Filing Details
Type: ld2 • Year: 2025 Q3
Specific Issues
ACT TO PROTECT IMMIGRANTS IN DETENTION AND THEIR FAMILIES: NAC network was asked to contact their elected officials - urging them to uphold the dignity of all persons, especially immigrants, and to respond to the inhumane conditions and increasing rights violations in immigration detention facilities around the country. SEN. KAINES SIX RESOLUTIONS SEEKING INFORMATION ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES OF SIX COUNTRIES TO WHICH THE U.S. HAS REPORTEDLY DEPORTED IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE NO TIES TO THOSE COUNTRIES: Letter to Senate urging support for six 502B(c) resolutions, requiring the State Department to produce reports on Eswatini, South Sudan, Costa Rica, Panama, Rwanda, and Mexico, respectively. These are six countries to which the U.S. has expelled individuals, and to which those individuals have no ties. The resolutions seek information on the human rights practices of each country as well as the treatment of those the U.S. expelled (as used here, meaning forcibly sent to third countries without due process); steps the Administration is taking to comply with court orders to return certain individuals; and any analysis conducted before expelling immigrants to these countries. Upon Senate passage, if the State Department does not submit the reports within thirty days, U.S. security assistance to the countries would be automatically suspended. SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT TO HAITIAN FAITH LEADERS: Letter led by Haitian faith leaders in response to a recent threat made against clergy in Springfield, OH for standing in support of immigration. Invited to sign as a show of support and solidarity. Support letter was a response to vitriolic signage: If we do not get the Haitians off our roads in Springfield and elsewhere, someone is going to be seriously hurt and/or killed (again), and their blood will be on Carl Ruby and everyone else who supports him and his careless immigration stance! NAC contributed a quote to the Interfaith Immigration Coalition Press Release on the Presidential Determination for Refugees: Fran Eskin-Royer, Executive Director of the National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, said: One hundred thousand vetted refugees fleeing persecution and war are ready to become a part of America's tapestry and make their new communities great. The National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd calls on President Trump to admit at least these 100,000 refugees in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Americans are not afraid of people from other countries. We are stronger and better when we welcome them. Lets prove it and open our doors to refugees once more. Senator Shaheen Staff/Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) Meeting re Continued funding for the Refugee and Entrant Assistance Program, including Refugee Support Services and Transitional and Medical Services. Senator Merkley Staff - Senator for Good Shepherd Agency Rose Haven / IIC Meeting re: Continued funding for the Refugee and Entrant Assistance Program Outreach to all staffers at July 16 briefing to try to build relationships around human trafficking priorities (H.R. 1144, H.R. 1379, S. 1748), including Rep. Casten, Rep. Vindeman, Rep. Tonko, Rep. Deluzio, Rep. McClintock, Rep. Amo, Rep. Lieu, Rep Min, Rep. Schakowsky, Sen. Cortez Masto, House Education and Workforce Comm, Rep. Fedorchak, Rep. Swalwell, Sen. Tillis, Rep. Frankel, Rep. Tlaib, Rep. Onder, Rep. Pfluger, Rep. Gonzalez, Rep. Gottheimer, Rep. Panetta, and Sen. Kelly; RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHER FUNDING: The administration provided recommendations on discretionary funding levels for fiscal year (FY) 2026. Included in these recommendations was a proposal to combine several housing rental assistance programs into a State Rental Assistance Program block grant and significantly reduce the total amount allocated to this new block grant. NAC joined other organizations committed to ensuring that low-income families live in affordable, accessible, and decent quality housing to strongly recommend that the subcommittee reject both the structural recommendations, including block granting, to these housing programs and the proposed reductions in funding. If the Presidents Budget were to be implemented, it would include additional structural recommendations and cuts to assistance that would be detrimental to a functioning housing system. Letter to House and Senate Approps (Transportation, HUD) FUNDING FOR LABOR- HEALTH AND HUMANS SERVICES - EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS: The sign-on letter is to lead appropriators in Congress seeking an adequate share of funding for Labor-Health and Human Services-Education appropriations in FY 2026` The Labor-HHS-Education subcommittee covers funding for health care, research, and public health protections, substance use and mental health disorder prevention and treatment, job training, protections for workers, child care, Head Start, and other childrens services, assistance for seniors and people with disabilities, education from pre-k through college, help for immigrants, heating and cooling assistance, anti-poverty programs, and much more. Many of these programs have lost ground for years; the letter gives examples and calls for funding adequate to meet todays needs. HEALTHY START PROGRAM FUNDING: The letter to Congress supports funding the Healthy