UMass Memorial Health’s Post

A statement from Charlotte Min-Harris, President & CEO for the National Service Office for Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First. At the National Service Office for Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First, we know that voting is one of the most powerful ways to shape the future of our communities. Research shows that increases in physical and mental health and well-being are related to increases in civic engagement, such as voting. When you vote, and encourage those eligible around you to vote, you help influence the policies that impact access to healthcare, education and the services in your community. Election Day is November 5th, and many locations have the option for early voting. You may know you’re going to vote, but do you have a plan? - Decide if you are voting in-person or, if applicable, by mail. - Check and see if early voting is available. - For early voters and on Election Day, many mainstream ride-share companies are offering discounted rates to help get to polling locations. Be sure to also check with your local transit and transportation systems, as many are providing discounted or free rides to make voting more accessible. - To be fully prepared to vote, it’s important to know the issues and candidates on the ballot. Take time to educate yourself on them to make informed decisions. You can view what will be on your ballot beforehand, so you know what to expect when it’s time to vote. - Visit our state-specific resources for information on voter registration, important dates and information on how to vote in your state. At the NSO, we urge all eligible voters to make a plan, consider the issues that matter the most and make your voice count. Voting is your power – use it to shape the future for the health and well-being of families and your communities.

Millions of Americans are not registered to vote despite being eligible! By empowering patients to vote, we can ensure that everyone's voice is heard and that our democracy represents all of us. Voting is a crucial way to influence policies that directly impact our health and well-being. Healthcare providers have a unique opportunity to encourage voter registration and civic participation. By helping patients register to vote, we enable them to advocate for healthier communities. Order your FREE Vot-ER voter registration badge today and join us in advocating for healthier futures. Let's make sure every eligible voter is registered and every voice is heard. 🗳️🇺🇸 #EveryVoteCounts #VoterRegistration @vot_er Order Today https://bit.ly/3XruEqf

New resource! I added a page to my website to provide voters with accurate information so they can make an informed choice in this election. Over the last month, Rep. Stephen Owens and I have answered a variety of questions, including on the topics of Medicaid expansion, school funding, taxes, women's healthcare choices, and more. You can read the full articles and watch the entire candidate forum: https://lnkd.in/grxPbZmZ

ICYMI: Missed the Washington Governor's debate? Check out the key takeaways from the latest discussion between the candidates. Stay informed as they address critical issues that impact higher education, healthcare, and the future of our state. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gz4P6-RU  #WApolitics #GovDebate #HigherEd #UWImpact #PolicyMatters

Those of us in health care circles already know there are many factors which impact a person’s health. It’s not just about access to insurance or ability to make a doctor’s appointment. Additional SDOH such as affordable and safe housing, access AND quality of food, quality education, job status and institutionalized racism are just a few factors which impact a chance at a healthy life. We also have to acknowledge 'who' has access to secure housing, food, education, etc, and who does not is not accidental but are determined by our public policy - local and national. And "WE THE PEOPLE" elect the individuals who either enforce and support discriminatory policies and laws or advocate for interests of all. Quite unfortunately, those facing barriers to health are often also facing barriers to voting. Community Health Workers, we are particularly poised to promote participation in the voting process. A CHW can address the voting barrier during many of the regular touchpoints we have with them so the client can choose the policies which best bolster their own health. This is how we empower, the same way becoming employed or receiving preventative healthcare empowers. This empowerment leads to community members making more informed decisions, resulting in healthier outcomes for generations to come! CHWs can help increase civic and voting engagement by: - Ensuring clients understand the importance of voting; how it impacts every aspect of their daily lives. - Ask if they are registered to vote; assist with registration, if not. - Follow up before an election to help arrange transportation to the polls or check they have mailed in their absentee ballot. National Association of Community Health Workers Center for Community Health Alignment #chwsleadtheway #scchwa #healthequitynow #votingmatters #phit4lyfe * Register here if you are interested in becoming a Voter Ambassador: https://lnkd.in/evT8STfq https://lnkd.in/eRYsS-kR

The IDAHO HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION wanted to remind you that Idaho’s primary election day is being held on Tuesday, May 21st. We highly encourage you to get out and vote. Research and get to know who is running in your legislative district. Reach out to the IHCA office and we can explain how to find what district you are in. If you don’t vote and you complain about what the legislature does, we don’t know what to tell you. You have to get involved. We care about legislators. We ask them to help us to pay for Medicaid that reimburses facilities and home care agencies. Without that we are stuck for two more years. There is an election every two years for every legislator. There are some really great legislators running for re-election that we want back. I’ve got a list of legislators that our association has supported, and we will give a shout out for those candidates. Most importantly, get involved. Find out who is running in your area. Give a check to those who you support. Have them come to visit your place of work. They want to meet voters. If they can come to your facility and meet many people at once, they would love that. Your residents and staff would love to meet the candidates. Even if you’re not endorsing a candidate as an employer, at least have your team and residents get to know them. To help your residents vote, you’ll need to start doing absentee ballots now or be willing to help them get to the place where they can vote. We need to be involved because if you are not, then you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit. Thank you everyone. We appreciate you!  To learn more about election information visit https://voteidaho.gov/ #longtermcare #voteidaho #seniorliving #seniors

