November 9, 2023
Ukraine funding, reproductive rights on ballots, Clarence Thomas, and more!
*** SUBMITTING YOUR ACTIONS TO ROGAN’S LIST ***
We’ve set up a “tip line” so Rogan’s List subscribers can send in their ideas or submissions for action items at roganslisttips@gmail.com. Please don’t hesitate to email and pass on your suggestions. We look forward to hearing from you!
Contact all members of Congress:
- By phone: (202) 224-3121
- By email: democracy.io
- By US mail: Representatives / Senators
- By fax: Representatives / Senators
- By Resistbot: Resist.bot
Contact White House or other federal agencies:
- TELL CONGRESS: DON’T SELL OUT UKRAINETimothy Snyder, the history professor who is also an expert on authoritarianism and fascism, has written a thoughtful essay on why it is in US interests to continue supporting Ukraine as it battles its Russian invaders. Yet the US House of Representatives, dominated by MAGA Republicans is standing in the way of appropriating aid for Ukraine. To entice GOP reps to move on the issue, the Biden Administration is coupling the request for aid to Ukraine to more money for border security. Let’s read and share Snyder’s essay), and let’s tell our Members of Congress that it is imperative to appropriate the $61.4 billion for Ukraine that the Biden Administration is requesting and that border security is a separate issue and should not be bartered for this cause.
- SUBPOENA CLARENCE THOMAS AND HARLAN CROW
We’re starting to see concrete steps to move forward the inquiries into Justice Clarence Thomas’ corruption. The Senate Judiciary Committee is planning as soon as today to vote on subpoenaing Thomas and his patron, right-wing billionaire Harlan Crow. If we have senators on the committee, let’s contact them and tell them we’ll be watching this vote closely and urge them to be aggressive in uncovering the truth and holding the guilty accountable.
- HELP WITH DENIED HEALTH INSURANCE CLAIMSKFF (formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation) reports that last year, nearly 1 in 5 insured adults were denied an insurance claim. Among those who use the most health care, 27% were denied a claim. People experiencing denied claims are more likely to have medical care delayed or denied, and to face serious financial consequences. The vast majority of those denied claims don’t know that they have the right to appeal. Meanwhile, to file an effective denied claim appeal, we need access to the records that our insurance company used to deny our claim—and according to ProPublica, it’s not always easy to get insurance companies to send us that information. ProPublica has created an online Claim File Helper that aids us in crafting an effective claim file request letter. Let’s learn more about the Claim File Helper and let’s spread the word!
- HELP GET REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ON THE 2024 BALLOT
Voters confirmed once again on Tuesday they will protect reproductive rights, adding constitutional protections for abortion to the state constitution in Ohio and flipping the Virginia House of Delegates to make Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-VA)’s abortion ban dead on arrival. Now it’s on to restore access across the country. Activists in at least four states are working to get referenda on the ballot. Let’s jump on this bandwagon as we did for Ohio. Let’s sign up to volunteer, donate and signal boost them, and also consider financially supporting abortion funds in Ohio and Virginia so that people can use the access we’ve secured.ARIZONA: Arizona for Abortion AccessFLORIDA: Floridians Protecting FreedomMISSOURI: Abortion Access MissouriSOUTH DAKOTA: Dakotans for Health
- OH, NO! THE POLLS!If the 2016 election taught us anything it was to ignore polling. The recent poll showing Trump leading Biden in certain states has some people concerned. We all know that so much can happen in the next year. In addition, those who take a deep dive into polls perhaps see things a bit clearer like this “political data expert who was a voice in the wilderness during the run up to the 2022 midterms — Tom Bonier, CEO of TargetSmart.” Let’s follow Heather Cox Richardson’s wise advice and if polls upset us, let’s not follow them.
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
- MA – SUPPORT MEDICARE-FOR-ALL BILL 11/14
With universal health care stalled in Washington, activists are turning to the states – including ours. In last fall’s elections, voters in 20 House districts voted in favor of a non-binding policy question on their ballots in support of Medicare For All – everywhere it was on the ballot. Progressive legislators like Lindsay Sabadosa, Julian Cyr, Jamie Eldridge and Jason Lewis have put forward legislative proposals to make Medicare for All a reality in Massachusetts. The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing is holding a hearing on these bills on Tuesday, November 14th at 10 AM. We can register to testify in this hearing if we do so no later than TODAY here, or join Progressive Massachusetts and Mass-Care activists for a rally on the State House steps at 9AM (RSVP here). If we can’t make it, we can check out here where our legislators stand and use this tool from Progressive Massachusetts to urge them to support this effort.