Blog Posts - California Church IMPACT

The Affordable Care Act survives for now. Your voice mattered in this!

7/18/2017

Dear Friends:

The U.S. Senate has failed to "repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Three GOP Senators plus every Democrat and Independent refused to vote for a poorly crafted bill that would cost tens of millions their insurance and raise premium costs on everyone else.

The straw vote for "repeal and don't replace" is equally doomed by the same votes. Were ACA - Obamacare - simply repealed, it would throw 32 million off health care immediately and would double the cost of premiums over the next several years.

Your calls, emails, FAXes, and visits to your Senators - even friendly ones who already agreed not to harm ACA - were critical in this action today. Americans, united in a single voice about the importance of health care, kept the focus on preserving what we had and not doing harm by repealing some or all of the plan.

Now we can see, as we did in the passage of ACA, that we have strength as citizens and as people of faith.

We will keep watching the next issue - the federal budget - to keep up on cuts to ACA, to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) or any other budget cuts, transfers, omissions that might impact our health care. This will include cuts to items that lie outside the operating budget including Medicare and Social Security that have their own accounts but that are targets for cuts nonetheless.

The importance of your advocacy cannot be overstated. Without your voices and your presence, we would be at high risk of losing health care for middle income to very poor people. We won this dispute. We will help you stay on top of new developments. This is not over. We will be called once again we're sure.

Thank you for all you do for justice!

Separation of Church and State at immediate risk - Preserve the Johnson Amendment today!

7/12/2017

Dear Friends:

We hope you were able to join us on the Webinar jointly sponsored by California Council of Churches and California Association of Nonprofits.

The preservation of the "Johnson Amendment" passed in 1954 to preserve both church and state, holds that churches may not endorse partisan candidates. This is a great good for faith communities keeping them immune from the political fray and upholding their tax exempt status.

However, there are forces at large that want pastors to endorse from the pulpit. But think how corrupt that will be. Donors can enrich the church and get a tax deduction, all just for the pastor to endorse a particular candidate. And what if some in the congregation want someone else? They would have no say. The entire congregation could be held hostage to whoever has the greatest donation that would influence endorsements.

TOMORROW July 13 House Appropriations is reviewing Section 116 of the Budget to slide revocation of the Johnson Amendment into law.

We must OPPOSE Section 116 as the start of a slippery slope to creating a nightmare of partisanship within our congregations and in all non-profit organizations.

Our allies at California Nonprofits are making it easy for you to express your opposition. Information on the issue and on Section 116 is on their web site with a place for you to sign on to express your opposition. The California members of the Appropriations Committee are also listed with their Washington DC phone numbers.

Here is the link: http://calnonprofits.org/publications/article-archive/539-urgent-action-needed-on-johnson-amendment

Of course you may also call your specific House member via the Capitol Swiotchboard, 202-224-3121.

The vote in Appropriations is at 7 am Eastern Time tomorrow, so please call today! Keeping church and state separate has benefitted both church and state - this is not the time to change our laws that undermine that critical Constitutional principles.

Thank you!

Reminder: Free webinar on separation of church and state tomorrow, July 12. Join us!

7/11/2017

Dear Friends:

We are sending a reminder about a very important webinar you may want to do with us tomorrow, July 12 at 10 am Pacific Time.

One crucial and under-scrutinized component of President Trump's tax reform package concerns the Johnson Amendment, which guarantees that nonprofits — including churches and religious organizations — cannot endorse candidates for election.

This law, named after then-Senator Lyndon Johnson and signed by President Eisenhower, protects nonprofits from being pressured by donors to support particular candidates in any election. (Nonprofits can take positions on propositions, but not on candidates.)

On Wednesday, July 12th at 10AM (PDT), CalNonprofits and the California Council of Churches will be presenting a fast-paced webinar to educate church and nonprofit members, staff, and board members about who supports and who opposes repeal of the Johnson Amendment, and what the arguments are on each side.

We’re pleased that the National Council of Nonprofits — which is tracking the issue closely in Washington — will be on hand to explain the specifics of the Johnson Amendment and give an up-to-the-minute status report.

