Another great meeting!

Last night was a great meeting, and we welcome the three new women who joined! A wrap up on what was covered:
1. End of Session Wrap Up: Feminist Democrats had some great wins but substantial losses in CA this year. Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 119 (banning gender discrimination in health insurance pricing), into law – a big but welcome surprise. The Fem Dems advocated for his support. However, he vetoed legislation to help secure justice for women who are victims of sexual assault by requiring jurisdictions to account for untested rape kits, citing “costs.” In the budget arena, Schwarzenegger eliminated the California Department of Public Health's Domestic Violence Program's $20.4 million budget with a line item veto. BUT…State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco introduced a bill that would restore $16.3 million for the program by taking money from another fund. Yesterday that bill was signed into law, but only after six of the state’s 94 shelters were already closed.

2. Fem Dems to Support Marriage Equality: On Wednesday, Oct. 28th we’ll be phoning at a California Equality phone bank to support the battle going on in Maine right now. We can help keep a Prop. 8 disaster from happening in another state! Details: Thursday 10/29/2009 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM - EQCA Canvass Office, 1722 J Street, Sacramento.

3. Learn How to Get Appointed to a Board or Commission! This FREE workshop, hosted by California Women Lead, will guide you through the appointments process. Let’s get more women in these crucial decision-making positions that are stepping stones for other opportunities! Details: Thursday, November 5th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm @ Whitney Oaks Golf Club, 2305 Clubhouse Drive, Rocklin. Email me at amber.maltbie@gmail.com for details about car-pooling.

4. Future Speakers/Workshops: What topics are relevant and of interest to you as a feminist? Please let us know what you would like to hear about from a speaker, and we can set up guests for future meetings. Would you like to hear from a communications expert about the damaging ways women are betrayed in the media? Or learn about negotiating as a woman in the workforce? Please send an email to Hatzune and Hatzune@gmail.com with your suggestions for future meetings.

Fem Dems meeting this week!

Hi everyone!!

This week, we're going to meet at the Shady Lady on WEDNEDSDAY instead of Tuesday!

We will meet at 6:30pm on R St in Sacramento!

Newcomers are welcome.

Sweeeet!

Gender Equality in the Federal Healthcare Debate

On the heels of last week’s victory for women in California’s own healthcare debate, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi along with the Congressional Women’s Caucus introduced H.R. 3200 – a bill comparable to California’s AB 119 to end price discrimination in the insurance industry nationally, and to fix the “sexist, irrational and often cruel healthcare system that women now contend.”
Ms. Magazine reports that H.R. 3200 aims to end the gender rating that forces women to pay 140% more for health insurance than men, will add maternity care, which is now missing from 79% of plans, and cover preventative measures such as mammograms.

Appallingly, in eight states women who are victims of domestic violence are deemed to have a “pre-existing condition,” thus a legitimate ground for denying coverage. H.R. 3200 will also aims to ban this disgusting practice of punishing women for being victims in their own homes.

The bill is being finalized right now. The Fem Dems will be monitoring the bill’s progress closely.

AB 119 (Jones) and AB 98 (De La Torre)

AB 119 was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger! This is great news for women in California who have suffered unfairly under the hands of the health insurance industry. Finally, some justice.

Thank you everyone who took some time to write, call, and email the Governor!

Unfortunately, a huge piece of the gender equality puzzle, AB 98 was vetoed. This means there is more work to do.

AB 119 - Send your letter now!

Below is a copy of the letter we sent urging Governor Schwarzenegger to support AB119. There are only 3 days left to send your letter. Please note that his fax number is 916-558-3160.

October 8, 2009

The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor, State of California
State Capitol, First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Cc. First Lady Maria Shriver, State of California (Fax: 916-558-3160)
Cc. Patty Bellasalma, President , California National Organization for Women (Fax: 916-442-4765)

Re: AB 119 (Jones) - Support

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

The Feminist Democrats of the Sacramento Region are writing to urge you to support AB 119, which would eliminate the loophole in the law that permits gender discrimination in health insurance premiums.

Our mission as an organization is to promote the feminist principles of equality, diversity and inclusiveness. Current law allows women to be charged more than men for the same health insurance policy. To limit women’s access to health services is to penalize whole families.

This economic burden is magnified by the fact that women on average make only 78% of men’s wages and have less ability to pay expensive health care costs. This burden is even more substantial for women of color whose average wages are less. Equality in health insurance policy premiums is critical not only to ensuring women’s access to needed health care but to increased financial stability.

Among our own membership, we have the following experiences to share with you in the hopes that it portrays exactly how meaningful this legislation is:

Amber’s Story – For the past few years, I have watched my mother – a single woman in her fifties – be turned down by one insurance provider after another. The costs of the programs that are available to her are prohibitive, averaging $600/month. As a self-employed house cleaner, my mother has neither a traditional work plan nor the means to afford health insurance. Because of this she avoids visiting the doctor until things get dire. Things got dire at the worst time possible – she waited to visit the doctor until the last minute because of concerns about money, and as a consequence, missed my wedding because she was so sick with the flu. It was heart wrenching for both of us and could have been avoided if she had access to preventative healthcare, a luxury that affordable health insurance can provide.

Natalie’s Story - I am currently enrolled at California State University, Sacramento. Since I have turned 24 I have not been able to receive the health benefits I was lucky to have in my life previously. As a student I have to endure the rising cost of tuition without any health benefit incentive. Not only have I recently been injured but I also wear glasses because I am terribly nearsighted. My injury is something I deal with everyday as I have not been able to pay for a doctor to look at it and take ex-rays because a majority of my money goes towards school and books. Also, my eyesight gets worse every year and I am unable to purchase new glasses which run from $300-$400 for prescription lenses. I need my glasses to drive to school and work and also to be able to see the board to take notes in class. I am unable to have a full time job a receive benefits because I am carrying 15 units at school and only have time to work 12 hours a week at my job. I need access to healthcare to be easier and cheaper.

Women should not have to pay more than men for the same health care coverage. Please support affordable and equal health care for women by signing AB 119.

Sincerely,

The Feminist Democrats of the Sacramento Region