Advocacy

Legislature: H.R. 6201,the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Join a petition signed by healthcare workers supporting continued social distancing.

Sign this petition demanding the state introduce some temporary measures (rent freeze, eviction and utility shutoff moratorium) and some permanent measures (guaranteed sick leave, healthcare for all).

The Public Interest Network is a collection of nonprofits that works on public health and environmental issues. Right now, they are working to address the shortage of COVID-19 tests. You can help by sending a message to Admiral Brett Giroir, the Assistant Secretary for Health who was recently put in charge of the federal testing response, by filling out this quick form.

American College of Physicians (ACP) is urging Congress to pass a stimulus package that will ensure access to adequate PPE for healthcare providers, ensure reimbursement for telemedicine visits, and provide tax relief to practices to allow for sustainability during this national emergency.

• • Consider taking a few moments to urge Congress to pass stimulus package

Call or email RI officials to ask for increased supply of PPE for providers in the hospital and ambulatory settings and to urge them to fight for free testing and treatment for COVID-19 patients. Phone numbers for your representative and senators can be found below.

• • Congressman David Cicilline (Phone: 202-225-4911)

  • Senator Jack Reed (Phone: 202-224-4642)

  • Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Phone: 202-224-2921)

  • Sample script here

Letter from the Committee to Protect Medicare demanding widespread COVID-19 testing, a national shelter-in-place order, and increased production of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Call your congressional representatives at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to co-sponsor single-payer legislation, such as H.R. 1384 in the House and S. 1129 in the Senate.

Medicaid and CHIP: Contact your state Medicaid agency to encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity to provide coverage to uninsured populations for COVID-19 testing.

• • Medicaid Director, 401-462-6369

Healthcare coverage: Under H.R. 6201, the Families First Corona Response Act, coverage for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, including the cost of a provider visit in order to receive testing, are all free for: Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, VA, Federal Civilians, IHS, private health plans.

• • Report any discrepancies to COVID-19@aap.org

Senate is negotiating over the third coronavirus legislative package. The Republic Senate package unfairly excludes millions of immigrant families, including mixed-status families with U.S. citizen children and family members. Write and send a letter to urge Democratic Leadership in Congress to remove the immigrant family exclusions in Medicaid in the package.

• • Link to draft letter and bullets

  • How to find your representatives

Rent / Mortgage / Utilities Freeze organizing: Here’s some info on local organizing to encourage Gov. Gina Raimondo to freeze rent/mortgage/utilities payments for three months:

• • Call-in/email campaign to Gov. Raimondo’s office

  • Sign-up form to get involved with organizing

Food Security: Check out No Kid Hungry and their excellent suggestions to help promote food security in your communities.

School Meals: Call or email your state/local school food authority (SFA) and urge them to apply an existing meal pattern waiver in the event of a disruption of the food supply and to promote state and local congregated feeding site locations where families can pick up prepackaged meals to go.

• • 401-222-4600

WIC: WIC sites are now able to enroll women and children via telephone or online and waive in-person enrollment reqs. Call or email your state/tribal WIC director and urge them to apply for a waiver from certification requirements.

• • VOC Contact: Ann Barone, Director, 401-222-5960, Ann.Barone@health.ri.gov

Unemployment compensation: Contact your state labor department and urge them to expand unemployment eligibility and/or reduce barriers to access unemployment services (several governors/state labor departments have relaxed these requirements in the last week) and/or to increase the length of their state’s unemployment compensation/insurance program.

• • Rhode Island Contact: Scott Jensen, 401-462-8550

  • Current policy