Create an Economic Recovery That Helps All Americans
By Diane John-Smith
By official reckonings America was in a period of economic recovery from 2001 to 2007. As I know too well, many of us did not share in the good times. For the last three years, since I became disabled, I’ve lived in poverty. Now my grandnieces and grandnephew, ages five, five and six, live in poverty as well, even though they live with both parents and their father works fulltime. New data shows that we are not alone.
New data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau show that 317,000 Iowans lived in poverty in 2007—over 90,000 of them children.
As troubling as the 2007 numbers are, things are even worse today.
In Iowa unemployment rose from 3.8 percent in July 2007 to 4.3 percent this July. According to the Food Research Action Council, over 256,000 Iowans participated in the Food Stamp program this past May, nearly a 7% increase over the same month in 2007. Rising food and gas costs are hitting my family and others hard.
But there is plenty that can be done to both help people who are suffering and spur economic growth. In fact, economists say that the surest way to boost the economy is to help those most in need. “If you’re somebody who lives paycheck to paycheck, you’re more likely to spend that extra dollar,” said Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke.
When Congress returns in September, it should heed Bernanke’s words and quickly pass an economic stimulus bill including extra weeks of jobless benefits for workers in high-unemployment states, a temporary increase in food stamps for low-income families, and more help for poor families facing skyrocketing heating bills this winter.
These measures are effective ways to jump start the economy. They’re also critically important to needy families. The average food stamp benefit is still only about $1 per person per meal. And poor families are facing a roughly 40 percent increase in home heating costs this winter. There is no reason why vulnerable Americans like my nieces and nephew should face health-threatening hardships.
Congress also has the opportunity to reduce poverty by passing legislation to expand the Child Tax Credit. In Iowa, 22,000 children would get a new credit and 77,000 would get a larger credit, providing some relief to working poor families as they struggle to lift their children out of poverty.
All of us should hold our leaders accountable to do something about poverty. Actions Congress takes in the next few weeks could be a lifeline to millions of low-income families throughout the country – including many like mine, right here in Iowa.
Diane John-Smith of Marion is group leader of the Cedar Rapids Area RESULTS group. RESULTS is a nonprofit, nonpartisan citizens grassroots organization which creates the public and political will to end poverty and hunger.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Healthcare Meeting with Jenelle Krishamoorthy
Where do I begin? Judy Zobel started the healthcare discussion with some facts and figures, but most interestingly, told her story of having lost her employer-provided healthcare coverage and needing to pay $500/mo premiums with a $2500 deductible. She considers herself lucky that she has the means to pay for the coverage. People of lesser means do not and are part of the 27 million American uninsured.
Then I was up. I told how I had found the application for IowaCare in the Welfare office and had to be not only assertive but aggressive with the IowaCare gatekeeper to get a mammogram scheduled. My mom's breast cancer was found through a mammogram, so it's important for me to have them every year. Jenelle was engaged. Then I told of the time I came down with a cold and had a cough still after three weeks and so called IowaCare. They told me it would be two months before I could be seen in a clinic. I gave up on them and three weeks later still had the cough so went to the Community Health Free Clinic where they found I had irreparable lung damage. I explained that now that I'm on disability, I'm also on Medicare and I get to see my own doctor who knows my history, and that this kind of coverage should be available to everyone -- paid for by the government with medical decisions made by the physician and patient. There are 18,000 deaths every year among people 18-64 because of uninsurance. That is simply not acceptable.
I felt validated to have someone in Janelle's senior position not only listening to me, but hearing my story and agreeing that these things aren't right. BTW, when the meeting was over, Janelle hugged me and told me to keep in touch. I'm going to work with her to see if when she's in Cedar Rapids we can meet with her. The Des Moines group is going to set up a meeting by videoconference with Janelle after the election. My hope is that we can meet with her in person. You'll like her. I know it.
