Change that Works Activist Update

Greetings Change that Works Activists, Our work in the month of July has been great! With Congress’ summer recess upon us, it’s important that we continue the great work throughout the month of August. Below are events happening this month to continue the fight for labor and health care reform. 1) HEALTH CARE DROP-INS With Congress adjourning for recess without a vote on H.R. 3200 it’s important our Representatives know how important it is to enact health care reform this year. If health care reform is delayed until 2010 (an election year where historically few pieces of legislation are passed), not only will another 22,000 people loose their lives because of a lack of health care, but 14,000 Americans will continue to loose their coverage every day. We need a legion of activists to drop-in to Senator Snowe, Senator Collins, and Congressman Michaud’s offices to convey the message that health care reform is needed. Please email or call Jeralyn at 333-2837 / jeralyn.cave@seiu.org to schedule your drop-in. 2) AUGUST HOME MEETING in AUGUSTA For everyone who has never been to a home meeting, now is your chance! Details on our next home meeting are below.

August 5th, 2009

Home of Anne Thomas

6PM

52 Newland Ave Augusta, ME

Enjoy a great discussion on health care and labor reform in a social atmosphere. At the end we’ll be writing letters to our Members of Congress. Please contact Jeralyn at 333-2836 or jeralyn.cave@seiu.org to RSVP. 4) HEALTH CARE PROFILES NEEDED Out of the minds of great activists, the Change that Works Campaign is initiating a profile project to illustrate the savings individuals and families would save with a public option. Volunteers are needed to be interviewed about their health care costs, family structure, and insurance policies. If you would like to participate, please contact Jeralyn at 333-2836 or jeralyn.cave@seiu.org. 5) ONGOING ACTION Movement on both the Employee Free Choice Act and Health Care is expected this summer and we are increasing our contact with our Senators. The following tactics are part of our strategy to make sure WE WIN: * Letters and Phonecalls to Your Senators - Many of you have already written and/or called Senators Snowe and Collins on healthcare reform or the Employee Free Choice Act. However, if you haven't called AND written BOTH senators on BOTH ISSUES, please take a few minutes to do so now. Please see the attached phone call scripts and sample letters; everything you need is there. * Faith Leader Sign-on Letter in Support of the Employee Free Choice Act - Dozens of religious leaders across the state are signing onto a letter in support of free choice. Contact me if you would like to approach your Pastor, Reverend, Rabbi etc. about signing on. We'll check to see if they have signed yet, and if not, I can get you a copy of the letter to present to them. Call Jeralyn at 333-2836 * Small Business Sign-on Letter in Support of Healthcare Reform and the Employee Free Choice Act - If you are a small business owner who would like to sign on, or if you know a small business owner who supports these issues, please contact me and I will get you the letter. Call Jeralyn at 333-2836 For Change that Works, Jeralyn Cave, Organizer MSEA/SEIU 'Change That Works' Campaign Cell 207-333-2836 Jeralyn.cave@gmail.com

More fighting over card check - 'typical union goons'

July 29, 2009 Yesterday on the Hill, the Alliance for Worker Freedom had an event on the 9th floor of the Hart building, involving invited guests and a congressman or two, talking about ways to beat Card Check. It was a Q/A sponsored by the Alliance for Worker Freedom that included folks from the Chamber of Commerce, the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, the Hudson Institute and a private business owner and a labor attorney. A few minutes before the event was to begin, Alliance for Worker Freedom Executive Director Brian Johnson noticed a few guys who "immediately stood out," he says. He asked them what they were there for, they said for the Q/A. He then asked who they were with as it was an invite only Q/A. They said the SEIU. Johnson told them, "you and your organization are not invited, I need to ask you to leave." They sat down and told Johnson they weren't going anywhere. Johnson tells Shenanigans he then politely asked them to leave at least five times. They refused. At that point, Johnson went to find a Capitol Hill police man to remove them. "The cops had to check with the Rules committee," Johnson says, "and then told me, 'we're going to ask them to leave and if they don't leave we'll have to physically get them out and then you'll have to file charges,'" Johnson recalls. Of course the gang left - they said they weren't trying to cause any trouble. "Typical union goons!" groused Johnson. And then Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) got underway with his remarks and said "I think I missed all the fun!" "We weren't saying anythign we wouldn't say on camera," Johnson says of the event, "but it wasn't a public education seminar. It was clearly 'how do we defeat [card check]?'" As for the SEIU they admit they were there but wonder just how private that event could have been. SEIU Secretary/Treasurer Anna Burger told Shenanigans, "We love the irony of a so-called 'Worker Freedom' group actually turning the cops on workers who wanted to attend a public forum-in a taxpayer-funded building-- on the rights and freedoms of workers. What's next, Democracy briefings by Kim Jong-Il?" from Politico's Shenanigans blog

Alliance for Worker Freedom kicks out Workers

By Kate Thomas July 28, 2009 Today, several workers went to Capitol Hill to attend a panel discussion about the Employee Free Choice Act, sponsored by the Alliance for Worker Freedom. Much to their dismay, the workers were escorted out of the event after its organizers complained to the Capitol Police. The event was advertised as an information-gathering session for Congressional staffers to discuss the legislation, and have "questions addressed by experts in the field." And for the outside community, "a resource to gather and share information. However, it quickly became evident when the workers were blocked from attending the event that these panelists were probably not going to be educating the room on how we can push for the protection of workers' rights. The event featured speakers from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and corporate front groups the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace and the Workforce Fairness Institute, among others--the same groups and donors that fight against good wages, workplace safety and the ability of workers to form unions in their workplaces. You'd think that a meeting on Employee Free Choice would welcome the perspective of workers whose lives the legislation would most deeply effect -- but ironically, this was not the case. It's pretty ridiculous that an organization called "The Alliance for Worker Freedom" would kick out workers from a Capitol Hill panel discussion and Q&A about the rights and freedoms of workers. Guess a misleading organization name is just one more degenerate attempt by this group to convince people that they're on the side of workers. from SEIU's blog our own Dana Graham was one of those workers kicked out

My DCA Video Diary

This is my video diary that I did with the Direct Care Alliance when we were on The Hill in Washington back in April.

