The Kansas African American Museum unveils new exhibit to promote Prematurity Awareness

The Wichita Branch NAACP, The Kansas African American Museum, The March of Dimes and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc and other collaborating organizations are working together to promote Prematurity Awareness.

Pre-term birth/low birth weight is one of the leading causes of infant deaths in Kansas. Across all races and ethnicities, infant deaths occur most often for young mothers under the age of 20, who are single parents, and who have less than a high school level of education.

According to the March of Dimes, “While the national infant mortality rate continues to decline, the Kansas rate is nearly 20 percent higher. While many states have made progress in closing the gap between white and black infant mortality, Kansas has not. Kansas ranks highest in the nation for black infant mortality.”

By coming together, we hope to ensure that every woman has a healthy pregnancy, gets early prenatal care and support services, learns about safe sleep, and makes choices that promote healthy lifestyles for a lifetime.

The Kansas African American Museum is now hosting a display entitled “Prematurity: A visual perspective”. An open house will be held tonight (November 29th) from 6-7pm, refreshments will be provided. Please join us in our efforts to address this important public health issue. For more information about the event please go contact J’Vonnah Maryman at 316-706-7776.


Every pregnant woman should be considered at risk of preterm birth. Around the 20th week of pregnancy, all pregnant women should learn the signs and symptoms of preterm labor and what they can do if they occur. To help prevent preterm birth, women should:

• Know the warning signs of preterm labor.
• Get regular prenatal checkups.
• Reduce stress.
• Quit smoking, drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs.
• Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Call a healthcare provider if she feels burning or pain when urinating (possible sign of an infection that can increase the risk of preterm birth).

To learn more please visit:
http://www.marchofdimes.com/kansas/
www.datacounts.net/infant_mortality/
www.kdheks.gov/bcyf/infant_mortality_campaign.htm

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"What's in in for you?": WSU to host a public panel discussion on the Affordable Care Act

The new Health Care Legislation is complex. Come and gain a new understanding of how it affects you, your family and your medical care!

When: Saturday, May 22, 2010 2pm-4pm
Where: Rhatighan Student Center (formerly the CAC) Room 203 on the WSU Campus

The panelists:

• Dr. Richard Skibba, M.D., Retired, Board Certified Gastroenterologist and Clinical Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
• Monica Flask, Director of Project Access, Central Plains Regional Health Care Foundation
• David Wilson, President of Kansas AARP
• Bev White, President and CEO the Center for Health and Wellness

Admission is FREE

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Kansas Attorney General will NOT file suit over Health Care Reform

Kansas Attorney General Steve Six stated today that he won't join colleagues in other states in challenging the new federal health care law because he believes their lawsuit has little chance of success.

Attorney General Six's announcement drew immediate criticism from conservative opponents to Health Care Reform. The Republican controlled Legislature still could order Six to challenge the law, and a resolution requiring a challenge has been introduced in the House. Also, Six's decision is likely to be an issue as he runs for election this year.

But Six said the U.S. Constitution gives the federal government broad powers to regulate interstate commerce. He also dismissed arguments that the law is unconstitutional because of its changes in Medicaid. Finally, he said, there's no need for Kansas to challenge the law because other states already are.

"Our review did not reveal any constitutional defects, and thus it would not be legally or fiscally responsible to pursue this litigation," Six said in a statement. "I will continue to make decisions based on the law, not in response to political pressure."

U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, a Kansas Republican who'd urged Six to get involved, called his decision "extremely disappointing."

However, a spokesman for Governor Parkinson stated, "Governor Parkinson supports Attorney General Six's analysis and appreciates that he made this decision based on a sound legal analysis and not the politics of the moment."

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The Kansas Health Care Obstruction Act is DEFEATED!

This morning, the Kansas House of Representatives voted on the Kansas Health Care "Freedom" Amendment for the THIRD TIME, and with votes on Monday, Tuesday, and today, the bill has now been Defeated three times in a row. The final action on the measure, which I like to call 'the-Kansas-doesn't-need-Health-Care-reform-according-to-what-they-said-on-Fox-Act', resulted in vote of 75-47. An Amendment requires 85 votes in the House for Adoption. Not only was the act DEFEATED but there has been a 4 vote swing AGAINST the act since Monday!!!

The measure was previously defeated in the Senate back on the 19th where it failed to passed out of Committee.

The bill was designed to block the implementation of Federal Health Care Reform in Kansas and was intended to form the basis of a legal challenge.

Our sincere thanks to all of you within the Kansas House of Representatives who have steadfastly ignored the talking points, the patriotic platitudes, and the noise machine, and actually listened to the voices and the stories of your constituents. And a very Special thank you TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE ENGAGED BY CALLING AND CONTACTING YOUR LEGISLATORS! You are being heard! Your voices do matter! Together, we can make a difference! And while across the Nation, we see States launching various obstruction tactics and Legal challenges, we breathe a little easier knowing that thanks to your efforts and your persistence, Reform WILL come to Kansas!!!

