Date: Wed, 01 Jun 94 12:18:11 EDT From: RAKNGLTF@aol.com National Gay and Lesbian Task Force ACTIVIST ALERT SPECIAL ISSUE HEALTH CARE REFORM CALL-IN DAY JUNE 28, 1994 WHAT IS CALL-IN DAY? June is a crucial month in the health care reform debate. Many reform bills will be moving through various Congressional committees, changing with each amendment and compromise. Bills that are being spoken of one day can be significantly altered by the end of the week. Gay, lesbian and bisexual constituents must weigh in with their Congresspeople during this key time period, advancing specific principles that can be used to judge any of the competing plans. To concentrate the lobby efforts of the gay, lesbian and bisexual community, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) has designated Tuesday, June 28, 1994 as National Health Care Reform Call-In Day. WHY DO WE NEED CALL-IN DAY? The gay, lesbian and bisexual community desperately needs health care reform for reasons similar to most Americans who find the current system inadequate. Additionally, our community faces several specific problems under the current health care system: a high rate of uninsured individuals; lack of coverage for our families; and anti-gay/lesbian prejudice. UNINSURED INDIVIDUALS Surveys show that at least 17 percent of Americans under age 65 are uninsured. In a recent survey in San Francisco, 36 percent of lesbian/bisexual women reported they are uninsured. AIDS Action Council reports that of people with AIDS, 30 percent are uninsured, 40 percent are on Medicaid, and 30 percent have private insurance. And because many insurance companies avoid coverage for pre-existing conditions, many people with AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses are "job-locked" for fear of losing coverage. The health consequences of being uninsured can be devastating. The uninsured are more likely to postpone or go without needed care, and when they do seek care, they are likely to be in worse health. LACK OF "FAMILY COVERAGE" Lesbian and gay couples, unless employed where domestic partners are extended health coverage, have an added barrier to accessing health care. If one individual is unemployed, self-employed, or employed where health care is not a benefit, he or she is unable to join his or her partners' health plan, unlike heterosexual couples. Additionally, a national survey of gay and lesbian couples showed that at least 21 percent of lesbian couples and nine percent of gay male couples have children, which means the inability to obtain health insurance through a partner could also impact on the children in those families. Our families are not recognized under most health plans in the current health system. ANTI-GAY/LESBIAN PREJUDICE Due to the extremely high rate of anti-gay bias among health providers, lesbians, gay men and bisexuals are restricted to those providers who are "safe." A recent study by the American Association of Physicians for Human Rights found that 67 percent of the gay, lesbian and bisexual physicians in the survey reported knowing gay patients who had received substandard care or been denied care because of their sexual orientation. Meanwhile, 59 percent reported they themselves suffered discrimination, harassment or ostracism from within the medical profession because of their sexual orientation. In a study of physicians in a county medical society, 30 percent of those surveyed would not admit a highly qualified gay or lesbian applicant to medical school, 40 percent said they are sometimes or often uncomfortable providing care to gay or lesbian patients, and 20 percent would cease referrals to any colleague if they discovered the colleague was gay or lesbian. Clearly, gay, lesbian and bisexual health care consumers and providers need a health system without discriminatory obstacles to receiving adequate care or practicing their profession. CRITERIA FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM In assessing all health care reform plans, NGLTF encourages activists to use the following five criteria: Universal coverage, providing health care to all those residing in the U.S. Comprehensive benefits, offering a broad package of treatments, including non-Western and alternative therapies. No restrictions for pre-existing conditions. Non-discrimination language, barring discrimination based on sexual orientation. Permanence, ensuring that coverage cannot and will not be taken away. NGLTF will assess all proposals for health care reform by these principles. WHAT IS CONGRESS DOING? Congress is currently marking up and amending a variety of health care reform bills. Bills are being amended and altered on a daily basis, making it impossible at this point to give definitive support to any of the current proposals. Because health reform bills are in flux, it is best to focus on reform criteria as our community assesses the various proposals. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Be a part of a national grassroots voice and effort to assure affordable/comprehensive health care that should never be taken away. 1. Call the NGLTF Health Care Reform Hotline at (202) 332-6483 ext. 3410, to get up-to-date information on health reform bills as they are amended. Also ask for a Call-In Day kit, including flyers and stickers, to distribute in your area. 2. Call your Representative and Senators on June 28, 1994. Make the following request: "I want a reform measure that will assure comprehensive, affordable health care for all that cannot be taken away." If you have an opportunity to discuss the health reform in more depth, advocate for the five criteria previously listed: universal coverage; comprehensive benefits; no restrictions on pre-existing conditions; language barring discrimination based on sexual orientation; and permanence. 3. Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to get the names and numbers of your Representative and Senators. 4. If you belong to any organizations, encourage the group to participate in the National Health Care Reform Call-In Day. NGLTF IS MOVING. OUR NEW ADDRESS, AS OF JUNE 13, 1994: 2320 17th St., NW Washington, DC 20009 Phones and fax remain the same: (202) 332-6483 phone (202) 332-0207 fax (202) 332-6219 tty