Key topics:
• What is the Johnson Amendment and why is it so important to the nonprofit community?
• What are the various groups supporting and opposing repeal, and what are their reasons?
• What are the projections for whether repeal will succeed?
• What steps are nonprofits, religious organizations and foundations taking?

Speakers:
Nancy Berlin, Policy Director, CalNonprofits
Rev.Dr. Rick Schlosser, Executive Director, The California Council of Churches
David L. Thompson, Vice President of Public Policy, National Council of Nonprofits
Tiffany L. Gourley, State Policy Counsel, National Council of Nonprofits

To register for this important webinar as either a Cal Nonprofit member or non-member, please click here

We hope you will join us for the important and timely look at an issue critical to us all.

Thank you!

Senate plans to Fast Track dreadful HOUSE bill on health care! Raise your voice TODAY!

6/7/2017

Dear Friends,

We just learned that Senate leadership intends to invoke the "Rule 14" process of fast tracking the House version of health care decimation with the Senate. This would allow a simple majority to pass the bill we have discussed before that will eliminate health care coverage for over 50 million people, 23 on the Affordable Care Act, and another 27 who get employer coverage or find it totally unaffordable.

Using a simple majority means it could pass. We heard yesterday that there are 43 votes in support. It is critical that we raise our voices now to prevent the dangerous 50-vote margin with Vice President Pence casting the tie breaker.

Please raise your voices NOW in opposition to this cowardly maneuver.

To contact your Senators please go to:

http://www.churchimpact.org/take-action.html

If you prefer to call, use the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your senators,

Or text 50409 - start the message with "Resist" then create a text message you may send to your senators. The prompts will tell you what to do.

Let your senators know that AHCA is a dreadful bill, that passing it in a sneaky way is despicable. The Senate has had no hearings, heard none of those in opposition, entertained nothing from the more moderate members. It is unacceptable that this is happening.

Stand up for quality health care in America. Stop fast track on AHCA today!

Thank you!

Stop Utility Shut Offs! Don't leave our elders and infirm without utilities! Support SB 598!

5/16/2017

Dear Friends:

As many of you know, we have been long-time partners with The Utility Reform Network (TURN) that advocates for people over utility company profits.

We join with TURN now to support Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) whose bill, SB 598, will reduce shut offs for our elders and those with life-threatening conditions requiring the use of supportive machines. Shut offs have skyrocketed among struggling households, no matter the life circumstances of the people involved.

Over 2 million Californians were affected in 2015—most of whom are children. Currently, shutoffs for non-payment can be used as a debt collection strategy by utility companies even if a member of the household is dependent upon life-support equipment at home. These disconnects lead to worsening medical conditions, threats to safety, housing displacement and homelessness, not to mention undue stress among those affected.

SB 598 will prohibit shutoffs for residents with life-threatening medical conditions, providing increased protections to the most medically vulnerable families. This bill also require the CPUC to adopt rules to reduce shutoffs by 50% by 2021; moving California closer to universal utility service for all by requiring the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop policies, rules, or regulations to reduce gas and electric service disconnects for nonpayment by residential customers and adopt shutoffs as a metric in order to measure utility service reliability, public safety and affordability.

SB 598 has passed the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee UNANIMOUSLY. However, there will be opposition ahead. Now is the time for us to be heard. It will come to the Senate floor on or about May 30.

Please start contacting your Senators today and asking them to support SB 598. It will:

Prohibit shut offs for residents with life-threatening medical conditions
Requires the CA Public Utilities Commission to create uniform rules for all utilities with respect to reducing shut offs by 50% by 2021
Measures the impact of utility rate increases on the escalation of shut offs as more and more people with medical necessity cannot keep up with payments.

This is a basic, good sense bill. To assure your legislators in Sacramento agree, please speak out now to remind them that a critical part of a functional state is how we care for those who are in greatest trouble. This is where our voice as people of faith becomes powerful.

To access your state senators in the Capitol or in your local district, please go to: http://www.churchimpact.org/take-action.html

Please speak out for those at risk of losing their heat, light, power source over a short-sighted tactic to collect debt. Bills can and should be paid, but utilities have the alternative of creating repayment plans and strategies for those in need and with dangerous medical conditions. No one from children to our elders should be treated as deadbeats when they are struggling with the care for their family members. SB 598 will move us toward a more rational and compassionate strategy for the good of all.

