Affordable Care Act ...

The Affordable Care Act is great idea, but needs to be more. After all, members of Congress receive FREE health/medical care, so why can't we?

Let me explain ... I was going through my FB messages, notifications, checking on friends, etc. I came across a post on the Latino Healthcare Forum page, the post is about "As healthcare law rolls out, its effects will depend on your state" - an LA Times article.

Even though I had not yet read the article, I am already wondering about what it means for people like me here in Texas, ruled (eyes rolling) by his majesty James Rick Perry (aka guv goodhair).

Here's my response to article (specifically, the title) ...

No  kidding! Using HealthCare.gov, I've already found I may fall through the cracks! Will depend on Central Health's Eligibility Requirements.

After going through series of questions (some need to be better written - at least I think so) HealthCare.gov says my option is (drumroll please ...) Medicaid!

Problem is, Medicaid denied me because I am no longer able to bear children. (shaking my head) So, will Medicaid change eligibility regulations or does it mean turning to Central Health's Medical Access Program (MAP)?

When I previously had MAP (thanks to Medicaid denial), I had to argue with them about assets which could have rendered me ineligible but, for all intents and purposes, I cannot access them ... So, are they really assets?

I'm a smart person, have a graduate degree, am tech savvy (so can navigate websites) ... If I have to go through this much trouble, jumping through hoops, having repeated discussions (on verge of becoming heated debates), what does that mean for those who are not as fortunate (educated, have digital literacy/access, and speak English) as me?

*****

Post note: My assets? My state retirement account. I have 12 years state service, so I have a modest retirement account. Sure, it is accessible, but doing so also means being hit with approximate 30% penalty fees! Initial withdrawal (up to/including entire balance) means 20% penalty paid to state.

Example: I withdraw $10K, they pull $2K for penalty before issuing me payment + I'll have to pay 10% ($1K) to the IRS. Come spring, when filing taxes, pay $1K penalty PLUS report $10K as income!!

So, you can see, barring life/death circumstances, I'd be a fool to touch it. In the end, it becomes an asset to which I have no access. Try explaining that one with Central Health staff. It's not fun.

Open Letter to Daily Kos

RE: "Demand that Texas investigate why state troopers confiscated tampons"

I received a forwarded email from Carl. The message was a Daily Kos appeal to sign a petition.

With good reason I refused. Here's why:
______________________


To: Chris Bowers, Daily Kos <campaigns@dailykos.com>
Subj: Fwd: Texas tampon massacre

I read the email message below. I read the petition.
I totally, wholeheartedly agree person(s) responsible must be held accountable.

Unfortunately, due to final clause ("We demand a complete and open investigation as to who authorized this move, who is accountable for such conduct-and that all such parties be appropriately disciplined."), I will not sign the petition.

I will not sign it because it implies lack of knowledge. On the surface it "reads" as if Daily Kos didn't do its research. It is already well known Lt Gov David Dewhurst is responsible for the atrocity - it was made known Friday, in the middle of the mayhem. Dewhurst is the #1 person responsible for making said directive. Steve McCraw, DPS Director and others also need to be held accountable for acting on Dewhurst's misogynistic directive.

McCraw and others in DPS also need to be held accountable for the violent mistreatment of peaceful protesters. At least one had to seek services at Brackenridge.

Finally, I could be wrong, but based on the way it's written, demand for investigation appears to be addressed to: AG Greg Abbott, Lt Gov David Dewhurst, DPS Director Steve McCraw, DPS Highway Patrol Asst Chief Luis Gonzalez, and members of the Texas Lege. That's like asking a gang of bullies to discipline itself!

Investigation of public office holders is handled by the Travis County Public Integrity Unit - the very same defunded by Gov Perry. Travis County's PIU investigates "... public corruption, insurance fraud, and motor fuels tax fraud."


Rewrite the petition ...

Rewrite it addressing the correct investigative entity.
Rewrite it detailing who IS responsible for the directive, those carrying it out, etc.

Rewrite the petition and we'll talk.



Monica Guzman, M.A.
Community Relations Consultant
LULAC, Dist VII
_______________________________________________
to be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting. - e.e. cummings


NOTE: Email bounced when I sent it. Checked website for an email address-none found, only a "Contact Us" webform. Pity.

Unsung Heroes ...

"The staff of our incredible coalition partners — Planned Parenthood, NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, Annie’s List and The Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity – were the unsung heroes of the incredible mobilization of Texas men and women over the past month. We have been proud to stand with them and with the women of Texas."

Heroes? I'm glad they exist to provide services, push for appropriate legislation, enable grand-scale PR. "Unsung" hereos? No.

The "unsung heroes" are those sitting in Travis Co jail, those on-site (outside) at TravCo jail, those who risked arrest/injury (job? other?) because they made themselves heard in/outside the state capitol building. Those who shared stories via testimony, news reports, social media, etc. Last, certainly not least, those who support them, whether online or off.