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Kansas Healthcare "Freedom" Amendment fails in the Senate but there's One more hill to climb

Thanks to all of you who called, wrote letters, and spoke with your Legislators, the Kansas Health care "Freedom" Amendment (or as I like to call it, the "we-don't-need-health-care-reform-in-Kansas-according-to-what-I-read-on-the-Internet Act") was DEFEATED in the Senate! It failed on Thursday with a 4-4 vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee (a majority vote is needed to move a bill out of committee). The bill was brought back again on Friday and failed once more on a 5-5 vote!

But today, the House heard an identical version of the bill on the floor (HCR5032). A floor vote was taken and the measure passed favorably with a 76-44 vote. However, this is not a proposed statute, but a proposed Constitutional Amendment, meaning for passage it must receive a vote of 2/3rds of the Legislature (they need 84 of 125 possible votes in the House)

The measure, as confirmed by the Associated Press, is designed to give the state grounds for a legal challenge against any part of the federal health overhaul that officials don't like.

The Kansas House is expected to bring it back for final action TOMORROW. They would need to pick up 8 additional votes to pass it and send it Back over to the Senate.

So once again, we are calling on you to let your voices be heard. We need you to contact your Representatives in the House and tell them to VOTE NO on HCR5032 (The Kansas Health Care "Freedom" Amendment). Let them know loud and clear that we are not interested in playing these types of partisan games. America is on the cusp of real Health Care reform and 300,000 uninsured Kansas will directly benefit. 65,000 Kansas small businesses will soon see a tax cut that will allow them to provide health care for their employees and 44,000 Seniors will see the doughnut hole in Medicare Part "D" closed. If the opponents of Health Care reform are so Hot on Tort Reform, let them begin by scuttling this effort to set up a frivolous lawsuit with these trite obstruction tactics.

HERE is the complete list of all of the members of the Kansas House of Representatives with links to their email accounts. Please send them an email or preferably, pick up the phone and give them a call... Tell them your name, your address, and your story. And most importantly, tell them to VOTE NO on HCR 5032 (the Kansas Health Care "Freedom" Amendment)

• Let them know that we ARE the people, and that we are in need of serious Reform, NOT political gamesmanship.
• Let them know that being a 'good soldier' for the party won't do a thing for those suffering with pre-existing conditions.
• Let them know that political grandstanding and rhetorical 'odes to freedom' might move the party loyalists, but it does nothing to help seniors trying to afford their prescriptions.
• Let them know that "Tea-Party style" rants against the Government might help position them for their next big election or appointment, but it does nothing to help the 4,100 Kansas Families who declare bankruptcy every year due to medical debt.
• And let them know that the Status Quo simply won't work anymore. We can no longer afford the cost of doing nothing, and that's a fact that all the patriotic prose in the world can not hide.

And when they tell you that we here in Kansas should work out our own Health Care reform plan, gently remind them that Kansas is the Reddest of Red States, and that if our legislators were serious about reform, they could have accomplished it at any time: BUT THEY HAVE NEVER TAKEN UP THE CAUSE. To come along now, on the cusp of real reform, to say nothing but 'Stop, lets try and figure out a different way', when you could have addressed the problem anytime you wanted, is disingenuous and nonsensical.

Enough with the games.
Enough with the grandstanding.
Enough with the rhetoric.
We need reform now.
We need them to VOTE NO on HCR5032

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Action Alert: The Kansas Healthcare "Freedom" Amendment is on the ropes, swift action is needed to knock it down

The Kansas Healthcare "Freedom" Amendment failed to pass out of the Senate Judiciary committee yesterday. If it fails again today the bill is DEAD!!! Proponents will bring it back for a re-hearing as early as 9:30 this morning. Please call the KS Legislative hotline THIS MORNING and urge them to vote AGAINST SCR1626. The number for the Kansas Legislative hotline is: (800) 432-3924

PLEASE make the calls -- there is a lot at stake

• What's at stake is whether or not the State of Kansas will provide coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.
• What's at stake is whether or not the State of Kansas will be able to provide coverage for the 300,000 Kansans who are currently uninsured.
• What's at stake is whether or not the State of Kansas will be able to provide tax breaks to 65,000 small businesses so that they can provide Health Coverage to their employees
• What's at stake is whether or not 44,000 Kansas seniors will be able to close the "doughnut hole" in Medicare Part D
• What's at stake is whether or not we can provide some relief to the 4,100 Kansas families who declare bankruptcy every year due to medical bills

You can also contact the Senators directly. We especially need to reach out to the three Senators who did not vote yesterday. The members of the Senate Judiciary committee are:

Senator Owens (Did not vote on the bill)

Room: 559-S

Phone: 785-296-7353

Email: Tim.Owens@senate.ks.gov

Senator Donovan (Was absent and did not vote)

Room: 123-E

Phone: 785-296-7385

Email: Les.Donovan@senate.ks.gov

Senator Schodorf (Was absent and did not vote)

Room: 236-E

Phone: 785-296-7391

Email: Jean.Schodorf@senate.ks.gov

Senator Lynn (Voted for the bill)

Room: 234-E

Phone: 785-296-7382

Email: Julia.Lynn@senate.ks.gov

Senator Bruce (Voted for the bill)

Room: 135-E

Phone: 785-296-7300

Email: Terry.Bruce@senate.ks.gov

Senator Schmidt (Voted for the bill)

Room: 330-E

Phone: 785-296-2497

Email: Derek.Schmidt@senate.ks.gov

Senator Pilcher-Cook (Co-Sponsored and Voted for the bill)

Room: 237-E

Phone: 785-296-7362

Email: Mary.PilcherCook@senate.ks.gov

Senator Haley (Thank him for voting Against the bill)

Room: 424-E

Phone: 785-296-7376

Email: David.Haley@senate.ks.gov

Senator Kelly (Thank her for voting Against the bill)

Room: 125-E

Phone: 785-296-7365

Email: Laura.Kelly@senate.ks.gov

Senator Umbarger (Thank him for voting Against the bill)

Room: 441-E

Phone: 785-296-7389

Email: Dwayne.Umbarger@senate.ks.gov

Senator Vratil (Thank him for voting Against the bill)

Room: 341-E

Phone: 785-296-7361

Email: John.Vratil@senate.ks.gov

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Full Text of our remarks at the 02-24-10 press conference opposing the Kansas "Healthcare Freedom" Amendment

Good Afternoon everyone,

Thank you for joining us this afternoon as we detail our opposition to the proposed Kansas “Healthcare Freedom” Amendment. But let us begin with a brief introduction; my name is Kevin Myles and I am the President of the Kansas State Conference of the NAACP. The Kansas State Conference is the State Level unit of the Association and its membership is comprised of all of the local branches throughout the State.

We’re pleased to be joined today by Representative Melody McCray Miller, Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus and several members of the State House of Representatives, Mr. Chester Daniels, President and CEO of the Urban League of Kansas, Ms. Janice Bradley of the Peace and Social Justice Center, as well as representatives from many of the NAACP Branches from around the State, and we are all united in our opposition to the Kansas “Healthcare Freedom” Amendment (KHCFA).

The KHCFA was introduced on Tuesday, February 2nd, by Representatives Landweir and Mast, and Senator Pilcher-Cook. We stand in opposition to this proposed amendment because despite its name, the KHCFA is not a bill that would guarantee “freedom” in Healthcare or provide choices and/or options for consumers. Rather, the KHCFA is in fact a measure specifically designed to block Federal Healthcare reform efforts from being implemented here in Kansas. Using deceptively simple language, it seeks to thwart the implementation of Federal Healthcare Reform efforts through prohibiting the mechanisms through which healthcare reforms would be funded.

There are three funding mechanisms available for expanding coverage to the uninsured and those with pre-existing conditions while driving down costs to make healthcare affordable and accessible: (1) Expanding the pool by having everyone purchase coverage. (2) Implementing some form of public plan or single payer plan such as Medicare for all. (3) Offset costs by raising taxes.

Section 1, part 1 is designed to prohibit any form of direct or indirect mandate which the drafters of this legislation fully understand is necessary if we are ever to cover those with pre-existing conditions. The only way we can provide quality and affordable coverage for all (including those with pre-existing conditions) is if we all share the risks. Section 1 prohibits the only funding mechanism that could provide such coverage outside of a single payer system. Section 1, part 2 prohibits the formation of a public or single payer system. And the legislators who introduced this bill know that Option #3 – Offsetting costs by raising taxes, is not a viable option.

So by outlawing the funding mechanisms available to provide quality and affordable healthcare for all, they effectively block the implementation of reforms and set up an unnecessary constitutional crisis which would then have to be resolved by the courts.

Simply put, the Kansas Healthcare Freedom Amendment does not guarantee freedoms. It denies the residents of the State of Kansas the freedom to engage in an honest and genuine debate about how best to provide healthcare for all, including those with pre-existing conditions.

However, what it does provide is a Constitutional guarantee for the status quo. What it does provide is a guarantee that health insurance companies will be able to CONTINUE discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions. What it does provide is a constitutional plank stating that in Kansas, healthcare is a privilege and not a right. And what these legislators are claiming on behalf of all Kansans is that here in our State, we don't need Health care Reform; our system is totally fine, and we want to keep it just the way it is...

