WEBINAR: Protecting Health Equity While Reducing the National Debt. November 1, 2011. Listen. The economic crisis facing the nation poses one of the greatest threats to health equity and the social advancements so many have struggled to achieve over the decades. Congress has established a “super committee” of 12 to come up with a plan to reduce the national debt by an additional $1.5 trillion in “savings.” Deliberations are currently underway and the committee must present a draft of their plan in early November to the Congressional Budget Office and a final proposal to Congress before November 23rd. At risk are the Medicaid, Medicare, WIC, SNAP, Head Start and so many other programs vital to the economic safety net of low-income families across the country, particularly racial and ethnic minority communities. Learn about the impact on states and low-income families as well as what you can do to help ensure congress does not take a step backwards in the growing movement for health equity and the elimination of health disparities. PowerPoint Presentation.WEBINAR: Impact of the Debt Ceiling Vote on Health Equity. August 4, 2011. The nation faces a new financial crisis while Congress and the White House debate conditions for raising the debt ceiling by August 2nd. Sweeping cuts to safety net programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are on the table, while proposals for new revenue have been brushed aside. Whether Washington reaches an agreement or fails to act, seniors, the working poor and low-income families will bear the brunt of the solution. The question becomes: How deep is the financial fallout and how far will Congress cut programs to get to an agreement?
Listen as policy experts and NHEC members around the country in this debrief and consideration of next steps. You will hear from:
Adrienne Hallett – Legislative Staff to US Senate Appropriations Committee
Edwin Park – Vice President for Health Policy, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Brian D. Smedley, PhD – Vice President and Director, Health Policy Institute Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies