Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America

Healthcare news clips 3/31

Healthcare

D.C. Plan Could Aid Uninsured, The Washington Post (March 29, 2008): A D.C. Council member will propose a sweeping plan next week to mandate health-care coverage for all District residents by offering a city-subsidized program for the uninsured that would be funded through new taxes on health companies and cigarettes.

            Medicaid

            Medicare

Medicare’s Financial Woes, The New York Times (March 28, 2008 op-ed): Warnings that Medicare spending is growing at an unsustainable rate come with mind-numbing regularity, so it was no surprise that the latest report from the Medicare trustees found that the system is still headed for a financial abyss. Medicare’s problems get scant attention on the campaign trail but will demand strong corrective action by the next president.

            SCHIP

George Bush's Redemption

Read Fr. Larry Snyder's interview on Busted Halo, exerpt below

The clock may be ticking on the Bush White House, but a group of religious leaders claims it’s not too late for George W. Bush to redeem what they call his ‘shameful’ legacy. Last month, the leader of Catholic Charities USA, the Reverend Larry Snyder, joined other Catholic and evangelical Christian social justice advocates in urging the President to right the wrongs of his administration. Catholic Charities USA, is the national membership association of more than 1,500 Catholic agencies and institutions that serve approximately 7.5 million people a year. Fr. Snyder oversees the organization’s Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, a multi-year, multi-faceted initiative that aims to cut poverty in half by 2020. BustedHalo.com® recently spoke with Father Snyder about the changes he’d like to see, the challenges for the country’s next president and his hope for young Americans. Read it here

January 10, 2008 Marks one year anniversary of the Campaign!

Today marks the one year anniversary of the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.

In 2007, over 4600 individuals and 390 organizations have endorsed the campaign- in 2008 we want that number to GROW! We need all people of good will to endorse the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America and take action.

How will you mark the one year anniversary?

• Make it your goal for the day to get 10 people to Endorse the Campaign!
• Read the highlights of 2007 and take the quiz
• Learn how you can make poverty a priority in the 2008 elections
• Join Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America Facebook Group

Poverty is a problem that affects us all

Poverty is a problem that impacts us all

For those in Michigan lucky enough to see poverty as someone else's problem, or no more of one than the moment of guilt as one breezes past the Salvation Army red buckets over the holidays, there's news for you: Poverty in Michigan is everyone's problem. While solutions may be maddeningly elusive, Michigan ignores poverty at its peril.

A recent report from the Michigan League of Human Services won't come as shocking news to anyone in this state. It found that, over the course of this decade, poverty levels have risen, and more and more Michigan families are being squeezed between declining or stagnant wages and ever-rising prices read more

Poverty in America: Beyond the Numbers

To call attention to the needs of Americans trapped in poverty this holiday season, Catholic Charities USA will release findings of its annual survey showing how Catholic Charities agencies are working to address the pervasive issue of poverty in this country.

As one of the largest social service networks in the country, Catholic Charities agencies serve 4.1 million people living below the poverty line. That’s 1 in 10 people living in poverty. These agencies understand the consequences of poverty first-hand, and also know the solutions for helping individuals get on a path to self-sufficiency.

Please join us as we address the challenges facing those in poverty and the opportunities for reducing poverty in America by half by 2020.

• Gain a greater understanding of what’s behind the survey numbers
• Learn about successful evidence-based case studies for addressing poverty
• Take a state-by-state look at how and where Catholic Charities agencies are serving the greatest numbers of individuals in need of healthcare, food, employment, and housing services, as well as the many social services that build stronger families and communities
• Trace the trends in the needs of Catholic Charities’ clients since 2002
• Hear more about Catholic Charities USA’s Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, an ambitious plan to cut poverty by half by 2020
• Find out about the 3Ps for Reducing Poverty

When:	10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 15, 2007
Where:	Hall of States 444 North Capitol Street, NW Room 383/385 Washington, D.C.
RSVP:	Monica Maggiano, Catholic Charities USA mmaggiano@catholiccharitiesusa.org
Media Contact:	Shelley Borysiewicz, Catholic Charities USA sborysiewicz@catholiccharitiesusa.org
Speakers:	Janet Valente Pape, chair of the Catholic Charities USA Board of Trustees and executive director of Catholic Charities of Wichita Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA David Beckmann, president, Bread for the World Christene Dykes-Sorrells, director of emergency services for Catholic Charities of Chicago, IL Catholic Charities guest from Sarah’s House, Baltimore, Maryland

US House Fails to override President Bush's Veto

Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, issued the following statement today following the failure of the U.S. House of Representatives to override President Bush’s veto of a compromise bill to strengthen and improve the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a highly successful program that provides health insurance coverage to poor children. The vote was 273-156, 13 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.

“It is disappointing that there were not enough House members willing to stand up for children and vote to override this ill-conceived veto of a bill that would have helped so many children without health insurance.

“Because of President Bush’s veto and the 156 House members who voted to uphold it, thousands of poor children living in every state will not receive health insurance coverage that they would have received under this legislation.  Their actions put the health of many of our nation’s children at risk.

“The veto may have blocked this bill, but it cannot stop our commitment to the most vulnerable in our society. Catholic Charities USA calls on Congress and the White House to work together to find agreement on a bill that provides this critically needed health coverage to more poor children.”

October 17th is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural.
It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Nelson Mandela

Have you taken action today to help reduce Poverty?

It's easy to get involved. Today you can:

• Read Poverty in America, a threat to the common good and reflect on what you can do
• Endorse the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America
• Take Action and help children get the health insurance they need
• Talk to your family, coworkers, community groups about poverty in your community and what you can to

 

Despite Slight Decline in Poverty Rates Much More Needs to Be Done to Cut Poverty in Half by 2020

CCUSA troubled by increase in uninsured rates among children

Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, issued the following statement regarding new statistics released today by the U.S. Census Bureau that shows that poverty has declined slightly in the United States. “Any time the poverty rate decreases, we should celebrate. However, we must never lose sight of the fact that in one of the world’s wealthiest nations, 36.5 million people living in poverty, including 12.8 million children, continue to struggle to make ends meet. “Catholic Charities agencies serve more than 7.4 million people each year, giving us first-hand experience in dealing with the personal tragedy of poverty. That’s why Catholic Charities USA launched its Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America last January to cut the poverty rate in half by 2020. Catholic Charities USA is extremely troubled that the number of uninsured, including children, continues to increase. We firmly believe that there is no excuse for any child in our nation to go without access to health care, which is critically important to the well-being and development of all children. “Each day we work to help to lift people out of poverty, but much more needs to be done. What will it take to shake our nation’s leaders out of their complacency and to convince them that America’s promise of a better life and a better tomorrow rings hollow for millions of people who are working hard but falling further and further behind. “When Congress returns from its August recess, it is critical that both the House and Senate take real steps to help those living in poverty. It’s time for Congress to get to work and find the political will needed to make poverty a top agenda item and help the most vulnerable in our nation. “We call on Congress to strengthen State Children’s Health Insurance Program to cover more children from low-income families before this successful program expires at the end of September. It’s also important for Congress to strengthen federal nutrition programs, including passing a Farm Bill that makes the application process easier, increases food stamp benefit amounts, improves outreach, and expands eligibility and eliminates asset limits. In addition, Congress must continue and improve Head Start and strengthen and adequately fund needed affordable housing programs. “We must renew our commitment to help millions of Americans still living in poverty and the millions who are lacking vital health insurance. This is about who we are as a nation, and we simply must do better.”

What do you think about the Census numbers?

Senate Finance Committee Fails to Move SCHIP Before July

This week, leaders in the U.S. Senate Finance Committee failed to come to an agreement that would move legislation to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Without reauthorization, SCHIP will expire on September 30th, 2007.