One of the many ironies in that position is that fact that the Kansas Healthcare Freedom amendment wasn’t even written by our legislators here in Kansas. In fact, the proposed amendment was downloaded from the internet. The site the bill actually came from was the American Legislative Exchange Council www.alec.org, which is a conservative website, run by a Washington DC think-tank, with a whole section of “model legislation”. The bill on the site is named the “Freedom of Choice in healthcare Act”.

While we are opposed to the content and intent of the bill, we are equally opposed to the process by which this proposed amendment was foisted upon the residents of the State of Kansas. This bill was not written to address the needs of the residents of Kansas. We expect that our Senators and Representatives will carefully consider the needs of their constituents and draft legislation that will speak specifically to those needs. Our legislators should not scour the internet looking for boutique bills and partisan gimmicks to obstruct the legislative process as we work towards reforming a system that bankrupting the country. This proposed amendment is “Governance by Google” and we as citizens and residents of the State of Kansas deserve more than this.

Especially when there are roughly 300,000 Kansans who do not have health insurance. There are roughly 65,000 small businesses in Kansas that would qualify for tax credits under either the House or Senate bills that would allow them to provide coverage for their employees. There are roughly 44,000 Kansas Seniors who would be able to close the doughnut hole in Medicare Part D, under either the House or Senate bills. And there are roughly 4,100 Kansas Families who declare bankruptcy on an annual basis due to medical bills and medical debts.

In closing, we would like to state emphatically that in opposing the Kansas healthcare freedom amendment, we are not endorsing any specific healthcare reform bill. In fact, that is another of the ironies in this process… There is no actual Federal healthcare reform bill to oppose. There is a House version, and a Senate version, and a draft version released from the Administration, but all of these would have to be worked and caucused in order to come up with a final bill for our consideration. So we are not endorsing any specific bill, but we are standing in support of the legislative and deliberative process – We are opposed to onerous preconditions, legislative obstructionism, and partisan gimmicks -- We are standing in favor of an open and unfettered debate about how best to provide quality and affordable healthcare for all. And we call upon our Senators and Representatives to vote down the proposed “Healthcare Freedom” Amendment.

Thank you for your time, and we will now stand for any questions…

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Legislators finally acknowledge the proposed "Kansas Health Care Freedom" Amendment is really an attempt to block Health Care Reform

After weeks of misleading and disingenuous statements to the contrary, Kansas legislators have now offered statements acknowledging that the proposed Kansas "Health Care Freedom" Amendment is really a device intended to block Federal Health Care Reform efforts.

Senator Jim Barnett of Emporia, Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare committee, today issued a statement which read in part: "The Healthcare Freedom Amendment will help protect the people of Kansas from the disastrous results of the proposed healthcare bill that Washington, DC intends to force upon us." 

That statement contradicts earlier statements by Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook who repeatedly stated to media outlets, that this bill was not about opting out or blocking health care reform. The language is particularly curious when you consider there is still no single reconciled bill being pushed by the Federal Government. The House and Senate bills still need to be reconciled and debated and worked before they reach a single final form for our consideration. But that's no problem; THIS effort and THESE Legislators, don't need an actual "bill" to oppose -- They just oppose the Federal Government and Anything that comes from the Federal Government will be wrong by them.

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee passed the bill out by voice vote but without a recommendation. It will now head to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

If enacted the Kansas "Health Care Freedom Amendment" would prohibit the subsequent enactment of Federal Health Care reform legislation.

The Kansas State Conference will hold a Press Conference on Wednesday the 24th at 3PM in the Docking State Office Building (915 SW Harrison St., Topeka KS) to discuss our opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment and to lend our support to SB 375 which would abolish the Death Penalty in Kansas and replace it with life in prison.

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Video: Kansas NAACP President discusses the Anti-Reform measure named the Kansas "Health Care Freedom" Amendment - SCR1626

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The NAACP National Office releases a statement in opposition to the proposed "Kansas Health Care Freedom Amendment"

NAACP OPPOSES KANSAS “HEALTH CARE FREEDOM AMENDMENT”

New Health Care Amendment to punish Working class Kansans

(Washington, DC) The NAACP issued the following statement today, in response to the Kansas Health Care Freedom Amendment that was proposed today in the Kansas State Legislature.

This afternoon, members of the Kansas House and Senate will introduce a proposed Amendment to the Kansas State Constitution, called the "Kansas Health Care Freedom Act". This proposed Amendment seeks to prevent the implementation of any national Health Care reform measures within the state of Kansas.

“This amendment is outrageous and does nothing to address the current health care crisis. The tactics being used by Representatives Landwehr and Mast and Senator Cook are the very same tactics perfected by segregationist Dixiecrats of the 1960’s,” stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “In the last century the Dixiecrats tried to obstruct the rights of Black Americans, and now in this century they are trying to obstruct the rights of everyday working Americans. It was wrong then and it’s wrong now. All who believe every Americans right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness must stand up and fight egregious pieces of legislation like this, we cannot let the greedy insurance company CEO’s trump the needs of patients and physicians.”

The legislation would add a new article to the State Constitution, which would read, "A law or rule shall not compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in any health care system or purchase health insurance".

“The way to achieve real health care reform is not to preempt federal law, nor use political gamesmanship; this legislation will have an adverse effect on everyday working people and will put us further away from achieving comprehensive health care reform. Over 880,000 African Americans have died in the past decade due to the disparities in our health care system and having access to quality affordable health care is not something that should be reserved for the wealthy, or the few. It should be for everyone, and that’s not the case today, and will not be the case if this amendment is passed,” concluded Jealous.

Contact:

Chris Fleming

202/463-2940 x.1021

202/631-0929

cfleming@naacpnet.org

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The Kansas State NAACP announces its strenuous opposition to the proposed "Kansas Health Care Freedom Amendment"

This afternoon, members of the Kansas House and Senate will introduce a proposed Amendment to the Kansas State Constitution disingenuously referred to as the "Kansas Health Care Freedom Amendment". This proposed Amendment seeks to prevent the implementation of any national Health Care reform measures within the state of Kansas.

While purporting to safeguard the freedoms Kansans enjoy with regard to Health Care, the legislation would add a new Article 16 to our State Constitution, which in Section 1(a)(1) would read, "A law or rule shall not compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in any health care system or purchase health insurance".

The proposed Amendment then goes on to enumerate 'protections' that are in no way challenged or threatened by any version of Health Care Reform legislation under consideration in Washington DC.

The Kansas State Conference believes that health care is a fundamental right of all Americans and not a privilege, and we steadfastly support the goal of Universal Health Care for all Americans.

Roslyn Brock, Vice Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors stated, "Quality and Affordable Health care is a moral right and an economic imperative for our Nation. It would be a travesty for the 300,000 uninsured Kansans were this piece of legislation to pass"

We understand that any serious reform effort to eliminate discrimination on the basis of pre-existing conditions will require the participation of all Americans. Without across-the-board participation, young and otherwise healthy citizens would simply opt-out, thereby decreasing the pool and tilting health insurance rolls towards those with the most urgent health care needs. Such a system would be financially untenable and unsustainable. Guaranteeing the right of all citizens to obtain quality and affordable health care would therefore require the very types of reforms that this proposed amendment seeks to prohibit.

The Kansas State NAACP formally opposes the proposed "Kansas Health Care Freedom" amendment on the grounds that:

• This proposed amendment would protect the ability of Insurance Companies to discriminate on the basis of pre-existing conditions.
• This proposed amendment would prohibit the State of Kansas from ever guaranteeing the right of ALL Kansans to obtain quality and affordable health care.
• This proposed amendment, being introduced preemptively and before the creation of any final bill or statutory language for reasoned and appropriate consideration, is shamefully partisan and reflects an unwillingness on the part of some to engage in the genuine and meaningful process of reforming our Nation's Health Care system.

At a time when more than 300,000 Kansans are without Health Insurance, this amendment, which seeks to obstruct necessary reform measures and protects the practice of insurance companies discriminating against consumers, is wrong for our State and our Nation. The Kansas State NAACP hereby voices its strenuous opposition to the proposed "Kansas Health Care Freedom" amendment, and we encourage all Kansans to contact your Senators and Representatives and register your disapproval.



Founded Feb. 12. 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization. Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

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This is it! - US House of Representatives set to vote on Health Care Reform TOMORROW 11-7-09

Tomorrow, Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on health care reform. The future of health care for you, me, and every American hinges on this historic vote. So now is the time to make your voice heard.

Please send an e-mail to your representative today and ask him or her to support a health care reform bill with a strong public option.

Unless we pass a strong bill, the color of your skin, your ethnic background, and where you live will continue to influence your access to health care, as well as the quality and cost of your care.

Leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus came by the War Room today to urge us to help them pass real health care reform with a strong public option. With your help NOW, we can end discrimination in health care coverage and ensure access for every American.

Click here to send an e-mail to your representative in Congress and tell him or her to support health care legislation with a strong public option requiring all individuals to have insurance.

So, this is it. Let us ensure that Congress stops a system that delays, denies and defends the lack of care.

Click here to listen to a personal message from Congressional Black Caucus Chair Barbara Lee. Then, send a letter to your member of Congress now to urge him or her to support real health care reform with a strong public option when the vote takes place tomorrow.

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"Can you hear us now?" - Congressional call-in for Health Care reform

Think Congress has heard enough about health care reform? Probably not, considering dozens of representatives and senators are still sitting on the fence.

They need to hear from you today!

Join the NAACP's "Can You Hear Us Now" Congressional call-in days. Our goal is to make 88,000 calls to Congress by Thursday, October 29.