Start program at $145 million in Fiscal Year 2026. For more than three decades, Healthy Start has served as a lifeline for thousands of families, particularly in maternity care deserts, where access to prenatal and maternal care is severely limited or nonexistent. Established in 1991 with strong bipartisan support, Healthy Start is a critical tool in our nations fight against infant mortality and in improving maternal health. Healthy Start funding has been threatened over the last several appropriations cycles, but has continued to be successfully funded with bipartisan support. It is imperative to keep this program strong so that its 115 federally funded sites across the country can continue to offer a comprehensive array of services tailored to community needs and cultural values, including: Clinical care and case management Support from community-based doulas and health workers Health education, mental health screening and support Food and housing assistance Fatherhood initiatives Referrals for additional medical and social services HOUSING SHORTAGE AND BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS: Letter urges Congress to oppose any cuts to HUD, and to increase funding for affordable housing and homeless programs, expand investments for public housing, housing vouchers and a national Whole and Healthy Home Repair program. These essential resources for our families and communities can be effectively funded by ensuring that private equity and corporate landlords pay their fair share. FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS SUPPORTING VOTING ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: The letter opposes the elimination of funding for programs supporting voting access for people with disabilities. The Presidents FY26 budget proposal would eliminate all funding for the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Accessibility (PAVA) program. Eliminating this funding would directly impact over 40 million eligible voters with disabilities and would severely reduce the ability of states and localities to address barriers in the voting process. LABOR, HHS & EDUCATION FUNDING BILL RE: OVERDOSE PREVENTION AND ADDICTION SERVICES: Letter requesting Congress to protect and provide robust funding for overdose prevention and addiction services under SAMHSA and the CDC in the FY26 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations bill. Continued investment in overdose prevention and addiction services is essential to sustaining recent progress in reducing fatal overdoses, especially as our country continues to lose far too many lives to this crisis. Given that Medicaid is the largest payer for substance use disorder treatment nationwide-and in light of Congress recently authorizing nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid-other funding sources for overdose prevention and addiction services are more critical than ever. LABOR-HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES-EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS: The letter seeks an adequate share of funding for Labor-Health and Human Services-Education appropriations in FY 2026. The Labor-HHS-Education subcommittee covers funding for health care, research, and public health protections, substance use and mental health disorder prevention and treatment, job training, protections for workers, child care, and other childrens services, assistance for seniors and people with disabilities, education from pre-k through college, help for immigrants, heating and cooling assistance, anti-poverty programs, and much more. Many of these programs have lost ground for years; the letter gives examples and calls for funding adequate to meet todays needs. INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH IN FISCAL YEART 2025: The foundation of lifelong mental health is laid in the first years of life. The mental health of babies and their caregivers is also tied together-when parents do better, babies do better, and vice versa. Federal investment in maternal and infant and early childhood mental health is essential for family well-being and to prevent the need for more intensive - and often costlier - interventions later in life. Yet the President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 proposes the elimination of three small but mighty mental health initiatives: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Grants Project Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health (LAUNCH) Pregnant and Postpartum Women (PPW) Program (overview of program from the National Assoc. of State and Drug Agency Directors) This letter urges maintaining funding for these essential mental health initiatives in the FY26 appropriations bill. HOUSING FOR DV/SA SURVIVORS: Sign on letter addressing funding for housing for survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. For context, the House Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development appropriations bill cut funding for DV/SA housing at the Department of Housing and Urban Development The Senate bill has these cuts, and this letter would reinforce the importance of the Senate standing firm in support of housing for victims/survivors. The letter urges Congress to prioritize essential, life-saving funding for the housing needs of domestic and sexual violence survivors in the FY 26 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) bill and reject any proposals to cut this critical funding. NAC H.R. 1 PUBLIC STATEMENT issued in July on our