Five tips to avoid Haiti relief scams
The aftermath of natural disasters often bring out the
scammers and con artists. Here are five tips to avoid Haiti
relief scams and make sure your donations make a difference.
Within 24 hours of the Haitian earthquake, scammers were at
work trying to profit from the disaster. The scams ranged
from e-mails asking donors for help to phone calls soliciting
funds to phony relief websites harvesting credit card numbers.
Whenever there is a natural disaster, there are two things
you can count on, says Art Taylor, president of the Better
Business Bureau's (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, a nonprofit
consumer group. "The first is the generosity of Americans
to donate time and money to help victims, and the second is
the appearance of poorly run, and in some cases fraudulent,
charities," he says in a statement on the group's Website.
More than 400 Internet addresses related to Haiti have
been registered since Monday's devastating quake, Internet
security expert Joel Esler told ABC News. Some of those
websites may be legitimate, but many others are fraudulent.
"Not only do Americans need to be concerned about avoiding
fraud, they also need to make sure their money goes to
competent relief organizations that are equipped and
experienced to handle the unique challenges of providing
assistance," Taylor says.
Here are five tips, culled from information from the
Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Better Business
Bureau, to ensure your donation reaches its destination:
* Stick to well-known, reputable charities. The American
Institute of Philanthropy recently published their list
of top Haiti relief organizations, and Charity Navigator
evaluates charities with a four-star rating system. The
BBB also accredits charities based on fund-raising
practices and how the charities spend the funds.
* Be cautious when donating online. Scammers can put up
a website and open a PayPal account overnight, so be wary
of donating on sites you don't recognize. Also remember
that most nonprofit groups' Websites end in .org rather
than .com. Don't respond to unsolicited e-mails, and
don't click links or open attachments from people you
don't know since they may contain
computer viruses.
* Donate to organizations, not individuals. Be skeptical
of individuals who approach you - in person, on phone,
or via e-mail - asking for money. Some may pose as an
official or represent a charity.
* Check the charity out. Find out if it has on-the-ground
presence in Haiti, and ask how your funds will be used.
If a charity doesn't already have staff in Haiti, it may
find it difficult or take a long time to
provide immediate assistance.
* Give money, not food, clothing, or equipment. Although
well intentioned,donations of food and clothing are
inefficient ways to help victims quickly, when transportation
and distribution are taken into account. Give money and
let the experts determine how best to use it.
Finally, if you think you've been scammed, you can file
a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center
(if the scam was online) or with the National Fraud
Information Center if the scam was over the phone or online.
Find all the URL,web addresses and more information on Scam Reports and Performance Reviews
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Donate to Hospital Albert Schweitzer and Get 1 Year of Outstanding Investments
Whiskey & Gunpowder
By Addison Wiggin
January 17, 2010
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
Haiti: An Urgent Appeal
Dear Reader,
"The Haiti earthquake could not have been worse,” according to our Byron King — who has a close friend in the middle of it all.
“A shallow fault zone gave way, almost directly below Port au Prince. The full force of the shock — at least 7.0 magnitude — transmitted directly into the foundations of a city that lacks even the rudiments of good building practices.”
At last word, up to 50,000 people may be dead… and another 300,000 homeless.
The UN hasn’t even calculated the number of injured, but the need is undoubtedly immense… and the quake destroyed many of the nation’s hospitals within seconds.
That means the burden on the few remaining is overwhelming — including the Hospital Albert Schweitzer (HAS).
“HAS,” says Byron, “was founded in 1954 as a joint project of the Mellon family in Pittsburgh and the legendary humanitarian Albert Schweitzer.” Byron’s friend Ian Rawson is manager at HAS. He writes:
“We are far from the epicenter, but overnight [Wednesday into Thursday] we began to see more patients from areas outside of the valley, where two and three-story buildings are more common.”
“The influx of patients is straining our resources, but has been handled calmly and efficiently by the all-Haitian medical and nursing staff. All available gurneys and benches are in use, our trauma protocol triage system has been implemented, and there is a steady flow of patients to the diagnostic center and the operating suite.”
“The lack of communications has been a large psychological problem. All of our professional staff have families in Port au Prince, and all cell systems have collapsed, so people wait anxiously for news of relatives.”
“Haiti has a long history of natural disasters; floods, mudslides, hurricanes, and more. Each one reinforces our awareness of the limitations of the formal infrastructure and the resilience of the informal system of family and community support.”
Byron adds this: “Note the comment about ‘trauma protocol triage system.’ That means, they're picking and choosing who gets treatment and lives, versus who does not get treatment and dies.”
So that gives you a picture of how urgent the situation is.
Usually you turn to us for investment ideas — helping you sort through a bewildering array of choices.
Likewise, maybe you’ve wanted to donate to the relief effort in Haiti, but you have no idea which organization is worthy of your dollars: After all, many of them waste huge amounts of money on overhead. You want to donate to folks who will put your dollars to work actually helping people.
Byron assures us, “I can vouch for the dedication of the staff, and their effective use of resources” at HAS.
"If you are looking for a good cause that can help relieve the suffering in Haiti, there is none more worthy than Hospital Albert Schweitzer.”
Here’s a link to the HAS homepage, where you can donate.
It’s this simple: The need is immense. The time is limited. And these are the people doing the most good in a horrific situation.
Sincerely,
Addison Wiggin
Executive Publisher, Agora Financial
P.S.: If you need a little kick in the rear to get moving on this, I’ll make you a proposition: Email us confirmation of your donation, here at customerservice@agorafinancial.com, and we’ll credit you a year’s worth of Byron’s Outstanding Investments.
But do it now. Every little bit will help, and the sooner the better.
By Addison Wiggin
January 17, 2010
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
Haiti: An Urgent Appeal
Dear Reader,
"The Haiti earthquake could not have been worse,” according to our Byron King — who has a close friend in the middle of it all.
“A shallow fault zone gave way, almost directly below Port au Prince. The full force of the shock — at least 7.0 magnitude — transmitted directly into the foundations of a city that lacks even the rudiments of good building practices.”
At last word, up to 50,000 people may be dead… and another 300,000 homeless.
The UN hasn’t even calculated the number of injured, but the need is undoubtedly immense… and the quake destroyed many of the nation’s hospitals within seconds.
That means the burden on the few remaining is overwhelming — including the Hospital Albert Schweitzer (HAS).
“HAS,” says Byron, “was founded in 1954 as a joint project of the Mellon family in Pittsburgh and the legendary humanitarian Albert Schweitzer.” Byron’s friend Ian Rawson is manager at HAS. He writes:
“We are far from the epicenter, but overnight [Wednesday into Thursday] we began to see more patients from areas outside of the valley, where two and three-story buildings are more common.”
“The influx of patients is straining our resources, but has been handled calmly and efficiently by the all-Haitian medical and nursing staff. All available gurneys and benches are in use, our trauma protocol triage system has been implemented, and there is a steady flow of patients to the diagnostic center and the operating suite.”
“The lack of communications has been a large psychological problem. All of our professional staff have families in Port au Prince, and all cell systems have collapsed, so people wait anxiously for news of relatives.”
“Haiti has a long history of natural disasters; floods, mudslides, hurricanes, and more. Each one reinforces our awareness of the limitations of the formal infrastructure and the resilience of the informal system of family and community support.”
Byron adds this: “Note the comment about ‘trauma protocol triage system.’ That means, they're picking and choosing who gets treatment and lives, versus who does not get treatment and dies.”
So that gives you a picture of how urgent the situation is.
Usually you turn to us for investment ideas — helping you sort through a bewildering array of choices.
Likewise, maybe you’ve wanted to donate to the relief effort in Haiti, but you have no idea which organization is worthy of your dollars: After all, many of them waste huge amounts of money on overhead. You want to donate to folks who will put your dollars to work actually helping people.
Byron assures us, “I can vouch for the dedication of the staff, and their effective use of resources” at HAS.
"If you are looking for a good cause that can help relieve the suffering in Haiti, there is none more worthy than Hospital Albert Schweitzer.”
Here’s a link to the HAS homepage, where you can donate.
It’s this simple: The need is immense. The time is limited. And these are the people doing the most good in a horrific situation.
Sincerely,
Addison Wiggin
Executive Publisher, Agora Financial
P.S.: If you need a little kick in the rear to get moving on this, I’ll make you a proposition: Email us confirmation of your donation, here at customerservice@agorafinancial.com, and we’ll credit you a year’s worth of Byron’s Outstanding Investments.
But do it now. Every little bit will help, and the sooner the better.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Haiti needs our help
The earthquake in Haiti has been catastrophic. More than three million people have been affected, and estimates are that over 50,000 have died. The human suffering is unimaginable.
That's why I'd like to pause from our usual conversation and ask for your help.
How to Help Haiti- An International Red Cross spokesman warned that up to 3 million people may have been affected by Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with 85% of Haitians already living in desperate poverty. Now, with hospitals in ruin, dire shortages of even basic necessities like fresh water, and no way to find out whether family members are alive, the Haitian people urgently need our help.
A number of organizations are already engaged in critical relief efforts, and I urge you to support as many of them as you can. One of them, Oxfam America, has an emergency response team of more than 200 people already on the ground. The need for clean water and critical public health services is massive and immediate -- and our donations can help save lives.
Make a donation to Oxfam's earthquake relief effort in Haiti.
Or, for a list of other organizations to donate to and ways to make a difference, see See
White House List of Haiti Donation Organizations
There are moments when we, as human beings, must come together as a global community and as stewards of each others' health and welfare. It is that sense of interconnectedness that brought each of us to the climate movement, and it is moments like this that bring out the best in us -- as individuals, as a nation, and as a movement.
Make a donation to Oxfam's earthquake relief effort in Haiti.
Let's make sure the people of Haiti do not face this disaster alone. Thank you for taking action in the face of this tragedy.
Al Gore
Chairman
Alliance for Climate Protection
That's why I'd like to pause from our usual conversation and ask for your help.
How to Help Haiti- An International Red Cross spokesman warned that up to 3 million people may have been affected by Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with 85% of Haitians already living in desperate poverty. Now, with hospitals in ruin, dire shortages of even basic necessities like fresh water, and no way to find out whether family members are alive, the Haitian people urgently need our help.
A number of organizations are already engaged in critical relief efforts, and I urge you to support as many of them as you can. One of them, Oxfam America, has an emergency response team of more than 200 people already on the ground. The need for clean water and critical public health services is massive and immediate -- and our donations can help save lives.
Make a donation to Oxfam's earthquake relief effort in Haiti.
Or, for a list of other organizations to donate to and ways to make a difference, see See
White House List of Haiti Donation Organizations
There are moments when we, as human beings, must come together as a global community and as stewards of each others' health and welfare. It is that sense of interconnectedness that brought each of us to the climate movement, and it is moments like this that bring out the best in us -- as individuals, as a nation, and as a movement.
Make a donation to Oxfam's earthquake relief effort in Haiti.
Let's make sure the people of Haiti do not face this disaster alone. Thank you for taking action in the face of this tragedy.
Al Gore
Chairman
Alliance for Climate Protection
Save Lives In Haiti -- Give Now
The pictures and stories coming out of Port-au-Prince, Haiti are truly heart wrenching. Fortunately, CARE is on the ground in Haiti, and they are in a position to help. CARE needs your support however. Please read the message below and give generously.
CARE - EMERGENCY ALERT
Donate to CARE's relief efforts in Haiti -- Donate Now
Dear Friend,
You've seen the misery and devastation following this week's 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti. As many as 100,000 are feared dead and thousands more have been left homeless -- their lives destroyed.
You can help the survivors by making a tax-deductible donation to CARE now.
As you probably know, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because when they're equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to help their entire family and communities escape poverty.
During times of natural disasters, like this week's earthquake in Haiti, CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors. In all our work, we focus on women, because they have the greatest leverage for change in their communities and their societies. Haiti is already one of the poorest countries in the world, and this earthquake will make things even worse for impoverished men, women and children there.
Please help us rush lifesaving aid to Haiti by making a gift to CARE now.
Donate to CARE's relief efforts in Haiti -- Donate Now
Thank you for your generosity at this critical time.
Sincerely,
Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH
President and CEO, CARE
CARE - EMERGENCY ALERT
Donate to CARE's relief efforts in Haiti -- Donate NowDear Friend,
You've seen the misery and devastation following this week's 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti. As many as 100,000 are feared dead and thousands more have been left homeless -- their lives destroyed.
You can help the survivors by making a tax-deductible donation to CARE now.
As you probably know, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because when they're equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to help their entire family and communities escape poverty.
During times of natural disasters, like this week's earthquake in Haiti, CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors. In all our work, we focus on women, because they have the greatest leverage for change in their communities and their societies. Haiti is already one of the poorest countries in the world, and this earthquake will make things even worse for impoverished men, women and children there.
Please help us rush lifesaving aid to Haiti by making a gift to CARE now.
Donate to CARE's relief efforts in Haiti -- Donate Now
Thank you for your generosity at this critical time.
Sincerely,
Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH
President and CEO, CARE
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and her allies are attacking the Clean Air Act
It's an outrage. 2010 should start in a way that reflects our movement's amazing accomplishments from last year -- moving the ball forward to passage of comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation. Instead, our elected leaders are proposing policies that would set us back decades and let the worst polluters completely off the hook.
Despite the chorus of alarm bells sounding the need to address the climate crisis and stop polluting the air our families breathe and the water we drink, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and her allies are attacking the Clean Air Act -- for the second time in six months.
And it gets worse. Last night, news broke that the original version of the amendment was literally drafted with lobbyists for the oil and coal industry.*
We can't let this attack succeed. Write your Senators right now and tell them to vote NO on Senator Murkowski's proposal.
Take Action
We defeated this same effort once already, just six months ago -- but the fossil fuel lobby is at it again. The amendment would strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to regulate most carbon pollution, letting the worst polluters completely off the hook.
Efforts like this are designed to do one thing and one thing only -- slow our transition to a clean energy economy that will create millions of new jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and solve the climate crisis.
Help flood your Senators with messages to vote NO on this attack on the Clean Air Act.
The very last thing we should do in the fight to end the climate crisis is throw away tools that we already know are effective at reducing pollution. But that's exactly what Senator Murkowski's proposal does.
For decades, the Clean Air Act has kept millions of tons of pollutants out of our air and water. Senator Murkowski's proposal would create an Alaska-sized loophole in the Clean Air Act, giving a pass to the biggest carbon polluters.
Email your Senators now and tell them to vote NO on Senator Murkowski's amendment --
and protect our air, water and climate!
In 2010, our movement to solve the climate crisis will face its biggest test yet -- passing comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation. But if Senator Murkowski's amendment passes, some in Congress will use it as an excuse to keep stalling -- and the long overdue promise of progress toward a 21st century clean energy economy will be lost.
You helped stop this toxic amendment once before. Together, we can and must stop it again.
Thank you,
Al Gore
DONATE Write your Senators right now and tell them to vote NO on Senator Murkowski's proposal.
__________
* "Murkowski and her lobbyist allies," The Washington Post, January 11, 2010
http://views.washingtonpost.com/climate-change/post-carbon/2010/01/murkowski_and_her_lobbyist_allies.html
Despite the chorus of alarm bells sounding the need to address the climate crisis and stop polluting the air our families breathe and the water we drink, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and her allies are attacking the Clean Air Act -- for the second time in six months.
