HEALTH CARE, REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS & DISABILITY RIGHTS
Here are our Calls to Action, Guides, and Explainers on the health care, reproductive rights, and disability rights. Interested in helping us track legislation and policy on this topic at the state or federal level? Take action with us.
CHILD ABUSE IN MAINE : Save the Community Partnership for Protecting Children
Paul LePage has instructed DHHS to end funding for the Community Partnership for Protecting Children at a time when child abuse rates in Maine are on the rise.
QUICK ACTION: Contact your local reps and urge them to continue funding the program and to address the lack of funding and resources within DHHS.
ADA ACCESSIBILITY ROLLBACKS: Protect the Americans with Disabilities Act
A bill that would roll back accessibility rules required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed the House last week–with Rep. Poliquin voting YES–and is headed to the Senate.
QUICK ACTION: Call Poliquin to protest his vote and call Sens. Collins and King and tell them to oppose any attempt to bring the bill for a vote.
CHIP: Pass Clean Reauthorization NOW
The reauthorization of CHIP is now being used as a bargaining tactic in the debate over the government shutdown. A vote is expected on Jan. 22 that may resolve the issue.
UPDATE: As part of a bipartisan deal, CHIP has been reauthorized for six years.
TRUMP TAX SCAM: Health Care Edition
To pay for tax cuts for corporations and the rich, the Senate tax plan will slash Medicaid and Medicare funding and repeal the ACA individual mandate, likely leading to a collapse of the health care markets. Call Sen. Collins (202-224-2523) and tell her to vote NO on any tax bill that cuts health care to fund tax cuts to the rich.
ACA OPEN ENROLLMENT: Spread The Word!
Trump’s ACA sabotage tactics include halving the open enrollment period, and slashing the marketing and outreach budget. Help Mainers know that the new enrollment period is open NOW, and will end on Dec. 15.
BIRTH CONTROL ACCESS LIMITED: Submit Public Comments
Trump’s new “religious freedom” executive order allows employers to deny contraception coverage if the employer claims a moral or religious objection, opening the floodgates to discrimination in the name of religion. Submit a public comment to HHS through the ACLU, and send a message to health insurers through Ultraviolet’s petition.
KILL THE BILL…AGAIN: Oppose Graham-Cassidy (Trumpcare 6.0)
The Senate GOP is once again threatening to take health coverage away from millions of Americans, gut Medicaid and end guaranteed protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Call, fax, email, Tweet, share Suit Up Maine graphics and show up until Sens. King and Collins issue statements opposing Graham-Cassidy.
TITLE X: Tell Congress to Protect It
The House Appropriations Bill eliminates the Title X program, which provides basic healthcare such as contraception and cancer screenings to nearly 4 million low-income people, including 20,000 Mainers. Urge Representatives Pingree and Poliquin to support this program that provides vital health services and prevented nearly 300,000 abortions in 2015 alone.
Suit Up Maine is an independent, all-volunteer grassroots progressive group that seeks to build a more informed and engaged electorate in Maine. Founded in 2016, Suit Up Maine is run by and for Mainers, and is not engaged in fundraising of any kind. Representing thousands of constituents across Maine’s 16 counties, Suit Up Maine raises awareness of and advocates for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. Suit Up Maine is beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians.
