Community Catalyst

For Corinne, an individual on the autism spectrum, Medicaid isn't just a government program—it's her pathway to independence through a job coach and care attendant who help her navigate daily challenges.?? ? As health justice advocates, we know firsthand how Medicaid strengthens communities. It enables people with disabilities to live independently in their homes rather than institutions. It supports rural health care infrastructure that entire communities depend on. It reduces financial strain on families caring for loved ones with complex needs.? ? With Republicans in Congress threatening to cut $2.5 trillion dollars from Medicaid — just to give tax breaks to billionaires and greedy corporations — we're facing a potential health care crisis that would disproportionately impact people with disabilities, chronic conditions, older adults, and children. Corinne and millions of others are at risk of losing their health care.?? ? “It is unacceptable that individuals with disabilities like myself are subject to bureaucratic inefficiencies and arbitrary decisions that undermine our ability to thrive,” shares Corinne.?? ? Now, more than ever, it’s important that we uplift stories like Corinne’s and continue to share how Medicaid helps the communities we work with.?? ? What kind of services does Medicaid provide for those you serve? What would it mean if those were taken away? Share your story and tell policymakers: HANDS OFF MEDICAID ?? https://commcat.io/4kt7Hfp ? ? Let’s keep reminding policymakers that behind every budget line item are real people — their independence, health and futures should not be a political bargaining chip.

Across the nation, we're seeing the resurgence of diseases like tuberculosis (TB) and measles — diseases that we had under control until recently.? ? Trump says he wants to “make America healthy again.” Still, the federal government continues to gut public health funding, restrict Medicaid, and disinvest in the health of our communities.? ? These outbreaks are a stark reminder of what happens when we systematically underinvest in public health.? In a new Op-Ed for the Kansas City Star, Community Catalyst's Director of Public Health Strategy and Programs, Sheree H. Keitt, DrPH, MPH, CHES and Erica Andrade, CEO of El Centro, Inc., make a powerful point: “If we truly want to "make America healthy again," we need to strengthen our public health system by building up, not tearing down, local public health infrastructure. More in our latest op-ed >> https://lnkd.in/gbVN2mky Public health professionals and health advocates: What are the most immediate consequences of public health disinvestment you're seeing in your community??

What happens when hospital religious policies overrule medical decisions? EJ knows firsthand.?? ? After a decade of preparation, EJ’s gender-affirming surgery was called off just 13 hours before the procedure—not for medical reasons, but because of the hospital's religious policies.? ? This case highlights a critical issue for health care professionals: Do you follow religious rules or give patients the care they need based on medical evidence? Health care professionals often find themselves stuck between hospital policies and doing what's best for their patients.? ? With Catholic institutions now comprising four of the ten largest health systems in the U.S., the problem gets worse in places with few hospitals. When the only available hospital refuses to offer medications or treatments due to religious restrictions, patients might have nowhere else to go. For people seeking emergency reproductive care, or life-changing gender-affirming care, the impacts are devastating. Medical professionals: How do you navigate these ethical crossroads in your practice??? ? Health advocates: What policy changes are you pursuing to address these barriers?? ? ?? Share your thoughts in the comments below or record a short video here >> https://commcat.io/3XzywVx

STATEMENT: The recent measles outbreak in Texas exposes systemic failures in our public health infrastructure.?? ? “This outbreak is more than a public health crisis—it’s the direct result of disinvestment, misinformation, and bogus vaccine exemption policies disguised as ‘personal choice,’ which embolden anti-vaxx rhetoric and put communities at risk,” said Sheree H. Keitt, DrPH, MPH, CHES, Community Catalyst’s Director of Public Health Strategy and Programs. ? ? Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s promotion of vaccine skepticism and moves to weaken immunization policies put our communities’ lives at risk, threatening to erase decades of progress in disease prevention.?? ? “It is unacceptable that children in the U.S. are dying from measles—a disease once declared eliminated through childhood immunizations. Historically excluded communities have never lacked solutions—only access. That’s why programs that put the ‘public’ at the center of public health, are more critical than ever.” said Brandon G. Wilson, DrPH, MHA, Community Catalyst’s Co-Interim President and CEO.? ? Community Catalyst is committed to working alongside community-based organizations to address vaccine hesitancy and reinvest in public health strategies that restore vaccine confidence.?? ? Read our full statement: https://commcat.io/3DlrJYF

