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- Alert: Celebrating Women's Health and Other Opportunities (May 01, 2012)
- Alert: Announcing the Challenge Winners (April 27, 2012) Community Catalyst is please to announce the winners of our ACA Anniversary Challenge. All of the participating states did an amazing job!
- Alert: Will you accept our Challenge? (March 21, 2012) The letters to the editor ACA Anniversary Challenge has been extended. LTEs are an essential way to illustrate how the Affordable Care Act has helped people in your state.
- Alert: Gearing Up for March (Health Care) Madness (March 09, 2012) We'd like to pause in the calm before the storm to share a new resource and send out a few reminders about on-going activities.
- Alert: Preparing for the ACA's Second Birthday (February 23, 2012) As we prepare for the ACA's second birthday, it's important to frame anniversary event in terms of what could be lost due to a negative Supreme Court ruling and to continue visible support of the ACA through the arguments.
- Alert: Announcing the Affordable Care Act Anniversary Challenge (February 17, 2012) Over the month of February, Community Catalyst will be sharing ideas for celebrating the Affordable Care Act's second birthday.
- Alert: Public Education and the ACA's Second Birthday (February 14, 2012) Over the month of February Community Catalyst will be sharing ideas for celebrating the Affordable Care Act's second birthday.
- Alert: Essential Health Benefits: Template Comments (January 25, 2012) The deadline for comments on the Essential Health Benefits Bulletin in January 31.
- Alert: Action Needed to Protect Low-Income Families in the Exchange (December 07, 2011) As Congress acts to prevent and automatic 27 percent cut for Medicare providers (known as the "doc-fix"), please ask your Senators to stand strong against raiding affordability protections in the Affordable Care Act to pay for the doc-fix.
- Alert: All Roads Lead to Public Education (November 17, 2011) The Thanksgiving holiday is an opportunity to talk about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act and educate people about the law.
- Alert: HHS Essential Benefits Listening Sessions (November 01, 2011) In advance of the Department of Health and Human Services' listening sessions on Essential Health Benefits, Community Catalyst encourages advocates to consult with each other to discuss strategy and review the resources we have prepared to advocate for a robust and affordable benefits package.
- Alert: New Tools for Protecting Medicaid (October 11, 2011) Our new tools and resources can help state advocates defend against cuts to Medicaid in their next budget fights by providing alternatives that save funds and maintain or even improve the quality of care.
- Alert: Building the Best Exchanges - DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS EXTENDED (September 27, 2011) State advocates have a critical role to play in making Exchanges work well for consumers. This alert contains materials and information for your state and federal activities.
- Alert: Opportunities to Echo "Medicaid Matters" (September 19, 2011) There are two opportunities this week to deliver the message "Medicaid Matters" to policymakers and the public.
- Alert: Super Committee Strategy (September 12, 2011) The stakes are high as the Super Committee begins its work, and the situation has left many feeling overwhelmed. We are taking a simple approach: reaching out to decision makers with the simple message, "Responsibility must be shared; Medicare and Medicaid must be protected."
- Alert: State Input Needed on Proposed Exchange Regulations (September 07, 2011) To help state advocates provide crucial feedback to HHS on the proposed Exchange regulations, Community Catalyst created template comments focused on consumer protections and other resources.
- On the horizon: Essential Health Benefits and Exchanges (August 30, 2011) As the implementation of private insurance rules in the ACA move forward, Community Catalyst provides new resources regarding Essential Health Benefits.
- Alert - Recess: Stepping Up Medicaid Defense (August 16, 2011) To assist state advocates with their ourtreach during Congressional recess, our toolkit provides ideas, information, templates and tools to deliver the message "Medicaid Matters."
- Medicaid Lives to Fight Another Day (August 03, 2011) Although spared in the debt ceiling vote, Medicaid will face hurdles ahead.
- Alert: Medicaid Media Outreach (July 14, 2011) This alert gives you helpful tools and examples to keep the pressure on policymakers to protect Medicaid through media outreach.
- Alert: Today's the day: Tell your senators "Medicaid Matters" (July 12, 2011) From across the country, people are raising their voices to tell all senators "Do not cut Medicaid!" Use our template email to send call-in information to your networks and supporters.
- Medicaid Matters: Engage Your Networks for July 12 Call In (July 07, 2011) Everyone can join the July 12 day of action - Medicaid Matters - by registering to call in to their Senators. Our alert includes a template email advocates can send to their networks.
