The Better Care Reconciliation Act is WORSE

After months of trying to formulate a healthcare plan, Senator Mitch McConnell re-introduced a disastrous new version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act last week. The legislation fails us in so many ways: It strips millions of Americans of healthcare; creates a two-tiered system with astronomically high insurance premiums and deductibles for people with pre-existing conditions; and eliminates all of the protections Obamacare provides. It is unconscionable that members of the Senate could vote to kick children, the disabled, and the elderly in nursing homes off of Medicaid with no viable, affordable alternatives.

Even America's Health Insurance Plans, the healthcare industry’s main trade group, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association spoke out against this craven legislation, telling the Chicago Tribune on Saturday, "It is unworkable in any form and would undermine protections for those with significant medical conditions, increase premiums and could lead to widespread loss of coverage for people currently enrolled in the individual market."

We cannot go back to the days where women were charged more for healthcare solely based on their gender, nor the days when insurance plans didn’t include coverage for even the most basic care. As the wealthiest nation in the world, we must ensure that affordable, quality health care is a right of all of our citizens and not a privilege for the wealthy.

The vote on this bill may be temporarily delayed, but as in any good horror story, it’s only sleeping – not dead. We must not give up or relax until this bill has been buried! It is imperative that we keep up the pressure and call on the undecided Senators Heller (NV), Murkowski (AK), Lee (UT), Capito (WV), and Portman (OH)  to vote NO.

 

JWI Awarded Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT
Meredith Jacobs, VP Communications
direct: 202.464.4803// cell: 301.529.8591

Funds will bring programs to N.Y.-area universities to change the culture on campus

Washington, D.C. – Jewish Women International (JWI), the leading Jewish organization working to end violence against women and girls, has been awarded a two year, $80,000.00 grant from the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York (JWFNY) to educate and engage students in social change to end sexual assault. This funding is the second grant from the foundation supporting JWI’s Change the Culture initiative and specifically funds expansion to New York-area universities (including Orthodox colleges) and creation of New York-specific materials.

JWI works directly with students from Greek-life, Hillel, and the at-large student body for peer-led training, discussion groups and public awareness campaigns as well as Jewish-themed programming. The organization has been recognized for its expertise in bringing healthy relationship programs to both university and Orthodox Jewish communities.

“This partnership with the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York will allow us to foster conversations and create meaningful programs with New York-area college students to make a real difference in their everyday lives while changing the culture on their campuses,” said JWI CEO Lori Weinstein. “We know that campuses are experiencing record numbers of incidences of sexual assault and unsafe dating practices. But by educating students and giving them tools to become active bystanders, supportive allies, and advocates for change, we will create that positive change that will make our campuses safe for all students to learn and grow.”

“We were impressed by the difference JWI is already making on campuses with both healthy relationship and financial literacy workshops,” said Stephanie Blumenkranz, assistant director of JWFNY. “Our Foundation is focused on providing women with the opportunity to make real change in their lives and in the lives of other women. We are thrilled that we will be continuing our relationship with JWI and empowering students to address one of the most critical issues for their generation.”

“We are honored that the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York has entrusted us to oversee this expansion in New York,” Weinstein said. “We are deeply appreciative for the foundation’s long-term support, beginning years ago with the seed-funding they gave us to create our financial literacy program, Life$avings® for Teens. We look forward to continuing our partnership using effective programming that will in turn influence the greater community.”

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Jewish Women International (JWI) is the leading Jewish organization working to end violence against women and girls domestically and internationally. JWI is a Steering Committee member of the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women and convenes the Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Clergy Task Force to End Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community, and is a member of the Gun Violence Table. JWI’s advocacy efforts focus on the passage of legislation that supports women and girls, ensures their economic security, and protects their right to live free of violence.  

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