April 2011 Newsletter

by | Apr 1, 2011 | We Can Do Better - News |

In this Issue:

Director’s Update
Liz Baxter

Driving through the state of Washington this weekend, I was listening to This I Believe on the radio. It couldn’t have been more timely, but I’ll get back to that.

The Board of Directors of the Archimedes Movement voted last month to change our name to We Can Do Better. This is a turning point in our young organization, which was launched in 2006. To reflect this change, we’ve rolled out our new website.

Yet, we continue to be asked “what do you do?” and how are you different from ‘organization A’ or ‘campaign B?‘ We’re not your typical non-profit organization.

We believe that we’re only going to solve the big problems ahead of us when the public is informed and engaged, feels connected to the issue at hand, and they (we) can see the impact in our communities, jobs, and families. Whether we’re talking about health reform, building an economy that works for all Americans, global climate change and our dependence on fossil fuels, it’s the same. We take the complicated and sometimes convoluted language of policy makers and translate it to the public, so that individuals can have their own ah-hah moments, finally understanding why this issue is important to take on and what can be done to move us forward.

» Continue Liz Baxter’s Update

Message from the Board Chair: Yes, We Can Do Better!
Travis Stovall

Travis Stovall

Travis Stovall, Board Chair, We Can Do Better

We Can Do Better adds non-partisan and unbiased clarity to the discussion. We’ve set forth a set of principles that highlights the outcomes that what we, as Americans, want to see in our health system – focused on health and prevention, a system that ranks at the top of world health care quality, a system that gives Americans value for their dollars invested. As stated in our mission, this can only be accomplished when engaged citizens work together.

We need you. Become informed about the true state of health care here in the U.S. Actively encourage your personal network to become informed and engaged. And we need your financial support. As a monthly contributor you enable us to bring broad based unbiased information to more people, using web-based technology and getting on the road to communities across Oregon and the nation. Finally we need you to stand up and be heard as citizens, saying we support real health care transformation, knowing full well that change can be scary and uncomfortable. We have to transform in order to survive.

Thank you for being a member and becoming a monthly contributor to We Can Do Better. For example, a $5-per-month contribution will underwrite our email service for one month; $10 monthly covers two months. Please take the first step – donate now!

» Continue Travis Stovall’s Message

New ‘We Can Do Better’ Website

We want to hear from you about our new website. It’s still evolving, but it’s shaped around three ideas: Learn, Connect and Act. Learn is where you go to “read more about it.” Connect is for getting together with others in workshops or work teams or finding individuals to connect with. And Act is where you take action. We have a calendar of events and a place for posting materials, but mostly this new website is much easier to navigate. If you can’t find something or wish we would add information about a specific topic, you can always tell us what’s on your mind.

Oregon SB 99 –  Insurance Exchange: Learn

It feels familiar. Whenever we move from ideas to politics things can get confusing in a hurry. Oregon, led by the Oregon Health Policy Board recommendations, has chosen to create a state-based Health Insurance Exchange instead of having the Feds come in and create an exchange. Senate Bill 99 that would create the organization – in this case a public corporation – along with the governance and rules for that corporation which will set up and run a Health Insurance Exchange.

» Learn more about SB 99

Insurance Exchange: Act
We need legislators to be confident that this can move forward. It’s simple – Oregon wants to define its own Health Insurance Exchange and that means we want it to have a strong board, with a clear purpose, accountability and authority to actually do what it’s set up to do. Contact your state legislators about SB 99.

Public Opinion: Learn

A February poll showed that the almost half of Americans believed the federal health reform law had been repealed. So it is important to note the significant changes that have gone into effect in the past year, while still acknowledging that we still have a long way to go. One recent article in the Oregonian summarized federal health reform since it was passed one year ago.

Our 2011 Policy Focus: Learn & Connect
Community Leadership Council and Board Chair Travis Stovall

Community Leadership Council and Board Chair Travis Stovall

Our Community Leadership Council members have identified several policy objectives so far for 2011. You can see our 2011 Policy Focus, which describes our interest in both our experience with health care and our desire to move toward health.

» Read about Our 2011 Policy Focus

Health Reform Advocacy Workshop: Connect

We will be hosting this workshop in Portland on Saturday, April 16th from 10am to 2:30 pm at Portland Community College in Northeast Portland. This is a great opportunity to come out and learn how to engage decision makers. We’ll provide an update current reform efforts, and then cover how to frame your message, and how to be more effective at telling your story. To reserve your spot at this session please sign-up here. We will confirm details with youbefore the event.

The Oregon Health Policy Board: Connect

The OHPB meets on April 12th in Portland. Their meetings are also streamed live on the web for those who can’t make it in person. If you have comments or questions for the OHPB, you can either send it to the general email box, or email Jeremy Vandehey, the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Oregon Health Authority.  They want – and need – more public input!
Keep up with events by visiting our completely revamped calendar.

Oregon SB 97  – Culturally Competent Health Providers: Learn

Again, this should be an easy topic. Who doesn’t want to know that their providers are trained to provide high quality care to all of us, understanding that we are affected by how we were raised, and the circumstances that we’ve lived with, including cultural differences, physical, developmental and mental capacities, ages and income levels.

Oregon Senate Bill 97 would require health care licensing boards in Oregon to collaborate in developing standards around cultural competency and identify tools and training opportunities to meet those standards.

Culturally Competent Health Providers: Act
Our Community Leadership Council supports this proposal and legislators must understand that we want high quality care, and our care is vastly improved when providers are well trained and ready for whatever comes their way. Contact your state legislators about SB 97.

Know Your Legislators: Act

Let your legislators know how you feel. Do you know who your legislators are? If not, find Your legislator’s contact information and add them to your email list and phone book. They work for you and need to hear from you. You don’t always have to go to Salem to talk to them; they often have meetings in coffee shops and community centers in their districts. Take time to get to know them.

Health Care Action Day in Salem, April 18th: Learn, Connect & Act

The day will include both an opportunity for learning and for meetings with legislators.
»  Health Care Action Day info & registration
Each day in Salem there is something scheduled in the Capitol. For example, the Tobacco Free Coalition of Oregon will be in Salem on Friday April 8th to talk to legislators about why they support a tobacco-free Oregon. You can contact Brett Hamilton if you’re interested in participating. Check out upcoming events on our website calendar; we’ll post our events and key events of our partner organizations. Find something that grabs you and get active.

Oregon Health Coalition: Connect

Together with other community and consumer organizations, we are forming and growing the Oregon Health Coalition. Thanks to support from the Northwest Health Foundation, both We Can and the Oregon Health Action Campaign are coordinating this effort. The organizations at the table work to improve the lives of Oregonians, in areas such as mental health, housing, health equity, immigration, tuition equity, Medicaid, long term care, anti-smoking initiatives, and access to affordable health care and health insurance. As a collective, the groups are advocating for changes during the legislative session and beyond. Contact Matt Webber if you want to hear more or you’d like your organization to take part in these meetings.

Donate

We only exist because of your support. We know that there are many organizations asking of your time and wallet, but keep us in mind. Sometimes doing a small amount each month is easier than making one large donation a year. Whichever option works for you, please donate today.

Facebook and Twitter: Connect

Want our suggestions for recent articles to read? Follow us on our new Facebook page or Twitter. We try to post 3 or 4 times a week when we read articles that talk about the kind of health reform we’re after – that will actually result in better health, lower cost and a better experience for you – and what gets in the way of us of achieving that. Even if you already follow us on Facebook, please “like” the new Facebook page we’ve created to reflect our name change.