Our request of Janelle was that Senator Harkin champion single-payer healthcare coverage next year. She was polite, but blunt. The public, the insurance companies, businesses, healthcare providers, all want healthcare reform, but the political atmosphere is such that single-payer just won't fly. She thought of one Senator who is always working outside the envelope who could introduce such a bill, but that so much depended on who is elected to the White House. McCain doesn't want healthcare reform. Obama's plan hasn't been fleshed out yet. That would be up to Congress.
Right now Senator Harkin is holding hearings with everyone involved in the debate, bringing them all to the table, to gather information and build trust in the concept of a paradigm shift in American healthcare, or what Senator Harkin calls, "sick care." One point Jenelle made was that under the current system physicians and other providers get paid for the number of procedures they do, when they should be getting paid based on outcomes. She said she doesn't get paid based on the amount of work she does, but on the quality of her work. I thought that was quite interesting.
Let's discuss this more while we butter bread in September. Also, we will be having a training conversation with Leland in September. I'll be interested to see what he's picked up from working through the Basics materials.
Then I was up. I told how I had found the application for IowaCare in the Welfare office and had to be not only assertive but aggressive with the IowaCare gatekeeper to get a mammogram scheduled. My mom's breast cancer was found through a mammogram, so it's important for me to have them every year. Jenelle was engaged. Then I told of the time I came down with a cold and had a cough still after three weeks and so called IowaCare. They told me it would be two months before I could be seen in a clinic. I gave up on them and three weeks later still had the cough so went to the Community Health Free Clinic where they found I had irreparable lung damage. I explained that now that I'm on disability, I'm also on Medicare and I get to see my own doctor who knows my history, and that this kind of coverage should be available to everyone -- paid for by the government with medical decisions made by the physician and patient. There are 18,000 deaths every year among people 18-64 because of uninsurance. That is simply not acceptable.
I felt validated to have someone in Janelle's senior position not only listening to me, but hearing my story and agreeing that these things aren't right. BTW, when the meeting was over, Janelle hugged me and told me to keep in touch. I'm going to work with her to see if when she's in Cedar Rapids we can meet with her. The Des Moines group is going to set up a meeting by videoconference with Janelle after the election. My hope is that we can meet with her in person. You'll like her. I know it.
Our request of Janelle was that Senator Harkin champion single-payer healthcare coverage next year. She was polite, but blunt. The public, the insurance companies, businesses, healthcare providers, all want healthcare reform, but the political atmosphere is such that single-payer just won't fly. She thought of one Senator who is always working outside the envelope who could introduce such a bill, but that so much depended on who is elected to the White House. McCain doesn't want healthcare reform. Obama's plan hasn't been fleshed out yet. That would be up to Congress.
Right now Senator Harkin is holding hearings with everyone involved in the debate, bringing them all to the table, to gather information and build trust in the concept of a paradigm shift in American healthcare, or what Senator Harkin calls, "sick care." One point Jenelle made was that under the current system physicians and other providers get paid for the number of procedures they do, when they should be getting paid based on outcomes. She said she doesn't get paid based on the amount of work she does, but on the quality of her work. I thought that was quite interesting.
Let's discuss this more while we butter bread in September. Also, we will be having a training conversation with Leland in September. I'll be interested to see what he's picked up from working through the Basics materials.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Diversity Task Force Pilot Cities Project
Things have been busy with the Pilot Cities Project here in Cedar Rapids. Last Tuesday I had a meeting with the Rev. Jonathan Offt of Trinity Lutheran to talk about RESULTS and the working poor. Trinity has 40 families who were flooded. I didn't get a definite yes, but there was certainly interest in what RESULTS could do for people. On Friday I met with the Rev. Christopher Pedasky of Immaculate Conception about the Hispanic community that worships there. He wanted more brochures so he could put them out and see if people picked them up. I took him 10 brochures in English and 10 in Spanish. I will check back with both spiritual leaders in two weeks to follow up.
I just got back from a meeting with Rabbi Aaron Sherman at Temple Judah. He is very interested in members of Temple joining the Cedar Rapids RESULTS group. We're thinking of doing the informational meeting sometime in September around the High Holy Days.
On another note, I will be talking about my two years of being uninsured while I was unemployed and waiting for my disability hearing at the meeting with Senator Harkin's aide, Janelle. The topic is healthcare and we want the Senator to lead the charge in the Senate for a single-payer healthcare bill.
I just got back from a meeting with Rabbi Aaron Sherman at Temple Judah. He is very interested in members of Temple joining the Cedar Rapids RESULTS group. We're thinking of doing the informational meeting sometime in September around the High Holy Days.
On another note, I will be talking about my two years of being uninsured while I was unemployed and waiting for my disability hearing at the meeting with Senator Harkin's aide, Janelle. The topic is healthcare and we want the Senator to lead the charge in the Senate for a single-payer healthcare bill.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Domestic Call August 7
I reported to Douglas Lichterman, our Regional Coordinator, that I would make two contacts for the RESULTS Diversity Task Force by August 20 -- Rabbi Aaron Sherman of Temple Judah and Fr. Nils Hernandez of Immaculate Conception. I also reported about our opportunity with STEP students from Cornell and Douglas suggested I get an outline from Meredith Dodson of the Washington RESULTS office. Meredith is on vacation right now, so next week I'll email her and see what resources she can share.
Douglas talked about the August recess and the importance of getting meetings with members of Congress. I explained that Jos had suggested we meet with Loebsack here in Cedar Rapids before the end of the year, and that so many people were on vacation this month that we'd skip the August recess opportunity and shoot for something in the fall.
A young woman brought her fiance home to meet her parents. They gave a fancy dinner to meet the young man and after dinner, the father asked to talk to the finance privately. He asked what the young man did for a living and how he planned to support his daughter. The young man said, "I study the Torah." The father asked what plans the young man had for a house for her daughter to live in. "I will study the Torah and God will provide." So the father asked about a ring for his daughter. Again the young man said, "I will study the Torah and God will provide." Finally, the father asked about children and how the young man intended to support a family. "I will study the Torah, and God will provide." The father ended the meeting cordially and later spoke to the young woman's mother. "The bad news is he has no job and no plans for a job. The good news is he thinks I'm God."
Douglas talked about the August recess and the importance of getting meetings with members of Congress. I explained that Jos had suggested we meet with Loebsack here in Cedar Rapids before the end of the year, and that so many people were on vacation this month that we'd skip the August recess opportunity and shoot for something in the fall.
A young woman brought her fiance home to meet her parents. They gave a fancy dinner to meet the young man and after dinner, the father asked to talk to the finance privately. He asked what the young man did for a living and how he planned to support his daughter. The young man said, "I study the Torah." The father asked what plans the young man had for a house for her daughter to live in. "I will study the Torah and God will provide." So the father asked about a ring for his daughter. Again the young man said, "I will study the Torah and God will provide." Finally, the father asked about children and how the young man intended to support a family. "I will study the Torah, and God will provide." The father ended the meeting cordially and later spoke to the young woman's mother. "The bad news is he has no job and no plans for a job. The good news is he thinks I'm God."
Global Call August 6
Because of the August Recess it seems I was the only one on the call with our Regional Coordinator Allison Gallaher. We talked about the request we've had from Crickett Nicovich of the RESULTS Washington office to help the STEP program at Cornell. STEP is a group of students committed to ending poverty. They do a lot of project work and are looking for training in advocacy -- and the Cedar Rapids RESULTS group was recommended to them for this training. It will start once students return in late August. They would like to help with our projects in return for the training, so I was thinking they might like to help with the November bread buttering.