disappointment and concern on the passage of H.R. 1, the Big Beautiful Bill, and its impact on those most vulnerable in the U.S. SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC): As Congress returns to Washington after Labor Day to hash out funding for fiscal year 2026, NAC joined with advocates to ensure that WIC is fully funded without any benefit cuts. The letter urges Congress to continue their 30-year bipartisan commitment to provide full funding to ensure that WIC can serve all eligible families. The recent Senate-passed Agriculture Appropriations bill continues that commitment and the House must now follow suit. PARTISAN RESCISSION IN 2026 SPENDING BILL: The letter petitions Senator Schumer and Senate leaders to block the use of partisan rescissions in the fiscal year 2026 spending bill. These rescissions threaten our communities access to public education, basic healthcare, clean water, safe food, fair housing and more. WAITING LISTS FOR SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAMS: Letter to Congress requesting $1.3 billion in FY26 funding to begin to address mounting wait lists for Meals on Wheels and Congregate meal services. This request matches bipartisan requests in Congress, after cuts in Fiscal Year 2024 funding to the OAA Nutrition Program-the first in over a decade- were followed by flat funding in FY25. Federal funding has not kept pace with growing need and rising costs as nearly 12,000 Americans turn 60 each day, the fastest rate in a century. Recent surveys of Meals on Wheels programs indicating 35% of programs currently have a wait list and many others intend to start one, with an average wait of four months and up to two years. Without a significant increase to current funding for FY 2026, millions of older adults will be left without the meals and companionship they urgently need. Act Today to Protect Healthcare for Over 22 million people: Advocacy network was invited to urge Congress to urge inclusion of the extension of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits in the FY26 budget. These EPTCs are critical to keeping healthcare affordable; up to 4 million are at risk of losing coverage entirely.; IMMUNIZATION POLICIES: A letter to the Senate about concerns about the actions by HHS Secretary RFK Jr. on global immunizations and the impact in the USA and abroad THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PREVENTION AND PROTECTION REAUTHORIZATION ACT (H. R. 1144 - domestic AND international focus). On the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (July 30), network asked to contact their representatives to urge them to co-sponsor, support and pass this seminal bill to prevent a horrific crime that strips people of their agency and very dignity, and to bring help and hope to survivors. MILITARY INTERVENTION IN LATIN AMERICA: The letter to Congress expresses deep concern over reports that President Trump has directed the Department of Defense to use military force against criminal organizations in Latin America, including news that U.S. air and naval forces are now deploying to the Southern Caribbean Sea. U.S. airstrikes and military raids in Latin America would put people at risk of violence and destabilize hemispheric relations while hindering, not helping, efforts to protect communities from drug trafficking and other crime. We urge Congress to use the full slate of its powers to prevent the administration from launching unlawful hostilities in Latin America without democratic debate or public accountability. Congress, not the president, has the constitutional role and responsibility to decide when, where, and against whom the nation uses force. Congress has not authorized the use of military force against criminal groups. INVITATION TO NETWORK TO CONTACT CONGRESS AT HOME DURING AUGUST RECESS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Opportunity for NAC network members to connect with their U.S. House Representatives on the key issue of human trafficking while Reps are back at home in during August break from DC. Explanation of The Frederick Douglass TVPRA bill (H.R. 1144) included as background information.; FAMILY ACT FOR THE 119TH CONGRESS: Letter to Congress in support of the Family Act. The FAMILY Act would create a national paid family and medical leave program to help ensure that people who work can take the time they need to address serious health and caregiving needs. It would help support working families economic security, promote racial and gender equity, create a more level playing field for businesses of all sizes and strengthen our economy. The FAMILY Act is the national paid family and medical leave plan voters want and our country needs. This year, the FAMILY Acts most significant change is that it will no longer be funded through a payroll tax - instead, it will be funded directly through general revenues, which allows members of Congress to deliberate around the best pay-for separately. In addition, there are more technical changes that update the definition of safe leave to be in line with best practices; switch from counting caregiving time from full days to hours; requiring relevant agencies to enter into data sharing agreements with SSA; allowing the fast-tracking of certain eligibility determinations to cut down on claims processing times; and adding an analysis of disparities in claims processing to the required GAO study. The letter calls on Congress to support the Family Act as revised.; PROTECT BABIES AND FAMILIES: The letter to HHS calls