Daily Yopp! 3.30.17 Demand Presidential Accountability

Have I mentioned how much I love my representative?

I am blessed to be represented in the House by the Honorable Barbara Lee. She first gained national attention back in 2001 when she was the lone holdout in voting against giving the President blanket authorization to use military force without congressional approval following the 9/11 attacks. After that the slogan, "Barbara Lee speaks for me," turned up on bumper stickers and buttons and Congresswoman Lee has handily won every reelection.

Fast forward to 11/9 and Barbara Lee is still speaking for me. I call or email her office a few times a week about this or that issue, but I just do it to add to the tallies of constituent support for whatever she was already doing. I recently got a reply to an email I sent with my concerns about Trump's financial conflicts of interest and ties to Russia. Here's what I got back:

As a longtime advocate for responsible leadership within our government, I share your concerns regarding the financial interest of the President and Vice President of the United States.  You may be pleased to know that I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 371, the Presidential Accountability Act, which would extend the current conflict of interest provisions to ensure that Presidents and Vice Presidents’ financial interest do not conflict with the needs of the American people. I am also a proud co-sponsor of H.Res. 111, which would begin the investigation into President Trump’s financial conflicts and ties to Russia. I also recently sent a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Republicans urging them to use their authority to request the tax returns of President Trump for review by Congress.  Rest assured, as a proud member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, I will continue to support legislation that protects our democracy. In appreciation for her constant vigilance in preserving and protecting our nation from all enemies foreign and domestic, let's amplify the support for H.R. 371 and H.Res 111. Today's Yopp! is to call your MoCs and express your support for these bills. For those who like scripts, here ya go: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: I am a constituent of ____________ and I am calling to express my support for H.R. 371, the Presidential Accountability Act, and H.Res. 111. I also ask that Congress do everything in its power to demand that President Trump release his tax records so that Congress can review them for conflict of interest. SENATE: I am a constituent of ____________ and I am calling to express my support for Senate Bill 65, the Presidential Accountability Act. I also ask that Congress do everything in its power to demand that President Trump release his tax records so that Congress can review them for conflict of interest. For those that like to go into these calls more informed, here's some links with background on these two bills: H.R. 371 (Clark Dem-MA5)  and S. 65 (Warren Dem MA) - The Presidential Accountability Act Bill that will require the President and Vice President to reveal and divest themselves of any potential financial conflicts of interest. H. Res. 111 (Nadler Dem-NY10) Resolution demanding that Attorney General Jeff Sessions transmit documents pertaining to Trump's financial practices so the House can inspect them. Thanks for all you do, Barbara Lee! You still speak for me! Yours in Solidarity!

Daily Yopp! 3.29.17 - State-Based Resistance to Trump Agenda

As the spines of our GOP legislators move towards extinction and the power of the Democrats in Congress erodes, we need to look to one of our separate and (still) Constitutionally-protected government checks and balances -- the states.

Here in California, our Senate and Assembly leaders threw their lot in with the Resistance early on with this joint statement that released the day after the election. It's a powerful read. Our governor Jerry Brown and other CA state officials continue to step up and lead our nation both as a role model and in active resistance to Trump and GOP actions. There's lots going on that we Californians can be proud of:

Newsweek: CALIFORNIA V. TRUMP: THE FIGHT BEGINS FOR HEALTH CARE, IMMIGRATION AND THE FUTURE OF AMERICA

Alternet: State of Resistance - California in the Age of Trump

Sacramento Bee: Battling Trump is ‘team sport,’ California’s attorney general says

Speaking of state-level resistance, here's some happenings in other parts of the country courtesy of the always fabulous Kate Schatz of Solidarity Sundays (and for those paying attention, you'll note that this sentence includes a link to Kate's author website as well as to an activist organization):

In STATE news... 

*On Wed 3/15, the Nevada State Legislature ratified the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)...35 years after the deadline. The chief sponsor was Rep. Pat Spearman, a former Army lieutenant colonel and one of two openly gay senators in the Legislature. Why is this significant? Because the ERA remains just three states shorts of becoming a constitutional amendment that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." Now that Nevada has made this move, the door is open for states like Virginia and Illinois, who have both come close to ratification. http://www.npr.org/…/nevada-on-cusp-of-ratifying-equal-righ… 

*The Maryland Legislature has voted to BAN FRACKING, and the bill is headed to the Gov, who's promised to sign it.

If you're in Nevada, Virginia, Illinois, or Maryland, be sure to call your local legislators and/or governors to either thank them or encourage them to do the right thing. Towards that, please take a moment to add these contact numbers into your phone or whatever centralized list you keep. Most states have a bicameral legislature that is modeled on the US Congress, so you most likely have a senator representing you in your state senate and someone else in the other house (here in California, it's called the Assembly). A good website for tracking down your state representatives is Open States.

Also from Kate, but more about actions we can take:

And HEY! Speaking of states, that leads to our first #ACTION... 

1) "AS WE WORK TO BLOCK TRUMP'S AGENDA IN CONGRESS, HIS AGENDA IS ALREADY BEING IMPLEMENTED IN MANY STATES." 

Boom. That is some TRUTH. How to see all that pending legislation?! BEHOLD: www.ourstates.org! This interactive map is the best tool I've seen to quickly and clearly track legislation on a state-by-state basis. It just launched yesterday from the folks behind Stay Woke, who also brought us The Resistance Manual, which we've posted about several times before. If you haven't checked it out already, it's a must. 

https://www.resistancemanual.org/Resistance_Manual_Homehttps://www.ourstates.org/#ourstates 

Your first #ACTION today is to explore your own state on the OurStates map. What legislation is happening in your state? Anything you think your SolSun chapter should address? Anything you want to take action on?

From the Our States guide:

You have more power to influence your state legislator than your member of Congress. The average state representative’s district is 12 times smaller than a Congressional district. Most are not lifelong politicians, or even full-time politicians. They are not always focused on reelection because many of them run unopposed. And state legislators have the power to decide many of the most important issues impacting communities. However, since state legislators have fewer resources than members of Congress, it is harder for them to take ideas and turn them into legislation. That’s where you come in.

And finally, for those who want a very specific action, please use those numbers you just tracked down and call your STATE representatives to ask that your state become a sanctuary state. Basically what that means is that your state (or city) would adopt policies preventing state and local law enforcement from helping ICE and other federal agencies from enforcing immigration laws. USA Today has an article about what it means in California.

Keep up the good fight! Remember, every call you make is like one more puff of air in that balloon. The pressure is building. We WILL win eventually. We just need to Resist Insist Persist and Enlist!

Yours in Solidarity!

Daily Yopp! 3.28.17 - Hold House Intelligence Hearing/Nunes Recusal

Long and short of it. The House Intelligence Committee was supposed to hold a very important hearing today (Tuesday, March 28) with some key witnesses: former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former CIA Diretor John Brennan, and former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates. The chair of the House Intelligence Committee and Trump transition team member Representative Devin Nunes (R-CA), who went to Trump last week with inside information about what was happening in the investigation of Russia-Trump collusion, cancelled this meeting.

Outrageous!!!

Today's Yopp! involves two main goals:

1. Keep Nunes from meddling in the investigation

• Insist that Nunes recuse himself from this particular investigation
• Ask that he resign his role as chair of the House Intelligence Committee

2. Ensure that these particular hearings occur

• Demand that the House Intelligence Committee hold them as planned
• Ask that the Senate Intelligence Committee invite the same witnesses to their hearings
• Ask that the Senate establish an independent investigation

Here's a few links with more details:

Think Progress: House Intelligence Committee chairman abruptly cancels open hearing on Russia

The Hill: 3 reasons Devin Nunes must step away from the Trump probe

Los Angeles Times: Adam Schiff calls on Devin Nunes to recuse himself from Russia investigation

As we've been told time and again, our main focus should be on our own Members of Congress. There are other calls to action out there (and I'll even copy/paste one of them), but start with your own MoCs. Here's the action:

1. Call/email your representative in the House with this script:

I am a constituent of Representative _____________ from zip code _________. I would like House Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes to recuse himself from the investigation into Russian collusion with the Trump campaign or better yet resign from the committee. I would also like the scheduled hearings with James Clapper, John Brennan, and Sally Yates to proceed as planned or be rescheduled. Has Representative ______________ made a statement about this issue?


2. Call/email your senators with this script:

I am a constituent of Senator _____________ from zip code _________. I am deeply concerned with what's happening in the House with regards to the investigation into Russian collusion with the Trump campaign. I would like the Senate to conduct an investigation into these matters that is led by counsel that is independent from political bias. I would also like  James Clapper, John Brennan, and Sally Yates to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Has Senator ____________ made a statement about this issue?

3. If you have time, call MoCs from other states that are on the House Intelligence Committee. Here's the Call To Action for that. Not sure how legit it is, as representatives don't usually ask the public for this kind of help. But if you have time, it can't hurt.

Adam Schiff, the ranking Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee is asking for our help. He wants us to call Republican members of the committee because Chairman Devin Nunes cancelled an open hearing for next Tuesday. The witnesses who were prepared to testify remain willing and available to testify on Tuesday. We are supposed to put pressure on them to hold the open hearing on Tuesday as was originally planned.

Here are all of the names and DC office phone numbers for all of the majority members of the House Intelligence Committee. Call one or call them all! Tell them to hold the open hearing on Tuesday as previously planned. 

Devin Nunes, Chairman22nd District of California (202) 225-2523
Mike Conaway
11th District of Texas
(202) 225-3605 

Peter King
2nd District of New York
(202) 225-7896

  

Frank LoBiondo
2nd District of New Jersey
(202) 225-6572

  

Tom Rooney
17th District of Florida
(202) 225-5792

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
27th District of Florida
(202) 225-3931

Michael Turner
10th District of Ohio
(202) 225-6465 

 

Brad Wenstrup
2nd District of Ohio
(202) 225-3164

  

Chris Stewart
2nd District of Utah
(202) 225-9730

  

Rick Crawford
1st District of Arkansas
(202) 225-4076

  

Trey Gowdy
4th District of South Carolina
(202) 225-6030

Elise Stefanik
21st District of New York
(202) 225-4611

  

Will Hurd
23rd District of Texas
(202) 225-4511

Yours in Solidarity.

Daily Yopp! 3.27.17 Indivisible Post "You Saved the ACA, What's Next?"

There's a lot of folks out there doing what I'm doing as far as calls to action. Often it makes sense to just copy/paste what they've already done. Today's Yopp! is just that. This is from the folks at Indivisible:

We don’t usually start our weekly updates by quoting Paul Ryan, but this time he said it best: “Obamacare is the law of the land.” 

On Friday, you achieved something no one imagined was possible: you stopped Trump and Paul Ryan from taking health care away from millions of Americans. They thought it would be easy—but then you showed up. 

An insider’s account of how you defeated Trump’s top legislative priority. As former congressional staff, we can tell you exactly how this went down. Trump and Ryan were in a bind. With no Democratic support, they needed to pass a bill that would satisfy both the extreme right and the purple-state Republicans. Your constituent power, asserted week after week over the last few months, ultimately made this political calculus impossible. 

Your relentless constituent pressure ensured that TrumpCare was deeply unpopular before it was even introduced. That unpopularity made it easy for the far-right Republicans to oppose the bill. Ryan and Trump needed those far-right votes, so they tried to offer more extreme concessions to win them over. Those extreme concessions spooked the purple-state Republicans, who started to bolt. Why? Because of intense pressure from their constituents (i.e. YOU). Suddenly, the bill was losing votes from both the far-right and the purple-state Republicans. In a matter of days, the congressional coalition behind Trump’s top legislative priority simply collapsed. TrumpCare was toast. 

TrumpCare was terrible, but terrible legislation passes all the time. The difference this time was that you were organized and determined. You mounted a sustained, nationwide resistance that broke the will of the Republican caucus and derailed Trump’s agenda. Politics is the art of the possible, and you changed what was possible. You stood indivisible and it worked—and people will literally live longer, healthier lives as a result. 

So What’s Next? 

The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) survival is a big blow to Trump, but, unfortunately, he isn’t done yet—he’s still got a long list of atrocious policy priorities that he’s trying to get through Congress next. So we’ve still got work to do. Here’s what’s coming up next: 

Keep your Members of Congress (MoCs) accountable on health care. Got some time today? Just because there was no vote doesn’t mean your MoC doesn’t need constituent feedback. Visit your MoC’s local office and let them know how you feel about their stance (or lack thereof) on TrumpCare. And let them know that you’re going to keep watching out for any new attacks on the ACA down the road. While Trump and Ryan have retreated “for the foreseeable future” (to quote Ryan again), this fight may not be over—stay tuned for more resources you can use to keep defending the ACA over the next congressional recess and beyond. 

Protect the Supreme Court for decades to come: no cloture on #SupremelyExtreme Gorsuch. Last week’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Neil Gorsuch were more of the same for the Trump administration: an extreme nominee attempting to defend his record of standing with corporate power instead of the American people. To ensure Gorsuch doesn’t roll back civil rights, women’s rights, labor rights, and many other rights for years to come, we need the Senate to show some serious spine. 

The important vote for Gorsuch is the “cloture” vote. Voting for “cloture” means voting to cut off debate and end a filibuster. This vote requires 60 votes to succeed, which means Senate Republicans CAN’T win this on their own—they don’t have enough votes. Ask your Senator (regardless of party) to vote “NO on cloture” for Gorsuch—check out our newly updated script on this here. 

Keep the pressure on Congress to force the release of Trump’s tax returns. On Tuesday at 4 p.m., the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a markup on H.Res. 186, a Resolution of Inquiry directing the Secretary of the Treasury to provide the House of Representatives with Trump’s tax returns. Tell your MoC to cosponsor this resolution: here’s the script. 

Shed some sunlight on Trump’s Russia ties. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) thinks he can get away with moving hearings behind closed doors. It’s clear that he can’t be trusted to lead an unbiased investigation. Tell your MoCs that it’s time to take Nunes off the case and put the investigation in the hands of a nonpartisan, independent commission, in full view of the American people. 

Tell your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 356, the Protecting our Democracy Act, which would create a special commission to investigate Russian interference into our elections.
Tell your Senator to cosponsor S. 27, which would similarly create an independent commission to investigate Russian interference in our democratic institutions.   

Protect Americans’ privacy from corporate greed. Last week, while many of us were focused on defending health care, Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans passed S.J. Res. 34 on a narrow, party-line vote. This bill would block the Federal Communications Commission from regulating large internet service providers (think Comcast) in their efforts to sell the troves of information they gather about you without your consent. The House is poised to vote on this measure, H.J. Res. 86, this week. Call your MoC and tell them to protect your privacy and side with ordinary people over powerful corporate interests. Here’s the script. 

Resist the Trump agenda—and sound smart at barbecues 

Our latest explainer on the legislative process covers appropriations: the process by which Congress decides how the government spends money. If you’ve been wondering about Trump’s appalling budget proposal and whether he can really get away with cutting things like PBS, here’s a great place to start: Legislative Process 101—Appropriations (or “Keeping the Lights On”). 

Get ready for recess 

You did amazing work over February’s congressional recess, and we can’t wait to see what you’re going to do next! You’ll get a chance to show off your skills and creativity again from April 8–23. Now is the time to start asking your MoCs when they’re planning to hold town halls during the upcoming recess. If they refuse to tell you, check out our Missing Members of Congress Action Plan, which shows you how to take control of the situation. And we’re busy putting together exciting new recess resources that will be ready for you next week!
Last week's victory was so important—and not only because you saved the ACA, but also because you proved without a doubt that standing indivisible works. Last week we stood indivisible, and we won. And we’re just getting started. 