Massachusetts Union Members to Insurance Industry: Don't Derail Health Care Reform

by Mike Hall, Jul 24, 2009 More than 300 union activists surrounded the office of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans (MAHP), in downtown Boston yesterday, to protest the insurance industry’s tactics in opposing national health care reform. MAHP and other industry groups, such as America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), have mounted a multimillion-dollar campaign of TV and radio ads, phony town hall meetings and lobbying to scuttle comprehensive health care reform. Says Rich Rogers, executive secretary of the Greater Boston Labor Council: We sent a strong message today in Boston that we can’t allow the insurance industry to derail reform. It is time to stand up to the insurance companies and show them that we mean business. The insurance industry’s main targets are heath care reform that includes a public health insurance option and curbs on the industry’s abusive practices that deny people needed care. A public plan option would allow workers and their families who either have private insurance coverage or no coverage at all to choose between private insurance or a public plan with a package of comprehensive benefits. Just last week, a former insurance executive outlined how insurance companies look for any reason to deny a claim or cancel a person’s policy when they make major claims. Jeff Crosby, president of the North Shore Labor Council, told rally participants that the pharmaceutical giants “bleed the system at a rate of profit twice that of most other industries,” and the insurance companies must be stopped from killing real reform. We can’t leave health care to people to whom it is just another business to make money. These health insurance companies are not health care providers, they are in the business of health care. It would be easier if there was a short cut, if we didn’t have to take on several of the most powerful industries in the country at once. The rally was co-sponsored by the Greater Boston Labor Council, the North Shore Labor Council, AFT Massachusetts, the SEIU Massachusetts State Council, the Boston Building Trades Council and others. this is one of the responses to this post on the AFL-CIO's blog TrueDemocrat on 27.07.2009 at 17:34 And Congress is comfortable negotiating with these maggots of profit, are WE going to get a good deal? EVER WONDER WHY YOU HAVE TO FIGHT SO HARD WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO GET THE CARE YOU NEED? . . . Health insurance is big business. The companies make huge profits and their CEOs make millions, while the rest of us, employers and workers alike, face skyrocketing healthcare costs, impossible bureaucracy, and life-threatening denials. COMPANY Headquarters 2007 PROFITS* Aetna Inc. Hartford, CT $ 1.831 BILLION CIGNA Corp. Philadelphia, PA $ 1.115 BILLION Coventry Health Care *owns Altius, Carelink, Group Health Plan, HealthAmerica, OmniCare, WellPath, others Bethesda, MD $ 626 million Health Net Woodland Hills, CA $ 194 million Humana Inc. Louisville, KY $ 834 million UnitedHealth Group * owns owns Oxford, PacifiCare, IBA, AmeriChoice, Evercare, Ovations, MAMSI and Ingenix, a healthcare data company Minnetonka, MN $ 4.654 BILLION WellPoint * owns Blues across the US, including AnthemBlue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin, Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Healthy Alliance, and many others (Anthem is right here in Maine ) Indianapolis, IN $ 3.345 BILLION http://www.insurancecompanyrules.org/learn_more/the_roster/ Supporting Notes and References: 1. Aetna: In 2007, Aetna applauded itself for its low “medical loss ratio”–the percentage of revenue it “loses” to paying for health care. (Sensitive to public relations, the industry now calls this a “medical benefit ratio.”). Aetna spends less than 80 percent of premiums on health care by avoiding unhealthy enrollees and keeping a lid on services. http://seekingalpha.com/article/63682-aetna-inc-q4-2007-earnings-call-transcript (February 7, 2008) 2. CIGNA: a multinational business, CIGNA picked up its Starbridge products when it purchased StarHRG from HealthMarkets in 2006. HealthMarkets’ MEGA Life and Health, which targets the self-employed, has been investigated across the country for shady sales practices and shoddy coverage. http://www.insurancecompanyrules.org/learn_more/the_roster/ 3. Coventry: subsidiaries include: Altius, Carelink, Group Health Plan, HealthAmerica, OmniCare, WellPath, and others.4. HealthNet: Health Net made the news by giving large bonuses to employees for canceling policies. Los Angeles Times, Health insurer tied bonuses to dropping sick policyholders, November 9, 2007: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-nsure9nov09,0,4409342.story 5. Humana: Humana’s a big player in the privatized portion of Medicare. In 2007, Humana was accused of “bait and switch” tactics—luring seniors into a Medicare prescription drug plan by offering low premiums one year, then jacking them up the next. –The Boston Globe, January 3, 2007: http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2007/01/03/menino_calls_for_humana_inquiry/ In May 2007, according to The New York Times: “In the first major investigation of Medicare marketing, the Oklahoma insurance commissioner has documented widespread misconduct by agents working for Humana.” Investigators found signs that agents had used “bait and switch tactics to secure the initial invitation” into Medicare beneficiaries’ homes. The state fined Humana half a million dollars for “using unlicensed agents” and,in some cases, “misleading marketing practices and misrepresentations.” –The New York Times, May 15,2007: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/15/washington/15medicare.html?_r=3&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1179231206-TRT2tWRts1oPzIUlIXb3iQ&oref=slogin&oref=slogin 6. UnitedHealth: also owns Oxford, PacifiCare, IBA, AmeriChoice, Evercare, Ovations, MAMSI. UnitedHealth also owns Ingenix, a health care data company, and other health-care relatedbusinesses.In 2006, UnitedHealth’s then-CEO, William McGuire, was fingered in a stock options scandal. Though he ultimately returned $620 million, he managed to keep $800 million. Stephen Hemsley, who joined UnitedHealth from Arthur Andersen, the accounting firm that closed shop in the wake of the Enron scandal, became CEO. “A court filing says UnitedHealth Group chief Stephen Hemsley had more involvement in options backdating thanhad been revealed in earlier investigations.” –Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St Paul), May 22, 2008:http://www.startribune.com/business/19196249.html?location_refer=Your+Money The New York State Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo, stated, “We believe there was an industry-wide schemeperpetuated by some of the nation’s largest health insurers to deceive and defraud consumers.” Mr Cuomo issuing the company for systematically forcing patients to pay more than they should when using doctors andhospitals outside their insurer’s networks. –The New York Times, February 14, 2008: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/14/business/14health.html?ei=5088&en=5536a581a8ba6d03&ex=1360645200&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1214927387-PYqRek14Cv9H4h8Oo9uqrA 7. WellPoint: WellPoint, the country’s biggest health insurance company, has Blue plans all over the country, most operating as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Just a few other holdings include: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin, Empire HealthChoice Assurance, and Healthy Alliance.The company’s Chief Financial Officer, Wayne DeVeydt, reiterated this point. “I want you to know that we remain very disciplined in our underwriting approach and do not pursue business that we believe is priced below our profitability targets.” http://seekingalpha.com/article/73633-wellpoint-inc-q1-2008-earnings-call-transcript (April 23, 2008) FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE: http://www.pnhp.org/and http://www.insurancecompanyrules.org/learn_more/the_roster/ from AFL-CIO NOW Blog July 27, 2009

US House nearing Vote on Health Care Reform

When was the last time you got a paycheck for $9,600?

If it was last pay period, the health care reform bill in Congress may not be for you. But if you're one of the 98% of Americans who make less than $250,000 every year, you stand to save a lot of money.

The health care reform bill being voted on in the House this week will save you an average of $2,200 per year.[1] It would have people who make more than a quarter of a million dollars help pay for reform by rolling back Bush's tax cuts for the rich. [2]

The bill is headed for a vote in the next few days. Click here to write a letter to your representative and urge them to pass historic health reform so you can save money.

For decades, giant corporations have refused to pay their fair share of rising health care costs. All the while, workers, small business owners, and our families have picked up their tab.

We can change that. But we've got to act now. Click here to tell Congress it's time everyone - even millionaires - did their part to fix health care.

