Greetings,

With the federal government shutdown, the cost of one government health care program, the Affordable Care Act (Covered CA) is taking center stage. There’s plenty of other problems with our private-insurance based system, as we outline in this newsletter. There’s been a Medicare for All bill in Congress since 2003 and California’s Single-Payer Movement has existed since 1944! So much pain and suffering could have been prevented if elected officials had voted with decency. CalCare will be reintroduced early next year and HC4US will fight for it. Join us!

We provide a variety of actions including signing petitions, supporting HC4US CalCare Parties, joining a CNA (CA Nurses Association) CalCare Zoom meeting and attending the Left Coast Forum in Los Angeles.

Tell Congress: Fire Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 

Here’s a video about anti-science bills pushed by Kennedy allies.

Tell Congress: Extend Tax Credits for Americans with ACA (Covered CA) Plans – See As ACA premiums are set to climb, some opt to go uninsured by Berkeley Lovelace Jr. of NBC News. 

HC4US CalCare Parties – If you live in LA County, support, attend or host a party. These casual parties are a fun way to educate & get people involved in the single-payer movement. 

CNA CalCare Monthly Movement Zoom – If you live a distance from LA County, join a monthly CNA Zoom call. If you’re new, there’s a breakout room to learn the basics of CalCare. If you currently volunteer for CalCare with CNA, there’s breakout rooms for District Leaders and other volunteers. 

When: Oct 28, 2025 06:00 PM PT 

Carrie and Patrick Lazoen, parents of Emmy, a 2 year old with a medical condition and developmental delays explain how they have to fight for United Healthcare to cover nearly every claim. One battle involved obtaining a vibrating vest for Emmy that prevents pneumonia. United Healthcare said they needed to see Emmy hospitalized for pneumonia before they would cover the vest! The Lazoens fought for months and after 3 denials the vest was approved.

Emmy’s medical expenses can reach $3,000 per month! Read the article by NBC News reporters Erika Edwards, Maggie Vespa and Jessica Herzberg HERE or watch the 3 ½ minute video HERE. 

Caring Futures is an online community for people with disabilities and their caregivers, sponsored by The Arc of California. They offer critical assistance, resources and a supportive community for caregivers and family members of adults with developmental disabilities. One webinar in their Caring Conversations series is: Navigating Healthcare Systems and Guidance for Family Caregivers.  

The loss of Affordable Care Act (Covered CA) subsidies in 2026 is not the only worry for our state and country now. In CounterPunch, Ed Grystar writes “Compounding the problem and left out of the Congressional “healthcare debate” is the disastrous impact the scheduled 18% median healthcare insurance premium increase for 2026 will have on the more than 160 million Americans covered by employer based healthcare. Also left out are the scheduled billions in Medicaid cuts to recipients and hospitals threatening mass closures.” Berkeley Lovelace Jr. of NBC News writes workers may have higher premiums, co-pays and/or deductibles.

Seniors on Medicare Advantage (MA) plans may need to look for new plans within MA or consider original Medicare that can include a supplemental plan (sold by insurance companies) because insurers are dropping some MA plans and prescription drug plans, writes Suzanne Blake of Newsweek. Insurance companies are blaming decreased funding from the federal government but another reason for them to pull out is that they’re making less profit because more people are using their coverage. Insurance companies are more likely to drop MA plans in rural counties where they make less profit. 

Christopher Westfall, Sr. of Senior Savings Network explains in a 30-minute video not only about insurance companies dropping MA plans but also how they are dropping hospital systems throughout the country (so far none in CA). Christopher explains enrollment rules and offers helpful consumer tips. 

With the cost of insurance rising, we need to know every way we can fight back. Duaa Eldeib of ProPublica describes a little-known appeal process called external review. Fortunately, CA has a consumer assistance program to provide assistance to consumers with health insurance questions or problems.

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) touts itself as caring about seniors. They have a magazine (covers have featured Jon Bon Jovi, Samuel L. Jackson and Michelle Yeoh) and newsletter with topics for seniors ranging from saving money to living a healthy lifestyle. They offer discounts on phone plans and car rentals. But…..AARP also steers seniors to UnitedHealth Medicare Advantage plans without explaining potential problems including limited networks, prior authorizations and denials of care. 

Wendell Potter explains the UnitedHealth and AARP relationship including their $9 billion deal and how this partnership is ripping off seniors and the Medicare Trust Fund.

If you want progressive change and a deep dive into movement strategy, the Left Coast Forum 2025 is for you. Dick Price and Sharon Kyle of the LA Progressive joined forces with Tavis Smiley of KBLA Talk 1580 to organize this FREE progressive convening. Find more information and the schedule of speakers HERE.

When: Saturday, October 25, Doors open 9:00 AM, Program starts 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM 

Where: Los Angeles Trade‑Technical College (LATTC), 400 W Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015

Stop by our HC4US table between 9 AM and 5 PM, we would love to meet you and talk. 

ORGANIZE. AGITATE. EDUCATE. LEGISLATE.

THANK YOU!