In solidarity, 

The Indivisible Team

By the way, if you are a recent arrival to the Trump Resistance, be sure to download and read the Indivisible Guide. It's been the guiding force for much of the resistance movement. I don't ascribe to everything they suggest, but if your goal is to have an impact on the folks in DC, this is a great place to start.

Yours in Solidarity!

Please share this post and subscribe to the blog.

Daily Yopp! 3.26.17 How To Communicate to Your MoCs

It struck me the other day that this ongoing grassroots resistance is a bit like blowing up a balloon. The Women's March was like the first few breaths. We saw that balloon get larger really quickly and it was exciting! But as we continue to inflate the resistance balloon, the impact of each breath becomes less and less apparent. This is where persistence comes into play, because what's happening is that pressure is increasing. Just like the balloon, that pressure will eventually break through the power structure. We MUST stay focused and keep putting pressure on Congress even when it feels like nothing is happening. The balloon always bursts eventually.

I'm going to take savor another bite of that victory against Trump/Ryancare. The political pundits are falling over themselves explaining in hyperbolic language just how devastating a blow this defeat was to Trump's power. I imagine the GOP will get back up on Monday, dust themselves off, and go back to work pushing for legislation that hurts the majority of Americans, but right now it's fun to see them sweat.

But the early bird gets the worm, so I'm going to get back to work today and put some more air into the balloon of resistance.

I read an interesting article in the New Yorker called "What Calling Congress Achieves." Mind, it was written back in early March 2017, so things may have changed since then, but it gave a good overview about how our phone calls, emails, letters, petitions, fruit baskets, and other forms of communication are processed by Congress. It's definitely worth reading for yourself. I'll do my best to distill the key points:

• Does it help to contact my MoCs (Members of Congress)? In short, yes.
• Will my MoC change his position if I call? Probably not. But it's still good to call so he knows that you are paying attention and he's eroding constituent support.
• If my MoC shares my position, should I bother calling? Yes, because it will give her confidence to take a stronger position.
• Which is better? Calls, emails, or letters? That varies depending on the congressman, but in general calls are the most effective and immediate.
• I'm going to send a letter soaked in my son's Axe cologne so their office smells like a teenage boy!! Live it up, but letters are scanned by the mail room and then discarded. The office just gets the scans.
• What happens if I send letters to congressmen from other states/districts? The DC mail room will forward them to your MoC instead.
• Can the staffers tell if I am using a script? Yes, and less informed you sound about an issue, the less seriously they'll take your call.

Okay...back to the official Call to Action part of this blog, which I call the Yopp! What should you do?

1. Commit yourself to a DAILY call/email/letter to at least one of your MoCs. Focus on a specific issue or call about the latest topic du jour, but make contact every day. Michael Moore underscores this in his 10-point Action Plan to Stop Trump:

You must call Congress every day. Yes – YOU! 202-225-3121. It will take just TWO MINUTES! Make it part of your daily routine, one of those five things you do every morning without even thinking about it: 

1. Wake up.2. Brush teeth.3. Walk dog (or stare at cat).4. Make coffee.5. Call Congress. 

It is impossible to overstate just how much power you have by making this simple, quick DAILY CALL. I know from firsthand experience the impact it has. These politicians freak out if they get just 10 calls on an issue. Imagine them getting 10,000! Holy crap – the dome will pop off that building!

2.  Gather ALL your MoCs contact information into one place so you have it on hand. I have my two senators and my representative programmed into my iPhone. When I call Senator Feinstein's DC office and get the usual busy signal, I just switch to one of her state offices. The less time you can spend looking up the same information every morning, the more time you can spend making calls. Here are some websites to help you with this.

Find Your House Representative
Find Your US Senator and US Representative
Find Your US and State Elected Officials
Find Your Elected Officials (US, State, and Local)


3. Educate yourself as best you can about the issues so you are informed when you speak to your MoC's staff. Next time you read some outrageous headline on your social media feed, be sure to actually read the article. Then dive in a little bit deeper and find at least one other source covering the same topic. If you have a calling script, try and break it into bullet points so you can speak extemporaneously and more naturally.