Thank you!

Facing a Grave Constitutional Crisis? What You Can Do

5/10/2017

Dear Friends:

Yesterday's firing of the FBI Director, James Comey, has led to what is now a grave Constitutional crisis. Comey was the key figure investigating whether American citizens, including key federal office holders and staff, colluded with a foreign government to corrupt our 2016 presidential election.

Firing the man in charge of the investigation is a most dangerous step toward totalitarianism and certainly to a cover up. Our system requires unfettered access to information by our duly elected representatives. Anything that thwarts this action is anti-democratic and a threat to the survival of truth and the operation of a functioning Republic.

While Congress continues its own work, we now must have an absolutely neutral outside force continuing the inquiry.

Please call or contact the Department of Justice and contribute your voice to the call for an independent investigation.

Contact information is here

You may make a written comment on this site or call the DoJ main public comment number 202-353-1555 Tell Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein that you want him to appoint and independent investigation of the issues and people involved in the ongoing inquiry to Russian tampering with our election.

We never thought this would be an issue for us again. After the lessons of Watergate 1972-1974, we thought our nation and beloved democracy was safe from craven personal manipulation, from exploitation and abrogation of due process. We at Church IMPACT are charged with examining public policy, but we did not excpect to have to mobilize all of you to defend the basic principles of open and honest government, especially not at the federal level. But we cannot stay silent in the face of such a threat to our system of justice and right.

Please pass this on to your friends, allies, family - anyone who thinks we must speak out on the basic principles of democratic justice. Please encourage them to sign up with us to stay abreast of developments and actions they can take. We face a real crisis in our government, and it will take all of us working together to make sure we pass safely through these rough seas.

They may sign up at http://www.churchimpact.org/take-action.html

Thank you. May Peace and Justice prevail for us and our nation.

Health Care Vote occurred - House killed ACA. Now, onto the Senate

5/4/2017

Dear Friends,

By TWO votes, the House just killed essential aspects of the Affordable Care Act. They don't know what it will cost, whom it will harm, what the implications are, but by golly they got a "win".

This is the first step toward killing the Affordable Care Act. We now must prevent the second. This bill must pass both houses before it can be signed into law. Let's stop it in its tracks now!

The goal of killing ACA is to "save" billions that would be spent on health care for Americans and divert it into tax cuts for the wealthy. This is not a laudable plan. This betrays working families, those whose members have serious and costly conditions, women who are being deprived of maternal care, and families whose children have autism or any other chronic condition. We cannot let this happen.

It is now time to address your Senators.

No matter who they are or how much they may agree with us on the importance of preserving ACA, please keep talking to them. They need to tell their colleagues that you have spoken, that hundreds of thousands to millions have made clear that ACA is worth saving and that we, the people, are watching.

Please continue your calls to 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senators. It will take two calls, one to each, but it is well worth the time and effort.

Alternatively, you may contact them via text by setting up an alert daily to contact the at 50409. Just type "Resist" into your text to get started. There will be prompts on where to go from there. If you don't want to respond to the daily alert to post a new message, just deleted the alert.

You may also go to their offices in DC or the district via our site http://www.churchimpact.org/take-action.htm

Please start urging your Senators to vote NO on the alternative health care bill. It's irresponsible, fiscally unsound, and morally reprehensible.

It imposes an 'age tax' by letting older people be charged FIVE TIMES what younger people are charged.
It removes all guarantees for coverage of pre-existing conditions
It gives states the right to remove the 10 essential benefits as rights with no additional charge
It makes being female a pre-existing condition as well as domestic violence, a C-section, sexual assault. These experiences can be grounds for denying health care coverage at all.
It allows states to remove the 10 essential benefits from employer -sponsored plans.

This isn't health care coverage. It's back to the past of frightening insecurity where affordable coverage may be ripped from us at any moment simply for using that coverage at all.

Please start writing, calling, texting today. We have a good chance of stopping this travesty. We must have your voice to do it.

