Podcasts about rip medical debt

Are you ready to become the “mayor of the mile” in your local market? In this episode of the Local Marketing Lab, Sam Stanovich, Senior VP of Development and Alliances at Big Chicken, shares his recipe for dominating your local market. With over 25 years of hospitality experience, Sam dishes out practical strategies to transform your business into a community cornerstone.Here are some topics discussed in the episode around being the mayor of the mile:Effective community engagementHow to collaborate with local businesses for mutual benefitLeveraging chamber of commerce membershipsThe value of supporting local causes and charitiesCreate impactful content without a big budgetResourcesConnect with Sam Stanovich on LinkedIn.Find a Big Chicken location near you.Learn more about the ServSafe Alchohol program.Watch Tim Sweetman's episode on the Local Marketing Lab.Check out RIP Medical Debt.Other shout-outsCJ from Dog Haus for fun competition of hot dogs vs chicken.Firehouse Subs for their great involvement in the community.Jeff Mauro, the Sandwich King, for advice on persistence when it comes to video content.Zack Oates from Ovation for sponsoring the dog vs chicken showdown.Shawn Walchef for encouraging video content on social.

In this compelling discussion, Jerry Ashton, a U.S. Navy Veteran and Co-Founder of RIP Medical Debt, shares his journey in founding End Veteran Debt and ForgiveCo. He talks about the staggering debt burdens many veterans face and the mission to lift this weight off their shoulders. Drawing from his extensive experience in the debt collection industry, Jerry explains how his organizations work to purchase and forgive debt, providing veterans with a fresh start. He also delves into the broader issues of medical debt in America, the impact of debt on veterans' mental health, and his commitment to supporting veterans through innovative solutions like Operation Debt Day.

On this edition of Parallax Views, former Navy journalist and ex-debt collector Jerry Ashton joins the show to discuss the End Veteran Debt campaign. As previously mentioned, Jerry was a debt collector, but Occupy Wall Street changed all of that. Inspired by the Occupy movement, Jerry went from being a debt collector to a "debt for-giver" and helped co-found the RIP Medical Debt (now known as Undue Medical Debt) 501 charity. Now he's turned his attention to the issue of veterans' debts. Believe it or not many veterans from the U.S. armed forces face debt struggles and the VA is unable in many circumstances to provide all that it can for them. As such, Jerry and other have started what they call "Operation D-Day". Not D-Day as in WWII, however. But rather Operation Debt Day to help veterans with their debts. Find out all about it on this edition of Parallax Views!

The co-founder of RIP Medical Debt and Navy Vet is working hard to help veteran get out of debt and reduce their rate of suicide. Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://politicsdoneright.com/newsletter Purchase our Books: As I See It: https://amzn.to/3XpvW5o How To Make America Utopia: https://amzn.to/3VKVFnG It's Worth It: https://amzn.to/3VFByXP Lose Weight And Be Fit Now: https://amzn.to/3xiQK3K Tribulations of an Afro-Latino Caribbean man: https://amzn.to/4c09rbE

Today, we welcome back Scott Crawford with UNDUE Medical Debt (previously known as RIP Medical Debt). UNDUE Medical Debt has worked to retire over $12 billion worth of medical debt for families across the United States. This year, Scott Crawford is teaming up with the Upstate, SC Community, and Savannah, GA community to retire medical debt. Scott aims to raise $48,000, which will relieve around $8.5 million of medical debt for almost 8,000 families. 100% of what you donate goes to retiring debt, and just $1 has the power to wipe out nearly $100 medical debt. Ballentine Capital Advisors, the sponsor of the Connected by Community podcast, has decided to partner up with UNDUE Medical Debt for the second year in a row! Ballentine Capital Advisors is aiming to raise $4,000 to help eliminate medical debt for families in the communities of Upstate, SC, as well as Savannah, GA. Ballentine Capital Advisors will kick off this fundraiser by donating $1,000! Use the link below to donate to their campaign and help them reach their $4,000 goal, which will get Scott closer to his $48,000 goal. https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/campaign/ballentinecapitaladvisors-62400/

RETIRE MEDICAL DEBT; SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY WITH GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING We start GREEP zoom #177 with the great JERRY ASHTON and the amazing campaign to free the American public from medical debt. Jerry announces the inauguration of his game-changing campaign which is taking on the debt of veterans while saving them from PTSD, suicide, poverty and more. Among other things, Jerry tells us that his RIP Medical Debt campaign has retired more than $11 BILLION in life-destroying arrears lifted from more than 8 MILLION American citizens. Don't miss his descriptions of his astonishingly effective UNDUE operation that YOU can help. Our second hour features RAY MCCLENDON with a terrifying description of voter suppression bills being forced through the Georgia Legislature to deny the right to vote. The bills (of course) target mostly the communities of color, and have spread throughout the United States. The anti-democracy campaign comes with violent MAGA terror against citizens who may want to work at the polls to guarantee a democratic proceeding. Journalist STEVE ROSENFELD joins us from Arizona to amplify the national perspective on this fascist horror show. We further hear from STEVE CARUSO, MIKE HERSH, WENDI LEDERMAN, LYNNE FEINERMAN and JOHN BRAKEY on this unprecedented crisis. Unless we all get active, we will lose both our democracy and our planet.  We know what to do…we have no choice but to win.

Brad examines a New York Times article by investigative reporter Sarah Kliff about a recent study of patients whose debt was eliminated by RIP Medical Debt. Researchers say the results surprised them.   Also in this episode: The cover story in the May issue of hfm magazine focuses on a South Dakota health system that developed a new process to identify charity care patients. HFMA Policy Director Shawn Stack discusses why good financial assistance policies and process are essential to patient care. Sources: Paying off people's medical debt has little impact on their lives, study finds Medical debt relief: How helpful? The inconvenient truth about medical debt relief

In this episode of the Local Marketing Lab, Tim Sweetman shares his journey from working at Chick-fil-A to becoming a successful owner and operator, emphasizing the pivotal role of personalized customer experiences in driving local growth. He delves into the transformative power of hospitality excellence and small gestures, highlighting the impact of creating magical moments for customers.Here are some topics discussed in the episode about hospitality excellence:Creating memorable guest experiences through personal touchesFocus on hospitality fundamentals (good food, service, environment)Inviting top guests to special eventsMaking big community impacts with small budgetsGoing above and beyond with hospitality excellenceResourcesConnect with Tim Sweetman on LinkedIn.Check out Tim's Tension Podcast.Find a Chick-fil-A location near you.Other shout-outsRead Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara.Learn more about RIP Medical Debt.Watch Paul Tran's episode on the Tension Podcast.

Nonprofitnewsfeed.com George Weiner and Nick Azulay of Whole Whale discuss various topics including a milestone for Whole Whale's YouTube account, the first nonprofit-backed satellite launched into space, election concerns for nonprofits, and a nonprofit initiative to eliminate medical debt. The Environmental Defense Fund's MethaneSAT, the first nonprofit satellite, aims to map methane emissions globally. Nonprofits are preparing for the upcoming election season and its impact on communications and fundraising. Legal challenges faced by the Annunciation House, a nonprofit supporting migrants, highlight the political pressures on nonprofits. RIP Medical Debt's partnership to alleviate $700 million in medical debt in Wayne County is celebrated. Critical Insights, Statistics, and Quotes: MethaneSAT is a game-changer, providing high-resolution data on methane emissions to the public, which could hold industries and governments accountable for climate change mitigation. Methane, though less discussed than CO2, is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for 20% of global warming from human activities. Nonprofits are both concerned and optimistic about the upcoming election; they must navigate a political climate that could overshadow their messaging. Legal battles such as the one faced by Annunciation House underscore the intersection of nonprofit work and political agendas. The collaboration between nonprofits and municipalities, as seen in the partnership with RIP Medical Debt, showcases innovative approaches to solving pressing social issues. Calls to Action: Nonprofit professionals should consider how their messaging may align or conflict with political narratives in the upcoming election season. Organizations might explore partnerships similar to RIP Medical Debt to amplify their impact. Closing Thought: The nonprofit sector continues to innovate and push boundaries, from space missions to social justice, demonstrating the power of focused efforts and strategic partnerships on Earth and beyond. Let's celebrate these milestones and brace for the challenges ahead, always remembering the core mission of serving communities and the planet.

Nonprofitnewsfeed.com George Weiner and Nick Azulay of Whole Whale discuss various topics including a milestone for Whole Whale's YouTube account, the first nonprofit-backed satellite launched into space, election concerns for nonprofits, and a nonprofit initiative to eliminate medical debt. The Environmental Defense Fund's MethaneSAT, the first nonprofit satellite, aims to map methane emissions globally. Nonprofits are preparing for the upcoming election season and its impact on communications and fundraising. Legal challenges faced by the Annunciation House, a nonprofit supporting migrants, highlight the political pressures on nonprofits. RIP Medical Debt's partnership to alleviate $700 million in medical debt in Wayne County is celebrated. Critical Insights, Statistics, and Quotes: MethaneSAT is a game-changer, providing high-resolution data on methane emissions to the public, which could hold industries and governments accountable for climate change mitigation. Methane, though less discussed than CO2, is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for 20% of global warming from human activities. Nonprofits are both concerned and optimistic about the upcoming election; they must navigate a political climate that could overshadow their messaging. Legal battles such as the one faced by Annunciation House underscore the intersection of nonprofit work and political agendas. The collaboration between nonprofits and municipalities, as seen in the partnership with RIP Medical Debt, showcases innovative approaches to solving pressing social issues. Calls to Action: Nonprofit professionals should consider how their messaging may align or conflict with political narratives in the upcoming election season. Organizations might explore partnerships similar to RIP Medical Debt to amplify their impact. Closing Thought: The nonprofit sector continues to innovate and push boundaries, from space missions to social justice, demonstrating the power of focused efforts and strategic partnerships on Earth and beyond. Let's celebrate these milestones and brace for the challenges ahead, always remembering the core mission of serving communities and the planet.