4. If you want to contact an MoC from another state/district, then go for their state or local offices. I got this straight from one of the House staffers. If you are sending mail to Washington, the mail room in DC presorts the mail by zip code/postmark.The smaller district and state offices don't have that capacity and will end up seeing your letter. I can't confirm this, but I'm guessing that the same goes for phone calls. The folks in DC will take your call, but they do take note of the area code you are calling from. The local offices (especially of less established congressmen) are pretty small-time affairs. (Seriously...I just Google mapped one of them and it's literally in a run-down building with a view of a furniture store on the other side of the railroad tracks.)

Alright then...it's Sunday, so you are off the hook for making a call. Starting tomorrow, back to work! Keep blowing up that balloon. We WILL prevail if you persist!

Click here to subscribe to the Daily Yopp!

Daily Yopp! 3.25.17 Support Good Health Care Legislation

Yesterday's collapse of Trumpcare/Ryancare was a victory for us to be sure. Take a bite and savor it. Now set it aside and get back to work, because this war is much bigger than that one battle.

Right on the heels of the Republican defeat, John Conyers (D-Michigan) introduced H.R. 676 or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act. There are also a batch of other healthcare related bills in the House that Newsweek detailed in their article "Forget Trumpcare, Here Are Some Other Healthcare Bills Congress is Considering." Additionally, the Campaign for Guaranteed Healthcare is planning a National Day of Action for Improved Medicare for All for Saturday, April 8, In short, healthcare is a big issue right now. If you or someone you know has ever needed a doctor, then you should care about healthcare.

That's a lot to take in with one paragraph, I know. Let's break it down into specific things you can do:

1. Mark the National Day of Action for Improved Medicare for All on your calendar for April 8 and plan to participate in an action that day.

2. Mark April 3-9 as National Public Health Week and find at least one other activity/action you can do.

3. Educate yourself about the healthcare bills that are in Congress right now. Know which ones are good and which are bad and be ready to contact your MoCs with informed comments as needed. I've detail some of the key ones below with links.

4. Keep watching the Daily Yopp! this week and next for updates on what's hot. I plan to focus heavily on healthcare over the next two weeks. Also, be sure to send this Yopp! and others far and wide. I don't advertise it beyond the web of my social network and completely depend on you readers to spread the word. You can also sign up for the Daily Yopp! Google Group to get these posts delivered directly to your email.

****************************

PENDING HEALTHCARE LEGISLATION

S. 469  & H.R. 1245 Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation (Sanders I-VT & Cummings D-MD7)

Alleged purpose: Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow for the importation of affordable and safe drugs by wholesale distributors, pharmacies, and individuals.

What they actually are:  Companion bills that would allow the importation of drugs from Canada.

Why it matters: "The U.S. spends more than any other country on prescription drugs in part due to their high price tags. Medications are often less expensive in other countries, but Americans in need are denied access. In 1999, Senator Sanders took a bus filled with fellow Americans into Canada to purchase prescription drugs. Passage of this bill means he would not have to do that again. (Nobody wants to take a bus if they don’t have to.)" - Newsweek

More Analysis

Should we support it: Yes, though since it's sponsored by Democrats it probably won't go anywhere.

**

S. 297 Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act (Collins R-Maine & McCaskill D-Missouri)

Alleged purpose: Increases competition in the pharmaceutical industry.

What it actually does:  Creates an easier way to obtain generic drugs, which are cheaper than branded drugs.

Why it matters: "Generic drugs introduce competition, which could force manufacturers to lower the cost of branded products. Also, more generic drugs would mean more concerns about whether generics are equivalent to brand-name medications, which would help take our minds off the potential consequences of AHCA." - Newsweek

Should we support it: Yes. This is a bipartisan bill that is co-sponsored by Republican Senator Susan Collins. Getting our support on her bill would go a long way in building a positive relationship with a senator who is already showing signs of Trumpsistance.

**

H.R. 749 Lower Drug Costs Through Competition Act (Schrader D-Oregon & Bilirakis R-Florida)

Alleged purpose: To increase competition in the pharmaceutical industry.