And it gets worse. Last night, news broke that the original version of the amendment was literally drafted with lobbyists for the oil and coal industry.*
We can't let this attack succeed. Write your Senators right now and tell them to vote NO on Senator Murkowski's proposal.
Take Action
We defeated this same effort once already, just six months ago -- but the fossil fuel lobby is at it again. The amendment would strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to regulate most carbon pollution, letting the worst polluters completely off the hook.
Efforts like this are designed to do one thing and one thing only -- slow our transition to a clean energy economy that will create millions of new jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and solve the climate crisis.
Help flood your Senators with messages to vote NO on this attack on the Clean Air Act.
The very last thing we should do in the fight to end the climate crisis is throw away tools that we already know are effective at reducing pollution. But that's exactly what Senator Murkowski's proposal does.
For decades, the Clean Air Act has kept millions of tons of pollutants out of our air and water. Senator Murkowski's proposal would create an Alaska-sized loophole in the Clean Air Act, giving a pass to the biggest carbon polluters.
Email your Senators now and tell them to vote NO on Senator Murkowski's amendment --
and protect our air, water and climate!
In 2010, our movement to solve the climate crisis will face its biggest test yet -- passing comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation. But if Senator Murkowski's amendment passes, some in Congress will use it as an excuse to keep stalling -- and the long overdue promise of progress toward a 21st century clean energy economy will be lost.
You helped stop this toxic amendment once before. Together, we can and must stop it again.
Thank you,
Al Gore
DONATE Write your Senators right now and tell them to vote NO on Senator Murkowski's proposal.
__________
* "Murkowski and her lobbyist allies," The Washington Post, January 11, 2010
http://views.washingtonpost.com/climate-change/post-carbon/2010/01/murkowski_and_her_lobbyist_allies.html
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Changing Role of the Nation-State
Whiskey & Gunpowder By Byron King
January 8, 2010 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Looking at the bigger picture, the U.S. has its troubles. But the U.S. also has many unique economic, cultural and historical strengths — if the national leadership can keep its eye on the ball. Thing is, we’re in for some tough innings.
The world is experiencing what some commentators call “the rise of the rest.” Growth in China, India, Brazil and smaller actors is creating a world where many other countries are moving up to America’s level of economic clout and self-assertion. No other one nation can challenge the U.S. at every level. But many nations can, and do, challenge the U.S. at one level or another.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
A key development is that the very role of nation-states is becoming less defined. Non-state actors are wielding more and more clout. Examples include Al Qaeda in terms of a military and terrorist challenge, displaying the sharp edge of militant Islam. Or there are the Mexican narco-gangs that are engaged in a quiet civil war within Mexico.
On the more benign side, there are non-government organizations (NGOs) such as those that are driving much of the world environmental movement. Indeed, near 25,000 NGO representatives were registered at the recent Copenhagen climate summit talks.
In a recent book entitled Superclass, author David Rothkopf argues that the influence of nation-states is waning on many of the most critical issues of our time. Rothkopf argues that the traditional systems for addressing global issues among nation-states are more ineffective than ever. Thus there’s an emerging power void.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
This power void is being filled by a small group of players, which Rothkopf refers to as “the superclass” — a new global elite who are much better suited to operating on the global stage and influencing global outcomes than the vast majority of national political leaders.
It makes for a two edged sword. Some of these new elite are from business and finance, and are subject to traditional forms of influence and suasion, not to mention the rule of law. “Some,” writes Rothkopf, “are masters of new or traditional media, some are religious leaders, and a few are top officials of those governments that do have the ability to project their influence globally.”
Others of the superclass, according to Rothkopf, are members of “a kind of shadow elite — criminals and terrorists.”
In both leadership and accountability, there’s quite a difference between what we’re dealing with in the developed world versus the developing world.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
Nation-states in the developing world are having an increasingly hard time fulfilling the expectations of their citizens. Thus more and more, and the international system is undergoing an almost lawless evolution.
