VOICE Action in Richmond - March 2nd, 2010

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Permalink Reply by jill herndon on February 20, 2010 at 4:04pm

Update from Martin Trimble, the lead staff organizer for VOICE Northern Virginia -

VOICE Clergy & Core Team Leaders-

The politics around the VA budget have changed dramatically this week, threatening VOICE’s goal to expand dental care for low-income adults. On Thursday, Gov. McDonnell’s recommended massive budget cuts totaling $2.3 billion that the Senate and House of Delegates are seriously considering. K-12 education & human services would see the largest cuts (see for details: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/02/post_595....). According to an analysis from the Virginia Health Care Foundation (see details below), Governor McDonnell’s proposed cuts would eliminate all local health department dental programs in the Commonwealth and substantially reduce dental services at community health centers and free clinics across the state, leaving 30,000—50,000 children and adults (estimated) without dental care who currently receive it.

VOICE must now organize the March 2nd Action to fight aggressively these cuts to maintain current dental services first and then to secure financing to implement VOICE’s proposed dental service expansion. VOICE must use its March 2nd Richmond Action to challenge the current political dynamic in Richmond so that Virginia’s budget does not get balanced on the backs of its most vulnerable citizens. TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, STRONG TURNOUT EXCEEDING VOICE’s 200 LEADER GOAL IS ESSENTIAL ON MARCH 2ND. MUCH IS AT STAKE ON MARCH 2ND: FULL CLERGY AND LAY LEADER ATTENDANCE AT THE VOICE ACTION ON MARCH 2nd IS IMPERATIVE. PLEASE WORK HARD TO SIGN UP LEADERS TO ATTEND THIS WEEKEND. It is extremely important that VOICE Core Team leaders confirm their institution’s March 2nd participants this weekend, and report in by Wednesday, February 24th so that the strategy and logistics teams can ensure that the busses and space are adequate and that we have the full political impact. Please see attached spreadsheet for VOICE member turnout commitments to date.

PLEASE NOTE: VOICE leaders will have a strategy session on Wednesday, February 24th at 7:30 pm at Macedonia Baptist Church in Arlington, VA to formulate VOICE’s political strategy and action on March 2nd. Please plan to attend.

BELOW IS A REVISED MARCH 2ND ORGANIZING SCHEDULE that will provide more time for VOICE leaders to engage NOVA legislators before our planned public action on March 2nd at 3 pm. Please organize your leaders going to Richmond around this schedule. A brief update on the current political situation follows as well.
Tentative VOICE March 2nd Richmond Action Schedule


11:00 am: Arrive First Mt. Zion Baptist Church (please carpool since parking will be limited)

11:30 am Depart First Mt. Zion Church via Coach Buses for Richmond (Box Lunch Provided)

1:30 pm Arrive VA State Capitol: VOICE leaders Visit NOVA Senate & House of Delegates Confirming their attendance at VOICE’s 3 PM Action

3:00 pm VOICE Action at State Capitol

5:00 pm Depart Richmond via coach buses (Snack Provided)

7:00 pm Arrive at First Mt. Zion Baptist Church


Political Update:

Since the VOICE Action Team meetings, VOICE leaders have held a series of political meetings in Richmond with NOVA legislators and McDonnell Administration officials, including Dr. William Hazel, newly appointed Secretary, VA Department of Human Resources and Services. VOICE leaders have been pressing for the following to advance our strategy to increase access to dental care for low income adults:

1) Pressing State officials to pursue a VOICE identified opportunity to secure $5 million in Federal Stimulus TANF Emergency Funds for dental care to be disbursed state-wide through the Virginia Healthcare Foundation;
2) Securing $500,000--$1 million in state matching funds in the FY 2011 budget to support pilot county programs to expand dental care for low-income adults.

Dr. Hazel and NOVA Senators and delegates are strongly united in securing $5 million from the Federal TANF for dental care. McDonnell Administration officials and NOVA legislators are supportive of VOICE efforts to work with VA’s Federal delegation to secure Federal approval for the Virginia Health Care Foundation $5 million TANF/Dental initiative. In addition, VA is eligible for up to $79 million in TANF Emergency Funds from the Federal government not all of which have been secured to date so VOICE leaders are pressing state officials to solicit additional TANF applications from local jurisdictions and other entities who are eligible. VOICE leaders are pushing Prince William County to follow Fairfax County’s lead and to apply for these TANF funds to provide emergency dental and other services to very low income people. VOICE will be seeking state officials commitments to solicit new applications at the March 2nd Action.

This good news on Federal TANF Emergency Funds is overshadowed by VA’s budget crisis and the looming political battle in Richmond over how to balance the state’s budget. On Thursday, Gov. McDonnell’s recommended massive budget cuts to the General Assembly totaling $2.3 billion. K-12 education & human services would see the largest cuts (see for details: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/02/post_595.html). These cuts (see below for details) would eliminate current dental services for many low income children and adults and would negate VOICE’s TANF Dental expansion strategy . On March 2nd, VOICE must aggressively challenge Governor McDonnell, VA Senators and Delegates of both parties NOT to balance VA’s budget on the backs of VA’s poorest residents and to preserve and expand dental services for low-income adults.