- July 12: Tell Congress to Protect Medicaid for Every Generation (June 30, 2011) On Tuesday, July 12, Community Catalyst and other organizations will join with Senator Rockefeller and other champions to stand up for the millions of seniors, children and people with disabilities who depend on Medicaid and Medicare.
- Alert: Sign on to Protect Medicaid (June 23, 2011) Join us in our effort to protect the health of millions of seniors, people living with disabilities and low-income children by signing on to our letter in support of the critical role that Medicaid plays in your states and communities.
- Alert: Next Up, Navigators (June 21, 2011) No matter where states are in Exchange planning, the time has come to focus on Navigators, the important consumer tool built into the Exchanges.
- Alert: Take Action to Protect Medicaid (June 17, 2011) The next six weeks will be a "make it or break it" time in the fight for the future of the Medicaid program. This alert provides actions steps for the upcoming Congressional recesses and outlines opportunities in the coming month.
- Medicaid Action - thank 41 supportive Senators (June 09, 2011) A milestone in efforts to protect Medicaid offers advocates an opportunity to thank supportive Senators.
- Alert: Senate Budget Votes (May 26, 2011) This alert contains tools to respond to the recent Senate budget votes, and tools for continuing to defend the Medicaid program during Congressional recesses.
- Alert: Medicaid Defense - tools for recess outreach (May 23, 2011) This alert has information and resources to help advocates need fight attacks on Medicaid. Policymakersresponded to public outcry regarding attacks on Medicare and Social Security, but Medicaid remains a target.
- Alert: Update: How to Apply for Community Transformation Grants (May 19, 2011) Community Transformation Grants are finally available. This alert gives the basics for the grant process and includes an overview of FAQs.
- The Insider: "Win or Go Home" (May 10, 2011) Looming vote over debt ceiling is next critical hurdle for ACA & other health programs l Battle for hearts and minds—untangling the polls
- Alert: Conflict of Interest in Exchanges - new resources (April 28, 2011) While Exchanges have the potential to help consumers navigate the marketplace and give them transparent information and real choices, the devil is in the details. And we know that in some states, in spite of your best efforts, the strength of special interests is holding sway
- Alert: Fighting Attacks on Medicare and Medicaid (April 20, 2011) As attacks continue against Medicare and Medicaid, here are resources to help you reach out to your delegation during the Congressional Recess and push back against proposed cuts.
- Urgent: Action Needed on House Budget Vote (April 14, 2011) All Members of the House need to hear from constituents: our country needs to look at the budget and make some changes, but there are many, less essential areas to cut spending before we cut lifelines for so many people.
- Alert: Urgent Action Needed on MLRs (March 28, 2011) At the NAIC meeting in Austin, Insurance Commissioners were debating a proposal to alter and weaken the MLR definition.
- ACA Anniversary is fast approaching - updated materials (March 17, 2011) This expands our communications tools for the ACA anniversary outreach efforts including social media materials.
- Anniversary Communications & Public Education Tools (March 09, 2011) To support advocate's efforts to increase support for the law and make it tangible by telling the stories of real people, this alert links to our template communications plan with activities, templates, ideas and materials.
- The Insider: The Politics of State Flexibility (March 07, 2011) What's behind the President's embrace of state flexibility?
- ACA Anniversary: Moving forward ... protecting our care (February 25, 2011) To help state advocates leverage resources, information and opportunities that national groups are creating, Community Catalyst provides an overview of national anniversary activities.
- The Insider: (Budget) Love Don't Come Easy (February 18, 2011) The Obama budget is nasty and painful, but it's better than the alternative. As VA Attorney General Ken Cucinelli tries to expedite the case, people on both sides of the isle are asking justices to recuse themselves from the ACA when it does reach SCOTUS.
- Alert: Comment on Rate Review Regs (February 08, 2011) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released draft regulations to govern this rising costs of health insurance premiums at the state and federal levels and is soliciting comments on this proposed rule. HHS will face push back to try to “soften” their rules on rate review – it is important for state advocates to weigh in on these regulations to protect consumers from unjustified and unpredictable rate increases.