This bill guarantees us quality, affordable health care. It will cover the uninsured and significantly lower the costs for those of us who have insurance. Let's pass this bill, so we can lower ours.

Thanks for all you do, Dr. L. Toni Lewis, MD

SEIU Healthcare

[1] Fork in the Road: Alternative Paths to a High Performance U.S. Health System - The Commonwealth Fund

2] How the Health Care Surcharge Works - Congressman Pete Stark

House passes Michaud bill to aid vet caregivers

Kennebec Journal Tuesday, July 28, 2009 LEWISTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Monday afternoon that would provide additional support for veterans receiving home health care. One measure, sponsored by Rep. Mike Michaud, a Democrat representing Maine's 2nd District, seeks to ease the burden on people who give up their jobs or put off their education to take care of a wounded or disabled veteran family member. Michaud, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee, said the issue was brought to his attention by veterans' organizations that he regularly works with. "Hearing some of the financial problems that they have to deal with really concerned me," he said in an interview. One woman from Virginia told the story of how she used to call her husband, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, constantly because she feared he was going to commit suicide, Michaud said. Ultimately she left her job in order to monitor him full-time. "I put forward this legislation to address those needs," he said. The bill is estimated to cost $193 million total over the next four years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. "When you look at the price tag for that time frame, I think it's a very small long-term cost and I also think it's going to save money," Michaud said. "Any time you can take care of them at home versus the VA or local health care provider, you can save." The legislation calls for education and outreach to veteran family caregivers, as well as medical care, monthly financial stipends, lodging and subsistence payments for primary family caregivers, according to the congressman. Because there are no current statistics regarding veteran family caregivers, the measure also calls for surveys at least once every three years to track the services. The CBO estimates about 180 caregivers for severely disabled or wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans would receive stipends by 2012 and more than 17,000 caregivers for veterans of all wars would benefit from other support services by 2014. Similar legislation is slated to be taken up by the U.S. Senate. Michaud said the government has vastly improved veteran care in recent years, due in most part to increased funding and expanding access to health care, particularly in rural states like Maine. "The problem is catch up; the previous administration did not adequately fund the Department of Veterans Affairs, particularly in treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and head injuries," he said. But he said the VA can't provide all the support veterans need alone and he is encouraging partnerships with local health providers.

See What's Coming Out of the House's Committee on Energy and Commerce

HR3200 is the health care reform bill coming out of the House's Committee on Energy and Commerce. Use the link to see what this bill will do by each congressional district across the country. It is very easy to see what will happen in Maine's two districts by scrolling down to Maine and clicking on the districts. The pages are in pdf format, so you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to look at them. I found this rather interesting.

Health Care Reform Rally in Portland - SEIU

Check out SEIU's blog post on the Health Care Reform Rally in Portland last Saturday. Be sure to check out the link to Senator Snowe's comments in the post. You'll find the link is broken. Why? Senator Snowe's office made SEIU take down her comments. Sounds like she was telling us all what we wanted to hear, but not actually throwing her support behind the public option. Those of us who were there heard Cheryl Leeman say that Senator Snowe was now supporting the public option. Apparently that is not the case. The senator is still supporting the "trigger" option, meaning that if the reform put forth by insurance companies is not working in a year or two, and many more Americans are without health care coverage, and those that are lucky enough to still have coverage but are dealing with extremely high co-pays and deductibles and fighting to have claims paid instead of denied, if all this is still occurring, then the public option will be triggered. Does this sound like good reform? NO! Meaningful reform, changes that get health care to all of us, not just those lucky enough to have insurance, or rich enough to afford it, cannot wait to be made by the insurance companies. Changes that will drive down costs cannot be left to the insurance companies. Looks like all us activists with Change that Works and HCAN need to keep the pressure on Senator Snowe. Continue writing and calling Senator Snowe. She needs to hear and understand what we are saying. Reform can't wait, nor can it be solely up to the insurance companies. I don't trust them, do you?

A Message about Employee Free Choice from SEIU President Andy Stern

This is Andy Stern, President of SEIU. I wanted to write you about the recent news about the Employee Free Choice Act. The New York Times reported on Friday that the Senate is considering dropping majority signup from the Employee Free Choice Act. Majority signup is based on a simple idea: if a majority of workers say they want a union, they should get a union. It's the best way to make sure workers have a free and fair choice to join a union without intimidation or harassment. It's important that both the House and Senate consider majority signup. Working people want to see where Congress stands on this common-sense idea to level the playing field against corporate greed. I created a petition to Congress for you to show support for majority signup. Can you please add you name? Click here to write your Members of Congress and show your support for majority signup. In the last week, we've seen that Wall St. is back to business as usual. Bank of America and Citigroup posted billions in profits. Goldman Sachs made $38 million a day in the last three months and is set to pay out record bonuses. Corporate greed alive and well, despite billions in bailouts. Meanwhile, unemployment is still rising, and many working people are still struggling to get by in the rough economy. That's why we need the Employee Free Choice Act. At its core, the Employee Free Choice Act is about fairness. By giving employees the free choice to join unions - and not their bosses - majority signup allows workers to have a voice on the job. Congress needs to hear about your support for majority signup. Sign my petition to Congress in support of majority signup and the Employee Free Choice Act. Thanks for all you do. In solidarity, Andy Stern President, Service Employees International Union SEIU.org

In Case You Missed President Obama's Press Conference

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President Obama's press conference on health care reform, Wednesday, July 22, 2009

A Few Words from President Obama

Dear Friend, As you read this, we are closer than ever to passing comprehensive health insurance reform that benefits American families and small businesses. Despite all the back and forth in the news right now, it is important to understand just how far we've come in this challenging process. That's why I'm holding a press conference tonight at 8pm ET, and writing to let everyone know where we are, what's ahead, and why health insurance reform is so important. Let me be clear: although Congress is still debating parts of the legislation we have achieved critical consensus on several key areas: If you already have health insurance: reform will provide you with more security and stability. It will limit your own out of pocket costs and prevent your insurance company from dropping your coverage if you get too sick. You'll also have affordable insurance options if you lose or change your job. And it will cover preventive care like check-ups and mammograms that save lives and money. If you don't have health insurance: you will finally have guaranteed access to quality, affordable health care, and you can choose the plan that best suits your family's needs. And no insurance company will be allowed to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition. Now, I realize that the last few miles of any race are the hardest to run, but we can't stop now. There's no dispute about it: we cannot control our long-term fiscal health as a nation without health insurance reform. American families and small businesses understand that the health insurance status quo is taking away those things that they value most about health care. The stability and security that comes with knowing that you can get the treatment you need, when you need it. Without reform, we are consigning our children to a future of skyrocketing premiums and crushing deficits. We have to seize this opportunity and pass health insurance reform this year. You can help by forwarding this email to your family and friends and letting them know what's at stake in this debate. Thank you, Barack Obama an email from our President

Maine's Largest Health Care Reform Rally

Change that Works, Maine People's Alliance, Health Care for America Now, and other groups working to bring about comprehensive health care reform held a rally in Portland on Saturday. It was the biggest rally for health care reform in Maine's history.