Catholic Charities USA continues to urge the Senate and the House to move forward quickly in reauthorizing the program. We continue to call for significant improvements to the program, including simplifying the application processes, providing coverage for eligible but not enrolled children, and removing restrictions to legal immigrant children and pregnant women. In a joint letter from Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Health Association, and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Catholic leaders urged the Senate Finance Committee to fully utilize the $50 billion provided for SCHIP reauthorization in the budget resolution, both to maintain coverage for children currently in SCHIP and allow states to enroll six million uninsured children who are eligible for SCHIP or Medicaid.

The Senate Finance Committee is expected to move aggressively on SCHIP reauthorization after the July 4th recess.  On the House side, staff has indicated that the Energy and Commerce Committee will start discussions during the second week of July.  In July, please look for critical opportunities to take action as the Senate and House move forward on legislation.

Marriage increasingly reserved for the wealthy

A recent On Point program on WAMU 88.5 FM explored the growing gap in marriage rates between lower and upper income Americans.  It seems that while the total number of divorces in this country is on the decline, there is a disturbing increase in divorce among low-income couples.  At the same time, upper-income people are much more likely to marry than low-income people.  “We are now a country where a huge portion of the affluent marry, and a huge portion of the poor do not,” On Point host Tom Ashbrook said.  Ashbrook went on to point out that major trends like this aren’t easily or quickly reversed.  Go here to listen to the program:  http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2007/05/20070531_a_main.asp

To me the implications are both numerous and ominous:  children of divorced low-income parents are dramatically less likely to attend college, and unmarried households are at a much greater risk for economic peril as the result of a job loss, a health concern, a lack of affordable day care, etc.

My question then is this:  How do we develop programs in the public and private sectors that support low-income families, but at the same time do not punish low-income people who do not marry or who get divorced? 

One of the most heated debates over the last decade has been the move to promote public policy that “incentivizes” marriage at the expense of those who aren’t married.  Isn’t it possible to do one, without the other?  If implemented, I think that the recommendations to strengthen families and marriage in the Catholic Charities USA Policy Paper “Poverty in America:  A Threat to the Common Good,” would begin to accomplish this goal – without pitting the married against the unmarried and divorced.  Public policy that is just shouldn’t lift up one group at the expense of another.  A basic tenant of Catholic social teaching is the dignity and equality of all, without exceptions.  Read about Catholic Charities USA’s suggestions here:  http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/poverty/downloads/policy06.pdf

Post submitted by Brian Stevens, Manager Parish Social Ministry Training

Does Poverty influence your vote?

Zogby Poll: Majority Call Fighting Poverty a "Top Priority"

58% of voters more likely to vote for '08 candidate who sets goal of halving poverty within a decade

Poverty is on the minds of a majority of Americans as the 2008 presidential contest moves headlong toward a compressed primary calendar, new polling conducted by Zogby International ahead of a Democratic candidate forum shows.

The poll of 933 likely voters nationwide is being released in conjunction with a Monday forum on poverty at George Washington University, featuring expected appearances by top-tier Democratic candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards.

The poll, conducted in conjunction with the Life Cycle Institute at the Catholic University of America and the Center for American Progress, found half of likely voters (58%) calling poverty either the single most important priority facing the nation’s leaders or a top priority for Congress and the President.

Poverty appears poised to be a major issue heading into the 2008 elections, with 55% saying they are very concerned about it, and 58% of likely voters saying they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who set a national goal of cutting poverty in half within a decade. Just 8% said they would be less likely to vote for such a candidate. This issue had particular resonance with Democratic Party voters, where 40% of likely voters said they would be “much more likely” to vote for such a candidate.

Continue reading the survey here

Catholic Charities USA to Discuss Poverty with Presidential Hopefuls on CNN

When Catholic Charities USA launched its Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, we said we would hold our elected officials accountable in ensuring that they give a much higher priority to the needs of the poor in their policymaking decisions.

