On Friday, August 14, NASW participated in a conference call with the White House to discuss the current status of the health care reform/insurance debate, messaging and strategy. The White House also announced its new webpage, www.whitehouse.gov/RealityCheck to help separate fact from fiction about health insurance reform. The conference call speakers included Tina Tchen, Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement; Michael Strautmanis, Chief of Staff to the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Engagement; Michael Hash and Lauren Aaronson, Senior Advisors; and David Simas, White House Communications Office, Office of Health Reform.

Courts Matter: Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Arkansas case threatens Voting Rights Act
Court rules says private citizens and groups do not have authority to challenge states for violating voting rights