- Alert: Ruling Can Rev Up Supporters (February 07, 2011) The recent federal court ruling in Florida that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional provides an opportunity for state advocates to again get out messages about the positive rights and benefits the law gives to people – and also a chance to reinvigorate supporters of the law
- The Insider: Putting Things in Perspective (February 01, 2011) While Judge Vinson's ruling on the Individual Responsibility Requirement sounds dramatic, there is actually less to it than meets the eye.
- The Insider: House Republicans Win Pyrrhic Victory on Repeal Vote (January 24, 2011) The outcome of last week’s vote on repeal was a foregone conclusion from the outset, but the victory was a hollow one. Almost no Democrats broke from their party to vote for repeal.
- Update: Moving Forward with Implementation (January 19, 2011) This alert provides new resources to support advocates efforts to implement the ACA in their states, as well as information to help continue to fight national repeal and obstruction of health reform improvements.
- The Insider: Wishful Thinking (January 19, 2011) The vanishing voter mandate for repeal, public opinion-based budgeting, cost containment, state laws challenge the ACA
- Alert: Action Item - Contact your Representative (January 14, 2011) The House rescheduled the vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act for Wednesday, January 19. The vote will set the tone for the ongoing campaign to dismantle the ACA, which makes it vitally important to make our voices heard.
- Moment of Silence (January 10, 2011) As we all know, there was a terrible tragedy this weekend in Arizona. The loss of so many lives is unthinkable, and all of us at Community Catalyst have the victims and their families in our thoughts. We encourage all of our partners to observe the moment of silence today at 11 am EST.
- Alert: Action Item -- Reach out to your MOC (January 06, 2011) The 112th Congress has been sworn in and they will vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act January 12. All Representatives, regardless of their previous votes, should hear from their constituents who are against repeal of the ACA.
- Alert: House Repeal Vote Scheduled (January 05, 2011) The repeal vote is scheduled for Jan. 12, providing an opportunity for positive stories about ACA impact to combat repeal efforts. This alert gives supporters resources for media response and outreach as well as updated tools for public education.
- Alert: Upcoming Repeal Efforts in the House (December 21, 2010) We know that very early into the new year we will see repeal legislation introduced in the House. While the repeal efforts aren't likely to go far, it's an opportunity for supporters to flip the dialogue and focus on the many ways the ACA is helping and will continue to help people across the country.
- Alert: Two Opportunities to Improve Medicaid While Saving Money (December 17, 2010) The new Medicaid health home state option provides states an alternative to harmful benefit or provider rate cuts by bringing new federal money into states, potentially reducing Medicaid expenditures, and improving patient care.
- Alert: Private Insurance Update (December 09, 2010) An update on Affordable Care Act private insurance issues: Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) regulation comments, State MLR adjustment requests, and upcoming regulation defining "unreasonable" premium rates.
- Alert: Legal Challenges and Media Outreach (December 08, 2010) There will be many opportunities for media outreach in the coming weeks as we are likely to see rulings regarding the legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act. In this alert there are suggestions for media outreach, messengers, talking points and additional resources on the legal challenges.
- Alert: MLR Regulations are a Win for Consumers (November 22, 2010)
- Alert: Timely Outreach Opportunities (November 17, 2010) We want to draw your attention to three timely opportunities you can use to reach out to your supporters, your Members of Congress and the media to talk about the positive benefits of – and support for – implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
- Alert: Last steps to finalize MLR regulations (November 11, 2010) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will finalize the regulations for medical loss ratios (MLRs) and premium increase review as early as next week.
- Alert: Moving Forward Post-election (November 09, 2010) As the final election results roll in, we must dust ourselves off and turn to the work at hand. We need to acknowledge the frustration of families in our communities, and step up public education efforts so they better understand what is in the health care law and how it will help them.
- Alert: Debunk Myths about the ACA (November 01, 2010) Leading up to elections, it is important to push back against inaccurate attacks on the ACA.
- Alert: Consumers need to be heard (October 18, 2010) This alert touches on three topics: the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Meeting, the legal challenges against ACA across the country, and the "Denied" campaign
- Alert: Media Outreach Opportunity: Consumer Assistance Program Grant Announcement (October 07, 2010) The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is scheduled to announce the state consumer assistance program (CAP) grant recipients, which provides a hook for reporter outreach.
- Alert: New Report: Consumer Assistance Programs Help Make the New Health Care Law Work (September 27, 2010) The six-month milestone of the new health care law last week reminds us of the many new consumer protections and health care programs becoming effective now as well as the coming months and years. Making the new health care law work will require strong Consumer Assistance Programs (CAPs), which will help people access the information they need to understand their new health care options.