Change that Works, a campaign sponsored by SEIU, has been working on health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act.

MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 has been a part of Change that Works from the beginning, back during the winter.

Change that Works bused people to Portland from all over the state. People from all of Maine's sixteen counties were there. The estimate I heard was over 650 people rallying for health care reform, now. With Congress' August recess fast approaching, the crowd started chanting, "No reform, no recess."

The recess will give the insurance and pharmacuetical companies a chance to start pushing back hard on reform, to keep things the way they are and leave it up to the insurance companies to reform themselves. We all know how that will work.

We grouped up in Monument Square on Congress Street to hear the various speakers and the theme song, "Begging for Change."

Speakers included representatives from Senator Snowe, Congressman Mike Michaud and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. Speaker of the House, Hannah Pingree and Senator Peter Mills also spoke.

Cheryl Leeman, speaking on behalf of Senator Snowe, said that Senator Snowe is now supporting the public option.

My thoughts when I heard this were, "WOW! We finally got through to her! All the phone calls and letters and contacts made to Senator Snowe through Change that Works and HCAN paid off. WE DID IT!"

Speaker Pingree mentioned Maine's direct care workers, the work we do, and the fact that we are providing care and cannot get health insurance through our work. She mentioned the self-employed lobstermen in her district that cannot afford individual policies to insure themselves and their families.

Senator Peter Mills talked about small businesses not being able to insure their employees because the cost of health insurance keeps skyrocketing.

After the speech making was done, we marched down Congress Street, turning onto Exchange Street, marching through the Old Port, turning onto Spring Street, marching past the Cumberland County Civic Center, turning on High Street, then back onto Congress Street. We got a lot of honking horns from passing motorists, honking in support of reform.

The best part of the rally was hearing Senator Snowe's representative saying that our senator supports the public option and that it needs to be included in reform. The second best part was seeing many people I've met along the way, working towards reform. It was fantastic!

photos by Tom Farkas and Helen Hanson

Health Care Reform Rally draws about 500 People

Portland Press Herald Edward D. Murphy July 19, 2009 Speakers cite the individual impact of the cost of care; foes say the ability to select one's doctor could be lost. PORTLAND — About 500 Mainers on Saturday urged Congress to act quickly on health care reform, including a public option that would provide a government-backed alternative to private insurance. Supporters crowded into Monument Square and then marched to the Old Port, dogged by a small group of counterprotesters. A few shouting matches broke out between supporters and opponents of public health care, and at one point, the group of about 25 counterprotesters tried to drown out speakers with a chant of "patients' choice." Representatives of three of Maine's members of Congress spoke in support of health care reform, including one for U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, who is considered a crucial swing vote on the administration's reform package moving through Congress. Snowe's proxy, Portland City Councilor Cheryl Leeman, said her own battle with breast cancer convinced her that "the time is now" for health care reform. However, Snowe and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, last week met with President Obama on the issue and suggested he back off his call for quick action on the reform measure. In the crowd, supporters of reform had their own stories of how health care isn't working for them. Mario Moretto, 23, of Brewer said he's been without health insurance for nine years, since his parents could no longer afford a policy. What if he gets sick? "I hope I get better," Moretto said. Moretto said that approach didn't work a few years ago when he put off getting treatment for an infected finger. The doctor he finally saw, Moretto said, told him that the finger might have required amputation if Moretto had waited much longer to get treatment. But opponents had their own stories. Brad Watts of Saco said his experience with federally provided health care for veterans has him convinced that greater government involvement isn't the way to go. Watts said he usually has to wait two months to get an appointment to see a doctor, and Maine is considered above average for veterans' health care. "If this is how we treat our veterans, are we really going to treat everyone else better?" Watts said. The counterrally was sponsored by the Maine Heritage Policy Center. Tarren Bragdon, chief executive officer of the conservative organization, said he opposes government-sponsored insurance because of the cost and concern that patients might lose the ability to choose their own doctors. Supporters, however, had numbers on their side Saturday in downtown Portland. The sponsors – including Change That Works, funded by the Service Employees International Union and other labor groups – bused in supporters from around the state. Speakers focused on the individual impact of the high cost of care and the risks of going without insurance, rather than focusing on the national costs. "We all get sick, and we all deserve some peace of mind knowing we can get better without bankrupting our families," said Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven. "We are at the point of begging, which is something we should not have to do in a nation as wealthy as ours," she said.

Senator Collins Meets with President Obama to discuss Health Care Reform

July 17, 2009 Washington, D.C. –At the request of the President, Senator Susan Collins today attended an hour-long meeting in the Oval Office to discuss her thoughts on health care reform. Following the meeting, she released this statement: “We had a very good discussion and I am very impressed with the President’s sincere openness to my thoughts on how to expand access to affordable health care coverage and to reform our health care system to improve outcomes and lower costs. “Clearly, soaring health insurance premiums have made insurance increasingly unaffordable for many families and small businesses, and there are far too many Americans without health insurance or with woefully inadequate coverage. “During our meeting, we discussed the contents, the goals, and the timetable for health care reform legislation. I spoke about the importance of delivery system reforms. The State of Maine is a high-quality, low-cost state, and it is critical that our state’s health care providers are not harmed by reforms. We must focus on holding on to what is good about our system and improving what is not working. “This is a major challenge. Health care affects every single person in our country and represents one sixth of our nation’s economy. That is why I urged the President not to set an artificial deadline governing such an important bill. We must proceed in a deliberative, bipartisan and careful fashion. Rushed legislation won’t be nearly as well thought out as it should be, it will cost more than it should, and the process will be divisive.”

Snowe Meets with President to Discuss Overhaul of the American Health Care System

July 16, 2009 Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over health care, and part of a select working group of senior committee members meeting daily with Committee Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Grassley to find common ground on health care reform, released the following statement today after being asked to the White House by President Obama for a meeting to discuss congressional efforts to provide high-quality, affordable health care coverage: "With one in four Americans suffering from a lack of affordable coverage, I told the President today that I am committed to the goal of providing universal, affordable health care this year, and I am convinced the President shares my goal. The impact of this bill – on both health and the economy – demands we get this right. So I also said that the process for reforming the system must match the enormity of the task at hand. We must calibrate the speed of our action on this monumental issue to the necessity to get this right. It took nearly a year and a half for the Johnson Administration to create Medicare to cover 20 million seniors – versus the nearly 70 million who today lack substantive coverage. "One of the areas on which we can find common ground and ensure affordable health care for all people is through my ‘safety net plan’ as a fall back option. This option would be available from day one in any state where – after market and insurance reforms are implemented – affordable, competitive plans still do not exist. And finally, I told the President that we appreciate and are anxious for his support as we tackle one of the most difficult aspects of any major legislation – finding the means to pay for it. Ultimately, the Finance Committee has the responsibility to pay for this proposal but we certainly welcome the President’s leadership in overcoming these obstacles."