Do not leave the future of your health care to chance — call your representatives today to make sure they are working to champion quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

It is easy to call. Just call the number below and you will be connected to your representative's office. We have provided a sample call script for you to follow, and once you are done, let us know what happened on the 880 site.

HOW TO CALL:
Call 1-800-577-1635 to be connected to your Members of Congress.

SCRIPT:
Hello, my name is ________. I live in [city or town] and I am a voter in your district. I am calling you today in conjunction with the NAACP to urge you to enact real health care reform that includes a public option.

We believe that a public option is the only way to keep insurance companies honest, ensure competition and provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Thank you.

Please, join the NAACP and call your representatives this week during our "Can You Hear Us Now" Congressional call-in days.

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Join the 880 campaign and help ensure that every American has access to quality and affordable health care...

Why "880"? Because according to the American Journal of Public Health, the deaths of 880,000 black people would have been prevented if the mortality rate of blacks had been the same as that of whites over a 10-year period.

The health care crisis has hit our communities especially hard:

• Children born to black women are more than twice as likely to die within their first year of life than children born to white women
• People of color are more likely to suffer and die from diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases
• Uninsured Americans are more likely to use the Emergency Room for preventative care and routine checkups, forcing longer wait times and costing states and taxpayers more

But this struggle goes beyond statistics. This is about you – everyday American families and children.

With your help, in the coming weeks, we will organize to ensure that our elected representatives support real health care reform with real results that will ensure every American has access to quality, affordable health care coverage... and help solve the health problems that plague our parents, children, friends, and communities.

For more information and to stay informed, visit the 880 Campaign Site!

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Share YOUR Health Care stories!!!

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Join the "Power to End Stroke" Campaign

The Wichita Branch NAACP has partnered with the American Heart Association and the Wichita Black Nurses Association in the 'Power to End Stroke' Campaign.

'Power To End Stroke' is an education and awareness campaign that embraces and celebrates the culture, energy, creativity and lifestyles of Americans. It unites people to help make an impact on the high incidence of stroke within their communities.

Power To End Stroke was created in 2006 by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to help reach the ASA mission to reduce stroke and risk of stroke by 25% by 2010. It was also meant to raise critical awareness within the African American population. Heart disease and stroke are major health risks for all people, but African Americans are at particularly high risk. Consider this:

• Blacks have almost twice the risk of first-ever strokes compared to whites.
• Blacks have higher death rates for stroke compared to whites.
• The prevalence of high blood pressure in African Americans in the United States is the highest in the world.

To take the pledge and join the Power to End Stroke movement, visit the link on our header.

Sign up and join the cause today!

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A Detailed examination of Health Care Reform myths - with references

Special Thanks to Ron Myles for compiling this list...

PG 22 of the HC Bill mandates the Govt will audit books of all employers that self insure.

The government(Federal and State) already has the authority to audit any and all books of any employer paying into any tax fund.) The bill does not mandate blanket audits, it expands the currently existing authority.

PG 30 Sec 123 of HC bill - There will be a Government Committee that decides what treatments/benefits you receive.

(For exceptional cases, a panel of BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS will make recommendations for treatment. The FINAL decision will rest with the patient and patient family and the attending physician(s).)

PG 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill - Your HealthCare is Rationed. You can only receive a certain amount of "care" per year.

(There is no limit to the amount of coverage that you will receive under the proposed health care plan, however to prevent fraud and abuse, multiple claims for the same treatment will be monitored and require explanation. This is currently done with ALL HEALTHCARE insurance systems.)

PG 42 of HC Bill - The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your HC Benefits for you. You have no choice.

(Applicants will be given a series of health care providers to chose from. Those health care plans approved for use will have been evaluated as meeting the greatest needs of the public at the most effective cost.)

PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill - HC will be provided to ALL non US residents, illegal or otherwise

(CURRENTLY, a medical facility can NOT refuse emergency treatment to anyone and currently those individuals being treated do not have to provide identification to prove citizenship. The proposed plan will provide the treatment, BUT the proper authorities will be notified of the individual if they are in an illegal status.)

PG 58HC Bill - Govt will have real-time access to individuals finances & a National ID Health Card will be issued.

(There are no provisions in the proposed bill that proposes for the government to have "real-time" access to anyone's finances and there is no current technology that would provide that capabilities to the government. The proposed bill does provide for a National Health Care ID card, similar to CURRENT national health care cards for BC/BS, Aetna, CompuCare, etc.)

PG 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Govt will have direct access to your banks accts for funds transfer.

(There are no provisions for the government to have direct access to anyone's bank account.)

PG 72 Lines 8-14 Govt is creating an HC Exchange to bring private HealthCare plans under Government control.

(The proposed plan will establish standards and regulations, for medical care provided to the American people, under which all health care provides will be required to conform. Those health care providers who chose not to conform will simply not be on the government provided list available to the American people.)