We see examples in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where small fiefdoms and powerful warlords rule much of the day. Or we see it in the broken system of governance in Nigeria, where armed rebels are wreaking havoc on oil production. Or close to home, we have to wonder how things will play out down in Mexico.
This crisis of instability and lack of control is compounded by the absence of a global strategy to combat the asymmetric threats that the U.S. and other major players face. It’s going to make for many more interesting developments — and investment opportunities — as we turn the page on the calendar and enter the new year.
Until we meet again,
Byron W. King
P.S.: Increasing instability around the world is just about certain at this point, but that’s just going to mean good things for investments in oil and gold.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
In 2009 I banged the drum hard on oil, particularly offshore oil producers and deep-water plays, including subsea equipment. Those sectors have done well. In fact, one of my subsea equipment builders is up over 80%.
To learn more, just click here.
January 8, 2010 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Looking at the bigger picture, the U.S. has its troubles. But the U.S. also has many unique economic, cultural and historical strengths — if the national leadership can keep its eye on the ball. Thing is, we’re in for some tough innings.
The world is experiencing what some commentators call “the rise of the rest.” Growth in China, India, Brazil and smaller actors is creating a world where many other countries are moving up to America’s level of economic clout and self-assertion. No other one nation can challenge the U.S. at every level. But many nations can, and do, challenge the U.S. at one level or another.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
A key development is that the very role of nation-states is becoming less defined. Non-state actors are wielding more and more clout. Examples include Al Qaeda in terms of a military and terrorist challenge, displaying the sharp edge of militant Islam. Or there are the Mexican narco-gangs that are engaged in a quiet civil war within Mexico.
On the more benign side, there are non-government organizations (NGOs) such as those that are driving much of the world environmental movement. Indeed, near 25,000 NGO representatives were registered at the recent Copenhagen climate summit talks.
In a recent book entitled Superclass, author David Rothkopf argues that the influence of nation-states is waning on many of the most critical issues of our time. Rothkopf argues that the traditional systems for addressing global issues among nation-states are more ineffective than ever. Thus there’s an emerging power void.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
This power void is being filled by a small group of players, which Rothkopf refers to as “the superclass” — a new global elite who are much better suited to operating on the global stage and influencing global outcomes than the vast majority of national political leaders.
It makes for a two edged sword. Some of these new elite are from business and finance, and are subject to traditional forms of influence and suasion, not to mention the rule of law. “Some,” writes Rothkopf, “are masters of new or traditional media, some are religious leaders, and a few are top officials of those governments that do have the ability to project their influence globally.”
Others of the superclass, according to Rothkopf, are members of “a kind of shadow elite — criminals and terrorists.”
In both leadership and accountability, there’s quite a difference between what we’re dealing with in the developed world versus the developing world.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
Nation-states in the developing world are having an increasingly hard time fulfilling the expectations of their citizens. Thus more and more, and the international system is undergoing an almost lawless evolution.
We see examples in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where small fiefdoms and powerful warlords rule much of the day. Or we see it in the broken system of governance in Nigeria, where armed rebels are wreaking havoc on oil production. Or close to home, we have to wonder how things will play out down in Mexico.
This crisis of instability and lack of control is compounded by the absence of a global strategy to combat the asymmetric threats that the U.S. and other major players face. It’s going to make for many more interesting developments — and investment opportunities — as we turn the page on the calendar and enter the new year.
Until we meet again,
Byron W. King
P.S.: Increasing instability around the world is just about certain at this point, but that’s just going to mean good things for investments in oil and gold.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
In 2009 I banged the drum hard on oil, particularly offshore oil producers and deep-water plays, including subsea equipment. Those sectors have done well. In fact, one of my subsea equipment builders is up over 80%.
To learn more, just click here.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Health Care Bill - Make Sure the Insurance Companies Don't Write It !
Dear MoveOn member,
News about health care reform quieted down over the holidays, but this week may actually be the most crucial in the entire health care fight.