The Heartland POD for Friday, February 23, 2024A flyover from this weeks top heartland stories including:Primary voting is underway in Texas | Kansas Medicaid expansion update | Illinois Gov J.B. Pritzker lays out priorities as a progressive pragmatist | Missouri Democrats filibuster ballot candy | KS Gov Laura Kelly's veto will stand Primary voting is underway in Texashttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/21/julie-johnson-brian-williams-congressional-district-32-colin-allred/BY SEJAL GOVINDARAOFEB. 21, 2024WASHINGTON — In 2018, Rep. Colin Allred flipped Texas' 32nd Congressional District, turning the Dallas-based district into a blue stronghold. Now, as the Democrat vies to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a crowded field of 10 Democrats is lining up to replace him.Dr. Brian Williams, a trauma surgeon, and State Rep. Julie Johnson, of Farmers Branch, are leading the field in the Democratic primary with their fundraising efforts, each amassing about a million dollars in campaign donations since their campaigns were registered at the beginning of last summer.Ideologically, Williams and Johnson are aligned. They both rank health care a top priority if elected, and have touted their ability to work across the aisle.Johnson, a trial lawyer in her third term in the state House rode the 2019 blue wave to unseat hardline conservative incumbent Matt Rinaldi, by 13 points. Rinaldi now chairs the state GOP. In her three terms, at least 40 of the bills Johnson has co-authored or joint-authored have been signed into law.As a Democrat in the Republican-dominated state Legislature, Johnson has played a lot of defense trying to kill bills she and other progressives deem harmful. Johnson, who is gay, said she and other members of the House's LGBTQ caucus have had success in killing anti-LGBTQ bills by mastering the rules of procedure and “being better at the rules than the other side.” In 2019, she took down a House version of the so-called “Save Chick-fil-A bill” on a rule technicality. The bill was a response to a San Antonio airport kicking out the fast food restaurant over criticism of its religiously affiliated donations to anti-LGBTQ groups. It was revived in another bill and passed into law.If elected, Johnson would be the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from a Southern state. She's drawn notable endorsements from Beto O'Rourke, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, EMILY's List, Equality PAC, and several labor unions.Matt Angle, director of Lone Star Project, a Texas group that works to boost Democrats, said Johnson is the frontrunner in the race, but Williams is a formidable challenger.“Make no mistake about it though,” Angle said. “Julie Johnson has a voter base within the district not only from her old district, but also just from years of being an active Democratic activist and a donor and really a couple of just outstanding terms in the legislature.”While he may be new to the Texas political arena, Williams is no stranger to the halls of Congress.Williams was a health policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy — who endorsed him — to help pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022 – the farthest reaching gun safety legislation in decades. The legislation, crafted in the aftermath of the shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo New York, allocated millions of dollars to expand mental health resources, strengthens background checks and tightens the boyfriend loophole. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn was a lead negotiator on the bill with Murphy, and Williams worked closely with Cornyn's office. In his role as a health policy advisor for Murphy, he worked across the aisle with Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana on mental health legislation.Williams also worked with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California to pass federal health care legislation related to pandemic preparedness and reducing health care costs.Williams said his experience as a trauma surgeon — operating on victims of gun violence and women experiencing reproductive health emergencies — has fueled his priorities to fight for gun restrictions and increase access to abortions and other womens' health. Williams added his perspective as a Black doctor seeing racial disparities in health care will resonate with the district's diverse constituency, given that the district is now a majority-minority district with a 37% Hispanic or Latino population, 22% Black population and 8% Asian population.“They're excited that there's someone that looks like them that can represent them in Congress,” Williams said in an interview.As Allred opted to stay neutral in the race to succeed him – Williams said he had pursued his endorsement while Johnson said she had not – the tension between Johnson and Williams has been heating up.Williams has publicly criticized Johnson for a vote she took that would have made some changes and tweaks to the state's Alternatives to Abortions program, which provides information about resources to women seeking the procedure.“I draw contrast between myself and Representative Johnson about how I am the better candidate,” Williams said.Johnson, who is endorsed by Planned Parenthood, said Williams misrepresented the vote, which she said she cast to bring the already-funded program under the scope of the Health and Human Services Commission so it could be subject to public transparency. Her campaign published a fact-check on her website, likening Williams' misrepresentation of her record to “Trumpian-style, false attacks.”Planned Parenthood was critical of the legislation.Johnson said women's health is also a priority for her, and she stands by her record.“Texas leads the nation of uninsured folks, and in maternal mortality, and in infant mortality. Obviously, we're leading the nation in an attack on women's freedom for women's reproductive health, and I've been a champion of a lot of these issues,” she said.Other candidates vying for the open seat in the March 5 primary include businessman Raja Chaudhry, tech entrepreneur Alex Cornwallis, former Dallas City Councilman and real estate broker Kevin Felder and attorney Callie Butcher, who would be the first openly transgender member of Congress if elected.If no candidate gets a majority of the vote, there will be a runoff in May. The winner of the Democratic primary will face off against the winner of the Republican primary in November but is likely to win given that the district is solidly blue.And, from Dallas we go to Houston whereAfter bruising loss in Houston mayoral race, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee faces her toughest reelection yetJackson Lee faces off against Amanda Edwards, her most formidable congressional opponent in three decades.https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/19/sheila-jackson-lee-amanda-edwards-democratic-primary-houston/BY SEJAL GOVINDARAOFEB. 19, 2024In 1994, Sheila Jackson Lee, then a 44-year-old Houston city councilwoman, unseated four-term U.S. Rep. Craig Washington in the Democratic primary, securing a seat she'd come to hold for the next 30 years.This March, former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards, 42, is hoping to replicate that political upset as she faces off against Jackson Lee in the Democratic primary for Congressional District 18.Jackson Lee, who did not respond to requests for an interview, has only drawn four primary challengers over her 14-term career, all of whom she defeated by landslide margins.She's a household name in her Houston-based district, known for her frequent visibility at constituent graduations, funerals and baby showers.But last year she ran for Houston mayor against then-state Sen. John Whitmire. It was a bruising primary — unfamiliar territory for Jackson Lee — and her campaign was roiled with negative media after audio of her berating her congressional staffers was leaked. She ended up losing the race by 30 points and then immediately announced she was running for reelection to the U.S. House.Amanda Edwards, a former intern in Jackson Lee's office, initially announced she was running for Houston mayor until the congresswoman threw her hat in the ring. At that point, Edwards pivoted — endorsing Jackson Lee as mayor and beginning her own bid for Congress.By the time Jackson Lee announced she was running for her House seat again, Edwards had already gained momentum. In the fourth quarter of last year, Edwards outraised the congresswoman 10 to 1 — $272,000 to Jackson Lee's $23,000.Mark Jones, Baker Institute fellow in political science at Rice University said, “This could be the year that Congresswoman Jackson Lee loses. And given that as a safe, Democratic, seat whoever wins the primary will be headed to Washington in January of 2025”Jackson Lee holds a narrow lead in primary polls, while 16% of voters remain undecided. Edwards, a native Houstonian, said her commitment to public service is propelled by her father's battle with cancer when she was a teenager, where she learned firsthand about the cracks in the health care system and how “policy could be a matter of life and death.” She served as an at-large Houston City Council member from 2016 to 2020, where she represented a constituency of more than 2 million people.In her race to beat Jackson Lee, Edwards has garnered some notable endorsements including the Harris County Young Democrats, and the Harris County chapter of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats – both of which endorsed Jackson Lee in past races.The Harris County Young Democrats rescinded its endorsement of Jackson Lee in the mayoral race — citing a “zero tolerance policy” for staff abuse.Lenard Polk, Harris County chapter president of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, said Jackson Lee's leaked audio tape controversy also factored into the committee's decision to not endorse her. On the recording Jackson Lee berates a staffer for not having a document she was looking for and calls two of her staffers “Goddamn big-ass children, fuckin' idiots who serve no Goddamn purpose.”He said endorsement committee members were still “quite upset” over the tape and it “wasn't a good look” for Jackson Lee. The leaked tape fueled discourse about Jackson Lee's reputation as an unkind boss on Capitol Hill – she regularly makes Washingtonian Magazine's worst of Congress list and her office has high turnover rates.Polk added that voters felt abandoned by Jackson Lee, who jumped into the mayor's race without endorsing someone to take her place, only to file for reelection a day after losing.Jackson Lee's battle to retain her seat is made tougher by 2021 redistricting, because the 18th district now includes more young white professionals who do not have the same level of loyalty to her as longtime district residents.But despite any damage she may have incurred from her mayoral run, Jackson Lee remains a powerful political force in her district.County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who is backing Jackson Lee, said he doesn't know anyone in local politics with her “energy level,” and that Jackson Lee has secured meaningful federal grants for her district – most recently $20.5 million to Harris County Public Health Department's Uplift Harris Guaranteed Income Pilot project. He also said she has a reputation for being a reliably progressive voice in Congress.Jackson Lee has a long list of powerful endorsements from House Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Minority Whip Katherine Clarke. She's backed by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and other members of Texas' Washington delegation including Democratic Reps. Lizzie Fletcher of Houston, Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Joaquin Castro of San Antonio.Ellis said Jackson Lee may not be a strong fundraiser but she will benefit from her incumbency advantage.Linda Bell-Robinson, a Houston Democratic precinct chair, said she is fighting for Jackson Lee to retain her seat because seniority in Congress is important and Edwards would be learning the ropes as a freshman if elected.“We need fighters,” she said. “We don't need people trying to learn how to fight on the battlefield. We need people who are already fighting and know how to fight their fight.SEAN: Super interesting race. For my part, I don't have any problem with members of Congress being extremely tough to work for. I have problems with lying, fraud, criminal activity, and squishy voting records. Congresswoman Jackson Lee has 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and AFL-CIO. She has a 95% rating from League of Conservation VotersNew estimate predicts Medicaid expansion would serve 152K at no cost to stateA $509M federal incentive would help offset state cost for first eight yearsBY: SHERMAN SMITH - FEBRUARY 22, 2024 4:22 PMhttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/22/new-estimate-predicts-medicaid-expansion-would-serve-152k-at-no-cost-to-state/TOPEKA — The Kansas Health Institute on Thursday unveiled its analysis of Gov. Laura Kelly's proposal to expand Medicaid, predicting 152,000 Kansans would enroll in the first year with no additional cost to the state government.The Democratic governor has made passage of Medicaid expansion a top legislative priority this year, following her statewide campaign to promote the policy last fall. But Republican leadership in the Legislature opposes the policy and has blocked hearings on Medicaid expansion for four years.Kansas is one of just 10 states that still haven't expanded Medicaid since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010.The state-run version of Medicaid, called KanCare, provides health care services to low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. Currently, those who earn less than 38% of the federal poverty level are eligible. For a family of four, the annual income limit is $11,400.Under the ACA, also known as Obamacare, the federal government offers to cover 90% of the cost of Medicaid services in exchange for expanding eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty rate. The annual income threshold for a family of four would be $41,400.Kelly's proposal includes a work requirement with exceptions for full-time students, veterans, caregivers, people with partial disabilities, and former foster kids. Her plan also would add a new surcharge for hospitals.KHI predicts the change in income eligibility would result in 151,898 people enrolling in KanCare — 106,450 adults and 45,448 children. Those numbers include 68,236 adults and 16,377 children who are currently uninsured.About 68.9% of the adults are already working at least part-time, according to the KHI analysis. Of the remaining 31.1% KHI determined 19.1% of the unemployed adults have a disability, 16.1% are students and 3.8% are veterans.KHI calculated the cost to the state for expanding Medicaid over the first eight years would be fully offset — mostly because of a $509 million incentive included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Other savings would come from the federal government picking up more of the tab on existing services, as well as the new surcharge on hospitals. The Kansas Sunflower Foundation on Thursday released findings from surveys that found 68% of Kansas voters, including 51% of Republicans and 83% of small business owners support Medicaid expansion.Steve Baccus, an Ottawa County farmer and former president of Kansas Farm Bureau, said in a news release that expanding Medicaid was about “investing in the well-being of our communities.”Baccus said “Our rural communities are often struggling to keep Main Street open and to continue to offer the necessary services to the surrounding agricultural enterprises. A community that can offer a total health care package has an advantage in maintaining a viable town.”The findings are consistent with a Fort Hays State University poll that was released in October.With budget proposal and fiery address, Pritzker paints himself as progressive pragmatistThursday, February 22, 2024Governor's spending plan advances progressive-backed policies in tight fiscal landscapeBy HANNAH MEISELCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.comhttps://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/with-budget-proposal-and-fiery-address-pritzker-paints-himself-as-progressive-pragmatistSPRINGFIELD – In delivering his annual State of the State and budget address on Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker cast his administration as both progressive and pragmatic – a balance he's worked to strike as his national profile has grown.Some elements of the governor's proposed spending plan, like using $10 million in state funds to eliminate $1 billion worth of Illinoisans' medical debt, are hardline progressive ideas. Others, including a goal to achieve “universal preschool” by 2027, fit in with a more traditional liberal platform.But Pritzker has also defined his success in traditional economic terms, putting particular stock into how New York City-based credit ratings agencies view Illinois' finances, while also positioning Illinois as a hub for emerging technologies like electric vehicles and quantum computing. As Illinois faces an influx of migrants from the southern U.S. border Pritzker has leaned into a leadership style that prioritizes progressive ideals while projecting an image of fiscal responsibility.As he outlined a proposal to add $182 Million toward the state's migrant response, Gov. Pritzker said, “We didn't ask for this manufactured crisis, But we must deal with it all the same.”“Children, pregnant women, and the elderly have been sent here in the dead of night, left far from our designated welcome centers, in freezing temperatures, wearing flip flops and T-shirts,” Pritzker said. “Think about that the next time a politician from Texas wants to lecture you about being a good Christian.”The governor was met with big applause from Democrats in laying out his proposed “Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act,” which would, in part, ban “prior authorization” requirements for mental health treatment.Pritzker characterized the practice of prior authorization as a way for insurance companies to deny the care that doctors have prescribed.Pritzker is also proposing spending $10 million in state funds to buy Illinoisans' past-due medical debt that's been sent to collections. Partnering with national nonprofit RIP Medical Debt, which buys debt for pennies on the dollar on the same market that collections agencies purchase the rights to the debts, the governor said Illinois could “relieve nearly $1 billion in medical debt for the first cohort of 340,000 Illinoisans.”The governor spent time noting two key places he said Illinois fails its Black citizens:  maternal mortality and disproportionate rates of homelessness. To combat Black maternal mortality rates, Pritzker proposed helping more community-based reproductive health centers to open, citing Illinois' first freestanding nonprofit birthing center in Berwyn as a model.He said, “Black women in our state are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.” Pritzker proposed spending an additional $50 million on the state's “Home Illinois” program launched in 2021, in part to “attack the root causes of housing insecurity for Black Illinoisans.” He cited a statistic that Black people make up 61 percent of Illinois' homeless population despite only being 14 percent of the state's general population.Additionally, the governor proposed a $1 million pilot program for free diapers for low-income families, as well as a $5 million increased investment in an existing home visit program “for our most vulnerable families” with babies in their first year.His budget also includes $12 million to create a child tax credit for families with children under three with incomes below a certain threshold. Among the successes Pritzker pointed to, perhaps the most salient is his claim that Illinois' new “Smart Start” early childhood program – proposed last year in the governor's second inaugural address – had exceeded its first-year goals.The program aimed to create 5,000 new preschool seats last year, but ended up creating 5,823, Pritzker said – a 15 percent overperformance. “As a result, right now we have over 82,000 publicly-funded preschool classroom seats – the highest number in our state's history. Staying on the Smart Start plan, we will achieve universal preschool by 2027.”Echoing his 2022 election-year call for a temporary pause on the state's 1 percent tax on groceries, Pritzker on Wednesday proposed nixing the grocery tax altogether.He said “It's one more regressive tax we just don't need. If it reduces inflation for families from 4 percent to 3 percent, even if it only puts a few hundred bucks back in families' pockets, it's the right thing to do.”Even while proposing a series of progressive expenditures, the governor also sought to cast himself as a pragmatist when it comes to state finances. The state has seen strong revenue performances in the past few years, But in November, the governor's own economic forecasting office predicted a nearly $900 million deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1.“Our FY25 budget proposal makes some hard choices,” Pritzker said Wednesday. “I wish we had big surpluses to work with this year to take on every one of the very real challenges we face.”Illinois' once-paltry “rainy day” fund now has $2 billion socked away, the governor noted, and the state has paid off high-interest debt during his five years in office.To mitigate Illinois' previously projected deficit, Pritzker is proposing to more than double the tax rate paid by sportsbooks on profits – a change that would bring in an estimated $200 million annually. He also proposed extending an existing cap on operating losses that businesses can claim on taxes, which could help generate more than $500 million, the governor's office claims.Another revenue generator proposed by the governor: raising $101 million by capping a sales tax credit retailers are allowed to claim. But business groups on Wednesday signaled they'd put up a fight. In his first few months in office in 2019, Pritzker used his fresh political capital to muscle a $15 minimum wage ramp through the legislature – a long-fought-for progressive policy goal – followed closely by a trip to New York City to meet with executives at the influential big three credit ratings agencies.When Pritzker took office, Illinois' credit ratings were hovering around “junk” status after a two-year budget impasse under his predecessor, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. And though Illinois suffered a final credit downgrade in the early months of COVID, the state has since received nine upgrades.The governor on Wednesday held those upgrades in high regard, saying“My one line in the sand is that I will only sign a budget that is responsibly balanced and that does not diminish or derail the improving credit standing we have achieved for the last five years,”Andrew Adams contributed.Missouri Senate Dems Hold The Line In Ballot Fighthttps://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/20/democrat-filibuster-forces-removal-of-ballot-candy-from-senate-initiative-petition-bill/BY: RUDI KELLER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 5:15 PM     A Democratic filibuster that stretched more than 20 hours ended this week when Senate Republicans stripped provisions critics derided as “ballot candy” from a proposal to make it harder to pass constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petitions.Ballot candy refers to language designed to trick voters - into thinking the initiative is about ensuring only citizens vote, for instance - when that's totally irrelevant to the question voters are deciding.By an 18-12 vote, with nine Republicans and nine Democrats forming the majority, language that stated non-citizens could not vote on constitutional amendments was removed, as were sections barring foreign governments and political parties from taking sides in Missouri ballot measures.The Senate then, by a voice vote, gave first-round approval to the bill that would require both a statewide majority and a majority vote in five of the state's eight congressional districts to pass future constitutional amendments.The proposal would alter the way Missourians have approved constitutional changes since the first statewide vote on a constitution in 1846.Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo of Independence, a Democrat, said, “All we're asking for is a fair fight. And the Republicans know if it's a fair fight, they lose, which is why they have to pump it full of ballot candy and mislead voters.”Meanwhile, the House spent much of Tuesday morning debating legislation that would make changes to the signature gathering process for initiative petition campaigns.Among numerous provisions, the bill would require signatures be recorded using black or dark ink and that signature gatherers be citizens of the United States, residents of Missouri or physically present in Missouri for at least 30 consecutive days prior to the collection of signatures.Its most sweeping provision grants new authority to the secretary of state and attorney general to review initiative and referendum petitions for compliance with the Missouri Constitution.The effort to make it harder to get on the ballot and harder to pass a constitutional amendment has been a GOP priority for several years. In the past two election cycles, voters have expanded Medicaid coverage and legalized recreational marijuana, circumventing the GOP majority that opposed both. The push to raise the threshold on amendments proposed by initiative has taken on a new urgency for Republicans as abortion-rights supporters move ahead with a signature campaign to make this year's ballot.The results on abortion amendments in other states has Missouri abortion foes anxious about whether they can defend the state's almost total ban in a statewide election. Voters in Ohio last year rejected an effort to increase the majority needed to pass constitutional amendments before voting 57% in favor of abortion rights. And in 2022, Kansas voters defeated an attempt to restrict abortion rights by a landslide vote.Gov. Kelly Keep Kansas GOP In Linehttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/20/kansas-house-republicans-fail-to-override-governors-veto-on-massive-tax-reform-bill/Kansas House Republicans fail to override governor's veto on massive tax reform billBY: TIM CARPENTER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 12:41 PM     TOPEKA — The Republican-led Kansas House failed Tuesday to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly ‘s veto of a tax reform bill anchored by implementation of a single, flat state income tax rate of 5.25% in addition to elimination of the state sales tax on groceries and creation of a tax exemption for all Social Security income.The GOP holds supermajorities in the House and Senate, but there was skepticism that both chambers could muster two-thirds majorities necessary to rebuke Kelly given opposition among conservative and moderate Republicans to parts of the three-year, $1.6 billion tax cut favoring the state's most wealthy. Kelly said the decision of House members to sustain her veto was a win for working-class Kansans who would have seen “little relief under this irresponsible flat tax experiment.” The Legislature should move ahead with her proposal for reducing $1 billion in taxes over three years.The governor said “I urge legislators to work together to cut taxes in a way that continues our economic growth and maintains our solid fiscal foundation while benefitting all Kansans, not just those at the top,”.Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita, said the cost of the tax reform bill could reach $600 million annually when fully implemented, and the plan didn't do enough for the middle class in Kansas. He said a married couple earning $42,000 to $75,000 per year would only see an income tax reduction of about 75 cents.Rep. Trevor Jacobs of Fort Scott was among Republicans who opposed overriding Kelly's veto. He said the flat tax would force the state's working class to carry a larger burden of the state tax load. And the 2024 Legislature had sufficient time to develop an alternative that provided tax relief to all Kansans rather than just a select few.Good thinking! See it's not just Democrats who think KS Gov Laura Kelly knows what she's doing. Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Stories in today's show appeared first in the Missouri Independent, Kansas Reflector, Texas Tribune, and Capitol News Illinois. Thanks for listening, see you next time.  @TheHeartlandPOD on Twitter and ThreadsCo-HostsAdam Sommer @Adam_Sommer85 (Twitter) @adam_sommer85 (Post)Rachel Parker @msraitchetp (Post) Sean Diller (no social)The Heartland Collective - Sign Up Today!JOIN PATREON FOR MORE - AND JOIN OUR SOCIAL NETWORK!“Change The Conversation”Outro Song: “The World Is On Fire” by American Aquarium http://www.americanaquarium.com/