Tonight before a nationwide audience, Catholic Charities USA has an enormous opportunity to hold several of the Democratic presidential candidates accountable and hear their strategies for attending to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable persons in society.

On CNN tonight at 7:00 pm EDT, Catholic Charities USA will be participating in the Presidential Forum on Faith, Values, and Poverty, featuring the three leading Democratic presidential contenders--Senator Hillary Clinton, former Senator John Edwards, and Senator Barack Obama.

With Father Larry Snyder away in Rome for a Caritas meeting, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, will be representing Catholic Charities USA and the network as one of four faith leaders who will pose questions to the candidates.

Catholic Charities USA was invited to be on this panel by Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good (one of the event co-sponsors) who has endorsed our Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.

Father Snyder will participate in a similar forum this fall with the Republican presidential candidates.

The forum is sponsored by CNN and Sojourners, and co-sponsored by Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, the ONE Campaign, Oxfam, and Eastern University.

Catholic Charities of Baltimore Dedicates Innovative Center to help People Escape Poverty

“We are writing the ultimate turnaround story here. Those who are supporting us in this bold effort recognize that providing opportunities for people to turn from lives mired in chronic poverty to lives of self reliance through employment and stable housing is worth this investment in people and in the economic impact they will make on Baltimore,” said Harold A. Smith, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Baltimore of his agency’s new Our Daily Bread Employment Center.  

Today, with the help of William Henry Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore; Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley; and other city dignitaries, Smith’s agency dedicated Our Daily Bread Employment Center—the city’s first comprehensive resource center designed to help people and their families escape the impact of poverty by providing a centralized array of vital services.

ODBEC houses three existing Catholic Charities programs:

• Our Daily Bread daily hot meal program;
• Christopher Place Employment Academy, a residential program for formerly homeless men aimed at employment and permanent housing; and
• Maryland Re-entry Partnership, a program that enables formerly incarcerated men to successfully reintegrate into the community.

The Center also provides case management and an array of services by Catholic Charities as well as partner providers. These services include eviction prevention services, emergency and referral services, job-readiness assistance, job referral services, job placement, job retention and follow up, adult basic education, medical services (limited), recovery support, assistance with criminal background issues, access to computers and telephones, mail distribution, and workshops on home ownership, financial literacy and healthy relationships.

Through the employment opportunities offered at ODBEC, the Agency expects 350 people to be employed every year. By the end of their first year of work, annual wages of over $6.5 million will have been put back into the community.

“This comprehensive program is exactly what is needed to help break the cycle of poverty that holds back so many people in our nation,” said Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, which recently launched a campaign to cut poverty rates in half by 2020. “The fact is that families struggling in poverty often need assistance in several areas – including job services, food, housing and health care, and this program is a model for providing a one-stop center to address all of these needs.”

To learn more, read The Baltimore Sun’s article—“Soup kitchen becomes a depot for change; Catholic Charities building is a place of transition - offering hope and positive direction for life journeys”

Catholic Charities USA Goes to Congress to Urge Action to Address Poverty

CCUSA President Holds Briefing on Hunger and Testifies to House Subcommittee as Agency Directors from Across the Country Meet with Members of Congress

Today was the busiest single day of activity in Catholic Charities USA's Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, which seeks to cut the U.S. poverty rate in half by 2020. The following events took place on Capitol Hill:

• Briefing on the struggles of 35 million Americans who experience hunger
• Testimony by CCUSA President Rev. Larry Snyder before a House Ways and Means subcommittee on poverty
• Visits to Hill offices by local Catholic Charities agency leaders
• Full-page ad in Roll Call
• Virtual march on Washington in which people from around the country contacted their Members of Congress

Click here to view the entire News Release.
Click here to read Fr. Snyder's testimony to the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Poverty.
Click here to read CCUSA's positions on hunger.