???Deadline: March 7!??? At?Community Catalyst, we know that strong communities start with policies that ensure everyone—regardless of immigration status—has access to health care, nutrition, and other essential benefits. But harmful policies continue to put barriers between families and the resources they want and need to thrive. That’s why we’re joining?Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition, National Immigration Law Center, and Center for Law and Social Policy ?in urging Congress to protect all families’ access to #Medicaid, #SNAP and other critical resources.?Help us reach our goal of 500 organizations signing on! ???Sign on before March 7:?bit.ly/benefits4families Every signature strengthens our collective voice. Let’s make it clear: Families belong together—and they deserve to have access to what keeps them safe. #ProtectFamilies #HealthJustice #ImmigrantRights #PeopleOverProfit

The evidence is clear: Georgia’s work requirements program is NOT successful – it’s failed Georgia’s families and communities. Thousands of eligible Georgians are going without the coverage they need to pick up their medication or go to their yearly check-up.?? ? Research from Georgetown University Center for Children and Families shows that requiring people with low incomes to work for health insurance doesn’t help them get coverage or become more financially stable, because most of them are already working. ? ? This is why these requirements fail our communities – they were never about promoting workforce participation. Georgia’s program should be a warning to other states: work requirements just create red tape designed to take our health care away.? ? Is your state trying to introduce work requirements? How would this impact your community’s access to care??? ? Learn more about proposed work requirements in states in our new blog from Kaylan Szafranski: https://commcat.io/4gZMpU0

NEW: Reports indicate Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has proposed eliminating the public comment process for many HHS rules. This dangerous precedent would silence community voices in favor of special interests. "Kennedy’s unprecedented threat to abolish this process would silence communities and strip the public of a critical tool for holding policymakers accountable," said Community Catalyst's Senior Director of Policy and Strategy Mona Shah in a statement. Read more >> https://commcat.io/4kqJBC4 This proposal contradicts promises of transparency by Secretary Kennedy and President Trump and concentrates power in the hands of a few. We urge policymakers to oppose this attack on democratic participation.

This tax season, you're probably thinking about your fiscal health. But are you also thinking about how your taxes could be impacting your physical health?? ? The tax code is more than a fiscal tool – it reflects our country’s values and priorities. And currently, it’s rigged in favor of corporations and billionaires. These profit-driven policies widen the wealth gap, and make it even more difficult for families with low-and middle-incomes to access basic needs like healthy food, affordable housing, and medical care.? ? Research shows that redistributing wealth through fair tax policy improves public health and prevents hundreds of thousands of premature deaths every year.? ? With the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress desperate to give massive tax breaks to billionaires and corporations at the expense of gutting essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP that keep our communities healthy, we are at a critical moment for health justice.? ? In a new blog, Michelle Sternthal, PhD breaks down how the tax code harms our health, and how we can create a tax code that puts people first >> https://commcat.io/3DhLsIE?

When UnitedHealth deployed AI to systematically deny care to Medicare Advantage patients—forcing older adults out of treatment facilities or draining their savings to continue necessary care—it wasn’t a glitch. This was technology working EXACTLY as designed—to protect corporate profits at the expense of our communities’ health and wellbeing.?? ? “Technology itself is not the problem. The issue is who wields it, how it is governed, and whether it is designed to advance equity or efficiency alone,” writes Brandon G. Wilson, DrPH, MHA, Community Catalyst Co-Interim President & CEO in a new blog. ? ? The real question isn't if we should advance health care technology—it’s will we allow corporations to impose their profit-driven technology ON our communities, or will we demand innovations created WITH our communities to serve actual human needs? Read more >> https://lnkd.in/ew6Q-7zE

??WE NEED TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON.? ? The House just passed a budget resolution that would drastically cut Medicaid funding—threatening to take health care way from 72 million people—to finance tax cuts for BILLIONAIRES. ? ? “The real impact of these devastating cuts will be on families who rely on Medicaid for essential, life-saving care. Republican claims that these cuts will strengthen the economy are bogus. The plan passed by House Republicans will drive up medical debt, force more people into emergency rooms, and leave families with impossible choices between life and debt,” explains Mona Shah, Senior Director of Policy and Strategy at Community Catalyst in a statement >> https://commcat.io/4gXMrM2 ? ? Our collective voice matters now more than ever. The Senate will soon consider this proposal, and they need to hear about the real-world impact these cuts would have on the communities and patients we serve.? ? TAKE ACTION TODAY: ? ??Let’s show policymakers why Medicaid matters. If you or someone you?serve depends on Medicaid, we want to hear from you! Record a short video, share your Medicaid story and tell policymakers: STOP THESE CUTS >> https://commcat.io/4hUO526 ?? Tag colleagues who should see this, and share widely with your networks.?