Monday, Mar 20, 2017

March 20, 2017 show

Sr. Carol Keehan, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association (CHA), joins Bob to talk about the American Health Care Act, which is the U.S. House GOP's answer to the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. CHA opposes the AHCA, pointing out the Congressional Budget Office notes the proposed legislation would increase the number of uninsured by 24 million by 2026, resulting in a total uninsured population of 52 million in 2026. Next, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Aurora, talks about her work on a statewide task force on veterans' suicide, and the recommendations gathered in House Bill 2647. Then, Sue Barrett, executive director of Aid for Women pregnancy resource center in the Chicago area, discusses the uptick in clients since Senate Bill 1564 went into effect on Jan. 1. Aid for Women, The Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford, and Dr. Anthony Caruso in December won a temporary injunction against implementing SB 1564. Donate to Aid for Women here. Finally, Alexandra Fedosenko, Respect Life coordinator for the Joliet diocese, encourages listeners to attend a "Life Advocacy Day" on March 29 or April 5 in Springfield to lobby House lawmakers against House Bill 40. The legislation eliminates the current ban on using taxpayer money for elective abortions in the Medicaid program and state workers' health insurance plans.