- Alert: Public Education - New & Updated Materials (September 22, 2010) September 23 is right around the corner and we know many advocates have plans to mark the six-month milestone for the Affordable Care Act. We have updated thePublic Education Communications Plan with additional template materials and new messaging information about what resonates with the target audiences.
- Alert: Weighing in on Exchanges (September 21, 2010) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (OCIIO) recently released a notice in the Federal Register requesting public comments on the Exchange provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Comments must be submitted no later than October 4, 2010.
- Alert: Public Education Communications Plan (September 03, 2010) September 23 will mark the six-month milestone for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and many provisions will go into effect. This date provides an opportunity for renewed public education efforts to showcase the value of the new law. To assist your media outreach efforts regarding September 23, and your ongoing public education outreach, we created a new set of resources.
- Alert: Threat to funding for Community Transformation Grants (August 25, 2010) A key component of the Affordable Care Act -- the Prevention and Public Health Fund -- is in danger of having its funding gutted by a proposed Senate amendment by Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE).
- Alert: Comments on Patient's Bill of Rights (August 20, 2010) Comments on the Patient's Bill of Rights are due on Friday, August 27.
- Alert: FMAP Passes Senate (August 06, 2010) The Senate voted to pass legislation that will extend and enhance FMAP funding to states through June 2011.
- Alert: Grant Solicitation for State Consumer Assistance Programs (July 28, 2010) The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (OCIIO) released the grant solicitation for state consumer assistance programs (CAPs).
- Alert: New Requirements for Non-Profit Hospitals (July 07, 2010) Fact sheet and Community Catalyst's comments to the IRS regarding non-profit hospitals and the new requirements mandated by health care reform
- Alert: Medical Loss Ratio Definition (July 07, 2010) Action: Contact your state insurance commissioner immediately about MLRs and let them know that this is an important tool in keeping insurance affordable for consumers
- Action: Support Dr. Berwick's nomination to head CMS (July 02, 2010) Talking points and action steps to support nomination of Dr. Donald Berwick to the head of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- Alert: 90 Days In - PPACA in Action! (June 22, 2010) The three-month milestone and president’s remarks provide an excellent public education opportunity.
- Update: Doughnut hole rebate checks are in the mail (June 09, 2010) This week the federal government will send $250 rebate checks to Medicare beneficiaries and advocates should work with seniors to share their positive stories.
- FMAP and COBRA strategy alert (June 04, 2010) Please contact your Senators before Tuesday and ask them to support the inclusion of the FMAP and COBRA extensions in the "tax extenders" bill.
- Alert: Strategies for Public Education (June 02, 2010) The next six months are absolutely critical to the success of the new national health care reform law. The provisions that roll out over this time have the potential to drastically sway public support and create a positive environment for implementation.
- Alert: Action Needed on FMAP Extension (May 26, 2010) We wanted to update you on the status of Congress’ effort to approve, H.R. 4213, a bill that contains several issues that we know many of you have been following very closely.
- Community Catalyst Health Reform Insider: Trench Warfare (May 13, 2010) The insurance industry pushes to weaken rules on Medical Loss Ratios
- Community Catalyst Health Reform Insider (May 05, 2010) the public's persistent bipartisan wish | Insurance rate regulation | looking for our cost-containment keys
- Community Catalyst Health Reform Insider (April 27, 2010)
- Community Catalyst Health Reform Insider (April 20, 2010) Implementation Nation: The work of health care reform is only beginning. We explore some lessons from Massachusetts' health reform implementation, and one of the early implementation provisions of national reform: the temporary high-risk pool.
- Update: Defending National Health Care Reform (April 16, 2010) The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is now law. Congress' work on health care reform is complete for now, but our work is not finished. Persistent public outreach and education is needed to promote the provisions in the new law that will immediately help people and combat the opposition's messages against reform.
- Community Catalyst Health Reform Insider (April 05, 2010) Repeal vs. reality, PLUS the health reform deciders.
- Community Catalyst Health Reform Insider (March 30, 2010) Health Reform Insider Goes to the Toast and Polls: President Obama signed the final piece of the health reform legislation into law - so now what?
- Action Alert: Health Reform Passed! (March 26, 2010) Yesterday the Senate and House passed the Health and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act – the final piece of this year-long health reform effort.