The Heartland POD for Friday, February 23, 2024A flyover from this weeks top heartland stories including:Primary voting is underway in Texas | Kansas Medicaid expansion update | Illinois Gov J.B. Pritzker lays out priorities as a progressive pragmatist | Missouri Democrats filibuster ballot candy | KS Gov Laura Kelly's veto will stand Primary voting is underway in Texashttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/21/julie-johnson-brian-williams-congressional-district-32-colin-allred/BY SEJAL GOVINDARAOFEB. 21, 2024WASHINGTON — In 2018, Rep. Colin Allred flipped Texas' 32nd Congressional District, turning the Dallas-based district into a blue stronghold. Now, as the Democrat vies to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a crowded field of 10 Democrats is lining up to replace him.Dr. Brian Williams, a trauma surgeon, and State Rep. Julie Johnson, of Farmers Branch, are leading the field in the Democratic primary with their fundraising efforts, each amassing about a million dollars in campaign donations since their campaigns were registered at the beginning of last summer.Ideologically, Williams and Johnson are aligned. They both rank health care a top priority if elected, and have touted their ability to work across the aisle.Johnson, a trial lawyer in her third term in the state House rode the 2019 blue wave to unseat hardline conservative incumbent Matt Rinaldi, by 13 points. Rinaldi now chairs the state GOP. In her three terms, at least 40 of the bills Johnson has co-authored or joint-authored have been signed into law.As a Democrat in the Republican-dominated state Legislature, Johnson has played a lot of defense trying to kill bills she and other progressives deem harmful. Johnson, who is gay, said she and other members of the House's LGBTQ caucus have had success in killing anti-LGBTQ bills by mastering the rules of procedure and “being better at the rules than the other side.” In 2019, she took down a House version of the so-called “Save Chick-fil-A bill” on a rule technicality. The bill was a response to a San Antonio airport kicking out the fast food restaurant over criticism of its religiously affiliated donations to anti-LGBTQ groups. It was revived in another bill and passed into law.If elected, Johnson would be the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from a Southern state. She's drawn notable endorsements from Beto O'Rourke, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, EMILY's List, Equality PAC, and several labor unions.Matt Angle, director of Lone Star Project, a Texas group that works to boost Democrats, said Johnson is the frontrunner in the race, but Williams is a formidable challenger.“Make no mistake about it though,” Angle said. “Julie Johnson has a voter base within the district not only from her old district, but also just from years of being an active Democratic activist and a donor and really a couple of just outstanding terms in the legislature.”While he may be new to the Texas political arena, Williams is no stranger to the halls of Congress.Williams was a health policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy — who endorsed him — to help pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022 – the farthest reaching gun safety legislation in decades. The legislation, crafted in the aftermath of the shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo New York, allocated millions of dollars to expand mental health resources, strengthens background checks and tightens the boyfriend loophole. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn was a lead negotiator on the bill with Murphy, and Williams worked closely with Cornyn's office. In his role as a health policy advisor for Murphy, he worked across the aisle with Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana on mental health legislation.Williams also worked with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California to pass federal health care legislation related to pandemic preparedness and reducing health care costs.Williams said his experience as a trauma surgeon — operating on victims of gun violence and women experiencing reproductive health emergencies — has fueled his priorities to fight for gun restrictions and increase access to abortions and other womens' health. Williams added his perspective as a Black doctor seeing racial disparities in health care will resonate with the district's diverse constituency, given that the district is now a majority-minority district with a 37% Hispanic or Latino population, 22% Black population and 8% Asian population.“They're excited that there's someone that looks like them that can represent them in Congress,” Williams said in an interview.As Allred opted to stay neutral in the race to succeed him – Williams said he had pursued his endorsement while Johnson said she had not – the tension between Johnson and Williams has been heating up.Williams has publicly criticized Johnson for a vote she took that would have made some changes and tweaks to the state's Alternatives to Abortions program, which provides information about resources to women seeking the procedure.“I draw contrast between myself and Representative Johnson about how I am the better candidate,” Williams said.Johnson, who is endorsed by Planned Parenthood, said Williams misrepresented the vote, which she said she cast to bring the already-funded program under the scope of the Health and Human Services Commission so it could be subject to public transparency. Her campaign published a fact-check on her website, likening Williams' misrepresentation of her record to “Trumpian-style, false attacks.”Planned Parenthood was critical of the legislation.Johnson said women's health is also a priority for her, and she stands by her record.“Texas leads the nation of uninsured folks, and in maternal mortality, and in infant mortality. Obviously, we're leading the nation in an attack on women's freedom for women's reproductive health, and I've been a champion of a lot of these issues,” she said.Other candidates vying for the open seat in the March 5 primary include businessman Raja Chaudhry, tech entrepreneur Alex Cornwallis, former Dallas City Councilman and real estate broker Kevin Felder and attorney Callie Butcher, who would be the first openly transgender member of Congress if elected.If no candidate gets a majority of the vote, there will be a runoff in May. The winner of the Democratic primary will face off against the winner of the Republican primary in November but is likely to win given that the district is solidly blue.And, from Dallas we go to Houston whereAfter bruising loss in Houston mayoral race, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee faces her toughest reelection yetJackson Lee faces off against Amanda Edwards, her most formidable congressional opponent in three decades.https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/19/sheila-jackson-lee-amanda-edwards-democratic-primary-houston/BY SEJAL GOVINDARAOFEB. 19, 2024In 1994, Sheila Jackson Lee, then a 44-year-old Houston city councilwoman, unseated four-term U.S. Rep. Craig Washington in the Democratic primary, securing a seat she'd come to hold for the next 30 years.This March, former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards, 42, is hoping to replicate that political upset as she faces off against Jackson Lee in the Democratic primary for Congressional District 18.Jackson Lee, who did not respond to requests for an interview, has only drawn four primary challengers over her 14-term career, all of whom she defeated by landslide margins.She's a household name in her Houston-based district, known for her frequent visibility at constituent graduations, funerals and baby showers.But last year she ran for Houston mayor against then-state Sen. John Whitmire. It was a bruising primary — unfamiliar territory for Jackson Lee — and her campaign was roiled with negative media after audio of her berating her congressional staffers was leaked. She ended up losing the race by 30 points and then immediately announced she was running for reelection to the U.S. House.Amanda Edwards, a former intern in Jackson Lee's office, initially announced she was running for Houston mayor until the congresswoman threw her hat in the ring. At that point, Edwards pivoted — endorsing Jackson Lee as mayor and beginning her own bid for Congress.By the time Jackson Lee announced she was running for her House seat again, Edwards had already gained momentum. In the fourth quarter of last year, Edwards outraised the congresswoman 10 to 1 — $272,000 to Jackson Lee's $23,000.Mark Jones, Baker Institute fellow in political science at Rice University said, “This could be the year that Congresswoman Jackson Lee loses. And given that as a safe, Democratic, seat whoever wins the primary will be headed to Washington in January of 2025”Jackson Lee holds a narrow lead in primary polls, while 16% of voters remain undecided. Edwards, a native Houstonian, said her commitment to public service is propelled by her father's battle with cancer when she was a teenager, where she learned firsthand about the cracks in the health care system and how “policy could be a matter of life and death.” She served as an at-large Houston City Council member from 2016 to 2020, where she represented a constituency of more than 2 million people.In her race to beat Jackson Lee, Edwards has garnered some notable endorsements including the Harris County Young Democrats, and the Harris County chapter of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats – both of which endorsed Jackson Lee in past races.The Harris County Young Democrats rescinded its endorsement of Jackson Lee in the mayoral race — citing a “zero tolerance policy” for staff abuse.Lenard Polk, Harris County chapter president of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, said Jackson Lee's leaked audio tape controversy also factored into the committee's decision to not endorse her. On the recording Jackson Lee berates a staffer for not having a document she was looking for and calls two of her staffers “Goddamn big-ass children, fuckin' idiots who serve no Goddamn purpose.”He said endorsement committee members were still “quite upset” over the tape and it “wasn't a good look” for Jackson Lee. The leaked tape fueled discourse about Jackson Lee's reputation as an unkind boss on Capitol Hill – she regularly makes Washingtonian Magazine's worst of Congress list and her office has high turnover rates.Polk added that voters felt abandoned by Jackson Lee, who jumped into the mayor's race without endorsing someone to take her place, only to file for reelection a day after losing.Jackson Lee's battle to retain her seat is made tougher by 2021 redistricting, because the 18th district now includes more young white professionals who do not have the same level of loyalty to her as longtime district residents.But despite any damage she may have incurred from her mayoral run, Jackson Lee remains a powerful political force in her district.County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who is backing Jackson Lee, said he doesn't know anyone in local politics with her “energy level,” and that Jackson Lee has secured meaningful federal grants for her district – most recently $20.5 million to Harris County Public Health Department's Uplift Harris Guaranteed Income Pilot project. He also said she has a reputation for being a reliably progressive voice in Congress.Jackson Lee has a long list of powerful endorsements from House Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Minority Whip Katherine Clarke. She's backed by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and other members of Texas' Washington delegation including Democratic Reps. Lizzie Fletcher of Houston, Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Joaquin Castro of San Antonio.Ellis said Jackson Lee may not be a strong fundraiser but she will benefit from her incumbency advantage.Linda Bell-Robinson, a Houston Democratic precinct chair, said she is fighting for Jackson Lee to retain her seat because seniority in Congress is important and Edwards would be learning the ropes as a freshman if elected.“We need fighters,” she said. “We don't need people trying to learn how to fight on the battlefield. We need people who are already fighting and know how to fight their fight.SEAN: Super interesting race. For my part, I don't have any problem with members of Congress being extremely tough to work for. I have problems with lying, fraud, criminal activity, and squishy voting records. Congresswoman Jackson Lee has 100% ratings from Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and AFL-CIO. She has a 95% rating from League of Conservation VotersNew estimate predicts Medicaid expansion would serve 152K at no cost to stateA $509M federal incentive would help offset state cost for first eight yearsBY: SHERMAN SMITH - FEBRUARY 22, 2024 4:22 PMhttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/22/new-estimate-predicts-medicaid-expansion-would-serve-152k-at-no-cost-to-state/TOPEKA — The Kansas Health Institute on Thursday unveiled its analysis of Gov. Laura Kelly's proposal to expand Medicaid, predicting 152,000 Kansans would enroll in the first year with no additional cost to the state government.The Democratic governor has made passage of Medicaid expansion a top legislative priority this year, following her statewide campaign to promote the policy last fall. But Republican leadership in the Legislature opposes the policy and has blocked hearings on Medicaid expansion for four years.Kansas is one of just 10 states that still haven't expanded Medicaid since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010.The state-run version of Medicaid, called KanCare, provides health care services to low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. Currently, those who earn less than 38% of the federal poverty level are eligible. For a family of four, the annual income limit is $11,400.Under the ACA, also known as Obamacare, the federal government offers to cover 90% of the cost of Medicaid services in exchange for expanding eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty rate. The annual income threshold for a family of four would be $41,400.Kelly's proposal includes a work requirement with exceptions for full-time students, veterans, caregivers, people with partial disabilities, and former foster kids. Her plan also would add a new surcharge for hospitals.KHI predicts the change in income eligibility would result in 151,898 people enrolling in KanCare — 106,450 adults and 45,448 children. Those numbers include 68,236 adults and 16,377 children who are currently uninsured.About 68.9% of the adults are already working at least part-time, according to the KHI analysis. Of the remaining 31.1% KHI determined 19.1% of the unemployed adults have a disability, 16.1% are students and 3.8% are veterans.KHI calculated the cost to the state for expanding Medicaid over the first eight years would be fully offset — mostly because of a $509 million incentive included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Other savings would come from the federal government picking up more of the tab on existing services, as well as the new surcharge on hospitals. The Kansas Sunflower Foundation on Thursday released findings from surveys that found 68% of Kansas voters, including 51% of Republicans and 83% of small business owners support Medicaid expansion.Steve Baccus, an Ottawa County farmer and former president of Kansas Farm Bureau, said in a news release that expanding Medicaid was about “investing in the well-being of our communities.”Baccus said “Our rural communities are often struggling to keep Main Street open and to continue to offer the necessary services to the surrounding agricultural enterprises. A community that can offer a total health care package has an advantage in maintaining a viable town.”The findings are consistent with a Fort Hays State University poll that was released in October.With budget proposal and fiery address, Pritzker paints himself as progressive pragmatistThursday, February 22, 2024Governor's spending plan advances progressive-backed policies in tight fiscal landscapeBy HANNAH MEISELCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.comhttps://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/with-budget-proposal-and-fiery-address-pritzker-paints-himself-as-progressive-pragmatistSPRINGFIELD – In delivering his annual State of the State and budget address on Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker cast his administration as both progressive and pragmatic – a balance he's worked to strike as his national profile has grown.Some elements of the governor's proposed spending plan, like using $10 million in state funds to eliminate $1 billion worth of Illinoisans' medical debt, are hardline progressive ideas. Others, including a goal to achieve “universal preschool” by 2027, fit in with a more traditional liberal platform.But Pritzker has also defined his success in traditional economic terms, putting particular stock into how New York City-based credit ratings agencies view Illinois' finances, while also positioning Illinois as a hub for emerging technologies like electric vehicles and quantum computing. As Illinois faces an influx of migrants from the southern U.S. border Pritzker has leaned into a leadership style that prioritizes progressive ideals while projecting an image of fiscal responsibility.As he outlined a proposal to add $182 Million toward the state's migrant response, Gov. Pritzker said, “We didn't ask for this manufactured crisis, But we must deal with it all the same.”“Children, pregnant women, and the elderly have been sent here in the dead of night, left far from our designated welcome centers, in freezing temperatures, wearing flip flops and T-shirts,” Pritzker said. “Think about that the next time a politician from Texas wants to lecture you about being a good Christian.”The governor was met with big applause from Democrats in laying out his proposed “Healthcare Consumer Access and Protection Act,” which would, in part, ban “prior authorization” requirements for mental health treatment.Pritzker characterized the practice of prior authorization as a way for insurance companies to deny the care that doctors have prescribed.Pritzker is also proposing spending $10 million in state funds to buy Illinoisans' past-due medical debt that's been sent to collections. Partnering with national nonprofit RIP Medical Debt, which buys debt for pennies on the dollar on the same market that collections agencies purchase the rights to the debts, the governor said Illinois could “relieve nearly $1 billion in medical debt for the first cohort of 340,000 Illinoisans.”The governor spent time noting two key places he said Illinois fails its Black citizens:  maternal mortality and disproportionate rates of homelessness. To combat Black maternal mortality rates, Pritzker proposed helping more community-based reproductive health centers to open, citing Illinois' first freestanding nonprofit birthing center in Berwyn as a model.He said, “Black women in our state are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.” Pritzker proposed spending an additional $50 million on the state's “Home Illinois” program launched in 2021, in part to “attack the root causes of housing insecurity for Black Illinoisans.” He cited a statistic that Black people make up 61 percent of Illinois' homeless population despite only being 14 percent of the state's general population.Additionally, the governor proposed a $1 million pilot program for free diapers for low-income families, as well as a $5 million increased investment in an existing home visit program “for our most vulnerable families” with babies in their first year.His budget also includes $12 million to create a child tax credit for families with children under three with incomes below a certain threshold. Among the successes Pritzker pointed to, perhaps the most salient is his claim that Illinois' new “Smart Start” early childhood program – proposed last year in the governor's second inaugural address – had exceeded its first-year goals.The program aimed to create 5,000 new preschool seats last year, but ended up creating 5,823, Pritzker said – a 15 percent overperformance. “As a result, right now we have over 82,000 publicly-funded preschool classroom seats – the highest number in our state's history. Staying on the Smart Start plan, we will achieve universal preschool by 2027.”Echoing his 2022 election-year call for a temporary pause on the state's 1 percent tax on groceries, Pritzker on Wednesday proposed nixing the grocery tax altogether.He said “It's one more regressive tax we just don't need. If it reduces inflation for families from 4 percent to 3 percent, even if it only puts a few hundred bucks back in families' pockets, it's the right thing to do.”Even while proposing a series of progressive expenditures, the governor also sought to cast himself as a pragmatist when it comes to state finances. The state has seen strong revenue performances in the past few years, But in November, the governor's own economic forecasting office predicted a nearly $900 million deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1.“Our FY25 budget proposal makes some hard choices,” Pritzker said Wednesday. “I wish we had big surpluses to work with this year to take on every one of the very real challenges we face.”Illinois' once-paltry “rainy day” fund now has $2 billion socked away, the governor noted, and the state has paid off high-interest debt during his five years in office.To mitigate Illinois' previously projected deficit, Pritzker is proposing to more than double the tax rate paid by sportsbooks on profits – a change that would bring in an estimated $200 million annually. He also proposed extending an existing cap on operating losses that businesses can claim on taxes, which could help generate more than $500 million, the governor's office claims.Another revenue generator proposed by the governor: raising $101 million by capping a sales tax credit retailers are allowed to claim. But business groups on Wednesday signaled they'd put up a fight. In his first few months in office in 2019, Pritzker used his fresh political capital to muscle a $15 minimum wage ramp through the legislature – a long-fought-for progressive policy goal – followed closely by a trip to New York City to meet with executives at the influential big three credit ratings agencies.When Pritzker took office, Illinois' credit ratings were hovering around “junk” status after a two-year budget impasse under his predecessor, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. And though Illinois suffered a final credit downgrade in the early months of COVID, the state has since received nine upgrades.The governor on Wednesday held those upgrades in high regard, saying“My one line in the sand is that I will only sign a budget that is responsibly balanced and that does not diminish or derail the improving credit standing we have achieved for the last five years,”Andrew Adams contributed.Missouri Senate Dems Hold The Line In Ballot Fighthttps://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/20/democrat-filibuster-forces-removal-of-ballot-candy-from-senate-initiative-petition-bill/BY: RUDI KELLER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 5:15 PM     A Democratic filibuster that stretched more than 20 hours ended this week when Senate Republicans stripped provisions critics derided as “ballot candy” from a proposal to make it harder to pass constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petitions.Ballot candy refers to language designed to trick voters - into thinking the initiative is about ensuring only citizens vote, for instance - when that's totally irrelevant to the question voters are deciding.By an 18-12 vote, with nine Republicans and nine Democrats forming the majority, language that stated non-citizens could not vote on constitutional amendments was removed, as were sections barring foreign governments and political parties from taking sides in Missouri ballot measures.The Senate then, by a voice vote, gave first-round approval to the bill that would require both a statewide majority and a majority vote in five of the state's eight congressional districts to pass future constitutional amendments.The proposal would alter the way Missourians have approved constitutional changes since the first statewide vote on a constitution in 1846.Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo of Independence, a Democrat, said, “All we're asking for is a fair fight. And the Republicans know if it's a fair fight, they lose, which is why they have to pump it full of ballot candy and mislead voters.”Meanwhile, the House spent much of Tuesday morning debating legislation that would make changes to the signature gathering process for initiative petition campaigns.Among numerous provisions, the bill would require signatures be recorded using black or dark ink and that signature gatherers be citizens of the United States, residents of Missouri or physically present in Missouri for at least 30 consecutive days prior to the collection of signatures.Its most sweeping provision grants new authority to the secretary of state and attorney general to review initiative and referendum petitions for compliance with the Missouri Constitution.The effort to make it harder to get on the ballot and harder to pass a constitutional amendment has been a GOP priority for several years. In the past two election cycles, voters have expanded Medicaid coverage and legalized recreational marijuana, circumventing the GOP majority that opposed both. The push to raise the threshold on amendments proposed by initiative has taken on a new urgency for Republicans as abortion-rights supporters move ahead with a signature campaign to make this year's ballot.The results on abortion amendments in other states has Missouri abortion foes anxious about whether they can defend the state's almost total ban in a statewide election. Voters in Ohio last year rejected an effort to increase the majority needed to pass constitutional amendments before voting 57% in favor of abortion rights. And in 2022, Kansas voters defeated an attempt to restrict abortion rights by a landslide vote.Gov. Kelly Keep Kansas GOP In Linehttps://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/20/kansas-house-republicans-fail-to-override-governors-veto-on-massive-tax-reform-bill/Kansas House Republicans fail to override governor's veto on massive tax reform billBY: TIM CARPENTER - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 12:41 PM     TOPEKA — The Republican-led Kansas House failed Tuesday to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly ‘s veto of a tax reform bill anchored by implementation of a single, flat state income tax rate of 5.25% in addition to elimination of the state sales tax on groceries and creation of a tax exemption for all Social Security income.The GOP holds supermajorities in the House and Senate, but there was skepticism that both chambers could muster two-thirds majorities necessary to rebuke Kelly given opposition among conservative and moderate Republicans to parts of the three-year, $1.6 billion tax cut favoring the state's most wealthy. Kelly said the decision of House members to sustain her veto was a win for working-class Kansans who would have seen “little relief under this irresponsible flat tax experiment.” The Legislature should move ahead with her proposal for reducing $1 billion in taxes over three years.The governor said “I urge legislators to work together to cut taxes in a way that continues our economic growth and maintains our solid fiscal foundation while benefitting all Kansans, not just those at the top,”.Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita, said the cost of the tax reform bill could reach $600 million annually when fully implemented, and the plan didn't do enough for the middle class in Kansas. He said a married couple earning $42,000 to $75,000 per year would only see an income tax reduction of about 75 cents.Rep. Trevor Jacobs of Fort Scott was among Republicans who opposed overriding Kelly's veto. He said the flat tax would force the state's working class to carry a larger burden of the state tax load. And the 2024 Legislature had sufficient time to develop an alternative that provided tax relief to all Kansans rather than just a select few.Good thinking! See it's not just Democrats who think KS Gov Laura Kelly knows what she's doing. Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Stories in today's show appeared first in the Missouri Independent, Kansas Reflector, Texas Tribune, and Capitol News Illinois. Thanks for listening, see you next time.  @TheHeartlandPOD on Twitter and ThreadsCo-HostsAdam Sommer @Adam_Sommer85 (Twitter) @adam_sommer85 (Post)Rachel Parker @msraitchetp (Post) Sean Diller (no social)The Heartland Collective - Sign Up Today!JOIN PATREON FOR MORE - AND JOIN OUR SOCIAL NETWORK!“Change The Conversation”Outro Song: “The World Is On Fire” by American Aquarium http://www.americanaquarium.com/

ORDINARY ANGELS is hitting theatres nationwide on Friday, Feb 23rd! Producer Andrew Erwin, with Kingdom Story Company, visited with Marci about the backstory of this amazing true story, and he tells us about an awesome ministry they're partnering with called RIP Medical Debt. Listen to the interview here, and then tune in to the Morning Show Feb 19th-23rd, we will be giving away 2 tickets every day to ORDINARY ANGELS! 

This week, we're sharing an episode of our other podcast, Healthcare Blame Game. Patient Rights Advocate (PRA) has engaged hip hop artists like Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes and Method Man in its “Power to the Patients” campaign, claiming that regulations around price transparency are not being enforced, allowing hospitals to hide their prices and “charge whatever they want.” On this episode, HFMA Policy Director Shawn Stack and Ruth Lande, vice president of hospital relations at RIP Medical Debt, discuss PRA's misinterpretation of price transparency regulations and hospital pricing. Mentioned in this episode: Power to the Patients: Fat Joe Public Service Announcement PatientRightsAdvocate.org misinterprets CMS rules in low estimate of hospital price transparency compliance Patient Rights Advocate continues to misinterpret price transparency data with latest report Healthcare Blame Game: Why CFOs should build media relationships Do you have feedback on an episode or an idea for the Blame Game team? Email us here.

Daniel Lempert, Vice President of Communications at RIP Medical Debt, joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters. Daniel and Jon discuss the state of Connecticut wanting to be the first state to cancel medical debt for eligible residents. Daniel talks about how contracts are signed and how the funds are allocated.

Patient Rights Advocate (PRA) has engaged hip hop artists like Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes and Method Man in its “Power to the Patients” campaign, claiming that regulations around price transparency are not being enforced, allowing hospitals to hide their prices and “charge whatever they want.” On this episode, HFMA Policy Director Shawn Stack and Ruth Lande, vice president of hospital relations at RIP Medical Debt, discuss PRA's misinterpretation of price transparency regulations and hospital pricing. Mentioned in this episode: Power to the Patients: Fat Joe Public Service Announcement PatientRightsAdvocate.org misinterprets CMS rules in low estimate of hospital price transparency compliance Patient Rights Advocate continues to misinterpret price transparency data with latest report Healthcare Blame Game: Why CFOs should build media relationships Do you have feedback on an episode or an idea for the Blame Game team? Email us here.

Allison Sesso, the President & CEO of RIP Medical Debt

This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Thursday, January 25th, 2024. Fight Laugh Feast Magazine Our Fight Laugh Feast Magazine is a quarterly issue that packs a punch like a 21 year Balvenie, no ice. We don’t water down our scotch, why would we water down our theology? Order a yearly subscription for yourself and then send a couple yearly subscriptions to your friends who have been drinking luke-warm evangelical cool-aid. Every quarter we promise quality food for the soul, wine for the heart, and some Red Bull for turning over tables. Our magazine will include cultural commentary, a Psalm of the quarter, recipes for feasting, laughter sprinkled through out the glossy pages, and more. Sign up today, at fightlaughfeast.com. https://www.breitbart.com/2024-election/2024/01/24/calls-grow-louder-for-haley-to-drop-out-of-gop-primary/ Calls Grow Louder for Haley to Drop Out of GOP Primary Demands grew louder for former Gov. Nikki Haley to drop out of the GOP primary race on Tuesday after placing second in New Hampshire to former President Donald Trump. Many Republicans believe Haley should leave the race so all available GOP resources can be allocated towards defeating President Joe Biden. Republicans spent over $167 million in losing efforts to defeat Trump in New Hampshire and Iowa, with plans to release millions more in future primaries. https://twitter.com/i/status/1750015374639390818 - Play Video After Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) exited the race Sunday, Haley’s path to the nomination did not appear to improve. In fact, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ endorsement of Trump further consolidated support behind the former president, placing pressure on Haley to also end her fledgling campaign. In all states besides New Hampshire, Trump leads by no less than 30 points. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) said Trump is the de facto GOP nominee moving forward. “Congratulations to President Trump on another decisive win in New Hampshire and becoming the presumptive nominee of our party,” he said. Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) congratulated Trump on his big win Tuesday evening: “To no one’s surprise, @realDonaldTrump won BIG tonight in New Hampshire. President Trump’s message is resonating with voters. It’s only a matter of time until 45 becomes 47. Congratulations, Mr. President!” CEO of the Federalist Sean Davis urged Haley to drop out, noting that if she did not, she would be “fully owned by the left-wing Democrats.” “If Nikki Haley’s primary goal is to defeat Joe Biden in November, she will drop out tonight and endorse Trump. If she continues to stay in a race she cannot win just to attack Trump, then we’ll know she’s fully owned by the left-wing Democrats who are funding her campaign,” he said. Social media influencer Ryan Fournier demanded Haley just give up and drop out. “Nikki Haley is refusing to drop out, claiming “this race is far from over.” It’s been over from the start. You all betted on the worst happening to Trump to secure victory. It’s time to give it up.,” he said. Nate Cohn, the New York Times’ chief political analyst, wrote on Monday the polling undoubtedly shows Haley’s inevitable resignation from the race, so Trump can turn his focus to defeating President Joe Biden. “So, without a monumental shift in the race, he will secure the nomination in short order,” he said. “Too little, too late,” Haley backer and a former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, Fergus Cullen, told the New York Times about Haley’s prospects. “She had to inspire and engage unaffiliated voters, and I just haven’t seen her doing what she needs to do to reach that audience and turn them out in the numbers that she needs.” https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/2814985/biden-administration-demands-texas-grant-dhs-access-border/ Biden administration demands Texas grant border access following Supreme Court decision The Biden administration has demanded the state of Texas relinquish control of a 2.5-mile strip of land on the border and grant federal agents access following a Supreme Court decision that gave Border Patrol agents to slash state-installed razor wire. The Department of Homeland Security sent Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) a letter Tuesday obtained first by the Washington Examiner in which General Counsel Jonathan Meyer called out the state for its inaction after the highest court rescinded an appeal court injunction and allowed federal police to cut down razor wire fencing in Eagle Pass in order to rescue and apprehend illegal immigrants as they cross the Rio Grande. “The state has alleged that Shelby Park is open to the public, but we do not believe this statement is accurate,” Meyer said. “To our knowledge, Texas has only permitted access to Shelby Park by allowing public entry for a memorial, the media, and use of the golf course adjacent to Shelby Park, all while continuing to restrict U.S. Border Patrol’s access to the park.” Meyer said the Supreme Court decision allowed federal law enforcement not only to cut wire at the border but to be present on the border, the latter of which has not been possible since the Texas National Guard commandeered the 2.5-mile strip of city land and locked out all federal employees on Jan. 10. “As you are aware, yesterday, the Supreme Court vacated the injunction prohibiting the Department from cutting or moving the concertina wire that Texas had placed along the border except in case of emergency, and restored the Department’s right to cut and move the concertina wire placed by Texas in order to perform their statutory duties,” Meyer wrote. “The Department must also have the ability to access the border in the Shelby Park area that is currently obstructed by Texas.” But despite the court’s decision, Texas National Guard soldiers reaffirmed the state’s position Tuesday. Soldiers in Eagle Pass installed more razor wire at the river and laid out more fencing and concertina wire despite the rain that swept through the region Tuesday, according to video. The DHS maintained in its letter that it had the upper ground in terms of legal ground that allowed its personnel to be on city land along the border. It cited the U.S. Code, in which the department acquired permanent real estate interests in and around Eagle Pass in 2008 to build border wall barriers in the vicinity. “Because the Department owns property rights to the areas depicted on the attached map, we demand that you immediately remove any and all obstructions on it,” Meyer said. Border Patrol still has limited access to a boat ramp within Shelby Park despite the state’s initial concession earlier in the land seizure to let agents load and unload a boat into the river. Meyer called for full access to the boat ramp and river. The Biden administration had threatened Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) with legal action on Jan. 14 if Texas did not relinquish control of land, but has not followed up with a lawsuit. “We demand that Texas cease and desist its efforts to block Border Patrol’s access in and around the Shelby Park area and remove all barriers to access in the Shelby Park area,” Meyer told Paxton in the letter. The showdown between state and federal leaders comes 12 days after three immigrants drowned attempting to wade across the river from Mexico on Jan. 12. Border Patrol officials in Eagle Pass were alerted to immigrants who had drowned and two others in distress and attempted to respond but were denied access at a gate into the state-seized land. The state has taken issue with Border Patrol cutting its wire on the basis that the wire would deter and prevent more illegal immigration. Federal law enforcement agents are required to arrest anyone who has illegally entered the country or is illegally present, including those who cross the river and are blocked from continuing up the riverbank by the razor wire. https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/holocaust-survivors-numbers-report-claims-conference/2024/01/23/id/1150570/ Almost 80 Years after the Holocaust, 245,000 Jewish Survivors Are Still Alive Almost 80 years after the Holocaust, about 245,000 Jewish survivors are still living across more than 90 countries, a new report revealed Tuesday. Nearly half of them, or 49%, are living in Israel; 18% are in Western Europe, 16% in the United States, and 12% in countries of the former Soviet Union, according to a study by the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference. Before the publication of the demographic report, there were only vague estimates about how many Holocaust survivors are still alive. Their numbers are quickly dwindling, as most are very old and often of frail health, with a median age of 86. Twenty percent of survivors are older than 90, and more women (61%) than men (39%) are still alive. The vast majority, or 96% of survivors, are “child survivors” who were born after 1928, says the report “Holocaust Survivors Worldwide. A Demographic Overview'” which is based on figures that were collected up until August. “The numbers in this report are interesting, but it is also important to look past the numbers to see the individuals they represent,” said Greg Schneider, the Claims Conference’s executive vice president. “These are Jews who were born into a world that wanted to see them murdered. They endured the atrocities of the Holocaust in their youth and were forced to rebuild an entire life out of the ashes of the camps and ghettos that ended their families and communities." Six million European Jews and people from other minorities were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust. It is not clear exactly how many Jews survived the death camps, the ghettos or somewhere in hiding across Nazi-occupied Europe, but their numbers were a far cry from the pre-war Jewish population in Europe. In Poland, of the 3.3 million Jews living there in 1939, only about 300,000 survived. Around 560,000 Jews lived in Germany in 1933, the year Adolf Hitler came to power. At the end of World War II in 1945, their numbers had diminished to about 15,000 — through emigration and extermination. Germany's Jewish community grew again after 1990, when more than 215,000 Jewish migrants and their families came from countries of the former Soviet Union, some of them also survivors. Nowadays, only 14,200 survivors still live in Germany, the demographic report concluded. For its new report, the Claims Conference said it defined Holocaust survivors "based on agreements with the German government in assessing eligibility for compensation programs.” For Germany, that definition includes all Jews who lived in the country from Jan. 30, 1933, when Hitler came to power, to May 1945, when Germany surrendered unconditionally in World War II. The group handles claims on behalf of Jews who suffered under the Nazis and negotiates compensation with Germany's finance ministry every year. In June, the Claims Conference said that Germany has agreed to extend another $1.4 billion, (1.29 billion euros), overall for Holocaust survivors around the globe for 2024. Since 1952, the German government has paid more than $90 billion to individuals for suffering and losses resulting from persecution by the Nazis. https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/nyc-mayor-eric-adams-announces-2-billion-medical-debt-bailout-500000-residents NYC Mayor Eric Adams announces $2B medical debt bailout for up to 500K residents New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday a plan to buy up millions of dollars in medical debt owed by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. In what the mayor said would be a "one-time" deal, the city will spend $18 million in taxpayer funds over the next three years to pay off medical debt owed by up to 500,000 residents. Officials estimate that the program will wipe out over $2 billion of medical debt owed in what they call the "largest municipal initiative of its kind in the country." "Getting health care shouldn't be a burden that weighs on New Yorkers and their families," Adams said in a statement. "Since day one, our administration has been driven by the clear mission of supporting working-class New Yorkers and today's investment that will provide $2 billion in medical debt relief is another major step in delivering on that vision. Up to half a million New Yorkers will see their medical debt wiped thanks to this life changing program — the largest municipal initiative of its kind in the country." Medical debt is among the top causes of bankruptcy in the United States, especially for those who lack health insurance. Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. adults (9%), or roughly 23 million people, owe medical debt, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The collective medical debt owed by Americans nationwide is estimated by the group to be as much as $195 billion. New York City will partner with RIP Medical Debt, a New York-based nonprofit, to acquire debt portfolios and retiree debt from health care providers and hospitals and erase it, officials said. "No one chooses to go into medical debt — if you're sick or injured, you need to seek care. But no New Yorker should have to choose between paying rent or for other essentials and paying off their medical debt, which is why we are proud to bring this relief to families across the five boroughs, as we continue to fight on behalf of working-class New Yorkers," Adams said. Founded in 2014, RIP Medical Debt uses donations to buy debt from health care providers in bundles at a steep discount. The group uses data analytics to identify debtors who are most in need — households that earn less than four times the federal poverty level or whose debts are 5% or more of annual income — and buys their debt. Those who benefit from the organization's work receive letters in the mail announcing that their debt has been erased, tax and penalty-free. The group has partnered with local governments before, including with Cook County in Illinois to abolish more than $280 million in medical debt owed by residents, but never at the scale of its partnership with New York City. To supplement the city's spending on the program, RIP Medical Debt and the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City are soliciting private donations to raise additional funding over the next three years. https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2024/1/22/ngsegtq5k078chahr8s3etgus3983p New ‘Jurassic World’ Movie in the Works, 2025 Release Being Eyed A new “Jurassic World” movie is in the works. In fact, it’s so deep in development that Universal is eyeing a 2025 release date for this one. If that’s the case then it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if it goes into production this year. The good news is that “Jurassic Park” screenwriter David Koepp is back, his last script for the series was 1997’s “The Lost World.” Koepp is set write the script to introduce a “new Jurassic era,” which likely means Chris Pratt won’t be returning as the lead. It’s only been two years since the last one, 2022’s “Jurassic World Dominion”, but Universal’s clearly looking to make more of these films. No director is attached for now, but, the way things are speeding up, one will surely be hired soon.