From Congresswoman Chellie Pingree

The current health care reform picture in Washington . . . The atmosphere in Washington is like no other time – people are more ready than they have ever been for substantial health care reform. We have a real opportunity to enact major health care reform that will provide Americans with better access to affordable, high quality care – and President Obama initiated this process by budgeting $634 billion for health reform. I am in frequent talks with the Speaker, Majority Leader, and Committee Chairs, and all three committees of jurisdiction in the House (Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Education and Labor) that are working on the same bill. As I write this now, our goal is to pass a bill by the end of July and we are hopeful that a final piece of legislation could be signed by the President as early as this fall. Drafts of the health reform legislation are now being circulated that will build upon the existing health care structure. The President affirmed, “if you like what you have you can keep it,” and the proposed package includes a menu of options to choose from, investments in Medicaid and Medicare – in fact I am circulating a letter to all of my colleagues supporting a robust Medicaid system, which is critical for Maine – and private health insurance options, with increased regulation, no denial for pre-existing conditions and reasonable cost-sharing. Last but not least, it is important to me that the bill includes a public plan option, which should increase choice and competition, be stable and open to everyone, and grow to meet the needs of a large influx of people over time. Click here for more on the House draft legislation

Congressman Mike Michaud holding Town Meeting Call In on Health Care Reform

Interested Mainers are encouraged to call!

877-269-7289

PIN to enter call is

14635

Monday, July 20, 2009

7:10 pm

This forum will provide Mainers a chance to receive an update on what is going on in Congress on health care reform, but more importantly, it is a chance for

Mike to hear directly from Mainers.

Help for Caregivers of Veterans Advances in House

Wednesday, July 15 2009 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Mike Michaud’s bill, the Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act (CARE Act), advanced through the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The bill would establish a caregiver program to help family and non-family members who provide care for disabled, ill, or injured veterans. The bill is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives soon. “Family caregivers of our veterans have made great sacrifices,” said Michaud, Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee. “I have heard from family members who gave up their jobs, delayed their schooling, or made other significant life-changing sacrifices in order to be by their loved one’s side. This raises questions about the VA’s current efforts to help caregivers and whether there are sufficient supportive services in place. Additionally, there are concerns about the lack of coordination of caregiver benefits when the service member transitions to veteran status. Supportive services that family caregivers may have depended on during military service are suddenly discontinued when the wounded warrior transitions to the VA system. The CARE Act will help address these shortcomings and provide veterans’ caregivers with some much needed support.” VA does not collect data on caregivers of veterans. As such, the number of family members who provide care for veterans is unknown. However, a July 2007 report released by the Dole-Shalala Commission found that of the 1,730 injured OEF/OIF veterans surveyed, about 21 percent of active duty, 15 percent of the reserve, and 24 percent of retired/separated servicemembers had friends or family who gave up a job to be the caregiver. The caregiver program provides education sessions for improved care giving, counseling, and respite care to the family caregiver, or another individual designated by the veteran. The measure also provides a financial stipend and medical care to eligible primary family caregivers of certain veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom/ Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF), and reimburses the caregiver for travel, lodging, and per diem expenses for accompanying the veteran to medical appointments. In addition to providing direct support to the caregivers, the CARE Act calls for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to develop a plan for providing enduring support services for caregivers. It also mandates that the VA conduct a survey on caregivers at least once every three years so that collected information will help identify gaps and potential ways to further improve support services and benefits for caregivers.

SAVE THE DATE

The National Direct Care Partnership Meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 27th at 4 pm eastern time. When I get the agenda, phone number and the conference code, I'll post it. Join the National Direct Care Partnership mailing list. Thanks! Hope you can make the call.

New Health and Dental Benefits Available NOW for Direct Care Workers and Child Care Providers!

Your Union working for You Hello MSEA Care Division Members - MSEA is excited to announce to you, who do so much to help improve the lives of those you care for, the availability of a dental insurance plan and a limited benefit health insurance option! As members or service fee payers of Local 771 and Kids First at MSEA, you are a prt of the recently formed Care Division. MSEA created the Care Division to help manage and advocate for the needs of similar groups of workers who care for others - direct care workers and child care providers. THE DENTAL PLAN is a comprehensive plan that can cover you alone or you and any combination of your immediate family members (spouse and/or kids)! There are two levels of coverage to choose from. THE HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION is a limited benefit plan. It is not meant to cover catastrophic events but does get you covered for doctor visits, wellness check ups, and a range of diagnostic services. Again, there are two plans to choose from and you can purchase coverage for yourself, you and your spouse, you and your kids, or the whole family! The best part about these plans is that there is no pre-existing condition clause. This means that no member or service fee payer at MSEA is refused coverage. If your family has temporarily lost regular health insurance, this coverage can act as a bridge to avoid being completely uninsured. And this isn't the end. MSEA, Kids First, and Local 771 are fully committed to helping find a solution to America's health care crisis. It's the number one thing our members need. Our goal, and the goal of a wide array of partner organizations all over the country, is to ensure that ALL Americans have access to adequate, affordable health insurance. If you have any questions or are interested in signing up for either of these plans, please call Aymie Walsh, Mike Roland, or Jay Economy at MSEA, 1-800-452-8794. You can also call Aetna and Delta Dental directly to inquire about these plans. Delta Dental's number is 1-800-932-0783. Aetna's number is 1-888-772-9682. Let either insurance know that you are calling for information on the SEIU Voluntary Health Access Trust Plans. These plans are one small step to address the need, now. We need your help to get the rest of the way! If you aren't a full member, become one and talk to others about becoming members of our union. Be a part of the Union Difference! We are truly stronger together! In Solidarity, Helen Hanson President of Local 771 Penni Theriault President, Kids First

Legislature's Appropriations Committee going back to work

The 2010-2011 budget passed by the Legislature called for the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs to recommend additional budget cuts. The Appropriations Committee will be meeting over the summer and will present a plan to the full Legislature during the Second Regular Session, which begins in January. While the budget called for the Appropriations Committee to find $30 million in savings, recent decreases in state revenue may require the committee to make larger cuts. For more information, including a schedule, visit the Appropriations Committee website. email from Rep. Cotta, House District 55, Albion, Benton, China, Unity Plantation