Thank you!

Health care threatened again - RAISE YOUR VOICE to protect our care!

4/27/2017

Dear Friends,

The House of Representatives is raising yet another vote to end the Affordable Care Act. This time the proposal is even worse.

There is a provision to permit states to end all protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Not only would premiums soar out of sight, you would go back to being denied coverage at all.

Caps and annual limits could also be imposed. People with long-term or chronic problems could find their insurance payments cut off for a year - or a lifetime.

Essential services such as pregnancy care could be eliminated.

This takes us right back to where we were pre-ACA. Millions would lose coverage immediately or find it simply unaffordable.

This is not a drill - this is real. The House is preparing to vote Friday - tomorrow - and you need to take action NOW.

Please call your representatives today and early tomorrow at 202-224-3121. Tell them NO on the upcoming "reform" and why, as a person of faith, you will not accept a retreat to the past. All people deserve comprehensive health care coverage, affordable, accessible, accountable, and inclusive. Nothing less will do.

Please take action today - time is of the essence!

Thank you!

Urgent! Please send the Governor and State Legislators your support for humane immigration policy!

4/20/2017

Dear Friends!

California Church IMPACT is joining with Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity to send a powerful message to our Governor and State Legislators.

Please Sign and Circulate this California Faith Leaders Sign on Letter.   (e.g. lay and professional congregational, spiritual and religious leaders)

We have 5 days to collect 100+ signatures!
_________________________________________________

"Do you not wish that God should forgive you?" (Quran 24:22)

Faith Sign-On Letter to Governor Brown & CA State Legislature
A Call to Compassion, Courage & Common Humanity

Click Here to Sign on

Message of the Letter:

"Our faith traditions not only have a special protection and care of the migrant, but also the deep values of forgiveness and compassion for those who were formerly incarcerated. Our faith traditions call out the possibility for transformation and redemption, mercy and restorative justice.

"Let them forgive and overlook: do you not wish that God should forgive you? For God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran 24:22, Islam)

"I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you visited me." (Matthew 25:35-40, Christianity)

"When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt, I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:33-34, Judaism)

We ask for your support for SB 54 and SB 6 and final legislation that will be as strong and as inclusive of all California immigrants targeted by the aggressive, rogue and inhumane deportation policies. We are disconcerted by the harmful discourse and potential amendments that would leave out from these important protections those most targeted by immoral and indiscriminate federal deportation policies.

We urge you to uphold your moral and ethical courage to stand on the side of righteousness and justice, forgiveness and redemption. Immigrants who are formerly incarcerated deserve to be reunited with their families and communities just like any other returning resident, and not deported.   [click here to read full letter]

We call on religious leaders of all traditions to add your name to this letter.

Add your signature here

Now more than ever our voice is needed!

Amplify the sound with us! Join us today!

Visit us at www.im4humanintegrity.org and urge others to join California Church IMPACT www.churchimpact.org to voice support for key legislation upholding these cherished values!

Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, Nor. CA office:
310 8th St. #310, Oakland CA 94607
Sent by dlee@im4humanintegrity.org

Thank you!

Faithful Five Minutes made easy if you like to text

4/11/2017

Dear Friends,

If you have a smart phone with text capacity that doesn't cost and arm and a leg, there is a very simple way to send messages to your federal Senators and Representative.

Send a text message to 50409 and type "Resist" in the message. Within seconds a "Resistbot" (I'm just the messenger - didn't make up this name!) replies and asks your name and ZIP.

Resistbot then finds your Senators first. Congress will be next.

It will ask you for a message that you compose to them. It can be very short or you can add information about yourself, a person of faith, or whatever you want to it. My first was only 8 words. Now I have the hang of it, I will add more about who I am, why issues matter. Once you're done, press 'send', and the Bot will FAX your message to your Senators or Representative.

If you don't text or have no desire to do this, we will always offer options through our IMPACT connections to your elected representatives including state ones. But do pass this information on to your friends, kids, grandchildren so they can become more engaged in advocacy, too.

Faithful Five Minutes via tech is yet another way to be heard. Give it a try if you like. It's powerfully easy to do!

Thank you!