Supreme Obstruction: Senate Leaders Want a Constitutional Shutdown

This article by LeeAnn Hall and Fred Azcarate was originally published in The Hill. Which of our elected officials truly believe in constitutional government – and which of them don’t? The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is putting senators to the test on this question – and the right wing is failing thatContinue reading “Supreme Obstruction: Senate Leaders Want a Constitutional Shutdown”

Vermont Main Street Alliance Members Play Key Role in Paid Sick Days Senate Approval

The member businesses of the Main Street Alliance of Vermont achieved a tremendous victory this month that was over ten years in the making. The Vermont State Senate approved the Healthy Workplaces bill (H.187) with a strong bi-partisan vote of 21-8. The approval came after several amendments were made by the Senate Committee on EconomicContinue reading “Vermont Main Street Alliance Members Play Key Role in Paid Sick Days Senate Approval”

Cracking Down on Abusive Debt Collectors

This article first appeared in OtherWords Have you ever picked up your phone to find an aggressive voice on the other end demanding payments on a debt you know nothing about? You’re far from alone. Once you’re in the sights of a debt collector, the impact on your life can be devastating: Your wages canContinue reading “Cracking Down on Abusive Debt Collectors”

REPORT: Debt Collectors Profit From Aggressive Tactics

For Immediate Release January 26, 2016 Contact: Kathy Mulady, (206) 992-8787 kathy@allianceforajustsociety.org REPORT PROFILES COMPANIES WITH THE MOST COMPLAINTS ABOUT ABUSIVE AND DECEPTIVE DEBT COLLECTION TACTICS Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should write strong rules to protect consumers from abusive collection practices SEATTLE – Companies engaging in debt collection activities use abusive and deceptive practices that includeContinue reading “REPORT: Debt Collectors Profit From Aggressive Tactics”

Instead of Building Walls, Build an Economy That Works for All

The Supreme Court announced Tuesday that it will take up a case that challenges President Barack Obama’s executive actions that deferred the deportation of 5 million undocumented immigrants. News coverage of this development naturally was dominated by the two words that are sure to make any news story go viral: “procedural battle.” Okay, perhaps suchContinue reading “Instead of Building Walls, Build an Economy That Works for All”

Promising Practice: Making Medicaid Part of the Welcome Home

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, many adults are now eligible for health care coverage, such as Medicaid, that had been closed to them before. Among these newly eligible adults are many people leaving prison — and Medicaid can make a big difference in helping them transition back home. This Promising Practice Policy Brief discussesContinue reading “Promising Practice: Making Medicaid Part of the Welcome Home”

Today in Medicaid: Big Win in Louisiana

Today, Louisiana’s new governor, John Bel Edwards, made the most of his first full day in office. Through an executive order, Gov. Edwards expanded Medicaid to about 300,000 uninsured Louisianans, many of whom will be eligible for health coverage for the first time. This move makes Louisiana the 31st state to extend the benefits ofContinue reading “Today in Medicaid: Big Win in Louisiana”

It’s a Matter of Life and Death: Insurers Must Cover Language Services

A 14-year-old girl accompanies her Somali-speaking father to his medical appointment. Because the clinic doesn’t provide an interpreter, the girl has to inform her own father than he has been diagnosed with cancer. She remains his interpreter through eight years of treatment, sometimes hiding information to protect him from the bad news. A group ofContinue reading “It’s a Matter of Life and Death: Insurers Must Cover Language Services”