Paxil CR® settlement e-Alert

July 9, 2009 If you took Paxil CR® at anytime between April 1, 2002 and March 4, 2005, you may · be eligible to file a claim worth $50 - $150; · be able to help improve a settlement affecting millions of Paxil CR consumers nationwide. The lawsuit and settlement: A proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit will allow consumers who took defectively manufactured or 'split' Paxil CR® tablets to file claims for $10 per split pill that they purchased, with a minimum of $50 and maximum of $150. Unfortunately PAL feels that the proposed settlement is unfair to consumers, because it · allows left over funds to be returned back to the drug manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). · places a maximum of $150 on consumer claims, even if consumers took more than 15 of the 'split' Paxil CR® pills. · requires consumers making claims for more than $50 (for more than 5 split pills) provide a receipt, rather than simply sign a statement that their claim is truthful. If you paid for Paxil CR® between April 1, 2002 and March 4, 2005, please contact PAL as soon as possible at 617-275-2824 or PAL@communitycatalyst.org. Please help us improve this settlement on behalf of Paxil CR® consumers nationwide! Why get involved? Because this settlement does not allow consumers to be fairly compensated and potentially allows the defendant drug company, GSK, to be refunded millions of dollars from the settlement fund. PAL needs your help to make this settlement more beneficial to consumers just like you! Remember to file a claim: If you paid for (in whole or in part) Paxil CR® between April 1, 2002 and March 4, 2005 you may be eligible to receive up to $150 from the settlement. If you were prescribed any split or otherwise defective Paxil CR® tablets and would like to make a claim you can call 1-866-458-3186 or visit . The deadline to file a claim is August 10, 2009. Additional information on the Paxil CR lawsuit and settlement. The lawsuit is called Simonet v. SmithKline Beecham Corp, No 06-1230-GAG, and is filed in U.S. federal District Court in Puerto Rico. The lawsuit alleges that Paxil CR® tablets made at a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plant in Puerto Rico were manufactured in a way that allowed them to 'split apart.' This prevented the 'controlled release' nature of the pills from working -- a 'split' tablet could release the full dose of Paxil all at once, or make the pills ineffective (because the active ingredients were broken down by acid in the stomach). In the proposed settlement agreement, the maker of Paxil CR®, GlaxoSmithKline, agreed to pay up to $28 million to settle the lawsuit, with 60% of the funds going to consumers, and the rest to reimburse insurance plans that paid for Paxil CR®. If you took a split Paxil CR® tablet, or believe that you may have done so, between April 1, 2002 and March 4, 2005, you may be able to help Paxil CR® consumers nationwide by contacting PAL. We are a non-profit consumer focused organization dedicated to promoting consumer access to needed prescription drugs, and to representing consumer interests in litigation concerning such prescription drugs. There is no cost to helping us make improvements to this settlement. Prescription Access Litigation (PAL) has objected to the settlement for the following reasons: Under the current proposal, all of the $16.8 Million left over after paying the consumer claims that are received would go back to the defendant, GSK. This allows GSK to get away with their alleged defective manufacturing without paying for the release of consumers' claims for monetary damages. Instead, PAL believes the money should be used to benefit the consumers who took split Paxil CR® tablets but who do not hear about this opportunity to file a claim. (Traditionally, prescription drug consumers are so hard to identify, less than 10% of them ever file a claim.) Such a use of these left-over consumer funds, called by the legal term 'cy pres' meaning 'as close as possible,' could include supporting consumer education, advocacy, or other uses that benefit those absent Paxil CR® consumers who don't file a claim. Under the current proposal, consumers may file a claim for $10 per split pill they purchased, with a maximum of $150 no matter how many pills they took. PAL believes that this limit of $150 is arbitrary and should be increased. Under the current proposal, a consumer filing a claim asserting that they purchased more than 5 (five) split Paxil CR® tablets must provide proof in the form of a written prescription, receipt, cancelled check, credit card statement, explanation of benefits form from their insurance company, or a letter from their physician. Instead, PAL proposes that consumers should only be required to sign the claim form stating that their claim for a $10 reimbursement of up to 15 tablets is truthful. About PAL: Prescription Access Litigation, LLC, is a non-profit organization dedicated to making prescription drugs more affordable and reforming the drug industry, through consumer education and litigation. Members of the PAL coalition of over 130 organizations nationwide have served as plaintiffs to help bring more than 30 class action lawsuits challenging illegal tactics by the drug industry. PAL is a project of Community Catalyst, a non-profit organization building a strong consumer voice in health care reform. See www.communitycatalyst.org. For more information. see www.prescriptionaccess.org, or contact us at pal@communitycatalyst.org. You can give us a call at 617-275-2824 or write to us at c/o Community Catalyst, 30 Winter Street, 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02108. from Consumers for Affordable Health Care

Fair Pay for Caregivers

a New York Times editorial Published: July 8, 2009 Change is too slow coming for the nation’s one million home care aides. In 2007, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld a 1975 federal labor regulation that defines home care aides as “companions.” That definition exempts home care employers — often for-profit agencies — from having to pay the federal minimum wage or time and a half for overtime. In explaining their decision, the justices pointed out that the law gives the Labor Department, not the court, the power to change the regulation. Yet, more than two years later, the regulation still stands. Last month, 15 senators sent a letter to Hilda Solis, President Obama’s labor secretary, urging her to eliminate the “companion” exemption. A month earlier, 37 House members sent a similar letter. But beyond a statement from Ms. Solis expressing concern and pledging to look into the matter, there has been no progress. Not surprisingly, home care aides — who typically help to feed, dress and move their elderly and disabled clients, in addition to keeping house for them — remain among the most underpaid and overworked in the labor force. They usually manage to make above the nationwide minimum wage ($6.55 an hour now, rising to $7.25 an hour later this month), in large part because many states impose higher minimums than the feds. Still, most make below $10 an hour. And they are routinely denied overtime pay. Federal rules do not demand it, and only 16 states and the District of Columbia require any extra pay for extra work. Lack of overtime pay is especially unjust in the home care field because extra long shifts, including overnight stays, are common. Taxpayers ultimately make up for the low pay because many home care aides rely on food stamps and other public assistance. The public pays in other ways, too: turnover is high, undermining the quality of care and driving up overall costs. The Labor Department got off to a slow start when Republican senators held up Ms. Solis’s confirmation, in part, to protest her support for unions. But further delay raises the danger that the plight of home care aides will get mired in the broader debate over health care costs. Another danger is that industry opposition to better pay will gain renewed traction in today’s troubled economy. Some home care employers say that having to pay extra for overtime could drive them out of business. In states where varying degrees of wage and overtime protections are in place for home care aides, that has not been the result. And a business model that relies on denying overtime pay to the work force is unacceptable. When the Labor Department issues a new rule, there is a comment period, generally three months. That should be enough time to deal with legitimate concerns, like how to help states whose Medicaid home care budgets are based on the previous pay practices. Home care aides should not have to wait any longer than that for the fair pay they have been denied for so long. It is great when a leading newspaper is on our side! Thanks NYT! The Direct Care Alliance is the main force behind changing the Fair Labor Standards Act to ensure that home care workers make at least minimum wage and are paid time and a half for overtime. When the DCA was in Washington, DC back in April, we were working to gain House support. "A month earlier, 37 House members sent a similar letter..." that was us, the DCA in DC, getting representative to sign on.

JOIN THE LARGEST HEALTH CARE MARCH IN MAINE HISTORY...

HEALTH

&

JUSTICE

july 18th - 1pm monument square – portland - maine

NOW IS THE TIME for HEALTH CARE REFORM!