This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Thursday, January 25th, 2024. Fight Laugh Feast Magazine Our Fight Laugh Feast Magazine is a quarterly issue that packs a punch like a 21 year Balvenie, no ice. We don’t water down our scotch, why would we water down our theology? Order a yearly subscription for yourself and then send a couple yearly subscriptions to your friends who have been drinking luke-warm evangelical cool-aid. Every quarter we promise quality food for the soul, wine for the heart, and some Red Bull for turning over tables. Our magazine will include cultural commentary, a Psalm of the quarter, recipes for feasting, laughter sprinkled through out the glossy pages, and more. Sign up today, at fightlaughfeast.com. https://www.breitbart.com/2024-election/2024/01/24/calls-grow-louder-for-haley-to-drop-out-of-gop-primary/ Calls Grow Louder for Haley to Drop Out of GOP Primary Demands grew louder for former Gov. Nikki Haley to drop out of the GOP primary race on Tuesday after placing second in New Hampshire to former President Donald Trump. Many Republicans believe Haley should leave the race so all available GOP resources can be allocated towards defeating President Joe Biden. Republicans spent over $167 million in losing efforts to defeat Trump in New Hampshire and Iowa, with plans to release millions more in future primaries. https://twitter.com/i/status/1750015374639390818 - Play Video After Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) exited the race Sunday, Haley’s path to the nomination did not appear to improve. In fact, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ endorsement of Trump further consolidated support behind the former president, placing pressure on Haley to also end her fledgling campaign. In all states besides New Hampshire, Trump leads by no less than 30 points. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) said Trump is the de facto GOP nominee moving forward. “Congratulations to President Trump on another decisive win in New Hampshire and becoming the presumptive nominee of our party,” he said. Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) congratulated Trump on his big win Tuesday evening: “To no one’s surprise, @realDonaldTrump won BIG tonight in New Hampshire. President Trump’s message is resonating with voters. It’s only a matter of time until 45 becomes 47. Congratulations, Mr. President!” CEO of the Federalist Sean Davis urged Haley to drop out, noting that if she did not, she would be “fully owned by the left-wing Democrats.” “If Nikki Haley’s primary goal is to defeat Joe Biden in November, she will drop out tonight and endorse Trump. If she continues to stay in a race she cannot win just to attack Trump, then we’ll know she’s fully owned by the left-wing Democrats who are funding her campaign,” he said. Social media influencer Ryan Fournier demanded Haley just give up and drop out. “Nikki Haley is refusing to drop out, claiming “this race is far from over.” It’s been over from the start. You all betted on the worst happening to Trump to secure victory. It’s time to give it up.,” he said. Nate Cohn, the New York Times’ chief political analyst, wrote on Monday the polling undoubtedly shows Haley’s inevitable resignation from the race, so Trump can turn his focus to defeating President Joe Biden. “So, without a monumental shift in the race, he will secure the nomination in short order,” he said. “Too little, too late,” Haley backer and a former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, Fergus Cullen, told the New York Times about Haley’s prospects. “She had to inspire and engage unaffiliated voters, and I just haven’t seen her doing what she needs to do to reach that audience and turn them out in the numbers that she needs.” https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/2814985/biden-administration-demands-texas-grant-dhs-access-border/ Biden administration demands Texas grant border access following Supreme Court decision The Biden administration has demanded the state of Texas relinquish control of a 2.5-mile strip of land on the border and grant federal agents access following a Supreme Court decision that gave Border Patrol agents to slash state-installed razor wire. The Department of Homeland Security sent Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) a letter Tuesday obtained first by the Washington Examiner in which General Counsel Jonathan Meyer called out the state for its inaction after the highest court rescinded an appeal court injunction and allowed federal police to cut down razor wire fencing in Eagle Pass in order to rescue and apprehend illegal immigrants as they cross the Rio Grande. “The state has alleged that Shelby Park is open to the public, but we do not believe this statement is accurate,” Meyer said. “To our knowledge, Texas has only permitted access to Shelby Park by allowing public entry for a memorial, the media, and use of the golf course adjacent to Shelby Park, all while continuing to restrict U.S. Border Patrol’s access to the park.” Meyer said the Supreme Court decision allowed federal law enforcement not only to cut wire at the border but to be present on the border, the latter of which has not been possible since the Texas National Guard commandeered the 2.5-mile strip of city land and locked out all federal employees on Jan. 10. “As you are aware, yesterday, the Supreme Court vacated the injunction prohibiting the Department from cutting or moving the concertina wire that Texas had placed along the border except in case of emergency, and restored the Department’s right to cut and move the concertina wire placed by Texas in order to perform their statutory duties,” Meyer wrote. “The Department must also have the ability to access the border in the Shelby Park area that is currently obstructed by Texas.” But despite the court’s decision, Texas National Guard soldiers reaffirmed the state’s position Tuesday. Soldiers in Eagle Pass installed more razor wire at the river and laid out more fencing and concertina wire despite the rain that swept through the region Tuesday, according to video. The DHS maintained in its letter that it had the upper ground in terms of legal ground that allowed its personnel to be on city land along the border. It cited the U.S. Code, in which the department acquired permanent real estate interests in and around Eagle Pass in 2008 to build border wall barriers in the vicinity. “Because the Department owns property rights to the areas depicted on the attached map, we demand that you immediately remove any and all obstructions on it,” Meyer said. Border Patrol still has limited access to a boat ramp within Shelby Park despite the state’s initial concession earlier in the land seizure to let agents load and unload a boat into the river. Meyer called for full access to the boat ramp and river. The Biden administration had threatened Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) with legal action on Jan. 14 if Texas did not relinquish control of land, but has not followed up with a lawsuit. “We demand that Texas cease and desist its efforts to block Border Patrol’s access in and around the Shelby Park area and remove all barriers to access in the Shelby Park area,” Meyer told Paxton in the letter. The showdown between state and federal leaders comes 12 days after three immigrants drowned attempting to wade across the river from Mexico on Jan. 12. Border Patrol officials in Eagle Pass were alerted to immigrants who had drowned and two others in distress and attempted to respond but were denied access at a gate into the state-seized land. The state has taken issue with Border Patrol cutting its wire on the basis that the wire would deter and prevent more illegal immigration. Federal law enforcement agents are required to arrest anyone who has illegally entered the country or is illegally present, including those who cross the river and are blocked from continuing up the riverbank by the razor wire. https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/holocaust-survivors-numbers-report-claims-conference/2024/01/23/id/1150570/ Almost 80 Years after the Holocaust, 245,000 Jewish Survivors Are Still Alive Almost 80 years after the Holocaust, about 245,000 Jewish survivors are still living across more than 90 countries, a new report revealed Tuesday. Nearly half of them, or 49%, are living in Israel; 18% are in Western Europe, 16% in the United States, and 12% in countries of the former Soviet Union, according to a study by the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference. Before the publication of the demographic report, there were only vague estimates about how many Holocaust survivors are still alive. Their numbers are quickly dwindling, as most are very old and often of frail health, with a median age of 86. Twenty percent of survivors are older than 90, and more women (61%) than men (39%) are still alive. The vast majority, or 96% of survivors, are “child survivors” who were born after 1928, says the report “Holocaust Survivors Worldwide. A Demographic Overview'” which is based on figures that were collected up until August. “The numbers in this report are interesting, but it is also important to look past the numbers to see the individuals they represent,” said Greg Schneider, the Claims Conference’s executive vice president. “These are Jews who were born into a world that wanted to see them murdered. They endured the atrocities of the Holocaust in their youth and were forced to rebuild an entire life out of the ashes of the camps and ghettos that ended their families and communities." Six million European Jews and people from other minorities were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust. It is not clear exactly how many Jews survived the death camps, the ghettos or somewhere in hiding across Nazi-occupied Europe, but their numbers were a far cry from the pre-war Jewish population in Europe. In Poland, of the 3.3 million Jews living there in 1939, only about 300,000 survived. Around 560,000 Jews lived in Germany in 1933, the year Adolf Hitler came to power. At the end of World War II in 1945, their numbers had diminished to about 15,000 — through emigration and extermination. Germany's Jewish community grew again after 1990, when more than 215,000 Jewish migrants and their families came from countries of the former Soviet Union, some of them also survivors. Nowadays, only 14,200 survivors still live in Germany, the demographic report concluded. For its new report, the Claims Conference said it defined Holocaust survivors "based on agreements with the German government in assessing eligibility for compensation programs.” For Germany, that definition includes all Jews who lived in the country from Jan. 30, 1933, when Hitler came to power, to May 1945, when Germany surrendered unconditionally in World War II. The group handles claims on behalf of Jews who suffered under the Nazis and negotiates compensation with Germany's finance ministry every year. In June, the Claims Conference said that Germany has agreed to extend another $1.4 billion, (1.29 billion euros), overall for Holocaust survivors around the globe for 2024. Since 1952, the German government has paid more than $90 billion to individuals for suffering and losses resulting from persecution by the Nazis. https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/nyc-mayor-eric-adams-announces-2-billion-medical-debt-bailout-500000-residents NYC Mayor Eric Adams announces $2B medical debt bailout for up to 500K residents New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday a plan to buy up millions of dollars in medical debt owed by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. In what the mayor said would be a "one-time" deal, the city will spend $18 million in taxpayer funds over the next three years to pay off medical debt owed by up to 500,000 residents. Officials estimate that the program will wipe out over $2 billion of medical debt owed in what they call the "largest municipal initiative of its kind in the country." "Getting health care shouldn't be a burden that weighs on New Yorkers and their families," Adams said in a statement. "Since day one, our administration has been driven by the clear mission of supporting working-class New Yorkers and today's investment that will provide $2 billion in medical debt relief is another major step in delivering on that vision. Up to half a million New Yorkers will see their medical debt wiped thanks to this life changing program — the largest municipal initiative of its kind in the country." Medical debt is among the top causes of bankruptcy in the United States, especially for those who lack health insurance. Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. adults (9%), or roughly 23 million people, owe medical debt, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The collective medical debt owed by Americans nationwide is estimated by the group to be as much as $195 billion. New York City will partner with RIP Medical Debt, a New York-based nonprofit, to acquire debt portfolios and retiree debt from health care providers and hospitals and erase it, officials said. "No one chooses to go into medical debt — if you're sick or injured, you need to seek care. But no New Yorker should have to choose between paying rent or for other essentials and paying off their medical debt, which is why we are proud to bring this relief to families across the five boroughs, as we continue to fight on behalf of working-class New Yorkers," Adams said. Founded in 2014, RIP Medical Debt uses donations to buy debt from health care providers in bundles at a steep discount. The group uses data analytics to identify debtors who are most in need — households that earn less than four times the federal poverty level or whose debts are 5% or more of annual income — and buys their debt. Those who benefit from the organization's work receive letters in the mail announcing that their debt has been erased, tax and penalty-free. The group has partnered with local governments before, including with Cook County in Illinois to abolish more than $280 million in medical debt owed by residents, but never at the scale of its partnership with New York City. To supplement the city's spending on the program, RIP Medical Debt and the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City are soliciting private donations to raise additional funding over the next three years. https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2024/1/22/ngsegtq5k078chahr8s3etgus3983p New ‘Jurassic World’ Movie in the Works, 2025 Release Being Eyed A new “Jurassic World” movie is in the works. In fact, it’s so deep in development that Universal is eyeing a 2025 release date for this one. If that’s the case then it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if it goes into production this year. The good news is that “Jurassic Park” screenwriter David Koepp is back, his last script for the series was 1997’s “The Lost World.” Koepp is set write the script to introduce a “new Jurassic era,” which likely means Chris Pratt won’t be returning as the lead. It’s only been two years since the last one, 2022’s “Jurassic World Dominion”, but Universal’s clearly looking to make more of these films. No director is attached for now, but, the way things are speeding up, one will surely be hired soon.

This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Thursday, January 25th, 2024. Fight Laugh Feast Magazine Our Fight Laugh Feast Magazine is a quarterly issue that packs a punch like a 21 year Balvenie, no ice. We don’t water down our scotch, why would we water down our theology? Order a yearly subscription for yourself and then send a couple yearly subscriptions to your friends who have been drinking luke-warm evangelical cool-aid. Every quarter we promise quality food for the soul, wine for the heart, and some Red Bull for turning over tables. Our magazine will include cultural commentary, a Psalm of the quarter, recipes for feasting, laughter sprinkled through out the glossy pages, and more. Sign up today, at fightlaughfeast.com. https://www.breitbart.com/2024-election/2024/01/24/calls-grow-louder-for-haley-to-drop-out-of-gop-primary/ Calls Grow Louder for Haley to Drop Out of GOP Primary Demands grew louder for former Gov. Nikki Haley to drop out of the GOP primary race on Tuesday after placing second in New Hampshire to former President Donald Trump. Many Republicans believe Haley should leave the race so all available GOP resources can be allocated towards defeating President Joe Biden. Republicans spent over $167 million in losing efforts to defeat Trump in New Hampshire and Iowa, with plans to release millions more in future primaries. https://twitter.com/i/status/1750015374639390818 - Play Video After Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) exited the race Sunday, Haley’s path to the nomination did not appear to improve. In fact, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ endorsement of Trump further consolidated support behind the former president, placing pressure on Haley to also end her fledgling campaign. In all states besides New Hampshire, Trump leads by no less than 30 points. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) said Trump is the de facto GOP nominee moving forward. “Congratulations to President Trump on another decisive win in New Hampshire and becoming the presumptive nominee of our party,” he said. Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) congratulated Trump on his big win Tuesday evening: “To no one’s surprise, @realDonaldTrump won BIG tonight in New Hampshire. President Trump’s message is resonating with voters. It’s only a matter of time until 45 becomes 47. Congratulations, Mr. President!” CEO of the Federalist Sean Davis urged Haley to drop out, noting that if she did not, she would be “fully owned by the left-wing Democrats.” “If Nikki Haley’s primary goal is to defeat Joe Biden in November, she will drop out tonight and endorse Trump. If she continues to stay in a race she cannot win just to attack Trump, then we’ll know she’s fully owned by the left-wing Democrats who are funding her campaign,” he said. Social media influencer Ryan Fournier demanded Haley just give up and drop out. “Nikki Haley is refusing to drop out, claiming “this race is far from over.” It’s been over from the start. You all betted on the worst happening to Trump to secure victory. It’s time to give it up.,” he said. Nate Cohn, the New York Times’ chief political analyst, wrote on Monday the polling undoubtedly shows Haley’s inevitable resignation from the race, so Trump can turn his focus to defeating President Joe Biden. “So, without a monumental shift in the race, he will secure the nomination in short order,” he said. “Too little, too late,” Haley backer and a former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, Fergus Cullen, told the New York Times about Haley’s prospects. “She had to inspire and engage unaffiliated voters, and I just haven’t seen her doing what she needs to do to reach that audience and turn them out in the numbers that she needs.” https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/2814985/biden-administration-demands-texas-grant-dhs-access-border/ Biden administration demands Texas grant border access following Supreme Court decision The Biden administration has demanded the state of Texas relinquish control of a 2.5-mile strip of land on the border and grant federal agents access following a Supreme Court decision that gave Border Patrol agents to slash state-installed razor wire. The Department of Homeland Security sent Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) a letter Tuesday obtained first by the Washington Examiner in which General Counsel Jonathan Meyer called out the state for its inaction after the highest court rescinded an appeal court injunction and allowed federal police to cut down razor wire fencing in Eagle Pass in order to rescue and apprehend illegal immigrants as they cross the Rio Grande. “The state has alleged that Shelby Park is open to the public, but we do not believe this statement is accurate,” Meyer said. “To our knowledge, Texas has only permitted access to Shelby Park by allowing public entry for a memorial, the media, and use of the golf course adjacent to Shelby Park, all while continuing to restrict U.S. Border Patrol’s access to the park.” Meyer said the Supreme Court decision allowed federal law enforcement not only to cut wire at the border but to be present on the border, the latter of which has not been possible since the Texas National Guard commandeered the 2.5-mile strip of city land and locked out all federal employees on Jan. 10. “As you are aware, yesterday, the Supreme Court vacated the injunction prohibiting the Department from cutting or moving the concertina wire that Texas had placed along the border except in case of emergency, and restored the Department’s right to cut and move the concertina wire placed by Texas in order to perform their statutory duties,” Meyer wrote. “The Department must also have the ability to access the border in the Shelby Park area that is currently obstructed by Texas.” But despite the court’s decision, Texas National Guard soldiers reaffirmed the state’s position Tuesday. Soldiers in Eagle Pass installed more razor wire at the river and laid out more fencing and concertina wire despite the rain that swept through the region Tuesday, according to video. The DHS maintained in its letter that it had the upper ground in terms of legal ground that allowed its personnel to be on city land along the border. It cited the U.S. Code, in which the department acquired permanent real estate interests in and around Eagle Pass in 2008 to build border wall barriers in the vicinity. “Because the Department owns property rights to the areas depicted on the attached map, we demand that you immediately remove any and all obstructions on it,” Meyer said. Border Patrol still has limited access to a boat ramp within Shelby Park despite the state’s initial concession earlier in the land seizure to let agents load and unload a boat into the river. Meyer called for full access to the boat ramp and river. The Biden administration had threatened Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) with legal action on Jan. 14 if Texas did not relinquish control of land, but has not followed up with a lawsuit. “We demand that Texas cease and desist its efforts to block Border Patrol’s access in and around the Shelby Park area and remove all barriers to access in the Shelby Park area,” Meyer told Paxton in the letter. The showdown between state and federal leaders comes 12 days after three immigrants drowned attempting to wade across the river from Mexico on Jan. 12. Border Patrol officials in Eagle Pass were alerted to immigrants who had drowned and two others in distress and attempted to respond but were denied access at a gate into the state-seized land. The state has taken issue with Border Patrol cutting its wire on the basis that the wire would deter and prevent more illegal immigration. Federal law enforcement agents are required to arrest anyone who has illegally entered the country or is illegally present, including those who cross the river and are blocked from continuing up the riverbank by the razor wire. https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/holocaust-survivors-numbers-report-claims-conference/2024/01/23/id/1150570/ Almost 80 Years after the Holocaust, 245,000 Jewish Survivors Are Still Alive Almost 80 years after the Holocaust, about 245,000 Jewish survivors are still living across more than 90 countries, a new report revealed Tuesday. Nearly half of them, or 49%, are living in Israel; 18% are in Western Europe, 16% in the United States, and 12% in countries of the former Soviet Union, according to a study by the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, also referred to as the Claims Conference. Before the publication of the demographic report, there were only vague estimates about how many Holocaust survivors are still alive. Their numbers are quickly dwindling, as most are very old and often of frail health, with a median age of 86. Twenty percent of survivors are older than 90, and more women (61%) than men (39%) are still alive. The vast majority, or 96% of survivors, are “child survivors” who were born after 1928, says the report “Holocaust Survivors Worldwide. A Demographic Overview'” which is based on figures that were collected up until August. “The numbers in this report are interesting, but it is also important to look past the numbers to see the individuals they represent,” said Greg Schneider, the Claims Conference’s executive vice president. “These are Jews who were born into a world that wanted to see them murdered. They endured the atrocities of the Holocaust in their youth and were forced to rebuild an entire life out of the ashes of the camps and ghettos that ended their families and communities." Six million European Jews and people from other minorities were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust. It is not clear exactly how many Jews survived the death camps, the ghettos or somewhere in hiding across Nazi-occupied Europe, but their numbers were a far cry from the pre-war Jewish population in Europe. In Poland, of the 3.3 million Jews living there in 1939, only about 300,000 survived. Around 560,000 Jews lived in Germany in 1933, the year Adolf Hitler came to power. At the end of World War II in 1945, their numbers had diminished to about 15,000 — through emigration and extermination. Germany's Jewish community grew again after 1990, when more than 215,000 Jewish migrants and their families came from countries of the former Soviet Union, some of them also survivors. Nowadays, only 14,200 survivors still live in Germany, the demographic report concluded. For its new report, the Claims Conference said it defined Holocaust survivors "based on agreements with the German government in assessing eligibility for compensation programs.” For Germany, that definition includes all Jews who lived in the country from Jan. 30, 1933, when Hitler came to power, to May 1945, when Germany surrendered unconditionally in World War II. The group handles claims on behalf of Jews who suffered under the Nazis and negotiates compensation with Germany's finance ministry every year. In June, the Claims Conference said that Germany has agreed to extend another $1.4 billion, (1.29 billion euros), overall for Holocaust survivors around the globe for 2024. Since 1952, the German government has paid more than $90 billion to individuals for suffering and losses resulting from persecution by the Nazis. https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/nyc-mayor-eric-adams-announces-2-billion-medical-debt-bailout-500000-residents NYC Mayor Eric Adams announces $2B medical debt bailout for up to 500K residents New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday a plan to buy up millions of dollars in medical debt owed by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. In what the mayor said would be a "one-time" deal, the city will spend $18 million in taxpayer funds over the next three years to pay off medical debt owed by up to 500,000 residents. Officials estimate that the program will wipe out over $2 billion of medical debt owed in what they call the "largest municipal initiative of its kind in the country." "Getting health care shouldn't be a burden that weighs on New Yorkers and their families," Adams said in a statement. "Since day one, our administration has been driven by the clear mission of supporting working-class New Yorkers and today's investment that will provide $2 billion in medical debt relief is another major step in delivering on that vision. Up to half a million New Yorkers will see their medical debt wiped thanks to this life changing program — the largest municipal initiative of its kind in the country." Medical debt is among the top causes of bankruptcy in the United States, especially for those who lack health insurance. Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. adults (9%), or roughly 23 million people, owe medical debt, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The collective medical debt owed by Americans nationwide is estimated by the group to be as much as $195 billion. New York City will partner with RIP Medical Debt, a New York-based nonprofit, to acquire debt portfolios and retiree debt from health care providers and hospitals and erase it, officials said. "No one chooses to go into medical debt — if you're sick or injured, you need to seek care. But no New Yorker should have to choose between paying rent or for other essentials and paying off their medical debt, which is why we are proud to bring this relief to families across the five boroughs, as we continue to fight on behalf of working-class New Yorkers," Adams said. Founded in 2014, RIP Medical Debt uses donations to buy debt from health care providers in bundles at a steep discount. The group uses data analytics to identify debtors who are most in need — households that earn less than four times the federal poverty level or whose debts are 5% or more of annual income — and buys their debt. Those who benefit from the organization's work receive letters in the mail announcing that their debt has been erased, tax and penalty-free. The group has partnered with local governments before, including with Cook County in Illinois to abolish more than $280 million in medical debt owed by residents, but never at the scale of its partnership with New York City. To supplement the city's spending on the program, RIP Medical Debt and the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City are soliciting private donations to raise additional funding over the next three years. https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2024/1/22/ngsegtq5k078chahr8s3etgus3983p New ‘Jurassic World’ Movie in the Works, 2025 Release Being Eyed A new “Jurassic World” movie is in the works. In fact, it’s so deep in development that Universal is eyeing a 2025 release date for this one. If that’s the case then it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if it goes into production this year. The good news is that “Jurassic Park” screenwriter David Koepp is back, his last script for the series was 1997’s “The Lost World.” Koepp is set write the script to introduce a “new Jurassic era,” which likely means Chris Pratt won’t be returning as the lead. It’s only been two years since the last one, 2022’s “Jurassic World Dominion”, but Universal’s clearly looking to make more of these films. No director is attached for now, but, the way things are speeding up, one will surely be hired soon.