Impact on Dental Services in Proposed Budget Cuts—Summary Analysis from Virginia Health Care Foundation
Prepared by Sarah Holland

VIADC members:


Governor Bob McDonnell announced his budget recommendations yesterday.

Many of his recommendations have a direct and detrimental effect on dental access throughout the Commonwealth. It is imperative that you contact your state delegate and senator today to express your opposition to drastic cuts that will significantly hinder access to dental care in Virginia. Please send a message to your legislators that Gov. McDonnell’s recommendations are too extreme and will have dire consequences for the health of children and adults throughout the Commonwealth.

Gov. McDonnell’s budget recommendations:

Eliminate all health department dental programs in the Commonwealth;
Reduce Medicaid dental reimbursement by 5%;
Cut $2.2 million from the Virginia Health Care Foundation for the biennium (25% in FY11, 40% in FY12);
Cut $1.8 million from the Free Clinics (25% in FY11, 50% in FY12);
Cut $1.3 million from Community Health Centers (25% in FY11, 40% FY12); and
Freeze FAMIS enrollment beginning FY11.

Impact:

There are approximately 56 local dental departments in 24 health districts that provide dental care, primarily to children;
In FY09 the community health centers and free clinics had 87,976 dental visits; requests for dental care have risen over 50% since the recession began and clinics cannot begin to meet the need;
A 5% reduction in reimbursement for Medicaid dental services will reduce the number of dentists who provide care to children;
In 2009, Virginia's free clinics, community health centers and the Virginia Health Care Foundation provided a 25:1 return on investment for the state funds they received;
The Virginia Health Care Foundation generates over $11 in cash, health services and other in-kind contributions for every $1 state dollar invested; and
The Virginia Health Care Foundation is the largest funder of dental safety net programs, providing over $6 million in grants to 41 dental programs throughout the Commonwealth.

More information:

Link to Health Safety Net Legislative Day’s impact sheet: http://www.vhcf.org/about/legislativeday.php


--
Martin Paul Trimble
Lead Organizer
Washington Interfaith Network (WIN)
VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement)
Industrial Areas Foundation Affiliates
www.windc-iaf.org
www.voice-iaf.org
202-518-0815 (w)
STOP USURY! 10% IS ENOUGH!
www.10percentisenough.org

Permalink Reply by jill herndon on February 22, 2010 at 9:47am

Interesting analysis of unemployment and under-employment by income groups in this article from Seeking Alpha investment blogger. So it tells me what I vaguely knew from watching people who seemed insulated from a second Great Depression -- for some it has been exactly that while other segments of society have felt the tremors but not the full pain.

I have really appreciated comments on the radio from veterans who have said that in battle we live by the standard to "leave no man behind", and it is time to apply that to our civilian life too in basic areas of health and education.

Let's look for a good turnout March 2nd in Richmond -- to tell VA that the voice of the people is to take care of our own as we are all in this together.

Permalink Reply by jill herndon on February 27, 2010 at 11:53am

Good Morning All - from Robert Buckman - last minute logistics for March 2nd

1. Twenty of us are going to the Action. As of right now 19 will be taking the bus. Rev Linda will be driving.

2. The 19 of who are taking the bus, will leave from the UUCA parking lot at 10:00 and car pool to First Mt. Zion Church in Dumfries (www.fmzbc.net). Gregg and I can each drive ourselves plus 4. We need drivers for the nine more. Who
will volunteer?

3. A. Buses will depart First Mt. Zion at 11:30. T-Shirst, VOICE Buttons and Box lunches will be passed out on buses. There will be political briefing on Action during ride.

B. Arrive at capitol circa 1:30 , swarm General Assembly building. Met with senators and delegates to ensure their presences at Action.

C. 3:00-3:30 Action in Senate Room 3 in capitol building.

D. Following Action, prayer meeting probably at St. Paul's UMC adjacent to capitol.

4. If any one else is driving let me know ASAP. Noon this Thursday is the drop dead time for ordering box lunches and buses.

5. Noon on Thursday is the drop dead time for reporting on number of bus passengers. We do not want to deny anyone the opportunity to stand on the side of restoring dental care to the 30,000-50,000 children and low income adults whose dental care is being zero'd out. So keep passing the word. There are 27 hours left for reporting the number of bus riders. If we know anyone in the wider community who needs dental care please invite them?

6. Any questions?

For a more just society,
Robert
Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement
www.voice-iaf.org
www.industrialareasfoundation.org
(703)346-7775

Permalink Reply by VOICE on March 3, 2010 at 4:17pm

And see the photos http://www.uucava.org/photo/album/show?id=3328235%3AAlbum%3A16926&a...