For more info or for a ride contact:

HealthandJustice@gmail.com (207) 344-7540

Sponsored by:

Health Care for America Now! – SEIU Change that Works Maine People’s Alliance – AFSCME -- MSEA / SEIU 1989

The League of Young Voters

Join an Online Conversation About Women and Caregiving

Readers of the DCA’s blog and newsletter are invited to share their thoughts and experiences about women and caregiving on the Feminism2.0 website, which is hosting an extended online discussion of the topic this month. A Twitter conversation on the same topic is also open to anyone who has or wants to start a Twitter account. “We are looking for insights, comments, and expertise,” said a Feminism2.0 organizer in an email to the DCA. “We are looking for personal stories to illustrate the human experience of caregiving and to build a sense of solidarity among all caregivers.” Feminism 2.0 is partnering with the National Family Caregivers Association and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to host the online discussion, which seeks answers to questions like: What is caregiving in all its shapes and forms? What role does it play in women’s lives? What can be done, or what changes need to happen, to facilitate caregiving? Blog posts or links to posts on other blogs that are sent to info@fem2pt0.com by July 13 will be published as part of the discussion. To participate in a Women and Caregiving Twittercast on Monday night, July 13, at 10 PM EST, go to hashtag #fem2 (visit Feminism 2.0 to learn how to join a Twittercast.) Elise Nakhnikian Communications Director Direct Care Alliance From the DCA blog, posted because there may be some 771 caregivers interested in participating.

Testifying for Consumer Choice: A Direct Care Worker’s Perspective

My name is Ted Rippy. I am a direct care worker, a consumer advocate, and a union organizer for Local 771 MSEA-SEIU, a union for direct care workers here in Maine.

It is my pleasure to work with Helen Hanson. I met Helen through Local 771 – she’s the president and I’m the secretary. One of my favorite stories about Helen is what happened when I first met her. I asked her to keep me busy and the next thing I knew, I was on a jet plane to Chicago!

I’ve been working with Helen and other direct care workers on some of the bills before the Maine senate, legislature, and Department of Health and Human Services. I was at the meeting with Hannah Pingree about LD1059, the health care for health care workers bill. I also helped advocate for LD1364, the bill to increase hourly wages to $12 for home care workers. But what I’d like to share with you today is my testimony on behalf of a bill I advocated for along with Helen, other union members, members of AARP, and health care consumers.

I feel good about my testimony in support of LD 1078 because I just recently got started on this kind of activity, and because I felt like we were heard — the bill was signed into law by Governor Balducci on June 8 with just one small change.

LD 1078 gives consumers of log-term care control over the kind of care they receive. One of the best things about it was the presentation of the bill by Representative Matt Peterson, a healthy consumer himself, who rolled ito the state house in his wheelchair. As I told the committee in my testimony (PDF): “We need a system that is accessible and responsive to the needs of Maine people and can serve our citizens in the way they deserve. We also need a system that respects and rewards the work of direct care workers just like me and others here today for the skilled work and service we deliver.”

By the way, Helen recommended me for the second class of the Voices Institute’s National Leadership Program and I was accepted. I am very excited about what we ca do together. I can’t wait to make our next move!

Ted Rippy, direct care worker

This is 771's own Ted Rippy! Way to go Ted!!

This post originally appears on the Direct Care Alliance's website

ACTION ALERT

from Health Care for Health Care Workers

YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED

CALL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Congress is aiming to pass health reform legislation THIS MONTH, and we need to make sure what's passed works for direct-care workers.

So I'm asking you to do two things:

(1) Email your senators and representative right now, and tell them to support coverage that is good for America's 3 million direct-care workers. Find your legislators' contact information.

(2) Call your members of congress tomorrow, Wednesday, July 8, and be a part of the national call-in day organized by Health Care for America Now! Call 1-877-264-HCAN.

Tell them it's time that all direct-care workers in this country have coverage that is:

* Accessible to all individuals regardless of their family status, their employment status, or how many hours a week they work

* Adequate, with a full range of benefits and services to protect older workers, those with chronic health conditions, and injured workers

* Simple, easy to understand and enroll in; and

* Choice, offers consumers a choice of a private or public health insurance plan.

The more real people they hear from, the more we can fight the organized industry opposition that doesn't have the interests of working families at heart.

Thanks for all you do to support direct care workers. What's good for direct care workers will be good for America!

Call 1-877-264-HCAN on Wednesday, July 8!

State Parks & Historic Sites will Remain Open on Shutdown Days

State parks and historic sites will remain open and staffed on state government shutdown days, which were instituted as a cost-saving measure in the 2010-2011 biennial budget. An official from the Bureau of Parks and Lands emphazied that shutdown days would not have any impact on plans to go to beaches or to stay at campgrounds. Approximately 2.2 million people visit Maine's state parks and historic sites annually. The total economic impact on the economy from visitation to state parks is more than $95 million per year. In implementing shutdown days, the Governor's Office has approved an exemption for certain categories of state employees. State park employees and forest rangers are among those state employees exempted. The exemption for park staff only applies during the regular park season, which runs from May to October. Operational park staff will be taking shutdown days occurring in the off season, from November to April. For more information on Maine's state parks, historic sites, public lands, and trails, visit http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/index.pl. Using this site, you can search for a park by region, activity, and facility. Take a day, help support Maine's economy, visit one of Maine's many state parks. My favorite is Popham Beach. Enjoy summer while we have it by visiting one of Maine's state parks.

Maine's Agricultural Fairs available online

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources offers a site with information about two dozen agricultural fairs. With fair season fast approaching - the first is July 2 - now is a great time to find out more. The site offers descriptions, dates and contact information for fairs, as well as links to fairs' websites. You can search for fairs by location or by date. The service is available at http://www.getrealmaine.com/visit/maine_fairs.html email from Representative Cotta, House District 55, Albion, Benton, China, Unity Plantation

Podcast and Program about Maine's Direct Care Workers

The Maine Center for Economic Policy, the facilitator of the Direct Care Worker Coalition, had a broadcast on cable's community access channels about the work that was done last summer with the Bureau of Insurance and Insurance Superintendent Mila Kofman. The workgroup that Ms. Kofman convened looked into the different health insurance codes to see if any would work to insure Maine's direct care workforce. What came out of the workgroup was a bleak report on the status of the workforce and the difficulties facing this group when it comes to health insurance. Here's the podcast. When you use the link, MECEP's page comes up with "State of the State" at the top. Scroll down until you see Health Care for Health Care Workers. Click on the "Listen Now" button and let the podcast download to your computer and give it a listen. It is very good.