Free weekly news summary: NonprofitNewsFeed.com Billionaire Philanthropy Shifts and EU Greenwashing Crackdown: Nonprofit News Feed Insights In this episode of the Nonprofit News Feed, George Weiner, Chief Whaler, alongside Nick Azulay, delves into the philanthropic strategy shifts at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) and the broader influence of high-net-worth individuals in the nonprofit sector. Amidst CZI's pivot towards science and technology initiatives, there's a debate on whether this is a strategic move or a case of chasing shiny objects. The discussion also touches on the Open Society Foundations' internal changes and the implications for NGOs relying on their support. Key insights emerge from the European Union's crackdown on greenwashing, with new directives banning misleading environmental claims based on carbon offsetting. This legislative move aims to empower consumers with accurate information, promoting genuine sustainability efforts. The conversation also highlights a groundbreaking partnership between New York City and RIP Medical Debt, aiming to abolish $2 billion in medical debt for 500,000 New Yorkers. This innovative approach showcases the power of cross-sector collaboration in addressing systemic issues within the healthcare system. Finally, a feel-good story from Michigan features a nonprofit providing 'snuggle sacks' to the homeless, offering essential items during the harsh winter months. This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment within the sector to support the most vulnerable populations. The episode wraps up with a glimpse into the Nonprofitist's consultant outlook for 2024, hinting at potential price increases among nonprofit consultants, and ends on a lighter note with a playful discussion on the challenges of crafting nonprofit elevator pitches. Calls to Action: Reflect on the potential impacts of billionaire-led philanthropy shifts within your organization. Consider how EU's anti-greenwashing measures could influence your nonprofit's environmental claims and practices. Explore innovative ways to mitigate systemic challenges, inspired by NYC's collaboration with RIP Medical Debt. Support or initiate programs that provide direct aid to vulnerable populations within your community. Closing Thought: As the nonprofit sector navigates the complexities of influential donors, legislative changes, and societal needs, it's crucial to remain adaptable while staying true to the core mission. This episode underscores the importance of strategic focus, transparency, and compassion in driving positive change.

Free weekly news summary: NonprofitNewsFeed.com Billionaire Philanthropy Shifts and EU Greenwashing Crackdown: Nonprofit News Feed Insights In this episode of the Nonprofit News Feed, George Weiner, Chief Whaler, alongside Nick Azulay, delves into the philanthropic strategy shifts at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) and the broader influence of high-net-worth individuals in the nonprofit sector. Amidst CZI's pivot towards science and technology initiatives, there's a debate on whether this is a strategic move or a case of chasing shiny objects. The discussion also touches on the Open Society Foundations' internal changes and the implications for NGOs relying on their support. Key insights emerge from the European Union's crackdown on greenwashing, with new directives banning misleading environmental claims based on carbon offsetting. This legislative move aims to empower consumers with accurate information, promoting genuine sustainability efforts. The conversation also highlights a groundbreaking partnership between New York City and RIP Medical Debt, aiming to abolish $2 billion in medical debt for 500,000 New Yorkers. This innovative approach showcases the power of cross-sector collaboration in addressing systemic issues within the healthcare system. Finally, a feel-good story from Michigan features a nonprofit providing 'snuggle sacks' to the homeless, offering essential items during the harsh winter months. This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment within the sector to support the most vulnerable populations. The episode wraps up with a glimpse into the Nonprofitist's consultant outlook for 2024, hinting at potential price increases among nonprofit consultants, and ends on a lighter note with a playful discussion on the challenges of crafting nonprofit elevator pitches. Calls to Action: Reflect on the potential impacts of billionaire-led philanthropy shifts within your organization. Consider how EU's anti-greenwashing measures could influence your nonprofit's environmental claims and practices. Explore innovative ways to mitigate systemic challenges, inspired by NYC's collaboration with RIP Medical Debt. Support or initiate programs that provide direct aid to vulnerable populations within your community. Closing Thought: As the nonprofit sector navigates the complexities of influential donors, legislative changes, and societal needs, it's crucial to remain adaptable while staying true to the core mission. This episode underscores the importance of strategic focus, transparency, and compassion in driving positive change.

For Beyond 50's "Finance" talks, listen to an interview with Jerry Ashton. He is the CEO and founder of Let's Rethink This. He arrives at that position from his key role in co-founding one of America's fastest-growing and most impactful charities, RIP Medical Debt. Since its founding in 2014, it has raised enough funds to enable it to purchase – and forgive – over $4 billion in un-payable medical debt to positively affect the lives of over 2.5 million Americans. Ashton is doing the same for veterans who are mired in medical debt. An average of 44 veterans a day are committing suicide. A significant number of them were in debt "up to their ears." Ashton is committed to reversing this trend by asking the VA Hospital System to release its billions of dollars in unpaid veteran medical debt for full and total forgiveness. Tune in to Beyond 50: America's Variety Talk Radio Show on the natural, holistic, green and sustainable lifestyle. Visit https://www.Beyond50Radio.com and sign up for our Exclusive Updates.

Day 4 of 12 Days of Holiday episodes: Did you know there is $195 billion of medical debt outstanding? And, in fact, medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy here in the U.S. If you've been to the hospital or even a Dr. recently, you know, even with insurance, getting healthcare in the country means you often have to pay out of pocket in a big way. The truth is you shouldn't be put in financial ruin for walking through the door of a hospital or medical provider. We are human beings who all deserve to have affordable and accessible medical care. End of story. However, as our guest, Allison Sesso, Executive Director of RIP Medical Debt, says, “The system wasn't set up for your success in the first place.” Allison joins us on a riveting episode uncovering the who, what, when, where, and why behind medical debt and offers some great advice if you are currently in medical debt. Some of her advice includes knowing hospital financial assistance programs, never putting medical debt on a credit card, and making sure you know the loopholes in your insurance plan. LINKS RIP Medical Debt Support a Medical Debt Campaign SPONSORS Thanks to Monarch for sponsoring the show. ​​After trying out Monarch for myself, I understand why it's the top-rated personal finance app. Listeners of this show will get an extended thirty-day free trial when you go to www.monarchmoney.com/ETM.  Thanks to Uncommon Goods for sponsoring the show. Get 15% off your next gift by going to www.uncommongoods.com/ETM.  Thanks to EarnIn for sponsoring the show. Just download the EarnIn app in Google Play of the Apple App store and use code Talkin Money under Podcast. Thanks to Noom for sponsoring the show. Start taking control of your weight management and join the millions who have lost weight with Noom. Sign up for your TRIAL today at www.noom.com.   Thanks to ButcherBox for sponsoring the show. Sign up today at www.butcherbox.com/etm and use code ETM to get $20 off your first order. How To Connect with Shannah: Download 10 Money Questions to Ask Yourself Free Money Guide https://etmpod.link/10moneyq  Ask Shannah a question on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shannahgame/  Submit a money question for Shannah to answer in an upcoming episode https://tinyurl.com/askshannahq  Leave a 5-star Review here https://ratethispodcast.com/etm  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About The Guest(s):- Allison is the founder of Rip Medical Debt, a non-profit organization that buys and forgives medical debt for Americans.- Brian is with Finthrive, a data company that partners with Rip Medical Debt to analyze and understand the issue of medical debt.Summary:Allison founded Rip Medical Debt to address the issue of medical debt in America. The organization buys medical debt for pennies on the dollar and forgives it, relieving individuals of their financial burden. Brian's company, Finthrive, collects and analyzes data to understand the socioeconomic factors that contribute to medical debt. The partnership between Rip Medical Debt and Finthrive allows for a deeper understanding of the issue and the development of targeted solutions.Key Takeaways:- Rip Medical Debt buys medical debt for pennies on the dollar and forgives it, relieving individuals of their financial burden.- Finthrive collects and analyzes data to understand the socioeconomic factors that contribute to medical debt.- The partnership between Rip Medical Debt and Finthrive allows for a deeper understanding of the issue and the development of targeted solutions.

St. Paul City Council has approved a budget for next year. It includes a tax hike of 3.7% and money for a host of programs and city services. The budget also funnels $1 million in leftover pandemic relief money from the federal government to a non-profit firm that will help residents who are saddled with medical debt. When St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter announced this proposal back in August, he said about 43,000 people could benefit. So now that a plan to partner with non-profit RIP Medical Debt has been approved, how will it work? Mayor Carter joined Minnesota Now to talk about it.

In this podcast episode, Jennifer chats with Kel Haney all about fundraising. Kel shares what led her from being a theater director in NYC to becoming a fundraising coach, consultant, and trainer. She gives insights on transforming the often uncomfortable process of fundraising into an opportunity for building meaningful relationships, empasizing that anyone can fundraise successfully, even without a background in sales or fundraising, by passionately sharing what they love. Kel offers tools on navigating the complexities of fundraising, including handling rejection, building genuine connections, leading from abundance and finding a comfortable stretch, and embracing the power of storytelling. They discuss the importance of leading from vulnerability, curiosity, passion, and confidence.  About Kel: Kel Haney is a Maine & NYC-based fundraising coach, consultant, & trainer. Before turning to fundraising full-time, she spent 20 years as a theater director and her fundraising methodology is based on how she led a rehearsal room: focusing on what makes each of us unique and engaging. She's personally made over 20,000 fundraising "asks" and trained non-profit orgs to raise over $15M (primarily in donations under $2K), which inspired her 5-Minute Fundraising Ask Training Program. Kel's work boils down to “Taking the Ick out of the Ask”: she's passionate about shifting fundraising conversations away from transactional encounters and toward relationship-building opportunities. Kel's worked with such organizations as: Berkshire Theatre Group, The Glimmerglass Festival, MCC Theatre, Signature Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Theatre Workshop, Marin Theatre Company, BroadwayUnlocked, American Composers Forum, and RIP Medical Debt. Kel's IG: @kelhaney Kel's LInkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kel-haney Download “8 Phrases NOT to use in Fundraising" Guide: www.kelhaney.com/freebie-8-phrases Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com

The inner voice — the mysterious realms of your mind's untold symphony, where bone conduction, neurological marvels, and relentless melodies converge. This week the fellas unravel the enigma of the inner voice, that elusive dialogue echoing within our minds. There is a science behind why hearing a recording of our own voice throws us off! And that science also points to the intricacies of our internal monologue that often eludes conscious awareness. Medical debt got you down? Imagine if everyone could come together to agree to wipe out our collective medical debt? Well, technically we can with “RIP Medical Debt”. Finally for WHAT THE HELLTH!? Some lowly tarnished are out here doing god's work by slaying Elden Ring bosses with the power of their brain! Twitch streamer PerriKaryal puts her Masters degree to work by utilizing a consumer-grade Electroencephalogram (EEG) headset in order to play video games with the power of telekinesis! Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

The inner voice — the mysterious realms of your mind's untold symphony, where bone conduction, neurological marvels, and relentless melodies converge. This week the fellas unravel the enigma of the inner voice, that elusive dialogue echoing within our minds. There is a science behind why hearing a recording of our own voice throws us off! And that science also points to the intricacies of our internal monologue that often eludes conscious awareness. Medical debt got you down? Imagine if everyone could come together to agree to wipe out our collective medical debt? Well, technically we can with “RIP Medical Debt”. Finally for WHAT THE HELLTH!? Some lowly tarnished are out here doing god's work by slaying Elden Ring bosses with the power of their brain! Twitch streamer PerriKaryal puts her Masters degree to work by utilizing a consumer-grade Electroencephalogram (EEG) headset in order to play video games with the power of telekinesis! Join the post-episode conversation over on Discord! https://discord.gg/expeUDN

Mark Twain once said, “Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow.” As an antidote to that Ralph welcomes Professor Piers Steel, author of “The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done.” Plus, Ralph urges listeners to sign up for The Capitol Hill Citizen Association, another way to organize citizens to put pressure on the branch of our government where things must get done, the United States Congress.  Dr. Piers Steel is one of the world's leading researchers and speakers on the science of motivation and procrastination. Dr. Steel is a professor in the Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources area at the University of Calgary, and is the Brookfield Research Chair at the Haskayne School of Business. He is the author of The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done.The root of procrastination is impulsiveness. Impulsiveness is valuing the now more than the later… We're designed to value the now. And this was really adaptive for a long time. It's not a bad trait. It's just that we've designed a world to take advantage of every little flaw that we have in our decision-making system.Dr. Piers SteelYou have to deal with yourself as an imperfect, flawed creature and deal with the reality of that. We're not robotic angels of perfection. We have limitations. And when I actually act within my limitations, I get stuff done.Dr. Piers SteelWe're superstars of self-control in the animal kingdom. We're able to hunt and kill most anything because we're willing to actually put in the delay of gratification. That's really what makes us great. But we're still not ready for things that are happening even a year off, much less five or ten.Dr. Piers SteelMore people will listen to what we just said about becoming part of the Capitol Hill Citizen Association and say to themselves, “I'm going to get around to doing that,” than the actual number of people who do it in a prompt period of time. So it would be very good to listen to Professor Steel's suggestions and read his book, because we cannot afford procrastinatory citizens. We have a procrastinatory Congress, and the citizens have got to get them to anticipate, to foresee, to forestall so many of the omnicidal urgencies that are coming at our country and other countries around the world.Ralph NaderTo become a member of the Capitol Hill Citizen Association, click here.In Case You Haven't Heard with Francesco DeSantis1. On August 28th, 20 groups – ranging from Left-wing anti-war organizations like Veterans for Peace to Right-leaning government transparency groups like R Street Institute – sent a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees demanding they maintain Rep. Jamaal Bowman's Cost of War amendment in the final National Defense Authorization Act. This provision “requires public disclosure about the cost of the U.S.' overseas military footprint and gives the American people greater transparency on military spending.” Hopefully, the left-right consensus on this issue is enough to maintain this amendment.2. In other Pentagon news, the Intercept reports that Rep. Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, has introduced an amendment demanding the Pentagon “collect information on trainees who overthrow their governments,” following the recent spate of coups in Africa. Gaetz told the Intercept “The Department of Defense, up until this point, has not kept data regarding the people they train who participate in coups to overthrow democratically elected — or any — governments.” This could become a flashpoint as Congress prepares to consider the 2024 NDAA when it returns from recess in September.3. As expected, tensions are running high in Guatemala following the upset victory of anti-corruption crusader Bernardo Arevalo. Opponents of Arevalo had urged the country's electoral tribunal to suspend his Semilla party on dubious legal grounds, which the tribunal resisted hewing to the letter of the law which dictated such actions could not be taken during the electoral process. After the election however, the party was officially suspended. Now, Reuters reports that suspension has been revoked, following a mass mobilization of Arevalo supporters in Guatemala City. It seems unlikely however that Arevalo's political opponents will accept his victory without a fight.4. In a dangerous, anti-free speech move, the Attorney General of Georgia has filed RICO indictments against 42 individuals involved with the Stop Cop City protest movement, the Atlanta Community Press Collective reports. This is the latest in a long line of attempts to quash opposition to the project, which has so far included trumped up domestic terrorism charges and arrests for handing out flyers.  5. Bloomberg reports that President Biden and Brazilian President Lula will jointly call for new worker protections at the upcoming General Assembly of the United Nations. While the article notes the two leaders have been “at odds” over China and Russia, they align on the topic of labor unionization. The two presidents have found common ground before, such as on the issue of climate change.6. Visual Effects workers at Disney have filed for unionization, per the Hollywood Reporter. Approximately 80% of VFX staff have already signed union cards, demanding an NLRB election and representation by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees or IATSE. This comes on the heels of a similar announcement by VFX workers at Marvel, a Disney subsidiary. In recent years. studios have increasingly relied on VFX workers in a rather blatant attempt to cut costs, as VFX workers have generally been non-union.7. At long last, the Department of Health and Human Services has announced the first ten drugs that will be subject to Mecicare negotiations to bring down prices. These are: Eliquis, Jardiance, Xarelto, Januvia Farxiga, Entresto, Enbrel, Imbruvica, Stelara and – crucially – several brands of insulin. HHS noted that “These selected drugs accounted for $50.5 billion in total [Medicare] Part D gross covered prescription drug costs, or about 20%, of total Part D gross between June 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023.”8. The Washington Post reports Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su has proposed new overtime rules intended to “extend overtime pay to an additional 3.6 million salaried white-collar workers in the United States.” According to current rules, workers are exempt from overtime if they make over $35,568 per year; the new rules would extend to workers making under $55,000 annually. If implemented, this would mean a whole new class of workers would be eligible for time-and-a-half pay if they work more than 40 hours per week.9. Per Republic Report: “The U.S. Department of Education announced…that it is cancelling $72 million in student loan obligations for more than 2,300 former students who attended for-profit Ashford University between 2009 and 2020.” Yet, even now the shady operators behind Ashford may still be able to squeeze money out of the taxpayers via a convoluted buyout by the University of Arizona Global Campus. Still, this marks a significant victory in a legal battle that has raged for over a decade, with Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa calling Ashford a “complete scam” all the way back in 2011.10. Finally, in more debt related news, the Philadelphia Inquirer has published a piece detailing how the nonprofit RIP Medical Debt was able to purchase – and forgive – over $1.6 million in medical debt. As the piece explains “When hospitals or physician groups have delinquent debts they have little chance of collecting on, they'll typically go to what's called the secondary market and sell their portfolios for pennies on the dollar.” It was on this secondary market that RIP Medical Debt was able to buy $1.6 million worth of debt for just $17,000. In celebration, “30 proud, self-described gutter-pagan, mostly queer dirtbags in their early 30s,” gathered for a ritual burning of an oversized medical bill. Someone chanted “debt is hell” and the crowd responded “let it burn.” Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