Then Allison and I talked about the RESULTS Diversity Task Force. Since Monica Jolles in Chapel Hill, NC is also going to head up a Pilot City Project program, Allison suggested Monica and I develop a support network for the two cities and report back to the task force. I've made the commitment to contact two more communities of color by our next Diversity Task Force call on August 20.
Jeffrey Sachs, economist, will speak on foreign aid reform on the monthly conference call this Saturday. Election cycle items will also be featured.
Then Allison and I talked about the RESULTS Diversity Task Force. Since Monica Jolles in Chapel Hill, NC is also going to head up a Pilot City Project program, Allison suggested Monica and I develop a support network for the two cities and report back to the task force. I've made the commitment to contact two more communities of color by our next Diversity Task Force call on August 20.
Jeffrey Sachs, economist, will speak on foreign aid reform on the monthly conference call this Saturday. Election cycle items will also be featured.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Domestic call July 31
Douglas is going to start us on a new regimen. Each month we will work on one way to make our groups stronger. This is going to be tough for me, as I think our group is already mighty strong! But I will do my best on this task.
Senator Grassley voted against S. 3335, the $8500 threshold for the Child Tax Credit. Since we won't be "officially" meeting in August to take action (except for training Leland and Nancy), let's make this our August action: call Senator Grassley's office, using the laser talk below if you like, some time during the August recess. His Washington number is 202-224-3744. Ask to talk to Ryan Abraham. Or call his Cedar Rapids office at 363-6832 and ask to talk to Mary.
"Senator, I am very disappointed that you did not vote for H.R.6049 orS.3335, the House and Senate tax extenders bills. These bills both include a Child Tax Credit provision which sets the income eligibility threshold at $8,500 for 2008, which will benefit 13 million children in this country and 100,000 Iowa children. When families are struggling with rising food and gas prices, there is no excuse for delay on this issue. I expect you to pass a responsible tax extenders bill in September that includes an $8,500 threshold for the Child Tax Credit."
Douglas always ends our call with a joke. This week it was a story about a man with a hamster. He took the hamster to the vet because the little pet was lethargic. The vet examined the hamster and said, "I'm sorry, sir. Your hamster is dead." The man was astonished at this. He said, "I want a second opinion." So the vet opened the door and brought in a dog from the hallway. The large, black dog sniffed the hamster and poked it with its nose and looked up at the vet and just shook its head. The vet told the man, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, sir, but your hamster is dead." The man said, "There's no way this hamster is dead. I want another opinion. So the vet opened the door and in walked a cat, who looked shook it's little head. The vet looked at the man and said, "Again, sir, I'm sorry. Your hamster is dead. And here is today's bill."
The man looked at the bill. It was for $1000. The man cried out, "How in the world can you charge me $1000 just to tell me my hamster is dead?"
"Well," said the vet, "there's my examination and diagnosis, plus the Lab report, plus the CAT scan."
Senator Grassley voted against S. 3335, the $8500 threshold for the Child Tax Credit. Since we won't be "officially" meeting in August to take action (except for training Leland and Nancy), let's make this our August action: call Senator Grassley's office, using the laser talk below if you like, some time during the August recess. His Washington number is 202-224-3744. Ask to talk to Ryan Abraham. Or call his Cedar Rapids office at 363-6832 and ask to talk to Mary.
"Senator, I am very disappointed that you did not vote for H.R.6049 orS.3335, the House and Senate tax extenders bills. These bills both include a Child Tax Credit provision which sets the income eligibility threshold at $8,500 for 2008, which will benefit 13 million children in this country and 100,000 Iowa children. When families are struggling with rising food and gas prices, there is no excuse for delay on this issue. I expect you to pass a responsible tax extenders bill in September that includes an $8,500 threshold for the Child Tax Credit."
