WEALTH

Newsletter of the WIN Womens Health Policy Network

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July/August 2012 Volume 4 Issue 7

A Change is Coming...
Over the past month, there have been many health policy firsts to celebrate in Washington. This past week marked the one month anniversary of the Supreme Courts landmark decision to uphold the ACA, less the Medicaid enforcement provision (see page 2 for more information). While supporters of the ACA were happy it was not completely invalidated, the loss of the Medicaid enforcement mechanism has given cause for concern. The public proclamation by at least six governors that they will not implement the expansion will leave uninsured many of the nations poorest. Last week the city was also host to the International Aids Conference for the first time in 20 years, which coincided with the proclamation of July 2012 as National HIV Awareness Month. As some panelists at the AIDS conference noted, the SCOTUS decision not to make the Medicaid expansion mandatory for receipt of Federal funds has implications for low-income and living with HIV/AIDS. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, only a small percentage of the Medicaid population is composed of people receiving care for HIV/AIDS, but approximately 4 in 10 of those receiving care for HIV/AIDS do so through Medicaid. The majority of people with HIV/AIDS on Medicaid qualify because they are both low-income and disabled. Those who do not fit that criteria often do not qualify, such as childless adults. Many of the low-income, uninsured living with HIV/AIDS in states that refuse to implement the Medicaid expansion will still be left vulnerable. However, if the momentum brought by the this years International AIDS Conference is any indication of the strength of the movement, it will be a formidable partner to have on the side of those pushing for expanded health care coverage. To be sure, expanding access to coverage is only one small piece of the investment needed to address the disease here in the U.S. It would be hard to argue, however, that it wouldnt be a step in the right direction for the most vulnerable people with HIV/AIDS.

Upcoming Health Policy Events

July 31, 3-4:30 pm: Association of Maternal & Child

Health Programs Webinar, Continuing the Conversation: The ACA after the Supreme Court Ruling. Learn more. August 2, 10 am - 12 pm: Center for American Progress, Cutting Health Care Costs: Leading Experts Propose Bold Solutions. Washington DC. Learn more. August 8-9: Institute of Medicine Workshop, The Role of Telehealth in an Evolving Health Care Environment. Washington DC. Learn more. August 16, 2- 3:30 pm: NIH Health Disparities Seminar Series, Enhancing Minority Participation in Clinical Trials. Bethesda, MD. Learn more. September 8, 8am - 4 pm: MD Women's Coalition for Health Care Reform Conference: Health Care, Women of Color Get It. Baltimore, MD. Learn more.

Did You Know?

July is also:
UV Safety Month: UV Safety Month is a great time to

spread the message of sun, fun, and UV safety to your community. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of skin cancer and can also damage your eyes. The steps to protecting yourself are very clear: stay out of the sun 10 am -4 pm, use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, cov- August is National Immunization Awareness Month: er up with long sleeves and a hat, National Immunization Awareness Month check your skin regularly for highlights the need for improving national changes and wear proper eye immunization coverage levels and encourages protection. all people to protect their health by being immunized against infectious diseases. National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month: Mental illness affects one in four American families and Page 1 of 3 people in diverse communities are no exception. Racial

minorities are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for mental illness, have less access to mental health services and often receive a poorer quality of mental health care. Learn how to take action here.

SCOTUS Speaks: The ACA is (Mostly) Constitutional!

On June 28, 2012, the last day of the 2011-2012 Term, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its long-awaited opinion on the ACA in a case known as National Federation of Independent Business v. Sibelius. The Courts decision was two-part: 1. A majority of the Court upheld the individual mandate. The Court's decision was the fine for not obtaining insurance constitutes a tax and falls within Congress authority to lay taxes. 2. A majority of the Court found that the Medicaid expansion is unconstitutionally coercive of states, because states did not have adequate notice to voluntarily consent and the Secretary could potentially withhold all of a states existing federal Medicaid funds for noncompliance. Therefore, the majority decision was to allow states the option to refuse the Medicaid expansion (and related funds) without losing all Federal Medicaid funds. Specifically, the Court ruled that this change to the Medicaid program was large enough to constitute not just an expansion of the existing program but the creation of an entirely new one. A number of resources are available to help understand the Courts decision and look ahead to the implementation of health reform:
Family USA: Released a new set of online resources on Center for American Progress Interactive Map: Why the Supreme Court's Ruling on

the Supreme Court's ruling on healthcare.

Medicaid Creates Uncertainty for Millions

6 Things You Need to Know About the Supreme Courts Kaiser Family Foundation: How Does the Individual Mandate Work? (Flowchart) New brief explains the key issues in the Supreme

Ruling on Medicaid Expansion

Court's recent ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act. New consumer guide report explains how the Supreme Court's decision will affect all people, with or without insurance. National Womens Law Center: The Supreme Court Decision on the Affordable Care Act: Frequently Asked Questions

Meet a WINner in Womens Health!