Right now, House and Senate leaders are negotiating the final bill behind the scenes—making major choices about the public option, affordability, and other issues between the strong House legislation and the watered-down Senate bill.1
And with a group of conservatives pushing for the weaker Senate bill,2 House Democrats need to know we're counting on them to fight for five key fixes in the final bill: ensure it will give Americans the choice of a public option, make insurance affordable, protect women's health care, finance health care fairly, and keep Big Insurance honest.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
Can you call Representative Ed Markey at 202-225-2836 right away and let him know you're counting on him to fight for these crucial fixes to the final health care bill? Click the link below to call and let us know how it went:
Yes, I can call my Congressman/CongressWoman .
Sorry, I can't call right now
In most ways, the House bill is far stronger than the Senate bill. It would cover 36 million Americans, create a national public option, make health care more affordable for the lowest income families, and keep Big Insurance honest with stronger regulations. But the pressure from conservatives is intense, so it's crucial that Congress hears from voters like you about the key flaws that must be fixed in the final package.
Here are a few things that you could tell Rep. Markey you want fixed in the final bill:
* Give Americans the choice of a public option. Congress should model the final bill after the House version, which contains a national public option—the key to real competition, greater choice, and lower costs.3
* Make insurance affordable. Both bills require most Americans to have insurance. But even with subsidies, some people could pay up to 20% of their income on health care. The final bill must ensure families aren't required to spend more than they can afford.4 "People should not be penalized if they do not choose to
buy health insurance. This should not be a dictatorship." quote by William Stewart
* Protect women's health care. Both bills impose dangerous new restrictions on women's reproductive health care. While the House version is worse, neither provision can be in the final bill.5
* Finance health care fairly. The Senate would pay for part of reform by taxing the benefits packages of some working Americans. The House, on the other hand, pays for reform with a small surcharge on the wealthiest Americans—a far better approach.6
* Hold insurance companies to the same anti-trust laws as other companies. Right now, insurance companies are exempt from laws designed to prevent monopolies and price-gouging. The House bill would fix this, and so should the final bill.7
Can you call Rep. Markey today? Call 202-225-2836, and click the link below to let us know how it went:
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
Yes, I'll call right now: http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FHMA_07&cp_id=1219&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=5
Sorry, I can't call: http://pol.moveon.org/fax/oneoffs/index_1219.html?tg=FHMA_07&cp_id=1219&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=6
Thanks for all you do.
–Kat, Michael, Eli, Joan, and the rest of the team
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
Sources:
1. "Talks to Merge Health Care Bills Begin Behind the Scenes," Roll Call, December 28, 2009
http://www.rollcall.com/news/41911-1.html
"First thoughts: Back to work," MSNBC, January 4, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85938&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=7
"EXCLUSIVE: Dems 'Almost Certain' to Bypass Conference," The New Republic, January 3, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85939&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=8
2. "Ben Nelson's A Yes! Reform Edges Closer To Reality," The Plum Line, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85912&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=9
3. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Public Plan," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85859&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=10
"The House Bill and the Senate Bill," The Now! Blog, December 21, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85861&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=11
"Why We Need a Public Health-Care Plan," The Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124580516633344953.html
"Why a public health insurance option is key to saving costs," Economic Policy Institute, June 25, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85866&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=12
4. "Assessment of Affordability Provisions in the Exchange in House (H.R. 3962) and Senate (H.R. 3590) Health Reform Bills," Health Care for America Now
http://hcfan.3cdn.net/46590729111c307ccc_lom6b3a6r.pdf
"Finishing Reform Right: Fixing affordability before the President signs a health care bill," The Now! Blog, December 22, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85867&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=13
"Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Individual Mandate," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85860&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=14
5. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Abortion," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85862&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=15
6. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Paying for the Proposals," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85863&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=16
7. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Insurance Regulations," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85736&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=17
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here. PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION . Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
News about health care reform quieted down over the holidays, but this week may actually be the most crucial in the entire health care fight.
