Public Policy Report

Give the Gift of Action This Year

The proposed health care system would no longer be employer based. It would break the connection between where you work and what health care coverage you receive. It would provide comprehensive coverage for all Americans.

What is H.R. 676?

H.R. 676, also called the United States National Health Insurance Act, is a bill to create a single-payer, publicly-financed, privately-delivered universal health care program that would cover all Americans without charging co-pays or deductibles. It guarantees access to the highest quality and most affordable health care services regardless of employment, ability to pay or pre-existing health conditions.

What is "single-payer"?

The term single-payer describes the kind of financing system that H.R. 676 uses. It means that one entity--in this case, established by the government--handles all billing and payment for health care services. Right now, there are thousands upon thousands of "payers"-- HMOs, PPOs, bill collection agencies, etc. The sheer volume of paperwork required by our current system means that administrative waste accounts for roughly 31% of the money spent on health care. The single-payer system would eliminate the wasteful paperwork and administrative costs, redirecting more of our health care dollars to providing care.

Medicare is perhaps the best known single-payer system. Essentially, H.R. 676 would improve Medicare and expand it, so that it covers all Americans, regardless of their income.

Who will be eligible for health care coverage under H.R. 676?

Learn more about this proposal by clicking John Conyers' website.

Bonnie Boyce-Wilson and Helen Woodruff
Public Policy co-Chairs

Women Give Obama the Win on Election Day

Election Day brought a record number of voters to the polls, and at the end of the day, Sen. Barack Obama was elected the first African-American president of the United States. The Obama/Biden ticket received 364 electoral votes, compared to 163 won by Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin. President-Elect Obama has begun to put together his transition team and his White House staff, naming Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) his new chief of staff.

The Democrats expanded their control of both chambers of Congress. In the House, Democrats improved their majority by at least 19 seats to hold 254 seats, with 174 held by Republicans and 7 seats still undecided. In the Senate, Democrats will hold at least 55 seats, as well as 2 Independents who caucus with the Democrats. The Republicans will maintain at least 40 seats, but races in four states are still in question: Alaska, Georgia, and Minnesota. Democrats picked up one governorship, with the final tally standing at 29 governors' mansions for the Democrats, 21 for the Republicans.

Once again, women made the difference in the outcome - Obama won 56 percent of the women's vote, versus 49 percent of the men's vote. Youth voters (ages 18-29) also had an enormous impact on this election, making up 18 percent of the total electorate -- even outpacing the powerful senior block (age 65+), who made up 16 percent of the voting public.

AAUW will soon release our public policy agenda for the 111th Congress. Stay tuned for more details.

Bonnie Boyce-Wilson and Helen Woodruff, Public Policy co-chairs

Border Issues Program Draws Crowd

More than 60 people attended “Border Issues and Proposed Solutions As They Relate to Arizona” on Thursday, October 30 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Surprise. The program featured the award-winning documentary, “CROSSING ARIZONA”, followed by speakers from the Obama and McCain campaigns, describing solutions proposed by each candidate. Arizona Legislator Kyrsten Sinema presented the Obama strategies. Mr. William James “Jimmy” Fisher spoke for McCain. A question and answer session followed the speakers’ presentations.

The film examines multiple points of view concerning the immigration debate in Arizona with an eye toward showing the failings of current US Immigration Policy. New Federal Immigration policies in 1993 and 1994 heightened security at the borders of California and Texas funneling illegal immigrants into the deserts of Arizona, where many are dying, creating a humanitarian crisis. The documentary features interviews with the US Border Patrol, local farmers and ranchers, Minutemen, immigrants themselves, the Tohono O’odham Indian Nation which borders Mexico, and others. All agree that current policy is not working. (Copies of the DVD are available on-line at .)

The speakers were excellent, both with background and experience which proved a most valuable benefit to the presentation and discussion questions. The audience was impressed by the presenters’ depth of knowledge, informative speaking style, and passion for the subject. There were many areas of agreement and the exchange between them was amicable. Several people mentioned how pleased they were with the high quality of the information, the creative new ideas and their general improved understanding of the complex issues.

There was even a suggestion that, as two such knowledgeable individuals, both would well serve either administration in assisting to draft new workable strategies and legislation for practical solutions to complex immigration concerns.

This event was a Voter Education Forum jointly sponsored by the The Northwest Valley American Association of University Women, Northwest Maricopa County League of Women Voters, and the Sun Cities/West Valley National Organization for Women.

Bonnie Boyce-Wilson Public Policy co-chair

Younger Americans Are No Longer Gaining in Education Level

A new report, the 23rd edition of “Minorities in Education,” shows that for the first time in many decades, the current young generation will not bypass the previous generation in educational advancement. The study, done by the American Council on Education, found that the percentage of young adults aged 25 to 29 and older adults aged 30 and above with at least an associate degree in 2006 was about the same, approximately 35 percent. For Hispanics and American Indians, young adults have even less education than previous generations.

AAUW is committed to making the dream of a higher education a reality for women, as post-secondary education becomes more of a necessity in an increasingly competitive job market.

Baby Boomers Decreased Investment in Retirement Savings

This issue is one that AAUW champions because women of retirement age live in poverty in higher rates than men. Women are also less likely to invest in other retirement options and rely more heavily on social security benefits. AAUW is committed to a Social Security system that provides lifelong protections for women and families that include guaranteed benefits with cost-of-living adjustments.

AAUW strongly supports efforts to close the persistent wage gap between men and women.

Bonnie Boyce-Wilson and Helen Woodruff, Public Policy Co-Chairs

AAUW Two Minute Activist

Get on the internet. Using the browser, enter AAUW.org. This will bring up the Association web site. When the home page opens, move your cursor to “Advocacy” at the upper left side of the page. A drop-down menu will appear. Click on Public Policy. When that page opens, look in the left column called “Related Links of Interest” and click on “Two Minute Activist.”. This will open a section with an issue of interest to AAUW members. Select “Take Action” and enter your zip code. Scroll to section 2 to fill in your name and contact information. Select the small boxes “Remember Me” and “Yes, I would like to receive alerts from AAUW” Then send your message.

That’s all there is to it! Now you will be notified of important AAUW issues and can easily respond to them.

If you have difficulty with this registration process, I would be happy to stop by your home and assist you with getting signed on. Please give me a call if you need help.

Bonnie Boyce-Wilson
Public Policy Co-chair.

Although the State Legislative is NOT IN SESSION, the following information is being left on the website for future reference. It will be updated following the election and the assignment/election of committee membership and leadership of the new legislature.

For action when the legislature is in session including committee agendas; bill sponsors, status and votes) click: AZ Legislature

Here is some information that might help you in contacting your legislators and expressing your feelings on key issues.

ARIZONA STATE SENATE - Info Desk 602-926-3559; Toll Free: 1-800-352-8404

ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - Info Desk 602-926-4221; Toll Free: 1-800-352-8404

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