Update on Massachusetts Health Care Reform

There has been much excitement and discussion in Massachusetts about the health care reform passed this spring. The goal of the law is to provide health care coverage to all.

One major component of the new law is that all Massachusetts residents who are not otherwise covered are required to purchase health insurance, so long as an affordable plan is available.

Although there has been little spotlight on the process by “affordability” will be defined, it is important for Unitarian Universalist supporters of universal health care to stay afloat of recent developments.

The Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority is determining what is meant by "affordable" health insurance and evaluating the content of plans offered.

For the latest updates, visit the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority and Affordable Care Today!

The former website may be slightly easier to follow, although both contain a wealth of information.

After reading these sites, please post any feedback or additional information in the comments section here!

Promise the Children will also be monitoring this issue and keeping you posted.

Michigan UU’s Protect Children from TABOR

Unitarian Universalists in Michigan scored a recent win against TABOR (the Taxpayer Bill of Rights). TABOR is a restrictive measure that limits the state spending base and leads to social services cuts. A TABOR measure was in effect in Colorado from 1992 to 2005. During that time, the quality of services for children plummeted, especially in the areas of education and health care.

The Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) took a stand for children by joining the Defend Michigan coalition. Defend Michigan led the way in opposing TABOR. The coalition united community organizations and emphasized the damaging effect that TABOR would have on children.

On September 8, Defend Michigan and the MUUSJN had a major victory, with the TABOR initiative being struck from the November ballot. The ruling that disqualified the TABOR initiative was in response to an outcry from Defend Michigan about improprieties in the collection of petition signatures.

Congratulations to MUUSJN!

(And to UU’s in the rest of the country: stay alert! Similar TABOR measures have also recently been proposed in Kansas, Pennsylvania, Maine, Montana and Nevada.)

Five Actions UU’s Can Take This Congregational Year to Support Children and Youth

1. Post comments on Promise the Children’s blog (here!) about children’s advocacy initiatives. (We welcome responses to ideas we have posted, stories about work being done in UU congregations, and general strategies for advancing children’s issues.)

2. Support the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act to promote comprehensive sexuality education in public schools.

3. Question electoral candidates about their stands on universal pre-kindergarten and others programs that affect children.

4. Ask congregations to endorse Project 2010, a campaign to support afterschool care.

5. Lead worship services about children’s issues in Unitarian Universalist congregations.