What it actually does: Provides incentives to drug makers to create generic drugs where none currently exist or to address a drug shortage.

Why it matters: "The bill could stop sudden price hikes of generic drugs made in the absence of competition, which is what Martin Shkreli was vilified for doing." - Newsweek

More analysis

Should we support it: I think so. It's a bipartisan House bill that is reasonable. That should be reason enough. We need to normalize things in Congress.

**

S. 41 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2017 (Klobuchar D-Minnesota)

Alleged purpose: A bill to amend part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate covered part D drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.

What it actually does: Allowing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies.

Why it matters: "The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is currently forbidden by law from negotiating drug prices. President Donald Trump supposedly favors the change. Prior administrations have tried and failed, but the growing frustration about drug prices means this attempt could work." - Newsweek

More analysis

Should we support it: Yes

**

H.R. 1480 and S. 64 Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2017 (Pingree D-Maine & McCain R-Arizona)

Alleged purpose: Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow for the personal importation of safe and affordable drugs from approved pharmacies in Canada.

What it actually does:  Allows U.S. Citizens to go across the border to buy less expensive drugs from Canada. (Basically makes it so Grandma doesn't have to smuggle her prescription drugs anymore.)

Why it matters: "Like Senator Sanders’s bill above, this proposal would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to allow importation of drugs from Canada." - Newsweek

Should we support it: Yes, if only because a Democrat sponsored it in the House and a Republican sponsored it in the Senate. This is the normal legislative process in these abnormal times.

**

S. 183 Short on Competition Act (Klobuchar D-Minnesota & Lee R-Utah)

Alleged purpose: Allows for expedited approval of generic prescription drugs and temporary importation of prescription drugs in the case of noncompetitive drug markets and drug shortages.

What it actually does: Quicker approval of generic drugs to increase competition.

Why it matters: "This bill could also prevent price hikes similar to the one made by Shkreli. That could mean fewer people wealthy enough to purchase and stream a $2 million Wu Tang Clan album." - Newsweek. (Note: The Wu Tang Clan comment is a reference to that creep Martin Shkreli.)

Should we support it: Yes, especially since this reasonable bill has bipartisan sponsorship in the Senate. Time to remind Congress how it is supposed to work.

**

H.R. 676 Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act (Conyers D-Michigan)

Alleged purpose: Provides for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all United States residents, improved health care delivery, and for other purposes.

What it actually is:  A single-payer public healthcare system.

Why it matters: It's a good first draft of good legislation that won't come to fruition for awhile.

More Analysis

Should we support it: Yes, but don't get yourself in a twist about it passing because it won't. Think of it as a bill in training for better times.

**

S. 191 Patient Freedom Act of 2017 (Cassidy R-Louisiana)

Alleged purpose: To improve patient choice by allowing States to adopt market-based alternatives to the Affordable Care Act that increase access to affordable health insurance and reduce costs while ensuring important consumer protections and improving patient care.

What it actually s: An alternative to the ACA that is not Trump/Ryan Wealthcare, but this time it's written by a licensed medical doctor (*eye roll*)

Why it matters: The bill explicitly attacks "Obamacare." As best I can tell, this is the Repeal part of "Repeal and Replace."

More Analysis

Should we support it: NO! Sit down, Bill!

**

H.R. 1275 World's Greatest Healthcare Plan of 2017 (Sessions R-Texas)

Alleged purpose: To eliminate the individual and employer health coverage mandates under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to expand beyond that Act the choices in obtaining and financing affordable health insurance coverage, and for other purposes.

What it actually is: An alternative to the ACA that is not Trump/Ryan Wealthcare.

Why it matters: OMG! I had to doubletake the title of this bill. Yes, this fool really did title his bill the "World's Greatest Healthcare Plan."

More Analysis

Should we support it: Hell NO! But you should read it for a good laugh.

**

All Pending Congressional Healthcare Legislation (it's a LONG list)

Click here to subscribe to the Daily Yopp!