Right now, House and Senate leaders are negotiating the final bill behind the scenes—making major choices about the public option, affordability, and other issues between the strong House legislation and the watered-down Senate bill.1
And with a group of conservatives pushing for the weaker Senate bill,2 House Democrats need to know we're counting on them to fight for five key fixes in the final bill: ensure it will give Americans the choice of a public option, make insurance affordable, protect women's health care, finance health care fairly, and keep Big Insurance honest.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
Can you call Representative Ed Markey at 202-225-2836 right away and let him know you're counting on him to fight for these crucial fixes to the final health care bill? Click the link below to call and let us know how it went:
Yes, I can call my Congressman/CongressWoman .
Sorry, I can't call right now
In most ways, the House bill is far stronger than the Senate bill. It would cover 36 million Americans, create a national public option, make health care more affordable for the lowest income families, and keep Big Insurance honest with stronger regulations. But the pressure from conservatives is intense, so it's crucial that Congress hears from voters like you about the key flaws that must be fixed in the final package.
Here are a few things that you could tell Rep. Markey you want fixed in the final bill:
* Give Americans the choice of a public option. Congress should model the final bill after the House version, which contains a national public option—the key to real competition, greater choice, and lower costs.3
* Make insurance affordable. Both bills require most Americans to have insurance. But even with subsidies, some people could pay up to 20% of their income on health care. The final bill must ensure families aren't required to spend more than they can afford.4 "People should not be penalized if they do not choose to
buy health insurance. This should not be a dictatorship." quote by William Stewart
* Protect women's health care. Both bills impose dangerous new restrictions on women's reproductive health care. While the House version is worse, neither provision can be in the final bill.5
* Finance health care fairly. The Senate would pay for part of reform by taxing the benefits packages of some working Americans. The House, on the other hand, pays for reform with a small surcharge on the wealthiest Americans—a far better approach.6
* Hold insurance companies to the same anti-trust laws as other companies. Right now, insurance companies are exempt from laws designed to prevent monopolies and price-gouging. The House bill would fix this, and so should the final bill.7
Can you call Rep. Markey today? Call 202-225-2836, and click the link below to let us know how it went:
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
Yes, I'll call right now: http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FHMA_07&cp_id=1219&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=5
Sorry, I can't call: http://pol.moveon.org/fax/oneoffs/index_1219.html?tg=FHMA_07&cp_id=1219&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=6
Thanks for all you do.
–Kat, Michael, Eli, Joan, and the rest of the team
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
Sources:
1. "Talks to Merge Health Care Bills Begin Behind the Scenes," Roll Call, December 28, 2009
http://www.rollcall.com/news/41911-1.html
"First thoughts: Back to work," MSNBC, January 4, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85938&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=7
"EXCLUSIVE: Dems 'Almost Certain' to Bypass Conference," The New Republic, January 3, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85939&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=8
2. "Ben Nelson's A Yes! Reform Edges Closer To Reality," The Plum Line, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85912&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=9
3. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Public Plan," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85859&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=10
"The House Bill and the Senate Bill," The Now! Blog, December 21, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85861&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=11
"Why We Need a Public Health-Care Plan," The Wall Street Journal, June 24, 2009
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124580516633344953.html
"Why a public health insurance option is key to saving costs," Economic Policy Institute, June 25, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85866&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=12
4. "Assessment of Affordability Provisions in the Exchange in House (H.R. 3962) and Senate (H.R. 3590) Health Reform Bills," Health Care for America Now
http://hcfan.3cdn.net/46590729111c307ccc_lom6b3a6r.pdf
"Finishing Reform Right: Fixing affordability before the President signs a health care bill," The Now! Blog, December 22, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85867&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=13
"Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Individual Mandate," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85860&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=14
5. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Abortion," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85862&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=15
6. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Paying for the Proposals," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85863&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=16
7. "Comparing the House and the Senate Health Care Proposals: Insurance Regulations," The New York Times, December 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85736&id=18480-15018975-LqoIEpx&t=17
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here. PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION . Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
American Public Policy and Government Accountability
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