for policy and regulatory reform to be grounded in principles that support babies, toddlers and their families, not cut them down. This letter highlights many programs that could be harmed by blunt or rash regulatory reform and must be protected including Head Start and Early Head Start, Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant (Title V), Medicaid, TANF, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, and more. DISABILITY & AGING LETTER URGING REPEAL OF H.R.1 HEALTH PROVISIONS & PERMANENT EXTENSION OF EPTCS: Letter opposing the Medicaid cuts in HR1. Letter urges our Congressional leaders to pass the Protecting Healthcare and Lowering Costs Act of 2025 (S.2556/H.R. 4849) or similar legislation to repeal all of the Medicaid cuts in the recently-passed reconciliation bill and to extend the enhanced Premium Tax Credits for ACA health plans that would otherwise expire at the end of this year. HR1, the federal budget bill, included over $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, putting home and community-based services and health care for millions at risk. If Congress does not act to extend the Advanced Premium Tax Credits, insurance premiums will skyrocket for more than 20 million people across the country.; PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMITTED TO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) ON SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC). The National Advocacy of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd strongly opposes the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Plan as outlined in Secretary Memorandum SM 1078-015. We are concerned that this plan will lead to significant disruptions in the implementation of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). We urge you to immediately pause this plan in order to fully consider and take on board key stakeholder input to avoid negative impacts for the families who rely on WIC. (Comment submitted to Secretary Brooke Rollins U.S. Department of Agriculture); OPPOSING THE EXECUTIVE ORDER TARGETING THE UNHOUSED: The response expresses deep disappointment and concern regarding the recent Executive Order related to homelessness. NAC and coalition members believe that the approach outlined in the order will exacerbate the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals and families experiencing homelessness. ROAD TO HOUSING ACT OF 2025: Letter to Senate advocating for passage of the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 (S.2651) along with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Issued via Press Release and to the NAC Network, the NAC Response to Executive Order, Ending Crime and Disorder on Americas Streets (Featured input from Gracenter, Droste Mental Health Services (NY) and Vista Maria). Expressed concern about Executive Order's conflation of homelessness, drug use and mental illness. The EO's proposal to return to the use of forced commitment of the unhoused, its lack of appreciation for evidence practices that assist the unhoused, and its lack of attention to the need for affordable housing all were particular areas of concern. HOUSING ADVOCACY: Met with minority staff members of Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee re: Housing AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Letter to Senate Armed Services Committee Staff and Senate Leadership in support of the inclusion of Senate Amendment 3503 in the managers package of amendments to the NDAA. The proposed amendment would help increase access to affordable housing by expanding and preserving housing supply, reducing regulatory barriers, modernizing financing options, promoting economic mobility, and enhancing program oversight and coordination.; PROPOSAL TO CHANGE CURRENT PROCESS AT WAGE AND HOUR DIVSION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: The Wage and Hour Division at Department of Labor (DOL) is proposing to move a slew of interpretive guidance out of the Federal Register and into the Field Operations Handbook (FOH). There are many concerns around this proposal. Much of the FOH is not available to the public, it can be changed at any time without notice to the public, and this will deny stakeholders adequate access to important materials to help employers comply with the law and workers know if their rights were violated. The request is that DOL reconsider this action. FEDERAL WORKER UNION RIGHTS: Letter urges Representatives to discharge and pass HR 2550, the Protect Americas Workforce Act, without delay. This bipartisan bill rescinds Executive Order 14251, restores federal workers fundamental right to collectively bargain, and restores their union contracts. RESCINDING OF OVERTIME AND MINIMUM WAGE PROTECTIONS: The sign-on is an endorsement of a comment letter led by Rep. Jayapal opposing the Department of Labors proposal to rescind overtime and minimum wage protections for nearly 4 million home care workers employed by agencies. This dangerous rollback threatens the livelihoods of workers, risks destabilizing the entire care economy, and would harm more than 9 million older adults and people with disabilities who depend on home care workers to continue living in their communities. CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON GARMENT INDUSTRY IN ASIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES: Sign-on urging the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry to formally integrate protections against extreme heat into its mandate. It urges