PG 84 Sec 203 HC bill - Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for private HealthCare plans in the Exchange

(This is not true. Private health care plans can operate, but they will not receive government funds. They will receive payments for EMERGENCY treatment provided to those covered under the government plan. This is a current practice of all PRIVATE health care plans)

PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specifies Benefit Levels for Plans = The Govt will ration your Healthcare.

(Again NOT TRUE SEE ABOVE Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC )

PG 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill - Govt mandates linguistic appropriate services...... Example - Translation for illegal aliens

(This will provide, but not mandate, that efforts will be made to provide interpreters for non-English speaking patients to improve diagnostics of patient complaints. This is currently a practice of all HIGH quality hospitals and major medical facilities)

PG 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The Govt will use groups i.e., ACORN & Americorps to sign up individually for Govt HealthCare plan

(The government may use what ever resources available to get the major task of enrollment done. The significance of ACORN or Americorps, or any other contracted service group, is not relevant, what is important is getting the job done expediently.)

PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs of Benefit Levels for Plans. #AARP members - your Health care WILL be rationed

(AGAIN NOT TRUE SEE ABOVE Pg 29 . And one note AARP does not provide health care or any insurance directly. It uses Hartford and other insurance company.)

PG 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill - Medicaid Eligible Indiv. will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice.

(This is a much needed service. Many qualified individuals are not aware of Medicaid part B, which would relieve them of the burdensome cost of prescription drugs. Individuals would have the choice of rather they use this service or not. This would be an excellent service to the American people.)

PG 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Govt monopoly.

(That is the way health care should be. "PRICE FIXING" is a term intended to mislead people. TVA (True Value Assessment) is the payment offered for services that is based on a fair cost and reasonable profit determined by actual value assessment. Once established the payment is FIXED and may not be exceeded except for extenuating circumstances.)

PG 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill - Doctors/ #AMA - The Govt will tell you what you can make.

(THIS IS NOT TRUE -- The Government will tell you WHAT THEY WILL PAY FOR YOUR SERVICES)

PG 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into public option plan.

(True: As a payroll deduction. Just like income taxes, etc. Prevents the employee from having to deal with it.)

PG 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for HC for part time employees AND their families.

(TRUE Just as they currently have to pay for workman's comp for part time employees.)

PG 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Employer with a payroll 400k & above who does not prov. public option, pays 8% tax on all payroll

(And?)

PG 150 Lines 9-13 Businesses with payroll between 251k & 400k that don't prov. pub. opt pay 2-6% tax on all payroll

(And?)

PG 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesn't have acceptable HealthCare according to the Govt will be taxed 2.5%

(True and they will be covered on the government plan. Every American citizen will be covered with quality Health Care))

PG 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill, Any Nonresident Alien is exempt from individual taxes; American taxpayers will pay for them

(This is the CURRENT policy)

PG 195 HC Bill -officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans financial/personal records

(THIS IS NOT TRUE. There is no current technology that would provide that capabilities to the government.)

PG 203 Line 14-15 HC - "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax"

(It will be treated as an entitlement fund, similar to Social Security)

PG 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill, Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor will be very affected

(NOT TRUE: The government will more closely monitor the payments made and take corrective action if and when required.)

PG 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill - Doctors, regardless of specialty, will all be paid the same

(NOT TRUE AT ALL. Payments will be made bases on level of difficulty, i.e. specialty, and other factors. Additional payment will be made based on extended expertise. THE SAME AS CURRENT PAY FOR: Public Health Service doctors.)

PG 253 Line 10-18 Govt sets value of Dr's time, professional judgments, etc.

(NOT TRUE. Participating doctors will be paid based on TVA. TVA (True Value Assessment) is the payment offered for services that is based on a fair cost and reasonable profit determined by actual value assessment. Once established the payment is FIXED and may not be exceeded except for extenuating circumstances.)

PG 265 Sec 1131, Govt mandates & controls productivity for private HC industries

(THIS STATEMENT IS INTENDED TO MISLEAD OR DECEIVE. What productivity does the health care industry provide?) The health care industries provide a SERVICE not a product.

PG 268 Sec 1141 Fed Govt regulates rental & purchase of power driven wheelchairs

(GOOD)

PG 280 Sec 1151 The Govt will penalize hospitals for what Govt deems preventable re-admissions.

(THIS IS TRUE, and it will reduce the hospital's overall malpractice insurance cost. And reduce the huge costs of law suites against doctors and health care providing facilities.)

PG 317 L 13-20 PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Govt tells Drs. what/how much they can own.

(THIS IS A HUGE LIE The proposal would regulate self-serving investments of PARTICIPATING physicians.) (A doctor who treats LUNG CANCER should not own stock in a tobacco company.)

PG 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Govt is mandating hospitals cannot expand

(THIS IS NOT TRUE)

PG 321 2-13 Hospitals have opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input required.