What does your job entail? I provide support to NARALs 20 state affiliates across the country, so they can continue to lead pro-choice advocacy in their states. I also run NARALs expanding volunteer program in the DC area. What is the most challenging aspect of your job? Travis Ballie Manager, Affiliate & National The breadth and scope of attacks on reproPrograms Department ductive health. Thankfully, NARAL is alNARAL Pro-Choice America ways on the ball, going toe-to-toe with anti-choice leaders and politicians to fight Youve been involved in a diattacks on reproductive health. A phenomverse range of activism- how enal team can overcome any challenge! did you become interested in What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? working for NARAL? Hands down it is working with my volunNARAL Pro-Choice Ameriteers and campus contacts. I started this ca brought me in as a camwork as a student volunteer for NARAL, pus organizer. I have always so keeping the larger DC community enrespected that this organigaged on choice issues is at the core of my zation puts in an extra efconvictions. Several of our staff members fort to provide leadership are former volunteers or interns. opportunities for activists within the millennial gener- Your academic background is in international relations and business - did your studies conation. tribute to the skills you use at NARAL?
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Sure did! I studied reproductive health access issues in Latin America while attending American University. This research shaped my work domestically and added a degree of cultural competency to my role as a pro-choice organizer. What are your long-term professional interests? NARAL has provided me with so much that I dont even want to imagine leaving this team. One of my life goals is to run for office, however, so that is one goal I look forward to pursuing. What advice would you give to other young activists who are just starting out? Never lose your enthusiasm for your work, no matter how small the task. You will make a name for yourself by being a team player as much as you possibly can. What should we have asked you but didn't? Travis, we know youre training for marathon in Antarctica in 2014, will you wear a pro-choice shirt while running? YES.

Editor's Note: Fantastic Travis! Good luck!

Check Out These New Health Policy Resources

Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation: New

analyze issues related to coverage and access for oral health in the United States. ACA policy brief, Guide to State Requirements and Policy National Conference of State Legislatures: New report, Choices in the Affordable Care Act State Actions to Promote Healthy Communities and Prevent Commonwealth Fund: New report, After-Hours Care and Childhood Obesity Its Coordination with Primary Care in the U.S. EPA: New report, Coordinated Federal Action Plan to Re- National Women's Law Center: New report, A Pregnancy Test for Schools: The Impact of Education Laws on Pregnant duce Racial and Ethnic Asthma Disparities and Parenting Students. Guttmacher Institute: New virtual health care tool, State Urban Indian Health Institute: New report released. UrFacts About Medicaid and Family Planning ban Diabetes Care and Outcomes Audit: Aggregate ReHealth Affairs: sults from Urban Indian Health Organizations, 2007-2011 A new analysis examines impact on Americans receiving long-term services of three provisions of the ACA Network Announcement New analysis found Medicare beneficiaries were more satisfied with their insurance than non-elderly Thursday, August 16, 6-9 pm: privately insured. The Womens Health Policy Network is co-hosting New brief examines the Presidents Emergency Plan a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Associations Walk for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. to End Alzheimer's team. The walk is the nations Kaiser Family Foundation: largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alz New policy brief reviews Medicaids role in covering heimers care, support and research. Your $10 dopreventive care for women and discusses ACA implination gives you two raffle tickets and entry to the cations for women on Medicaid in 2014 private extended happy hour! Several new and updated resources present data and

Recent Womens Health Action on the Hill

June 14: Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Labor, Health and Human Services,

Education, and Related Agencies FY2013 spending bill (S. 3295) June 19: Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution supporting World Malaria Day (S. Res. 429) Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee held a hearing, Forty Years and Counting: The Triumphs of Title IX House Appropriations Committee approved the FY2013 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies spending bill (H.R. 5973) June 20: House approved the FDA Safety and Innovation Act (S. 3187) June 21: Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Justice for All Reauthorization Act (S. 250) June 26: Senate approved the FDA Safety and Innovation Act (S. 3187) June 27: Senate Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing on health and benefits legislation July 10: Senate passed a resolution supporting World Malaria Day (S. Res. 429) & House Judiciary Committee approved the Child Protection Act of 2012 (H.R. 6063) July 11: House approved the Repeal Obamacare Act (H.R. 6079) July 17, Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing, The Next Ten Years in the Fight against Human Trafficking: Attacking the Problem with the Right Tools. Recommended Reading July 18: House Judiciary Committee approved the D.C. Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 3803) House Judiciary Committee approved the Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act of 2012 (H.R. 3796) Child Protection Bill House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a hearing, Invisible Wounds: Examining the Disability Compensation Benefits Process for Victims of Military Sexual Trauma.
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Source: Womens Policy Inc.