For those of you who participated, please share your experiences below.

Advocacy Manual Available

For more tips on writing letters to the editor and working with the media, check out our new advocacy manual, Taking Action, Catholic Charities USA’s Guide to Effective Advocacy.

Family of Dentists Volunteer Time, Toothpaste and Tenderness

Catholic Charities USA has named a Tucson, AZ, family of three generations of dentists its 2007 National Volunteers of the Year.

Sam Marascalco, DDS, his son-in-law Phil Mooberry, DDS, and grandson Nick Mooberry, DDS, volunteer at Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona’s St. Elizabeth’s Clinic. Known affectionately as St. E’s, the clinic provides thousands of uninsured adults and children with low-cost dental care. Last year, St. E’s volunteer dentists conducted 7,313 dental visits with patients, completing fillings, dentures, partials, cleanings, and emergency exams.

“With too many people in our country unable to get access to crucial health and dental care, these three remarkable dentists are using their special skills to provide an invaluable service to some of their most vulnerable neighbors,” said Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA. “The Catholic Charities family is grateful for their dedication to their community and the Catholic Charities mission.”

“Volunteering at St. E’s is how this family gives back to the community.  St. E’s is part of ‘their family’ and they all believe that providing their dental skills is a unique way to help others in the community,” said Nancy Johnson, executive director for St. Elizabeth’s. “They are here consistently and always ready to help with a special project, advocacy efforts, a letter of support, etc.”

Learn more about this remarkable trio. Their work is a testament of God's love and a prime example of how each and every one of us can make a difference in the lives of our less fortunate brothers and sisters. They will be honored on September 15 at Catholic Charities USA's Annual Gathering in Cincinnati, OH.

Can your dinner help reduce Poverty?

“It’s not about the beans. It’s about the women.”

The Tomorrow Project, a program of Rachel’s Women’s Center, sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Diego, helps homeless women learn job-readiness skills and small business expertise. The women, who deal with a range of barriers to self-suffiency including substance abuse and psychological issues, assemble and sell a unique array of homemade soup mixes. They learn job-readiness skills, gain confidence and receive counseling to help them "visualize a brighter future of self-sufficiency and independent living."

Supporting programs such as The Tomorrow Project is another easy way to help reduce poverty.  Learn more about the project and order soups at www.tomorrowproject.org.

Campaign Reaches 1200 Individuals

As of April 5, 2007 Catholic Charities USA' s Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America has reached over 1,200 individuals!

The 1,200 each individually decided that now is the time to take action to reduce poverty in this country. We must hold our leaders accountable so that all have access to health care, food, safe affordable housing, and economic stability.

Click here to join the campaign.

Why a Campaign Blog?

By using a blog, we are able to build and maintain an interactive site to post information about Campaign activities on a daily basis. Blogging allows anyone interested in reducing poverty in America to read what's new, instantly respond to messages and retrieve current, valuable ideas and resources. Blogging allows us to easily search and archive a comprehensive anthology of Campaign activities, news stories, field events, etc.

The success of a blog hinges upon current, compelling content that encourages the visitor to come back day after day. The content should be interesting and thought-provoking so that the visitor wants to voice their opinion, share their ideas and express their concerns. Blogs create a sense of community and comraderie and are a wonderful way for one person to learn what agencies and individuals across the country are doing to reduce poverty in America.

CCUSA hopes the blog will continue the discussion on poverty and move more people to take action. Please continue to send your ideas and comments!

March is Endorse the Campaign Month

As of today CCUSA has close to 700 endorsements from individuals and organizations who want to help reduce poverty in America!

This month, help Catholic Charities USA spread the word about the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America by endorsing the Campaign and then encouraging coworkers, staff, partner organizations, friends, clients, family, and others in your community to endorse the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.

Ask them to lend their voice to this important effort and join the many Americans across the country who are joining the Campaign today! Please join us - Click here to Endorse the Campaign!