RIP Medical Debt CEO, Allison Sesso, joins the Glaucomfleckens to talk about the terrible systematic problem that is medical debt and how RIP Medical Debt helps the problem. She then shares some stories about being a woman in power. — Want to Learn About Allison Sesso?  Twitter: @AllisonSesso — We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! knockknockhi@human-content.com Can't get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! – www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken  -- We have a special offer for our U.S. listeners! Visit http://ekohealth.com/kkh and use code “knock50” to Experience Eko's digital stethoscope technology. That's E-K-O Health slash KKH and use “KNOCK50” to get $50 off plus a free case plus free engraving with this podcast exclusive offer!  Independent Practice Partners is led by physicians with a proven track record of building successful practices from the ground up. And now, they want to help you do the same. If you're thinking about starting your own Independent practice and don't know where to start go to http://www.IPracticePartners.com. Independent Practice Partners ensures your practice doesn't just survive, but thrives! Looking to budget your food expenses this summer? Get more bang for your bite with America's Best Value Meal Kit! Get started with EveryPlate for just $1.49 per meal by going to http://EveryPlate.com/podcast and entering code 49kkh.  Today's episode is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon Ambient Experience (DAX). It's like having a virtual Jonathan in your pocket. If you would like to learn more about DAX, check out http://nuance.com/discoverDAX and ask your provider for the DAX experience. Produced by Human Content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nearly one in ten Americans owe significant medical debt, a burden that can become crippling as living costs and interest rates rise. Over the past decade, a nonprofit called RIP Medical Debt has designed a novel approach to chip away at this problem. The organization solicits donations to purchase portfolios of medical debt on the debt market, where the debt trades at steeply discounted prices. Then, instead of attempting to collect on it as a normal buyer would, they forgive the debt. The staff writer Sheelah Kolhatkar reports on one North Carolina church that partnered with RIP Medical Debt as part of its charitable mission. Trinity Moravian Church collected around fifteen thousand dollars in contributions to acquire and forgive over four million dollars of debt in their community. “We have undertaken a number of projects in the past but there's never been anything quite like this,” the Reverend John Jackman tells Kolhatkar. “For families that we know cannot deal with these things, we're taking the weight off of them.” Kolhatkar also speaks with Allison Sesso, the C.E.O. of RIP Medical Debt, about the strange economics of debt that make this possible. 

Medical debt impacts health directly, and this company is helping millions of people by relieving it. In this episode, Allison Sesso talks about medical debt, its prevalence and impact, and how RIP Medical Debt works to bring relief to all the parties involved. She also discusses improving hospital financial assistance policies, addressing medical debt as a national issue, and supporting actions from leaders to implement systemic changes. Tune in to learn about RIP Medical Debt's approach to relieving an issue impacting health nationwide! Learn more about the Institute of Healthcare Improvement on its website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many Americans are drowning in medical debt and Rip Medical Debt is a charity that has erased more than $9.5 billion of medical debt for over 6.5 million families. We talk with the CEO of Rip Medical Debt among other experts to see why debt collection is a prevalent problem in America.

Brad and Erika are joined by Shawn Stack, policy director at HFMA, and Ruth Lande, vice president of hospital relations at RIP Medical Debt, at HFMA's Annual Conference in Nashville for a discussion about what hospitals get right and wrong when it comes to patient and media communications.

Nearly one in ten Americans owe significant medical debt, a burden that can become crippling as living costs and interest rates rise. Over the past decade, a nonprofit called RIP Medical Debt has designed a novel approach to chip away at this problem. The organization solicits donations to purchase portfolios of medical debt on the debt market, where the debt trades at steeply discounted prices. Then, instead of attempting to collect on it as a normal buyer would, they forgive the debt. The staff writer Sheelah Kolhatkar reports on one North Carolina church that partnered with RIP Medical Debt as part of its charitable mission. Trinity Moravian Church collected around fifteen thousand dollars in contributions to acquire and forgive over four million dollars of debt in their community. “We have undertaken a number of projects in the past but there's never been anything quite like this,” the Reverend John Jackman tells Kolhatkar. “For families that we know cannot deal with these things, we're taking the weight off of them.” Kolhatkar also speaks with Allison Sesso, the C.E.O. of RIP Medical Debt, about the strange economics of debt that make this possible.

Imagine getting a random letter in the mail letting you know all your medical debt has been retired. That is exactly what RIP Medical Debt has been doing for families for years. Today we are joined by Scott Crawford, who is running the 2023 South Carolina Debt Relief Campaign. This campaign helps eradicate medical debt for pennies on the dollar, with every dollar donated going 100% towards debt relief to help families in SC struggling. In 2022, their efforts abolished close to $12 million of burdensome medical debt for over 12,000 families in South Carolina, leaving a huge impact. Medical Debt is a major issue affecting 22% of residents in South Carolina. By buying debt at deep discounts, your donation has 100x the impact. Help donate today to make an impact on those in your community who are burdened by medical debt. Visit ripmedicaldebt.org and under campaigns click on South Carolina to find out more about this organization and donate! Scott Crawford RIP Medical Debt https://ripmedicaldebt.org/campaign/south-carolina/?

Can you imagine having your crushing medical debt wiped out with just the stroke of a pen? Today, we explore the fascinating world of medical debt relief programs and the non-profit organization, RIP Medical Debt, that's making waves. But we also consider the implications of these programs - do they reward those who don't pay their bills and punish those who do?We're also thrilled to have Ray Sclafani, founder and CEO of ClientWise, join us on this episode to discuss the importance of building multi-generational financial advisor businesses. He shares insights on the ripple effect of advisors' work, leaving lasting impacts on their clients and entire communities.Subscribe to podcast updatesAsk Ric | Ric's Books-----Links from today's show:RIP Medical DebtMirae Asset: Korea's Mutual Fund PioneerCharting DisruptionClientWiseThink Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't KnowGap in the GainTurn the Ship AroundFrom Strength to StrengthDACFP VISIONSelf-Care with Jean Edelman PodcastFollow Ric on social media:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTubeBrought to you by:Global X ETFsInvesco QQQSchwabDisclosure page-----

The majority of bankruptcies in the US are due to medical debt. This only deepens inequity and the healthcare affordability crisis in our country. The stress and sigma that comes with medical debt forces people to avoid necessary care, only worsening outcomes.We need to shift the narrative about medical debt from personal failure to systems failure. In this episode we talk to the CEO of RIP Medical Debt, Allison Sesso. Her non-profit organization buys medical debt at a deep discount, and then wipes it out entirely for millions of Americans.Learn more about RIP Medical DebtSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The girlies tackle the long history and contemporary policy that makes up the American healthcare system. They explain why millions go bankrupt from medical debt, detail the modern process of thotting out your traumas for GoFundMe pennies, and unpack why it doesn't have to be this way. Digressions include a listener's glowing testimony for Glossier foundation and how losing your right hand is nepotism, actually. Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/binchtopia. Binchtopia has donated $5,000 towards relieving medical debt though RIP Medical Debt. Check out their organization and make your own donation here!SOURCES:The History of Healthcare Quality: The First 100 Years 1860–1960 Ironies of Success: A New History of the American Health Care "System"Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise: How Corporate Power Shaped the Affordable Care ActThe History and Future of Neoliberal Health ReformHistory of Health Insurance in the United StatesFrom Widow to “Welfare Queen”: Welfare and the Politics of RaceWhat Changes Have Been Made to the ACA Under the Trump Administration?Health Plans No Longer Have to Cover All Preventive Care at No Cost. Here's What to Know.GoFundMe as Health Insurance: Why So Many Americans Turn to Crowdfunding for Medical CareAmericans' Medical Debts Are Bigger Than Was Known, Totaling $140 Billion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh and Brian are joined by Allison Sesso, the President and CEO of RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit established to reduce medical debt for low-income individuals across the country. They discussed the dark truths behind why medical debt leads so many people to forgo medical care, how RIP Medical Debt uses an innovative approach to fight these trends and how Aledade's recent donation helped abolish nearly $95 million in medical debt for more than 100,000 patients.

Host: Kevin Smith Dives into the weekly news most impactful to the HeartlandHEADLINESMissouri House advances restrictions on gender-affirming health care and transgender athletesSTL Public Radio - https://news.stlpublicradio.org/government-politics-issues/2023-04-11/missouri-house-advances-restrictions-on-gender-affirming-health-care-and-transgender-athletesMissouri House Republicans vote to defund librariesHeartland Signal - https://heartlandsignal.com/2023/04/11/missouri-house-republicans-vote-to-defund-libraries/LIGHTNING ROUNDTexas,A small Texas county is weighing whether to shut down its public library system.NBC - https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/llano-county-texas-weighs-closing-local-library-federal-judge-orders-b-rcna79173An Austin woman and her husband flee to Colorado for medically necessary AbortionFox News - https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-abortion-austin-couple-travel-out-of-state-medically-necessaryA Texas Republican groomerVice - https://www.vice.com/en/article/qjv8dq/texas-bryan-slaton-internSouth DakotaMore Republican groomer newsArgus Leader - https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/11/joel-koskan-pleads-guilty-to-2-counts-of-felony-incest/70099177007/ColoradoThe more than 700,000 Coloradans with medical debt may soon have that debt removed from their credit scoresColorado Politics - https://www.coloradopolitics.com/legislature/colorado-remove-medical-debt-credit-score/article_0382a16c-d241-11ed-ae3b-d3d130976491.htmlMissouriMissouri AG doesn't want the public to know he's pushing wild legal theories in abortion casesMissouri Independent - https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/07/missouri-ag-doesnt-want-the-public-to-know-hes-pushing-wild-legal-theories-in-abortion-cases/Sen. Andrew Koenig, seeker of fixing things that ain't broke, focuses on Parents' Bill of RightsMissouri Independent - https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/12/missouri-house-hearing-on-parents-bill-of-rights-centers-diversity-education/North CarolinaChurch buys forgives $3 million in medical debtThe Dispatch - https://www.the-dispatch.com/news/local/church-forgives-3-million-in-medical-debt-for-davidson-county-residents/article_94ee0e4d-3255-5cb1-9661-ce13b4b85425.htmlRIP Medical Debt - https://ripmedicaldebt.org/

Host: Kevin Smith Dives into the weekly news most impactful to the HeartlandHEADLINESMissouri House advances restrictions on gender-affirming health care and transgender athletesSTL Public Radio - https://news.stlpublicradio.org/government-politics-issues/2023-04-11/missouri-house-advances-restrictions-on-gender-affirming-health-care-and-transgender-athletesMissouri House Republicans vote to defund librariesHeartland Signal - https://heartlandsignal.com/2023/04/11/missouri-house-republicans-vote-to-defund-libraries/LIGHTNING ROUNDTexas,A small Texas county is weighing whether to shut down its public library system.NBC - https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/llano-county-texas-weighs-closing-local-library-federal-judge-orders-b-rcna79173An Austin woman and her husband flee to Colorado for medically necessary AbortionFox News - https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-abortion-austin-couple-travel-out-of-state-medically-necessaryA Texas Republican groomerVice - https://www.vice.com/en/article/qjv8dq/texas-bryan-slaton-internSouth DakotaMore Republican groomer newsArgus Leader - https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/11/joel-koskan-pleads-guilty-to-2-counts-of-felony-incest/70099177007/ColoradoThe more than 700,000 Coloradans with medical debt may soon have that debt removed from their credit scoresColorado Politics - https://www.coloradopolitics.com/legislature/colorado-remove-medical-debt-credit-score/article_0382a16c-d241-11ed-ae3b-d3d130976491.htmlMissouriMissouri AG doesn't want the public to know he's pushing wild legal theories in abortion casesMissouri Independent - https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/07/missouri-ag-doesnt-want-the-public-to-know-hes-pushing-wild-legal-theories-in-abortion-cases/Sen. Andrew Koenig, seeker of fixing things that ain't broke, focuses on Parents' Bill of RightsMissouri Independent - https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/12/missouri-house-hearing-on-parents-bill-of-rights-centers-diversity-education/North CarolinaChurch buys forgives $3 million in medical debtThe Dispatch - https://www.the-dispatch.com/news/local/church-forgives-3-million-in-medical-debt-for-davidson-county-residents/article_94ee0e4d-3255-5cb1-9661-ce13b4b85425.htmlRIP Medical Debt - https://ripmedicaldebt.org/

