confused by the new law, including the provisions that directly relate to Medicare and senior health.

To provide further information about the benefits of the health care law and seniors, the NCOA launched a new educational campaign to help seniors understand what is in the new law and how it will affect them. The Straight Talk for Seniors on Health Reform campaign provides fact sheets and other resources about seniors and health reform.  The campaign can be found at:

http://www.ncoa.org/public-policy/health-care-reform/straight-talk-for-seniors-on.html

Recently, we were doing some research in the archived editions of the NASW News.  We came across a copy of this telegram sent from NASW to President Kennedy on May 25, 1962:

“The National Association of Social Workers through its Board of Directors meeting today commends the president for your personal leadership in taking the case for health care for the elderly through social security directly to the voters.  We believe the American people will accept your word that the program embodied in the King-Anderson bill is not a sinister effort to bring about socialized medicine but a natural step forward in the physical and social development of this country.  We believe it actually represents the minimal program which should be offered to meet the needs of the ill and aging and support its adoption without further amendment or change.  In many cities social workers have actively participated in the meetings and rallies to encourage its adoption. ” 

Unfortunately, President Kennedy did not live to see the measure enacted.  Over three years later, President Johnson signed the Medicare legislation into law on July 30, 1965. 

Today is the 45th anniversary of this momentous and popular government program.  NASW was there at the beginning and continues today to advocate for a strong and quality Medicare system.

In April of 2009, the Army launched a campaign to promote health, reduce risk, and prevent suicide among its members. Today, they released the results of this fifteen month study.  The study is primarily focused on diagnosing current problems, rather than on solutions.  Still, the report hints at reforms the Army expects to implement.

NASW applauds these efforts, and will continue to advocate for progress on health promotion, risk reduction, and suicide prevention for America’s servicemen and women.

Input on Standards Needed

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced two new steps to begin establishing state health insurance Exchanges.  HHS announced the availability of up to $1 million in grants per state to help states begin to establish Exchanges and published a request for comment calling for public input as HHS develops standards for the Exchanges.

Starting in 2014, health insurance Exchanges – new, competitive, consumer-centered health insurance marketplaces – will put greater control and greater choice in the hands of individuals and small businesses.  The Exchanges will make purchasing health insurance easier by providing eligible consumers and businesses with “one-stop-shopping” where they can compare and purchase health insurance coverage.  The first round of grants will give states resources to conduct research and planning needed to build a the health insurance marketplace and determine how their Exchanges will be operated and governed.

Keeping with President Obama’s commitment to transparency and open government, HHS issued a request for comment asking states, consumer advocates, employers, insurers, and other interested stakeholders to provide input as HHS develops the rules and standards Exchanges should be required to meet. Comments are due by October 4, 2010.  Read the complete request for comment at http://www.healthcare.gov/center/regulations.

Each state has the option to establish and operate its own Exchange or partner with another state or states to operate a regional Exchange. If a state decides not to create an Exchange for its residents, HHS will help establish one on their behalf.  State grant applications are available at http://www.healthcare.gov/center/grants and are due by September 1, 2010. 

For more information on NASW’s efforts and services regarding Health, go to:  Advocacy, Practice Standards and Information, Credentials and Continuing Education , Sections, Books and Journals, Careers 

Consumer Information, Legal Issues and Law Notes

This week Congress and the White House commemorated the 20th anniversary of passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which makes it easier for people with disabilities to gain access to jobs and public places. NASW and other ADA supporters were invited by Speaker Pelosi to a luncheon in Statuary Hall honoring the occasion followed by guests moving to the House gallery to watch a floor colloquies on the value of the law.

Rep. Jim Langevin, (D-R.I.) who is quadriplegic, took ceremonial responsibility to preside over the House floor. In luncheon comments to NASW and other ADA supporters, Speaker Pelosi lauded many changes over the last 20 years that have made public spaces and work more accessible to the disabled. NASW and other guests of the Speaker were invited to the House gallery to watch as a new mechanical lift in the speaker’s rostrum allowed the wheelchair-bound Langevin to preside over speeches and votes.

At 16, I finally entered the “real working world” with a part-time job at McDonald’s making minimum wage. In addition to earning money for a school trip to Germany, I also started contributing to the Social Security System. Every year, close to my birthday, I am reminded of those earnings and my lifelong work history when I receive my statement from Social Security. Like most of us, I have a long relationship with Social Security.

August 14 marks the 75^th anniversary of Social Security. An old-age insurance program was on the list of things social worker Frances Perkins asked President Roosevelt to support before she would agree to be the Secretary of Labor. In a 1962 presentation, Ms. Perkins details the political history and enactment of this program. She says,

“I suppose the roots–the idea that we ought to have a systematic method of taking care of the material needs of the aged–really springs from … the efforts and the struggles of charity workers and social workers to handle the problems of people who were growing old and had no adequate means of support.”

In honor of the anniversary, The Frances Perkins’ Center has developed the “Social Security Stories Project” to document how social security has made a difference in peoples’ lives. They are accepting written submissions of 400 words or less, or about three minutes of video.

