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CCHCC E-Mail Newsletter – September 2010
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1. Campaign & Program Updates
2. Health Action Network
3. Ask an Advocate
4. Upcoming Meetings & Events
5. Support CCHCC
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Dear Friends,
Welcome! Thank you for reading the Champaign County Health Care Consumers
(CCHCC) September E-mail Newsletter.
Our Campaigns and Programs are heating up, and we have a lot of great events coming up. Please read below for more information.
1. CAMPAIGN & PROGRAM UPDATES
— Health Care Access Task Force:
Mark your calendars! The Health Care Access Task Force will be holding 3 workshops on health reform implementation this fall. The workshops will be on the first Wednesday of the months of October, November and December:
– Workshop 1: Health Insurance Regulations and Changes, on Wed., October 6 at 6 p.m. at the Champaign Public Library;
– Workshop 2: Medicare and Part D Open Enrollment, on Wed., November 3 at 10 a.m. at the Champaign Public Library;
– Workshop 3: Local Programs and Resources for Affordable Health Care, on Wed., December 1 at 6 p.m., location t.b.a.
These workshops will help community members get more detailed information on different aspects of health reform, including insurance regulations, Medicare, and local resources & programs. Keep an eye out for more information in coming weeks!
— 5th & Hill Neighborhood Rights Campaign:
The 5th & Hill Neighborhood Rights Campaign meets twice a month with residents to address concerns around the clean up of the Ameren-owned, toxic waste site at the corner of 5th and Hill Streets in Champaign. Members of the Campaign recently met with City of Champaign Staff and Greg Dunn of the ILEPA to address concerns residents have had over a lack of oversight from the ILEPA and the ongoing clean-up effort.
The IL EPA has agreed to review data from Ameren’s test results more closely to determine whether more testing of soil and groundwater in the neighborhood is needed, given that Ameren has not yet clearly established a boundary of “clean” or negative test results. The Campaign believes that the full extent of the contamination has not yet been found.
The Campaign also is looking forward to a City of Champaign Study Session (date TBD) where the City of Champaign will re-examine the use of a city ordinance that allows Ameren to leave large amounts of contaminated groundwater in the neighborhood. Visit our website for more updates on the 5th & Hill Campaign and how you can help:
http://www.HealthCareconsumers.org/index.php?action=Display-Page&id=781
— Medicare Task Force:
The Medicare Task Force is meeting with Sen. Dick Durbin today to discuss concerns about Medicare and Medicare Part D, and Social Security. The Task Force wants Sen. Durbin to work to create a Medicare buy-in for younger people, eliminate the 2-year Medicare waiting period for people with disabilities, allow the government to negotiate for lower drug prices under Medicare Part D, and work to protect Social Security and prevent the effort to raise the Soc. Sec. retirement age. Sen. Durbin serves on the Deficit Commission that is considering changes to Soc. Sec. as a way of addressing our nation’s budget deficit (more information below, and you can take action!).
Get involved with the Medicare Task Force today! Sign up for the mailing list on our website:
http://www.HealthCareconsumers.org/index.php?action=Display-Page&id=447
2. HEALTH ACTION NETWORK – TAKE ACTION TODAY!
With a soaring budget deficit, the Congressional Deficit Commission is working on opportunities to reduce our nation’s debt. One avenue Congress is considering is cutting Social Security benefits or raising the retirement age, despite the fact that Social Security does not contribute to the national debt, as it is not funded through the general treasury. We mustremind Congress of the importance of Social Security and demand the protection of Social Security!
Contact your Congressional Representatives today and urge them to oppose any bill to reduce our social safety net programs: Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Cuts to these programs are simply not an option!
To locate your Congressional Representatives, visit the website below and enter your zip code: http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/index.htm
Thank you for taking action!
3. ASK AN ADVOCATE
Question: Are there any updates on the Carle Clinic/Carle Hospital merger?
Answer: Now that Carle Hospital and Carle Clinic merger are complete, there are new payment policies in place and increased access to medical services for many residents of Champaign County. Please check out CCHCC’s easy to read handout on the Carle merger and how our Consumer Health Hotline can help you.
http://www.HealthCareconsumers.org/index.php?action=Display-Page&id=783
Call the Consumer Health Hotline with any other questions at (217) 352-6533.
4. UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
— Attend the next Health Care Access Task Force meeting on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church (Green and Goodwin in Urbana). The Health Care Access Task Force meets each month to work on health care access in our community. We’d love to see you there!
Call us at(217) 352-6533 with questions or to RSVP.
— Interested in working for a better prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries? Then join the Medicare Task Force on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church (210 W. Church in Champaign). Call Anne at (217) 352-6533 for more information.
5. SUPPORT CCHCC!
Join CCHCC on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at Noodles & Co. for a Community Fundraising Day! Participating in the Community Day is a fun way to support CCHCC and have a great meal at Noodles & Co. Simply enjoy a meal at Noodles & Co., and a percentage of your meal will go to CCHCC at no extra cost to you!
Noodles & Co.
Date: September 14, 2010
Time: 4:00pm to 9:00pm
Address: 528 East Green St. – Champaign, IL
Flyer:
http://www.HealthCareconsumers.org/https://www.healthcareconsumers.org/files/Noodles-Flyer-9-14-10.pdf
Notes: Flyer not required – simply show up and enjoy!
** Support CCHCC on Facebook! **
— Join our group today!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2202365547
— And become a Fan!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Champaign-County-Health-Care-Consumers/6574363
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Champaign County Health Care Consumers
44 E. Main Street Suite 208
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 352-6533
Fax: (217) 352-9745
E-mail: cchcc@HealthCareconsumers.org
Web: www.HealthCareconsumers.org
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Support health care justice – donate to CCHCC today! Visit our website to make a tax-deductible contribution today.
http://www.HealthCareconsumers.org/index.php?action=Donation