Back in May, Congress asked for advice on developing a federal public health insurance option. We're excited to send them our recommendations today. Take a read and let's go through what makes this a big deal. unitedstatesofcare.org/usofcares-advi… These recommendations incorporate the major work we do listening to people and centering their health care needs. And people tell us again and again that they need certainty they can afford their health care.

Public health insurance options are a great step toward that.

THREAD: An advocacy story in 7 parts: 1. @USofCare's mission is to "...ensure that everyone has access to health care regardless of health status, social need, or income." That's why making #SurpriseBilling illegal & stopping this predatory practice from costing people $ needed to stop.

THREAD: @commonwealthfnd (a USofCare Partner) put out a report by @rhettbuttle, @LivingADCLife & Angela Simaan examining the struggle of connecting our jobs to our health care coverage. 1/6 The study shows the cost of providing employee health insurance is the #1 top problem for small business owners. 2/6

Hi everyone, this is @USofCare's @e_huppert and @AndrewSchwabDC - we're excited to live tweet today's #VOTE event. Get your @USofCare voter guide here! unitedstatesofcare.org/resources/2020…

THREAD: @USofCare Founders Council Member Dr. @cmyeaton hits the nail right on the head, “The best thing that we can do to set our economy up for success...is making sure our outbreak is in a good place. 1/4 washingtonpost.com/politics/trump… Dr. @cmyeaton continued and said, "People are not going to feel comfortable returning to activities in the community — even if it’s allowed from a policy perspective — if they don’t feel the outbreak is under control.” 2/4

Thread. We know that people want effective solutions that address both the immediate challenges and the long-term gaps in our health care and safety-net systems. @USofCare applauds states that are taking action on behalf of their communities. #StateSuccessStories 1/8 In the #MAleg, the House has unanimously passed bill H4818 aimed at eliminating racial inequities in maternal health. 2/8

Yesterday, we responded to @SenAlexander’s request for feedback on his white paper, unitedstatesofcare.org/covid-19/usofc… We commend the Chairman’s recommendations, and want to ensure they address a few key issues to ready our country for the next crisis. THREAD 1/10

Today we published a resource for state leaders: Preparedness Handbook with 5 Actions to Plan, Prepare and Prevent COVID-19 Surges.
unitedstatesofcare.org/covid-19/new-p… “We all want to stay safe and have a prosperous economy. As a nation facing a novel virus, our response to the pandemic’s first wave has primarily been designed in real-time with basic information about its clinical manifestations and how to avoid spreading the virus. ...

To make contact tracing & recovery possible, states are re-purposing large scopes of their workforce while we work toward long-term & durable solutions. @USofCare team members had the opportunity to share our organization's input with @statesnewsroom bit.ly/2XvpI3c (1/5) “While there has been some federal dollars for contact tracing… it’s not sufficient. So states have been approaching contact tracing in a variety of ways.”- @USofCare Senior Director of State Affairs Joanna Dornfeld (2/5)

The word of the week is: reopen. The questions of the week are: When to reopen? Where to reopen? How to reopen safely? A few resources to share:

THREAD: @USofCare State Policy Agenda #3 (1/7) The coming months will prove challenging for people trying to access affordable care, both for those who contract #COVID19 and those who lose coverage through job loss. (2/7)

An ease to #Coronavius restrictions will come, but 1st Congress needs to invest to contain the virus & begin on a path towards recovery. It's why @USofCare's founder @ASlavitt teamed up w/ @ScottGottliebMD on a bipartisan public health expert letter. 1/7 n.pr/3aLAzdL The letter was submitted to Capitol Hill today and also signed by @USofCare's board member @bfrist & FC Members Mark McClellan, @drJoshS, @GovMikeLeavitt and @Atul_Gawande. A quick listen to their plan here 2/7: n.pr/2SbA2eV

Our partners @PennLDI studied how the Wuhan lockdown halted the spread of Covid-19 across China, making the case for #SocialDistancing as the most effective tool. Learn more here bit.ly/2xhbOs0 or read the outline below: Researchers estimate that without the lockdown, COVID cases would be 53% higher within Hubei, the province home to the city of Wuhan, and 65% higher outside

Our final point in our five point policy- To protect the most vulnerable Americans from #COVID19- details include: Monthly sustained payments to Americans who must stay home, through the unemployment system that automatically renews.

This month we are featuring a #USofCareSummerReading List, a curated list of articles, op-eds, studies, and podcasts by our Founder’s Council members, staff, partners, and friends. Perfect for lounging by the pool! Check it out: unitedstatesofcare.org/blog/us-care-s… Today’s #USofCareSummerReading is our 2019 State Health Policy Progress Memo, which demonstrates that progress on health care is possible, with state leaders coming together to advance meaningful changes. Read more: unitedstatesofcare.org/resources/2019…