In this Washington CAN! e-newsletter, you will find:
- Your Story: The Most Powerful Tool
for Justice!
- Announcing the Washington Prescription Drug Program!
1. Your Story: The Most Powerful Tool for Justice!
“After spending
several years uninsured as a single mother, my husband and I recently reunited,
and I became eligible for insurance through his work. Unfortunately it seems I’ll be getting
covered just a little too late. Last
month I found I had colon cancer and will need surgery. Because it’s a pre-existing condition, our
insurance company can deny me coverage.
We’ll have no choice but to go deep into debt or file bankruptcy.
I’m going to Olympia
on February 21st and 27th to share my story with my
lawmakers. I’m telling them: ‘It’s time
to end insurance industry discrimination!’”
-Susan Smithlin,
Washington CAN! member – Puyallup, Washington
What’s YOUR story? Why do YOU care about making health
care secure and affordable? Why makes YOU
want to fight against insurance industry discrimination?
Sometimes our personal stories are the most powerful tools in the fight for justice.
SPEAK UP! Here’s
three ways to share your story:
1) Visit. Lobby your lawmakers at a “Call-In Sick”
Day. On Wednesday, Feb. 21st and Tuesday, Feb. 27th Washington CAN! members
will converge on Olympia to say “We’re sick of being uninsured!” Register today at http://action.washingtoncan.org
2) Call. Call your legislators toll-free at 1-800-562-6000, and tell them “Support HB 1569*. It’s time to end insurance industry discrimination!”
3) Write. Visit http://action.washingtoncan.org to
email your legislators today.
*Background on HB 1569 (End Insurance Industry
Discrimination):
The current health insurance market permits insurance
companies to maximize their profits at the expense of those who are older, more
likely to be sick and most in need of health care. By limiting their
risk, private insurers cherry-pick the wealthy and healthy for good coverage
and leave the rest with greater cost, with less access to coverage, or entirely
without insurance.
HB 1569 will help end this discrimination and control health care costs by creating a common purchasing pool for individuals and small businesses. HB 1569 will provide access regardless of health status or pre-existing condition and provide sliding scale assistance to low-income Washingtonians.
2. Announcing
the Washington Prescription Drug Program!
Sign-up today for the Washington Prescription Drug Program (WPDP) Discount Card! (It’s FREE!)
- The Washington Prescription Drug Program uses the state’s bulk-buying power to negotiate steep discounts on prescription drug prices.
- Although it is not an insurance program, WPDP members can receive discount prices on drugs that are very similar to what the large health insurance companies pay. On average you’ll save at least 16% on brand name drugs, and 67% on generic drugs!
- Any Washington State resident is eligible to use the card who does not have prescription drug insurance coverage, or whose insurance does not cover all their prescription drug needs.
- There are no other eligibility requirements or fees required for membership in the WPDP. It’s completely FREE!
- To sign up for the program or to learn more, visit www.rx.wa.gov or call 1-800-913-4146.
Background:
The Washington Prescription Drug Program pools the
buying power of Washington state to negotiate lower
prescription drug prices for Washington residents, including uninsured and
underinsured Washington residents, businesses, and state agencies.
The campaign for a prescription buying pool began in
2000, when Washington CAN! led a coalition of
organizations under the slogan: THE BEST MEDICINE
at THE BEST PRICE.
·
In 2003, under pressure from consumers across the state, the legislature
to created the prescription drug purchasing consortium
for low-income residents.
·
In 2004, Washington CAN! successfully worked
to pass legislation expanding access to all Washington residents.
·
In 2006, Washington and Oregon joined together to broaden the
purchasing pool and achieve greater savings.
Now, as of February 1, 2007, people who are uninsured
or underinsured can receive a free membership discount card and discounted
prices on prescription drugs.
To sign up for the program or to learn more, visit www.rx.wa.gov. We’d love to hear your stories about the how
the program is working, so please let
us know!
In solidarity,
The Washington CAN! Team
With
over 30,000 members across the state, Washington CAN! is the
state’s largest grassroots community organization. Washington CAN! fights
for progressive social change at the local, state, and national levels, with a
focus on issues that most directly affect the lives of Washington residents.
Our mission is to achieve economic fairness in order to establish a democratic
society characterized by racial and social justice, with respect for diversity,
and a decent quality of life for those who reside in Washington State. www.WashingtonCAN.org
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