This is a message that 38 Degrees supporters will shortly be seeing in their inboxes. I thought I would share it here too. --- Today is a huge day in British politics. At the end of a momentous election, a new Government is in place. And now, for the 38 Degrees community, the real work begins. As a new PM enters Downing Street, I wanted to take a moment to explain what we’ll do next, and why our community is more important than ever. The election result announced this morning was one of the most dramatic in British political history. But today is not progress - it’s just a chance to get it. More than anything, it is a message from across the UK that people want change. They want help with the cost of living a little and to see the NHS saved. They want their local environment cleaned up and protected, and to see a return to a politics they can trust. This is clear across the board: not only in the ultimate result for Labour, but the advances made by other parties including the Lib Dems & Greens. Labour have won big on a message of change. Now they have to deliver change. It is 38 Degrees’ job, along with others, to make sure they do. If Labour fall short, if they are too cautious, or they don’t act fast to help people, we will launch huge people-powered campaigns demanding they do more, and do better. We will be a voice for ambition  - not one of mindless opposition, but a voice for hope and for action. We'll know if they have delivered, when we see the changes we have been crying out for, playing out in our own, and our loved ones’, lives. When we are no longer anxiously facing months or years on NHS waiting lists, when we have enough money left over at the end of the month to live a little. If they deliver, we will celebrate together - and we will also act to defend progress against the special interests who will fight tooth and nail to protect their profits. We have shown what we can do together. During this campaign, with hot air balloons, innovative online video, ice cream trucks, polling research, and acres of media coverage, we have shown that creativity and imagination can get a hearing - when it is powered by real people. 38 Degrees is a special community. We aren’t united by support for a political party. In fact, I know that this is a community of people who voted for every party on the ballot paper. We aren’t partisan about parties, we’re partisan about the country we want to see: one where we’re treated with fairness, where we treat each other with respect, and where we have a world that is sustainable for all of us, and our children. Whatever comes next, I know we’ll be able to raise our voices if we’re all in it together as the 38 Degrees community. That means all of us chipping in with small actions to do big things. The election results mean we have a real chance for change. But change didn’t happen with this election alone - it will happen in the coming days, weeks and years. Our fight for that change starts today.

Did you know, physicians are the only #Medicare providers who do not receive an annual inflationary update? Without long-term reform, physicians could be forced to close their doors for good. It’s time to #FixMedicareNow and protect Medicare patients and physicians. See how you can help reform the flawed system: https://lnkd.in/g8tHu_7F

With 0 hours left to enroll in coverage for 2024, how'd y'all make out? Did you elect that same 'ol plan, again, due to feeling overwhelmed with questions like: - "How do I choose the right plan for my needs?" - "What does this policy jargon mean?" - "Am I missing out on essential coverage?" - "What benefits does my policy truly offer?" - "How can I optimize coverage for my unique needs?" - "What resources are available to demystify health insurance terms?" - Will I have to change my family's primary care providers?" If so, you're in the company of nearly two-thirds (67%) of employed Americans who said they don't usually change their health insurance selections year over year because it's too stressful. PERIDOM INSIGHTS understands your frustrations with the complexities of navigating plan options and is empathetic to your feelings of being overwhelmed. We're here to help simplify the health insurance decision-making process, so you can get back to doing life with the people who love you while navigating your healthcare journey with ease.

A Powerful Discussion on Building Healthier Communities for a Longer Life. I have the privilege of attending the VBHC Certification program at University of Houston, where the insightful oldie but goodie Public Policy video from California sparked a compelling discussion on health inequalities and their impact on longevity. The video highlighted the stark reality that life expectancy can vary significantly based on a person's zip code. This concerning trend underscores the critical role of Value-Based Health Care (VBHC) in addressing social determinants of health and building communities where everyone has the opportunity to live a long and healthy life. VBHC encourages a shift from focusing solely on treatment to emphasizing prevention, collaboration, and population health management. This approach, coupled with effective public policy, can create a more equitable healthcare system and close the gap in life expectancy across different communities. By investing in initiatives that address factors like affordable housing, access to healthy food, and quality education, policymakers can create a foundation for healthier communities. This requires a multifaceted approach that involves collaboration among healthcare providers, policymakers, community leaders, and individuals. The discussions at the VBHC Certification program left a profound impression, emphasizing the urgent need to prioritize building healthier communities. By harnessing the power of VBHC and advocating for effective public policy, we can create a future where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential and live a long, fulfilling life. #VBHC #HealthEquity #Longevity #PublicPolicy #BuildingHealthierCommunities