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Policy, Politics and Power: Building – And Passing – Our Health Access Law

Policy, Politics and Power: Building – And Passing – Our Health Access Law. Ellen R. Shaffer PhD MPH Center for Policy Analysis www.centerforpolicyanalysis.org Raising Women’s Voices ~ April 18 2008. Policy. State reforms are important Make a real difference in people’s lives

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Policy, Politics and Power: Building – And Passing – Our Health Access Law

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  1. Policy, Politics and Power:Building – And Passing – Our Health Access Law Ellen R. Shaffer PhD MPH Center for Policy Analysis www.centerforpolicyanalysis.org Raising Women’s Voices ~ April 18 2008

  2. Policy • State reforms are important • Make a real difference in people’s lives • Build a base • Health coverage systems • Health care delivery systems • Advocates • Illustrate limits of state powers • National proposals timely in 2008 Center for Policy Analysis

  3. Politics • Presidential Campaigns igniting the policy debate • Proposals will have to go before • Congress: Some have their own bills • The public: • “Special interests:” The Industry, Business • Us: Women, Unions, Users • Debate now: Mandates; Health Savings Accounts • Debate in Jan. 2009: ???? Center for Policy Analysis

  4. More Politics 2009 • Medicare Part D: will destabilize, privatize, defund Medicare • SCHIP funding will expire Center for Policy Analysis

  5. Power • Elections mobilizing women, communities of color • New Voters, New Voices • Opportunity to build a base for reform • Influence & support candidates now • Hold them accountable in ‘09 • Articulate alternatives beyond incremental • Why affordable, comprehensive, quality are key concerns for women Center for Policy Analysis

  6. What Policies Build Power? Who Is Mobilized to Support Who Is Mobilized to Oppose

  7. Women’s Principles • Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Center for Policy Analysis

  8. San Francisco Women’s Working Group & RWV • Access to affordable, accessible, high quality, comprehensive health care for all residents, independent of income, employment, gender, sexuality, ability, immigration, incarceration or health status Center for Policy Analysis

  9. SF WWG & RWV • Comprehensive benefits. • Equitable, culturally and linguistically appropriate care, with particular attention to vulnerable and underserved communities. • Affordable for individuals and families in relation to income Center for Policy Analysis

  10. Debate Point: Financing & Cost Control • “Fairly financed and establishes mechanisms for controlling costs without impeding access.” • Should we spend more money on health care vs. other priorities? • We know budgets in single payer systems control costs. • Alternatives? Center for Policy Analysis

  11. Organizing Point: Link Health Reform to Economy, Equity? • Community as well as individual health. • Universal coverage in itself removes an important source of social and economic inequality for women and girls. • But eliminating health disparities and improving health for women and girls also requires comprehensive strategies that affect the social, cultural, environmental, and economic determinants of health. Center for Policy Analysis

  12. Equity Policies • Related policies include living wage, equal rights, employment opportunities, workplace representation, safe and healthy natural and built environments, absence of domestic and civic violence, affordable housing, access to safe and nutritious food, adequate public health infrastructure, and civic participation in democratic decision-making. Center for Policy Analysis

  13. Con & Pro • Not immediately attainable • Excites & mobilizes activists • Health care reform in context of big picture issues important to women Center for Policy Analysis

  14. Alternatives:Incur Anger at Health Insurance • Expense • Denials of coverage: Pregnancy • “Sicko” • Focus on McCain market-based proposal Center for Policy Analysis

  15. Homework: Who’s In Congress? • Senate: Kennedy, Clinton, Obama, McCain • House • Conyers HR 676 • Lee HR 3000 • McDermott HR 1200 • Stark, Dingell, others Center for Policy Analysis

  16. Program 2008-9 • First 100 days: • Fix Medicare • Fix SCHIP • Build a national bill that • Achieves women’s goals • Can pass • Because we make it happen Center for Policy Analysis

  17. Discussion: How Can Women…. • Policy: Define our issues • Politics: Assure our issues are addressed • Power: Move health care reform in 2009 Center for Policy Analysis

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