Bureau of Insurance Outreach Forums

Superintendent of Insurance Mila Kofman announced on Tuesday (6/30) that the Bureau of Insurance will conduct a Summer Consumer Outreach Program to help consumers with health insurance cases and to raise awareness about the Bureau's resources. In addition to encouraging consumers to visit the Bureau's offices at 122 Northern Avenue in Gardiner or the agency's website, www.maine.gov/insurance , Superintendent Kofman invites the public and media to join her and staff at events in Portland, Bangor, Presque Isle and Farmington. All sessions will take place from 5:00-7:00 p.m. They will include an overview of the Bureau's services and ample time for questions. Additionally, staff members will assist individual consumers with their specific cases. Dates and location are listed below. Thursday, July 9th, Portland: University of Southern Maine (USM) Abromson Community Education Center, Room 110 Monday, July 13th, Bangor: Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) Mathieu Auditorium, Schoodic Hall Wednesday, August 12th, Presque Isle: University of Maine (UMPI)Campus Center, Allagash Room Tuesday, August 18th, Farmington:University of Maine (UMF) North Dining Hall, Section C The Bureau of Insurance is part of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, which encourages sound ethical business practices through regulation of insurers, financial institutions, creditors, investment providers, and numerous professions and occupations for the purpose of protecting the citizens of Maine. Consumers can reach the Bureau through its web site at www.maine.gov/insurance , by calling 1-800-300-5000 in state, or by writing to:Bureau of Insurance34 State House StationAugusta, ME 04333

Local 771 June 20 Chapter Meeting MINUTES

LOCAL 771 CHAPTER MEETING 6/20/2009 MINUTES Attendance: Members: Helen Hanson, Joe Berry, Ted Rippy, Pat Crowell, Janet Lewis, Juanita Burtt, Roxann Gargac Local 771 Field Rep: CJ Betit Local 771 Organizers: Aymie Walshe, Jay Economy National Direct Care Partnership & Voices Institute Helen Hanson announced that MSEA’s Board of Directors had approved Local 771’s request to join the National Direct Care Partnership, as well as, approving $300 in scholarships to send members Ted Rippy and Doreen Strout to the Voices Institute for leadership training. This scholarship together with the $300 allocated from Local 771’s funds will cover all expenses as the Voices Institute covers all other expenses. Ted and Doreen will travel to Wisconsin to attend this training. Treasurer’s Report Pat Crowell reported Local 771 currently has $895.87 in it’s savings account and $566.95 in it’s checking account. Money for the Voices Institute is due on 7/31/09 and Helen Hanson will check with the Institute to determine if Local 771 and MSEA-SEIU need to combine their moneys into one check. Member Discussion Ted Rippy gave a report on the Direct Care Worker Alliance forum he attended in Chicago, and handed out material detailing the job skills and knowledge that are required in order to be a direct care worker. A primary message coming out of the focus groups at this forum was the need to develop and enhance the professional standards for DCW as a way to gain professional respect for the work done by direct care workers. Ted’s presentation led to a healthy discussion among members on the skills/knowledge/and training that direct care workers need to have in order to be competent workers. Helen Hanson announce that Joyce Gagnon, former Local 771 member, and the person who selected 771 as the Local Chapter’s name because that’s what Alpha One workers were being paid prior to the our becoming a union, has had to leave her job at Maine PASA due to illness. Members signed a card which will be sent to Joyce. Legislative Update Helen Hanson gave the following update: LD 1205, An Act to Establish a Health Care Bill of Rights, passed with revisions LD 1059, Resolve to Enhance Health Care for Direct Care Workers, was held over to the next session LD 1078, An Act to Strengthen Sustainable Long-term Supportive Services For Maine Citizens, passed with revisions, and was signed by Governor on 6/8/09 LD 1364, An Act to Stimulate the Economy by expanding Opportunities for Personal Assistance Workers, Wages Bill, held over to next session Bargaining Update Field Rep CJ Betit reported that MSEA-SEIU’s Director of Organizing Mike Sylvester has had prelimary discussions with Alpha One’s Jay Hardy and it is expected that negotiations for Alpha One’s next contract may begin within a month. Both Helen Hanson and Ted Rippy have expressed interest on being on the Bargaining Committee. CJ went on to give an update on Home Care for Maine’s bargaining process. Four bargaining sessions have been held and two more are scheduled for 6/24 and 6/29. The union has proposed: A training program/apprenticeship funded by the Dept of Labor that would expand training opportunities for DCW’s ; Moved to have language in the contract regarding health care so that once funding is allocated we can move forward quickly on implementation; Moved to have language regarding Paid Time Off in the contract so that again when funding is approved we can move forward on this issue; Moved to have a Maintenance of Benefits Clause added to the contact. The main issue remaining to be resolved is wages. MSEA-SEIU has proposed a raise of $0.90/hr and elimination of the stipends, a 4% raise on 1/1/2010, and a 4% raise on 1/1/2011. Home Care for Maine’s proposal is to eliminate the stipends and give DCW’s a 1% raise. Home Care for Maine has reported that they are struggling financially, and CJ Betit has requested MSEA-SEIU review the financial reports provided by Home Care for Maine so that we have a clear picture on this issue. Kennebec Valley Organization KVO’s Delegates Assembly will be held Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6-8PM at the First Congregational Church ( corner of Main St and Eustis Parkway) in Waterville. Helen Hanson plans to attend and welcomes any members interested to join her. Next Meeting September 19, 2009 , 10AM – Noon at MSEA Headquarters in Augusta. Coffee and refreshments will be provided.

Maine GOP State Legislator Supports Employee Free Choice

by Seth Michaels, Jul 3, 2009

Guess who’s joining the campaign for the Employee Free Choice Act in Maine?

It’s state Rep. Jim Campbell, a Republican who is defying the expectations of pundits and corporate shills by supporting workers’ freedom to form unions and bargain. He has appeared at public events around the state and written in local news outlets to show his support for the Employee Free Choice Act.

Here’s what Campbell says about the need to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and its importance to rebuilding the economy:

Common-sense solutions should be used to create good jobs that can support a family and put money back into our economy. Historically, no institution has been as effective at improving the quality of life for working families as membership in a union. Union members earn better wages, have better health care coverage and can count on a more secure retirement than nonunion workers.

While Campbell joins the grassroots campaign in Maine, union members and allies across the country have been busy during this week’s congressional recess.

from AFL-CIO Now Blog

California Home Care Workers Update

A U.S. District Court judge issued a preliminary injunction Thursday afternoon ordering the state of California to halt pay cuts of nearly 20 percent -- from $12.10 an hour down to $9.50 -- for the state's 400,000 home care workers.

This ruling is huge news for home care workers and those they care for, as it will temporarily stop the cuts that were to go into effect July 1st in those counties at risk.

There's a war being waged against home care, and Governor Schwarzenegger is leading the call. We can celebrate this initial victory, but the Governor will try to cut home care again -- and it's up to us to keep the pressure on. Now that a court has ruled against the Governor and his cuts, please ask him to reverse course on these short-sighted cuts.

Even if you or someone close to you is not affected by the CA Legislature's and Gov. Schwarzenegger's planned budget cuts, he needs to know how much support there is for the vital support home care workers provide to seniors and people with disabilities. The economy is already devastating California's families, and this isn't the time to be cutting necessary support systems or reducing the already-low pay of home care workers, whose income doesn't even amount to a living wage in most counties.

Please call the Governor now and tell him: "Home care not only saves money, it saves lives. We need a common sense budget that protects home care:" http://action.seiu.org/waronhomecare

Rock the boat,

Tim Tagaris

New Media Director, SEIU