them to increase their commitment to improve the health and safety of garment workers by including occupational heat stress as the next formal safety pillar of the International Accord and related country-specific safety agreements. ENDORSEMENT OF CHILDREN DONT BELONG ON TOBACCO FARMS ACT: Endorsed bill. This simple bill, introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, would ban hazardous child labor involving tobacco plants, which emit nicotine, a known neurotoxin.; BILLIONAIRES INCOME TAX ACT OF 2025: The sign-on offers an alternative bill. Billionaires Income Tax proposed by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Representatives Donald Beyer (D-VA) and Steve Cohen (D-TN). The Billionaires Income Tax would take a huge leap forward in restoring fairness to our tax system while raising much needed revenue to invest in and grow the economy from the bottom up. It puts workers and families over billionaires. Expanding on an accounting method already used in the U.S. tax code, the Billionaires Income Tax would ensure the wealthiest people in the country finally pay their fair share, just like wage earners who pay out of every paycheck.; BRIEFING INVITATION: NAC Network was asked to invite their elected officials to attend a July 16 briefing promoting three human trafficking bills: the FD TVPRA (H.R. 2961), KOSA (S. 1748) and the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act (H.R. 1379). HT ADVOCACY: NAC Network was urged to contact legislators to support the following three bills as an adjunct to the work many GS representatives will be doing on Capitol Hill on July 16: oThe Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2961, Domestically Focused) oTrafficking survivors Relief Act (H.R. 1379) oKids Online Safety Act (S. 1748) EMAIL BLAST INVITATION TO CONGRESS: Blasted cogent staffers in the House and Senate, twice, inviting them to July 16 human trafficking briefing promoting H.R. 2961, H.R. 1379 and S. 1748. HT ADVOCACY MEETINGS: Human Trafficking Lobbying in lead up to and during July 16 briefing and advocacy day. Discussed H.R 1379, H.R. 2961, and S. 1748 with: Offices of Sen. Alsobrooks (MD), Sen. Blunt Rochester, (DE), Rep. Budzinski (IL-13), Sen. Coons (DE), Sen. Duckworth, (IL), Sen. Durbin (IL), Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08), Rep. Lynch (MA-08), Rep. McClain Delaney (MD-06), Sen. Schmitt (MO), Rep. Smith (NJ-04) HHS TIPS Office Staff Kevin Malone and Kat Chon BRIEFING / ADVOCACY DAY: Held July 15 to 17 Advocacy Gathering with AEHT, Uniting to Prevent Human Trafficking and Bring Hope to Survivors Bipartisan Honorary Co-Chairs Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ-04), Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL-27) oTwo spoke at the briefing - Smith and Landsman o32 advocates participated from fifteen (15) states, making House and Senate visits oAbout 2/3 of the participants had not participated in 2024 / were new. o44 outside participants: House Staffers (22); Senate Staffers (4); Interns (4); Allies (9); State Dept (2); USCCB (1); CCUSA (1); Media (1) Outreach to July 16 Honorary Co-chairs for quotes on HT legislation for ongoing use in advocacy with our network, etc. SEIZURE OF DC METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT: President Trumps seizure of the District of Columbias Metropolitan Police Dpt., accompanied by the deployment of National Guard troops and law enforcement from other states, is a dangerous escalation in his systematic dismantling of democratic governance and the rule of law. Sign on directed to MOCs. PROTECT HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM SERVICES: Sign-on letter urging Congress to protect victim services funding under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). On September 30, over 100 victim services grants from the DOJ Office for Victims of Crime will expire. Yet, new funding opportunities have not been released. Without immediate action, thousands of individuals-including trafficking survivors-will lose access to lifesaving services. For those who rely on this funding, the consequences are dire. Losing access to safe housing, counseling, legal support, or medical care can leave people without stability, increase their vulnerability to trafficking, and heighten the risk of re-exploitation. HT ADVOCACY MEETINGS: Meetings on follow-up Advocacy Day (Sept. 11). Done in concert with Alliance to End Human Trafficking Board and focused on Human Trafficking Legislation; primarily H.R. 1144, but also H.R. 1379; S. 1748. Fran, Meg and Brigid made in-person visits with the offices of: oSen. Thune (SD-R), with members of the Alliance staff and board; oSen. Peters (MI-D), Senator for Vista Maria; oSen. Blackburn (TN-R), Senator for DeNeuville; oSen. Cornyn (TX-R), Senator for some Central South Sisters; oRep. McBath (GA-06-D), Rep for GSS Atlanta; oSen. Warnock (GA-D), Sen for GSS Atlanta oSen. Kim (NJ-D), with Sr. Catherine Darcy, RSM, of Alliance Board; Sen. for Collier. oDROPS OFFS TO OTHER OFFICES; PROTECT NONPROFIT NONPARTISANSHIP: The Trump administration's filing in Texas about the Johnson Amendment and houses of worship (the Johnson Amendment clearly prohibits 501c3 organizations from endorsing or opposing partisan political candidates for public office). The letter responds to this development and requests the Trump administration "immediately end its attempt to ignore the Johnson Amendment, reaffirm clear limits on partisan politicking in houses of worship, ensure impartial enforcement across sectors, and protect civil society." Over 1,000 organizations with 501-c3 or c-4 status have signed on to the letter. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ) LANGUAGE ACCESS: The letter expresses concern for the DOJs new guidance to federal agencies implementing Executive Order 14224. EO 14224 revokes EO 13166, a longstanding mandate requiring federal agencies and recipients of federal funding to ensure meaningful access to services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). OPPOSING THREATS BY THE ADMINISTRATION AGAINST NONPROFITS & CHARITIES: Letter that condemns the murder of Charlie Kirk and all forms of political violence. It also makes clear that it is wrong to use such political violence as a pretext for weaponizing government to threaten nonprofit organizations and others. The vast powers of government should not be abused to limit our constitutional rights to free speech. FAITH LEADERS DENOUNCE ALL FORMS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND ATTACKS ON FREE SPEECH AND NONPROFIT INDEPENDENCE SIGN ON" A sign-on statement condemning all political violence and all attacks on free speech; particularly important given the new Presidential Memorandum on countering domestic terrorism and organized political violence.; PUBLIC STATEMENT ON EL SALVADOR: Statement from faith organizations worldwide in support of the people of El Salvador and their church institutions as they resist the return of metal mining- a move which poses an extreme threat to human rights and the environment. NOTE: The Province Leader of Central America offered her gratitude for our signing the document. SOLICITED SIGNATURES FOR NAC 2009 ENDANGERMENT FINDING GROUP COMMENT: Invited advocacy network members to sign onto NAC Comment imploring the Environmental Protection Agency NOT to rescind its landmark 2009 Endangerment Finding and NOT to roll back pollution standards. The stakes to public health and the environment are too high. (Submitted with 78 Signatures); PROTECT THE U.S. PREVENTATIVE SERVICES TASK FORCE (USPSTF): The sign-on expresses deep concern for the future of the USPSTF and urges HHS Sec. Kennedy to maintain its current structure, membership and processes to ensure that this objective, scientifically independent panel of experts can continue to make unbiased evidence-based recommendations about clinical preventative services that improved the lives of people across the nation. The recommendations help primary care providers know which preventive services to recommend for their patients and directly influences which preventive services health plans make available to Americans without cost sharing. Their work is foundational to a health care system that values prevention, equity, and affordability. However, widespread news reports indicate that HHS Secretary Kennedy is considering replacing the current USPSTF members en masse, without transparent and evidence-based justification. PRO-CONSUMER REFORMS TO LOWER HEALTH CARE COSTS: The sign-on urges Congress to act without delay upon return in September to pass common sense well-vetted policy solutions that would address the healthcare affordability crisis. These pro-consumer reforms include the following: 1) Enact a comprehensive same service, same price policy to stop big hospital corporations from charging more for the same routine care, and shifting patients to higher-cost care settings, saving an estimated $157 billion over ten years. 2) Strengthen hospital and health plan price transparency by requiring all hospitals and health plans to disclose their negotiated rates in dollars and cents with no exception. 3) End dishonest hospital billing to ensure that big hospital corporations are not overcharging in outpatient settings, saving an estimated $403 million over ten years. 4) Prohibit anti-competitive contracting, including between providers and insurers that limits patients' access to alternative sources of health care, which is estimated to save $3.2 billion over ten years. 5) Require greater transparency around the role of private equity and corporate ownership in health care to ensure all Americans, including those in rural communities, have access to the health care they need at a price they can afford. HEATH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS) PUBLIC BENEFITS NOTICE: The sign-on letter for a broad comment opposing a notice from HHS to rescind the 1998 interpretation of federal public benefit in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act; the reinterpretation would result in limiting access based on immigration status. It speaks out against an attack on the health and wellbeing of immigrant families and urges HHS to suspend implementation of this guidance and return to the guidance that has been in effect since 1998. GLOBAL ACCESS TO LONG-ACTING LENACAPAVIR: The sign-on supports Lenacapavir use globally. It is the most powerful HIV prevention tool ever developed-offering six months of protection from a single injection-but its potential will be wasted without immediate and far-reaching access. The letter urges Gilead to expand and announce detailed plans for broadly registering long-acting Lenacapavir in low- and middle-income countries.
Government Entities
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, President of the U.S., SENATE, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Registered Lobbyists (1)
FRANCES ESKIN-ROYER
IDs
Filing UUID: 7d7a9bb3-78ef-4769-9ef2-7a8bdd5027c2
Registrant ID: 77993
Client ID: 170171