Douglas always ends our call with a joke. This week it was a story about a man with a hamster. He took the hamster to the vet because the little pet was lethargic. The vet examined the hamster and said, "I'm sorry, sir. Your hamster is dead." The man was astonished at this. He said, "I want a second opinion." So the vet opened the door and brought in a dog from the hallway. The large, black dog sniffed the hamster and poked it with its nose and looked up at the vet and just shook its head. The vet told the man, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, sir, but your hamster is dead." The man said, "There's no way this hamster is dead. I want another opinion. So the vet opened the door and in walked a cat, who looked shook it's little head. The vet looked at the man and said, "Again, sir, I'm sorry. Your hamster is dead. And here is today's bill."
The man looked at the bill. It was for $1000. The man cried out, "How in the world can you charge me $1000 just to tell me my hamster is dead?"
"Well," said the vet, "there's my examination and diagnosis, plus the Lab report, plus the CAT scan."
Diversity Task Force conference call July 30
INTRODUCTIONS: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE DEBRIEF
Betsy (Miami): Diversity Task Force moved forward exponentially in last month. Asked for update from board, no response yet (but Betsy lobbied him between FL lobby visits). Surprised that more folks didn't sign up. Kudos to Lorna for moderating. Impressed with diversity of Canadian attendees.
Monica (Durham NC): people want training materials and specific strategies when group doesn't represent.
Jesus (DC area): Task Force initially had broad focus, now streamlined to 4-5 initiatives and marshalled resources. NGO exhibit fair-- would benefit from more visual display materials for tabling at other org's conferences (MD reviewed what we have). thanks to Meredy for coordinating translators.
Meredith (DC): liked having tangible materials, looked coordinated and professional. Need to follow up with those who expressed interest, inc Ruth Birchett
Diane (Cedar Rapids): very excited to be pilot city, she's adapting Faith in Action materials for Native American audiences. Need help with training materials: Hindu, Moslem, Catholic (in Spanish)-- so asking local contacts for help developing culturally/spiritually appropriate.
Sarah (DC): inspiring to see people in person, got excited about pilot project.
INCREASE VISIBILTY
web presence- get diversity section of our website (link to info from homepage, About Us)- then get "diversity" in Google Adwords
SURVEY OF RESULTS NETWORK
Combine with survey that marketing committee would roll out to our network?- Jesus will follow up with Scott re: status (and incorp diversity into marketing)Draft series of questions (consult marketing survey of general population) to use for combined or separate survey- send out within 2-3 months- Monica will circulate draft questions for feedback.
LONG-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS AND BOARD RESPONSE
Betsy will follow up with Douglas Lichterman- board discussion for our 5 recs (notes pasted below)? If not, when?- request: issue board statement demonstrating support- also need Joanne statement
PILOT PROJECT
See above for Cedar Rapids
Chapel Hill group: group mtg Tue 8/5 and will adapt Cedar Rapids' plan
NEXT STEPS/CALL= Wed August 20 8:30-9:30 pm ET: (888) 955-5369; passcode: 197427
Looking ahead: 9/15-10/15 Hispanic Heritage month
BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS (MD notes from June):
1. Diversity/anti-oppression training-- 2-stage plan
A. identify people from specific regions amongst our groups to be a part of a leadership ("SWAT") team for 2-day training
B. they are then responsible for leading trainings in their own region including travel to local groups ** budget: $25,000 ($15,000 for travel/room/board for 15 participants + $5000 for trainer fees + $5000 for local travel). Note: does NOT include any staff time (though can use college interns for credit), limited funds for travel to local groups)
2. Diversity assessment of own organization (Meredy)- for grassroots baseline: could roll into survey envisioned by marketing committee post-conference - also identify baseline re: board, staff, etc.- then identify next steps and make specific recommendations (Meredith: include goals)** budget: $50,000 (guess, Sarah will research specific number)
3. Develop set of materials and best practices for our groups to use in their own outreach (Betsy)- build on the work done by Betsy and others already to compile possible partners- have specific staff time (or additional staff resources) devoted to managing this** budget: TBD, must inc staff time, materials (Niambi will research)
4. As Marketing Committee moves forward, ultimately "re-brands" organization, make diversity issues a key component (Betsy)- ex. on our website** budget: none (absorbed by marketing)
5. Taking diversity to policy level in organization - institutionally support diversity through board policies (Sarah)- then reflected in our work across organization- QUESTION: what has the Board already adopted vis-à-vis diversity? If not, what are next steps to make this happen? ** budget: $1000 for legal review
Betsy (Miami): Diversity Task Force moved forward exponentially in last month. Asked for update from board, no response yet (but Betsy lobbied him between FL lobby visits). Surprised that more folks didn't sign up. Kudos to Lorna for moderating. Impressed with diversity of Canadian attendees.