THEY are the *true* UNSUNG HEREOS!!

The "Roaring Mob"

Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, in a sneering email to his supporters late last night, boasted about the state Senate’s passage of legislation that puts government between pregnant women and their doctors. This supposedly “small-government conservative” proudly declared that the Senate passed the bill“within earshot of a roaring mob” — meaning the thousands of concerned women and men who filled the Capitol and the steps outside."

At the Texas State Capitol: Testifying against SB1

In Capitol Extension,
waiting for office to open, so can sign up.

In line at north entrance to State Capitol wStacey Smith!
Arrived about 6:15ish (AM)

Testifying Against SB1

All this activity over Senate Bill 1 (SB1) - SB1 has been propagandized as a bill to protect/improve women's health. That's far from the truth! It's all about oppressing women, especially women of color and women surviving in impoverished conditions.

Testifying (around 6/6:15pm)

I am Monica Guzmán - Native Austinite residing in East Austin. I am represented by Sen Judith Zaffirini and Rep Eddie Rodrigruez.

I am PRO-WOMEN & PRO-WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE.

I oppose SB1 because I believe SB1 and its House companion are regarding anything BUT improving or protecting my or any other woman's health.

It is bullying from legislative pulpits.

It is an attempt to force-feed religious belief in violation of my Constitutional rights.

It is classist, racist, bigoted, misogynistic legislative OPPRESSION - n o t h i n g less.

SB1 & its House companion will deprive many women-especially women existing at/near poverty levels, women of color-of needed healthcare options.

Should this bill become law ...

• How many women will lack access to birth control information and available options?
• How many women will lack access to prenatal care?

Are you prepared to provide financial support and transportation for needed healthcare or even abortions no longer available because you closed existing facilities?

Are you prepared to provide financial support for unwanted pregnancies carried to term yet given up for adoption, left at churches & fire stations, or tragically abandoned on the streets?

As for unwanted pregnancies resulting in cherished newborns ... Are you prepared to support them? Support them with needed healthcare, food availability, safe homes, and public educations?

You go on about protecting the innocent unborn. Yet, once born, you have no qualms abandoning the very same children-especially children born into impoverished conditions-by way of budget cuts to healthcare, social programs, and public education.

As for children already living at/near poverty ... You left them at the curb long ago as dust settled on legislative budget cuts and the ink dried on Gov Perry's signature for same.

Be it corporations or politicians, you make decisions inevitably creating the very conditions you purport to abhor, only serving to further marginalize an already marginalized population.

How is it Gov Perry can say, and I quote, "Our views is that individuals and families can govern their lives better than bureaucrats." yet has the audacity to DICTATE my health, my body.

It is sheer HYPOCRISY!

On a personal note - In 1987 I was raped, fortunately I never had to face a resulting pregnancy, never had to make the decision to carry or terminate. Any woman facing such decision, regardless the reason for pregnancy, it is HER decision. Not mine, certainly not yours.

I expect you to NOT support, NOT pass SB1.

After all ...

MY life, MY body, MY decision

Getting some downtime at home while chillin' and CELEBRATING a job well done, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!

Perry's holier-than-thou depravity knows no end ...

When they stoop to these levels of underhanded, corrupt, misogynistic (not to mention insensitive) tactics for passing law ... to what level(s) will they stoop when it comes to voting/elections?
This is a PERFECT example of why Sec 5 of VRA should NOT have been gutted!

Goodbye Rick Perry

I don't think he's gone yet ... but would sure be nice to think he's on his way!!

Rift in Rick Perry's Camp Over Ad Criticizing Gays in Military

"The Human Rights Campaign weighed in on the advertisement, calling it a misrepresentation of 'the views of the hundreds of thousands of people of faith in this country who live openly or advocate as allies for the LGBT members of their community.'"

Rick Perry, Christian warrior: Attacks gays in the military in attempt to inflame the culture wars for Iowa

There ISN'T a war on religion ... but Parry's doing his d*mnedest to make it happen.  :/

Texas Gov. Perry confuses voting age in NH

Gov Goofup!!

NOTE: Image above is not part of linked article. Is author's own addition.

Controversial Arizona sheriff to endorse Perry in GOP presidential bid

"The sheriff's patrols are the subject of a civil rights investigation by the U.S. Justice Department. A federal grand jury is investigating abuse of power allegations against Arpaio's office."

DOJ needs to get on the schtick w/Arpaio investigation! As for Arpaio endorsing Guv Goodhair.. at same time doesn't seem surprising considering who Parry has around him -BUT- is surprising considering how extremist Arpaio is regarding undocumented immigrants (and Parry supports Dream Act???)!

Perry unmoved by talk of a larger-than-expected rainy day fund

By Jason Embry | Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 01:12 PM
www.statesman.com

Although the Texas Senate is moving toward taking $3 billion out of the state’s rainy day fund in order to balance the state budget over the next two years, Gov. Rick Perry remains cool to the idea. Perry has said...