There are certainly important discussions and questions about the future of Social Security that need to be addressed; however, I think as social workers we can hope like Frances Perkins did in 1962 that, “It is safe forever, and for the everlasting benefit of the people of the United States.”

Political Climate

We’re approaching a crucial time in any election cycle: the deadline for federal candidates to report their second quarter fundraising figures.  By July 15, everyone running for Congress must tell the Federal Elections Commission how much they’ve raised through June 30.

This is important for a few reasons.  For one, we’ll know how much money individuals have raised on their own, but also in the context of their opponent’s cash on hand figures.  A figure of $700,000 might seem like a lot; it matters whether one’s opponent has $200,000 or $2,000,000 at the same point in time.  Second quarter numbers tend to kick-start the season in which more polling is released.  Whether a candidate has outraised their opponent or not, they all want to prove that either their financial edge is showing in the polls as well, or that in spite of mediocre fundraising they’re still doing well in the eyes of voters.  In addition, more money means more ads on television, radio, and the internet.  This is how issues emerge and races begin to take shape, rather than earlier timeframes when voters are just getting to know candidates. Once the second quarter numbers are available, our ability to analyze the general political landscape as well as specific races will markedly improve.

Obama Appoints Dr. Donald Berwick as CMS Administrator

On Wednesday, July 7, 2010, President Obama bypassed the Senate and appointed Dr. Donald Berwick Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The President’s action, known as a recess appointment, allowed Berwick to immediately lead CMS and avoids what was expected to become a partisan fight in the Senate over the nominee. NASW had joined with many other national health organizations in endorsing Dr. Berwick’s strong qualifications for the position and in urging the Senate to quickly approve his nomination.

The White House justified the action because of clear signs that Republican senators intended to stall the confirmation process. The White House also argued that Berwick’s rapid installation is necessary to keep on track with implementing the new health reform law. The recess appointment enables Berwick, a well regarded international health care quality expert, to serve through December 2011 without Senate confirmation. He will also be eligible for re-nomination to the position at the end of next year.

In other recent reform news, the Kaiser Family Foundation announced that public support for the new law has begun to climb from 41 percent to 48 percent in the past month, see report here.

New Online Health Care Tool Now Available to Consumers

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled a new online tool to help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable health care coverage. Known as HealthCare.gov, the web site provides consumers with information on both public and private health coverage options tailored to their needs in a single, easy-to-use tool. The site has a central database of health coverage options, combining information about programs ranging from Medicare to the new Pre-Existing Conditions Insurance Plan, including information from more than 1,000 private insurance plans.

HealthCare.gov will expand as components of the new law become effective. In October 2010, price estimates for health insurance plans will be available online and information on preventing disease and illness and improving the quality of health care. Eventually the site will include pricing and plan performance information so that consumers can see, understand and make meaningful choices about their health coverage.

NASW Joins Groups on GINA Letter to EEOC

On June 29, NASW joined several health organizations on a letter to Jacqueline A. Berrien, Chair, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), urging the EEOC to remain consistent with Title I regulations regarding genetic information and use the same approach other cabinet departments did when they issued their interim final rule about GINA and employment title.

The letter asks the EEOC to ensure that in “addressing the collection of genetic information through ‘health risk assessment’-style questionnaires, the EEOC takes the same approach as the Depts. of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury when they issued their interim final rule – namely that answering questions on family history or genetics is entirely optional.

In 2008, the Genetics Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) was signed into law.  One of GINA’s most important tenets is that individuals have the right to keep their genetic information private without penalty. The provision of genetic information must be truly voluntary.  The letter states, “if the EEOC regulations were to allow employers to penalize employees who do not divulge genetic information, it would greatly undermine the protections Congress deliberately included in GINA and create an untenable inconsistency with the regulations implementing Title I.

NASW Supports the Seniors’ Bill of Rights

Recently, NASW sent a letter to fellow social worker, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) thanking her for introducing a resolution supporting the Seniors’ Bill of Rights. The Seniors’ Bill of Rights, S. Res. 553, is an important resolution that urges Congress to uphold the dignity and independence of older Americans by supporting efforts that guarantee financial security; quality and affordable health and long-term care; protection from abuse, scams, and exploitation; a strong economy now and for future generations; and safe and livable communities with adequate housing and transportation options. As stated in the letter, “NASW strongly supports these rights”.  S. Res. 553 is the companion resolution to H. Res. 1342 introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).

Advocacy Blog Roundup

NASW supports Recommendations on Achieving the

Millennium Development Goals

Care of Veterans Being Addressed

Alert Roundup

Support Legislation to Ban Corporal Punishment in Schools

Ask President Obama to Push Ratification of CEDAW

Advocacy Listserv Activity

In the month of June, 255 activists sent 378 advocacy messages to Congress through Capwiz. The most active alerts were about the Tax Extenders Bill and the Social Work Reinvestment Act.  Thanks to all of you who took the time to take action!  To see all alerts, go here.