Monica (Durham NC): people want training materials and specific strategies when group doesn't represent.
Jesus (DC area): Task Force initially had broad focus, now streamlined to 4-5 initiatives and marshalled resources. NGO exhibit fair-- would benefit from more visual display materials for tabling at other org's conferences (MD reviewed what we have). thanks to Meredy for coordinating translators.
Meredith (DC): liked having tangible materials, looked coordinated and professional. Need to follow up with those who expressed interest, inc Ruth Birchett
Diane (Cedar Rapids): very excited to be pilot city, she's adapting Faith in Action materials for Native American audiences. Need help with training materials: Hindu, Moslem, Catholic (in Spanish)-- so asking local contacts for help developing culturally/spiritually appropriate.
Sarah (DC): inspiring to see people in person, got excited about pilot project.
INCREASE VISIBILTY
web presence- get diversity section of our website (link to info from homepage, About Us)- then get "diversity" in Google Adwords
SURVEY OF RESULTS NETWORK
Combine with survey that marketing committee would roll out to our network?- Jesus will follow up with Scott re: status (and incorp diversity into marketing)Draft series of questions (consult marketing survey of general population) to use for combined or separate survey- send out within 2-3 months- Monica will circulate draft questions for feedback.
LONG-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS AND BOARD RESPONSE
Betsy will follow up with Douglas Lichterman- board discussion for our 5 recs (notes pasted below)? If not, when?- request: issue board statement demonstrating support- also need Joanne statement
PILOT PROJECT
See above for Cedar Rapids
Chapel Hill group: group mtg Tue 8/5 and will adapt Cedar Rapids' plan
NEXT STEPS/CALL= Wed August 20 8:30-9:30 pm ET: (888) 955-5369; passcode: 197427
Looking ahead: 9/15-10/15 Hispanic Heritage month
BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS (MD notes from June):
1. Diversity/anti-oppression training-- 2-stage plan
A. identify people from specific regions amongst our groups to be a part of a leadership ("SWAT") team for 2-day training
B. they are then responsible for leading trainings in their own region including travel to local groups ** budget: $25,000 ($15,000 for travel/room/board for 15 participants + $5000 for trainer fees + $5000 for local travel). Note: does NOT include any staff time (though can use college interns for credit), limited funds for travel to local groups)
2. Diversity assessment of own organization (Meredy)- for grassroots baseline: could roll into survey envisioned by marketing committee post-conference - also identify baseline re: board, staff, etc.- then identify next steps and make specific recommendations (Meredith: include goals)** budget: $50,000 (guess, Sarah will research specific number)
3. Develop set of materials and best practices for our groups to use in their own outreach (Betsy)- build on the work done by Betsy and others already to compile possible partners- have specific staff time (or additional staff resources) devoted to managing this** budget: TBD, must inc staff time, materials (Niambi will research)
4. As Marketing Committee moves forward, ultimately "re-brands" organization, make diversity issues a key component (Betsy)- ex. on our website** budget: none (absorbed by marketing)
5. Taking diversity to policy level in organization - institutionally support diversity through board policies (Sarah)- then reflected in our work across organization- QUESTION: what has the Board already adopted vis-à-vis diversity? If not, what are next steps to make this happen? ** budget: $1000 for legal review
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