April 17 is Equal Pay Day. That date marks the amount of time women must work each year before their pay catches up with men’s compensation for the same job. The signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Act in 2009 helped, as that legislation provided victims of discrimination a broader timeframe in which to seek legal remedies. However, it did not actually require the pay gap to be narrowed or eliminated. Now, we commemorate... 

Stigma and discrimination are universally experienced by persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.   It has been determined that homophobia, stigma, and discrimination negatively affect the health and well-being of clients and communities, and can result in the added burden of stress and health disparities. Experienced on the personal or individual and community level, stigma is an obstacle to prevention, care and... 

Today  – Friday March 23rd – is the two-year anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This date is an important opportunity to reflect upon the benefits that Americans of all backgrounds are already seeing as a result of health reform. Moreover, with the Supreme Court oral arguments on the constitutionality of the health law next week, it is more important than ever to illustrate what’s... 

Friday, March 23 marks the two-year anniversary of the passage of the nation’s health care law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and next week the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether it is constitutional, with a ruling expected early this summer.  Social workers strongly support the law because it makes vital improvements to health care access, quality and services for millions of Americans with health and... 

On March 21st, the White House honored ten Champions of Change  - including NASW member Alice Kitchen of Kansas City – who are dedicated to improving access to health care. These individuals are helping others in their community understand the impact and opportunities from the health care law, the Affordable Care Act. “The President’s health law gives hard working, middle-class families the security they... 

Two years ago, President Obama signed the historic health care bill, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law. Social workers strongly support the law because it makes vital improvements to health care access, quality and services for millions of Americans with health and behavioral health needs. In particular, the ACA addresses many issues for women in improving access to coverage and care. A significant benefit of the... 

Political Climate Presidential Race—GOP Primary Now that several Republican primaries and caucuses have taken place, Mitt Romney has taken a considerable—though not insurmountable—lead over his nearest competitors.  Super Tuesday’s most crucial state was Ohio, which Romney narrowly won.  With Rick Santorum winning three states and coming close in Ohio, along with Newt Gingrich’s victory in Georgia, Romney... 

From March 26 to 28, 2012, the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Florida, et al., v. Department of Health and Human Services, et al., the challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) brought by the attorneys general of 26 states and the National Federation of Independent Businesses.  A ruling is expected by the end of June.  The ACA is already benefiting millions of Americans.  Striking down the... 

The Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently held a Listening Session on LGBT and HIV/AIDS Issues.  The meeting, comprised of stakeholders from LGBT organizations and HIV/AIDS organizations, as well as larger membership organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), was convened by Director, Leon Rodriquez.  During the meeting, Director Rodriquez stressed the OCR’s... 

On February 17, Congress passed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, H.R. 3630 which includes a provision to extend the TANF program through September 30, 2012. This was not a clean extension, meaning there were changes to the program included. The first change requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to set (by proposed and final rule) data exchange standards for information that...