Rogan's List for February 3, 2023

Actions we can take on the Jobs Act, Medicare overpayments, state-specific issues, and more.

Contact all members of Congress:

Contact White House or other federal agencies:

JOBS ACT REINTRODUCED IN SENATE
Senators Kaine and Braun have reintroduced the Jobs Act. If passed, this would allow Pell Grants to “help close the skills gap and provide workers with the job training and credentials they need for careers in high-demand fields.” Opening up this funding assistance to students in short-term training programs typically found at community colleges could positively impact the jobs market. The bill is not yet numbered, but let’s ask our senators to become a sponsor and make this a reality.
MEDICARE OVERPAYMENTS NOT RECOVERED
Despite audits stretching back to 2011 showing that Medicare Advantage plans—the privatized version of Medicare being relentlessly pushed by the government—have been seriously overcharging Medicare for services rendered to senior citizens, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has decided not to pursue repayment of the billions of dollars owed the government. Let’s tell the CMS (877-267-2323) that allowing Medicare Advantage plans to get away with this overcharging is not acceptable—and calls into serious question the “value” of these Advantage plans.

SUPPORT A BAN ON NON-COMPETE AGREEMENTS
Joe Biden’s Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan has proposed a new rule banning e from requiring workers to sign noncompete agreements. The agency estimated that 30 million US workers, many of them in low-wage jobs, would have better career opportunities with this rule in effect, and wages would rise by $300 billion a year. The FTC is asking for public comments through March 20. Let’s submit our comments in favor of this rule.

TALKING WITH CHILDREN ABOUT RACE
It is never too early, especially given ongoing events, to teach children about race. The Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit associated with the popular children’s television program, offers online resources for how to talk with children about race. Let’s share this with friends who are involved in working with young children.

GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Hank Johnson have re-introduced The Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act, a sweeping bill dangerous individuals from having guns, requiring responsible gun use and storage, keep weapons of war off our streets, crack down on gun trafficking, improve oversight of gun dealers, hold the gun industry accountable, and invest in gun violence prevention research. Now that the first federal report on guns and violence in over twenty years has been published, we know this is the time for this legislation. Let’s tell our representative to co-sponsor H.R.286 and our senator to co-sponsor S.5299 , and tell both to see this commonsense bill through to passage.

STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS

MINNESOTA—NEW ELECTION AND ANTI-CORRUPTION BILL
Minnesota state lawmakers in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party have introduced the Democracy for the People Act , which will expand voting rights and voting access, create a public campaign financing system, and more. If we’re in Minnesota, let’s tell our state legislators to co-sponsor and pass HF 3.
VIRGINIA—CALLS TO ACTION ON VARIOUS BILLS
Bills are pending in the Virginia legislature that cover everything from public education to guns to climate issues and more. The progressive organization Virginia Grassroots has compiled a list of bills to contact state legislators about. If we’re in Virginia, let’s take a look and get started: https://www.virginiagrassroots.org/action-calls-to-action.php

Rogan’s List for February 3, 2023