(True and this should be the case. The people should have a say.)

PG 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 - Govt mandates establishments of outcome based measures.. Rationing

(NOT TRUE AS STATED.)

PG 341 Lines 3-9 Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Adv Plans, HMOs, etc. Forcing all into Govt HC plan

(NO medical facility will be FORCED into participating, but once accepted they will have to conform to regulations. If they do not, they can be put on an improvement plan or expelled from the participating program.)

PG 354 Sec 1177 - Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs

(NOT TRUE)

PG 379 Sec 1191 Govt creates Telehealth Advisory Committee. HealthCare by phone

(Currently BC/BS, Aetna, and other HC plans have such a service. It is a GOOD service.)

PG 425 Lines 17-19 Govt will instruct & consult regarding living wills, durable powers of atty.

(The Government will provide payment and reimbursement for end of life consultations)

PG 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Govt provides apprvd list of end of life resources, guiding you in death

(TRUE. A list of APPROVED participants in the Public Health Care Program)

PG 427 Lines 15-24 Govt mandates program for orders for end of life. The Govt has a say in how your life ends.

(NOT TRUE. Government payments may be suspended if there is no indication by BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS that the dying patient can be expected to recover.)

PG 429 Lines 10-12 "advanced care consultations" may include an ORDER for end of life plans.

(NOT TRUE. Government payments may be suspended if there is no indication by BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS that the dying patient can be expected to recover.)

PG 429 Lines 13-25 - The govt will specify which Doctors can write an end of life order.

(NOT TRUE. Government payments may be suspended if there is no indication by BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS that the dying patient can be expected to recover.)

PG 430 Lines 11-15 The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life

(NOT TRUE. Government payments may be suspended if there is no indication by BOARD CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS that the dying patient can be expected to recover.)

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14 Year Old Tony Hansberry makes Medical History

By Shirley Hawkins; Our Weekly 

Jacksonville, Fla .-- Tony Hansberry II is just 14 years old, but the precocious student has the medical profession buzzing. Hansberry, who attends Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School in Jacksonville, Florida, the first magnet school for medicine in the country, has discovered a new way to suture patients undergoing hysterectomies.

Challenged to improve a procedure called the endo stitch used in hysterectomies that could not be clamped down properly to close the tube where the patient’s uterus had been, Hansberry devised a vertical way to apply the endo stitch that simplifies the procedure and reduces the risk of complication.

The technique will shorten the period of time that it takes to close the removal of the uterus and make it easier for surgeons who do not perform hysterectomies on a regular basis. Using a medical dummy, Tony was able to stitch three times faster with the endo stitch versus the conventional needle driver. “It took me a day or two to come up with the concept,” said Hansberry, who has dreamed of becoming a neurosurgeon since the age of 11.

Hansberry was guided by Dr. Brent Siebel, a urogynecologist, and Bruce Nappi, administrative director of the Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research (CSESaR). Hansberry’s discovery was awarded second place in the regional science fair in February 2009 in the medical category.

Described as shy, bright and studious, Hansberry is the son of an African Methodist Episcopal pastor and a registered nurse. He interned last summer at the University of Florida’s CSESaR, just down the street from his middle school. The ninth grader is already being compared to a first year medical student. And Hansberry plans to stay in the field of medicine–his goal is to attend the University of Florida to become a trained neurosurgeon.

Hansberry recently presented his findings in front of an auditorium filled with doctors at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. He is humbled but proud of his medical achievement which colleagues say will most likely be adopted by the medical profession. “They were very surprised that a ninth grader could do this kind of procedure,” Hansberry told Our Weekly.

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The Center for Health and Wellness is now a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)!

The Center for Health and Wellness is one of two newly funded Federally Qualified Health Centers in Kansas. The funds were received as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The additional funding and official FQHC designation means that the Center will have the much needed resources to further their mission to support the underserved and uninsured within our community. The Center will be able to continue to provide quality family health care services AND focus on prevention and wellness education programming.

We also like to congratulate Beverly White, the CEO of the Center for Heath and Wellness and member of the Wichita NAACP Health Committee, who was recently selected as a member of the 2009 Kansas Health Foundation Fellows class. This is a unique and special honor extended to only 20 individuals across the state of Kansas because of their extraordinary capacity for outstanding leadership. She will participate in a year long program of activities with a focus on improving the health of fellow Kansans.

Congratulations to you Bev, and to the Center for Health and Wellness!

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The Wichita NAACP 2008 Year End report is now available

The 2008 Year End report for the Wichita Branch NAACP, detailing branch activities in the areas of Education, Civil Rights Enforcement, Voter Empowerment, Community Empowerment, Legal Redress, Health, Branch Administration, and Advocacy Training, is now available to the public.

CLICK HERE for a copy of the 2008 Year End Report  

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