Audio file  RIPMEDICALDEBTDRAGSHOW.mp3    Transcript  Good morning, comrades. You're listening to I'm just said WMNF like that is the community radio station. When I grew up in Saint Petersburg, like Tampa Bay, it was like in NPR affiliate and everything. But this is not WMNF. This is WHIV. 102.3 low Power FM I'm a little throwed right now. This is Robert of good morning. Comrade Jeff has made his way back to fight for labor rights in Virginia, right? I'm a little throwed because we're not recording in the studio. This is not live, so please hold all calls. But this is in the home studio. And I'm with my lovely wife Aaron, who is a in and out, you know, guest. Of the podcast also host guest licensed mental health profession. And she's here. So it's like having your very own doctor Katz.  I'm also in the world's squeakiest chair, so sorry, everybody.  It's very squeaked out.  And also I have really bad vocal fry. So your.  Vocal fry is fine. You it's authoritative.  No, apparently no amount.  How do you figure that?  Because I've I've spoken to Ben.  That men are trash like you've told me this. On various occasions. So why are we concerned of what men think?  Because your listeners, you're. Mostly men. I'm.  Assuming, I mean they are when I run the when I run the, I'm trash I'm I'm trash.  You guys aren't. Trash, though, so that's so don't complain about my. Local fry, so we'll be fine. We're all good.  No, there is definitely a trash can that lives inside of me. So and also I just had to grab my keyboard from because we have our cat Ozzie, who is chilling out, but he loves to like lay on the keyboard and then it's just like a random like, what's going to happen when he does it. Usually he screws up video games. He's trying to screw up recording of a podcast right now, but he's such a.  Our other at Henry likes to attack my laptop when I'm using it, especially when I'm on a training or a conference call and she likes to send fund messages to the other participants.  Good boy. That's so awesome.  And then I get a bunch of messages back. I think your cat sent me a message. And it's like, yes.  Yeah. What did it say?  No, mostly it was like a lot. Of days and ages.  Ohh, a sassy a sketch lot of case.  No, that's where she. That's where she was standing.  Lot of case sassy, sassy cats, sassy cats.  JKL drive.  What's going on, Aaron? Somebody tried to steal our cat? I found out.  I guess that's going on OK.  Speaking of cats. So I come home and like both of our neighbors, our neighbor from up the block and and our neighbor next door is like there was a guy cause we have a, you know, our we have cats who have three cats and they're like indoor outdoor cats and.  And before you all come for us, we tried to make them be indoor cats. And these cats have figured out how to escape from the house. Robert came into our room, just not 15 minutes ago and stated that our cat Annie had we took away her normal. Escape route. She normally jumps on top of Roberts Arcade cabinet and then into the cabinet above our closet, and then shimmies up the air conditioning vent. Because, you know, she really wants to get outside.  To the attic.  But we moved to the video Gamer Cabinet video cabinet, anybody?  Over the age of.  Well, so we move that. So she just scaled the wall.  Yeah, she just was like Spiderman and just dug 1 claw into another and just vertically straight vertically scale. I think she looked back at me like she surprised herself like she's plotting it. She's like, I don't know. But I'm gonna give it. We can give. It a A you know, a world. And then she was just up in the crawl space, looking down at me like. Man, I did it.  Like there's literal cat claw. Like in the wall.  I'm looking at.  So, yeah. So we did really try to make these cats stay indoors. They just refused.  But yeah, so both our neighbors are like, hey, we have a cat Annie who, like, runs wild and free.  So anyway.  And like she just, you know, hangs out with everybody. She comes with us when we walk our dog, she walks it. She walks with us around the block. She just, you know, we'll get pets from everybody. Well, apparently there was some, like, hipster. Dude, they they described him as a tall white guy. Thin, with short shorts on cowboy cowboy boots and a tank top. And I'm like this man came straight out of the Bywater to try to steal my cat. They said he just he like and he came over to him for some pets. He picked up Annie and just started walking down the street and Annie was like, screaming bloody murder, like trying to get away and our neighbor. That came out like what's going on and was like, you put that cat down right now like, because that's not your cat. That's the blocks cat.  She is truly the blocks cat. I get sad about it sometimes cuz I did want her to be my cat. Which is why I adopted her. That you know the block needed her and she showed up, you know? She answered the call.  It's insane. How's how's work going for you?  Works good. We're finally staffed properly because they decided to give us. All of. A praise so.  That's great. Yay.  Yeah, that's crazy. You know, you get to like, you give people more money, they're more willing to.  They want to do things.  Work for you? But yeah, I can't really talk about my work just because HIPAA, but yeah. People are still struggling.  It's pretty bad out there.  Yeah, it's not. As bad as it could be, but it's.  Did you see? I guess we'll just do like. We'll we'll eat our we'll take our eat our vegetables first before uhm. Our dessert, did you see in Tennessee, the governor has the Governor of Tennessee has signed a bill that's going to. Make drag shows illegal.  Which I truly don't understand because Nashville is The Bachelorette capital of the world. From what I understand, and I don't understand how you can have a Bachelorette party without a drag brush.  Yeah, I mean, I can't go back to Nashville now, but yeah, he's a trash bag for sure. But did you see on top of that, on top of all that pictures were dug up of him in high school at a powder puff football game?  So funny and it's sad, but funny.  So he is. He is in a dress. And literally like the reporter that confronted him with, it was like. Like it must be like 4 Chan news.com cause he literally said is this you this you? What do you got to say about this? And he was just like, oh, that was in good fun.  Yeah, every drag brunch I've ever been to has been in good fun too, so I don't understand drag show.  I know.  I shouldn't just keep saying drag brunch. I'm just really basic.  You just you just gotta have eggs with your.  So that's mostly when I see drag.  You gotta have eggs with your drag show.  I'm either watching drag wrestling or I'm on drag brunch. There's truly no in between for me.  And dry wrestling about two weeks ago, that was. Pretty good that. Was great. It was pretty nice.  It was fantastic. But this is, you know, I not to be talked kind of light hearted about something so terrible. But you know. My mom has. Sometimes has asked me, you know, why I'm. I'm kind of down frequently and I don't really know how to explain to her that I have a really sick feeling in my stomach that. You know how similar the times are to the Weimar Republic and what came after the Weimar Republic is not something that. I particularly want to live through. Or have ever have happened. Again, again, again.  Yeah, I'm not looking forward. To the the reboot of cabaret. Like, that's not a thing I want. To watch.  And ironically, they probably wouldn't allow.  Well, that's the whole point. That's the point of the original one, is it not?  I've never seen it. I'm going to. Be honest with you.  Honestly, I've never seen it either, but the premise makes me mad because I'm like, if you people were in the street instead of like, come to the cab or maybe. Y'all could have done something about this.  We might be being really unduly harsh on characters of cabaret.  Probably more likely.  Please let us know but. I you know, the targeting of trans people and not that drag people drag Queens and kings are trans all the time, you know, but just targeting the because you actually look at the law, it does ban trans people from performing anything. Because it's specific to, I think it says the language is something like performing in the cultural makeup, including dress accessories. You know, style all of that of the a person who's the opposite of the gender you were assigned at birth. So essentially it's not drag, it's it's trans people doing anything in front of other people ever. And that's really scary. That is really scary. You know, it's it's the cliche. At this point, but the reason the reason? It gets said so much is because it's true. It's, you know, they. Came for the communists and and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. They came for the Jews. I didn't speak up. I wasn't a Jew. They came for the Catholics. I I am Catholic. But you know what I'm talking about. And it's just. I just. I don't really. Know what to do with my feelings about it. To be honest. Because, because again, like it's so stupid. Like it's so stupid that you it's almost as if you don't want to take it seriously because they're just so outlandish and buffoonish. But, you know, even, and that's part of that's part of the poison of it. Is that they are so goofy and so hypocritical and so out of control that it almost becomes not real, which I think is something that happened a lot during the Trump administration. So, you know, I don't, I don't know what to do.  So just to get. To get the full scope of this, I'll read this is from cnn.com because you you're saying how bands, all performances and I can't remember. I I'm sure I've read this already, but I just can't remember this specifics. It's like my brain wanted to block them out. So let's see CNN politics by Shawna Mizzell March 2nd. 2023 Tennessee becomes first state in 20, 2020 to restrict drag performances. Republican Governor Bill Lee signed into law Thursday afternoon that will restrict public drug show performances in Tennessee, making his state the first to do so this year. The state Senate passed the bill earlier Thursday, along with party along party lines, to admit adult cabaret performances on public. Again, my cat just moved my mouse public property so as to shield them from the view of children threatening violators with a misdemeanor and repeat offenders with a felony. The bill, which the Tennessee House passed last week, defines an adult cabaret performance as a performance that features topless dancers, go go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers. Male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a what is that word? It's not.  Period periods.  That is my new SAT word.  It means up period means basically blue. Like it means it means like you know, I don't know what upsetted he is, but I can't say what asity is.    But I know when I see period.  You all right? That's a wild word. Republicans hold supermajorities in both the House and the Senate. The law will go into effect on July 1st, 2023. Tennessee measure is the first of nearly a dozen such bills presently working their way through the GOP LED state legislatures. Republican state the performances expose children to sexual themes and imagery that are inappropriate, a claim rejected by advocates who say the proposed measures are discriminatory against the LGBT. New community and could violate First Amendment laws. Yeah, I wonder. Yeah, like this feels like something. The ACL, this. This feels like an ACLU slam dunk, but we'll see. But it doesn't matter because it doesn't matter if it gets. Repealed or not? There's already a chilling effect. That's the point. The cruelty is the point not to actually protect children from anything. See as. Blah blah blah blah blah as transgender issues and drag culture are increasingly becoming more mainstream. Such shows, which often feature men dressing as women and exaggerated makeup while singing or entertaining a crowd. Though some shows feature body or content, have occasionally been the target of attacks, and LGBTQ advocates say the bills under consideration add to a heightened state of alarm for the community. Like I said, it's the chilling effect they want. It's the chilling effect. They're going to get. Republicans state Senator Jack Johnson. Who sponsored the Tennessee legislation, told CNN on Thursday that the bill was not meant to target drag performances or transgender. People except you just literally spelled out in the language of the bill what a drag show is. That's that's wild that that is. That is 1987, George.  Orwen. Well, that's how they. Get around the ohh that was all in good fun because of course the. High school. Actually, I should even say, of course, but theoretically, a high school skit is probably not going to have a lot of, like sexual nature. And like a lot of body this, but why am I like I there was a guy. In my high school. He used to show us all his Beatus like frequently. Yeah, this was before me too, but.  And then I fell in love.  Then I reflected on it as an adult and I was like, why didn't any of? The teachers stop that.  Ohh it was like a known. Thing. Ohh yeah.  Yeah, it was a theater thing.  Oh God.  perient shows and it's like, OK. Yeah, maybe they're not doing like old school vaudeville acts, but you know. What are they going to call body? What are they going to call period. I wish they hadn't written that word.  That's that's a wild world, yeah.  That's a wild word, but it's it's like, OK, so if you have a trans comic and they're talking about their dating life and they're talking about their sex life, is that going to be considered something that's too much that's, you know, afoul of the law? You know, it's there's a law. If you are a CIS woman who likes to dress. More masculine and you're in a show. Are they going to consider that to be you are dressing in the some a clothing of a gender other than your assigned birth? You know it's it's just, you know, and and we're we should be used to these things by now because I mean it's it's. I'm not gonna say it started with Trump because it obviously didn't, but it, you know, the last four years they've gotten especially ridiculous with their their language and their and their long. But yeah, it's it's, it is wild.  Our dog's. Being very bad right now. OK. So our little dog is being super bad. All our animals like these animals are smarter than they lead on because they just like, oh, are you trying to do something or are you trying to do a thing that, like, requires some kind of like concentration and quiet? So now it's time for me to get all my big feelings.  Getting rowdy, we're getting rowdy.  They're the worst.  And then Henry just, I don't know. Is this a cat thing? They every time they know they're being bad. And and you start to say. Stop doing that. They stop and start grooming. Like who? Me couldn't possibly be.  Oh my God this. This little cat. I love, I love them, but they are. Awful real bad. They're real bad. Love them, but they're real bad. So yeah, we're talking about how. The United States is kind of becoming a hellscape. Drag is like you cannot be a assigned male at birth and wear a a dress and sing a song in the state of Tennessee anymore. And like I said, the the the really interesting bit is that. Keep reading from the CNN article ahead of the bill signing. Lee the governor faced accusations of hypocrisy after an unidentified Reddit user posted a photo from 1977 high school. His 1977 high school yearbook, which purports to show the future governor dressed in women's clothing and a wig. Alongside female students dressed in men's suits, we had this when I was in high school because I'm old enough and.  No, everybody's high school, everybody.  Ohh y'all had that too. It's power, power, power, whatever.  Everybody's high school. Has the. Oh, no, I was. Just gonna say dude dressed and dressed.  Oh, it's like. Oh, I was gonna say the girls played football and then the guys were cheerleaders or whatever. That's why I assume I saw this picture. It's it. But like that's why I assumed it's from. But no, he like, like I said earlier, he responded to that. Oh, that was that's. But that's different though. Just like you know, normal scumbag behavior. But like you said, you don't know what to do and then I have to repeat what I've said. I've said many a time on this on this show is that you know, we have to embrace the struggle. The struggle is going to go on after we're dead. But take heart, knowing that when they start doing stuff like this. What they have been doing, they're losing. They're like the reactionaries are losing. This is the safest time in human history. A new world? A new.  I just feel like. They've said that in the Vimar Republic too.  World is struggling to be born. No, I don't think so. No, I don't. I know. I I've watched them. To be honest, I've watched documentaries about the Vimar Republic and people were way. I know what you're saying and I I think it's a good analogy, but people were way more apathetic because they had just come off of World War One where Germany took a Big L.  I forgot that and that was. Yeah, that. Was OK. Fair so yeah. OK, that's something. It's not as bad as the vimar public yet, OK?  No, it's not. It's not. But like these are. These are definitely things to be aware of. So when I say like we do live in the safest time in human history, that doesn't mean like people are not gonna. There's not stochastic terrorism. People aren't going to be killed and hurt by these reactionaries, and people's lives aren't going to be ruined. But. And you take a step back and you look at, you know, the macro picture of time. We are winning. We will win. Culture never locks in the conservative the idea of a conservative movement is the idea on its face is dead on arrival because you cannot conserve culture. Culture will change. It's going to change the things that conservatives enjoy now were the, you know. 100 years ago liberal positions and we keep backing them into more and more. Well, we can't come right out and hate. You know queer people, so we've got to do this indie. Around again and. And make up lies about how drag they're all groomers and how drag story hour is is grooming your children.  And let's not get it twisted. This is not specifically, this is obviously about LGBTQ people and and targeting them, but it is not just about targeting LGBTQ people. They're targeting the idea of satirizing a a social norm, a gender, you know, a gender norm is a social construct. And drag is, you know its whole purpose is to satirize, you know, the expression of that social construct. And so. The idea that we're banning that it's like, OK, well, what other social constructs are we not going to be able to talk about? And we're not gonna be able to laugh about and right next. And that's, you know, I like to think anybody listening to this show, you know, cares about the fact that they're targeting LGBTQ people anyway. But I do think that there's a lot of people. Who would be apathetic to the idea of banning a drag show? Because maybe they don't go to them, they're just they don't know what's in a drag flow, but kind of if you're talking to someone like that, it's it's not about the show itself, it's about the satirization of a social norm, and it's about. Not wanting to make fun of things that are are conservative, I mean, you know, you know, typical gender norms are, you know, the gender by an area that's a very conservative idea. And so it's it's about not moving forward with with changing societal ideas and expectations, you know. It's it's they want to go back to the 50s with all of the nonsense and terribleness. And I think that message could possibly, you know, sway some people who maybe are a little bit more apathetic. To drag just because they don't understand.  Not even. Yeah, I wouldn't even say sway them. I would say the apathy is kind of the, you know, in a place like Tennessee, like, let's be real. Like outside of Nashville and maybe Memphis, people are going to be like, say what? Well, that doesn't affect me and I don't care. So I don't. I don't. It sounds great to me. UM. But they're like, just to hammer home the point. There's definitely like two ways to look at it. Like look at this. The one way is when you talk about, you know, mainstream culture that. Western Society is moving backwards. Just in our lifetimes, we've had these are mainstream things. These aren't even. These aren't even. Like fringe things, we've had movies like too Wong Foo. Thanks for everything. RuPaul's Drag Race is like a mainstream thing.  Let's talk about Mrs. Doubtfire's track.  It's a. It's a man in a dress. Right, I know, but. Yeah, it's a crazy. Like, I'm not talking about, like, we're gonna. We're gonna have some kind of a college. You know, we're not going to sit here and and and sit in a classroom and tear Mrs. Doubtfire apart. It's a stupid movie, but the point is it was a movie. People took their kids to see. My parents took me to see and it was about a man. Wearing a dress. Not even doing drag actually like pretending to be a woman for like the worst reasons.  Literally a a man. Wearing a dress. Who is using? Pretending to be a woman to target and harass a woman which is like everything that they're worried about happening now and yet. And yet it was just good old fun.  So you can look at that as Western, as Western culture regressing. I'm choosing and this is from the cynical guy like I am not that glass. Half full guy. I'm the cynical guy for sure, but I look at this as. This is the best they have, like they are drowning in a sea of acceptance and change and they are grasping for any land they can. And this is the best they've come up with. In the long arc of history. This is not. This is gonna look at. This is gonna not even the long. Five years from now, this is going to be on some kind of CNN. Remember the the twenty 20s. And everybody's gonna go, that was.  Honestly, the the fact that most older Republican men know what a drag. Show is at. This point means that drag has truly come into the mainstream.  Thank you.  We actually talking. About this, this weekend is one of our favorite documentaries that we watched when we just started dating was small town gay bar and it was about. A bar in a small southern town that was very tucked away kind of word of mouth. And it was where people in the queer community could congregate. And it was it was, you know, one of the only places where they could. Other queer people, and where they could openly be themselves, and it was a really great documentary, definitely recommend it. But you know, even in smaller towns there is more, you know. People know of a gay person. Now you know back, back when that was filmed, people wouldn't be, wouldn't feel ever able to come out to their families. And while there's still a lot. Of people who don't. Feel able to do that to come out to their families. You know, there are still a lot of people who do, even in conservative town. So we really have moved very far. I really have to keep reminding myself of that just because it is very easy to get down and not to say that you know you're not allowed to have negative feelings about what's going on and not allowed to be sad and grieve. But I know for me if if I start feeling so negatively, it starts to feel like there's nothing I can do, so why try? And so it is very important to to acknowledge our progress and to acknowledge all of the people who made that progress happen and all of the people who are still battling apathy in order to make progress happen now and all. The people all the. Wonderful humans in Tennessee who I know are going to push back on this. Whether it's not going to be the majority of the state. Unfortunately, but I know that there are going to. Be some very fierce, fierce defenders of the queer community, both the community themselves and allies. And honestly, this is a meme I just saw. I'm like, I really am getting old. I go on Facebook, just look at memes now. Like but it said if you if you harass my transgendered buddies my I'm going to start identifying as a problem spicy. Is that the? Only good. I identify joke. Identify as joke.  It's pretty good.  And then there was another one. It was like, hey, if you like you harm the queer community, my pronouns are gonna be your pronouns are gonna be, was, and were. I'm terrible at. I like explaining memes into a podcast. This is truly the most millennial I've ever been in my life.  All right. It's all right, Mama.  But but I just. Yeah, I think humor is appropriate. I think. Do whatever you need to do to feel. To feel the hope that you need to keep moving on in this fight because it is like this is truly scary stuff, and the fact that it's being enacted by the world's. Stupid people is like it's not making me feel good, just the. State of democracy, you.  Yeah, like and again, just realize that you're we are all fighting battles that we've already won. But the battle still has to be fought. Like we have to fight, we have to. Fight these people and tooth and nail. To make sure as. Few people are hurt. By rack, Sherry politics is possible, but realize it's over. Like we we we've already won.  Like culturally, it's over. You know, does this state agree? So we're not fighting the culture anymore. We're we're fighting the state, we're fighting people who?  These conversations I really do. And to put my, you know, kind of conspiratorial hair on these conversations have already been had obviously to put bills like this forward in Republican think tanks in circles because they know they they know it's over. So the only the only hope is is to try to. Is to try to take the minority that they do have and Lord over the majority of what people want through legislation like this. That's that's all they have. That's all they have left. That's why. That's why the Republican Party has to gerrymander districts cause they can't win.  Well, yeah, see, The thing is like the thing. Is that they are gerrymandering, though, so it's we can't just say they, oh, they're not. They're not winning because they have to do XYZ, but it's like OK, they have done XYZ so they could continue to win.  I know. I guess what I'm saying is they're doing that because. They're losing, no.  I understand that, but it's we can't use that as a.    I don't know. That we should use that as a metric just because it's easy to get complacent and, you know, we're looking at a potential Trump de Santis 2024. So I'm not, I'm not like.  Trump's gonna Trump's gonna win. That I don't even think.  You know, they're just they're just. Like they're just literally calling each other pedophiles, and they both like, well, OK, allegedly.  I don't even think this. I don't even think the Saints. I don't even think the. Saints is going to declare.  Allegedly, Trump is a pedophile.  Allegedly. Allegedly.  I'm I'm I. Don't know. I don't know anything about DeSantis, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was a pedophile.  I don't even think De Santis is going. To declare you.  Don't think so.  Did you did you read the other day? So he had De Santis had a rally thing and some? I don't know. In some county, in Florida, and people showed up in Trump gear and he had them physically removed.  Oh, I love that for everybody.  So, uh, what? Like it's over. Like that's it, because now a million people are going to come. To every one of his things.  That is true.  And it's going to look awful.  That is true. So even better, we are looking at.  A Trump, Trump, Trump, Biden.  From Tom Cotton and then Trump is going to mysteriously have a heart attack while eating his seventh Big Mac of the day.  Oh, God, that's just.  And we're going to have a Tom Cotton presidency. So love that for us. Anyway, I'm just a ball of sunshine. I just sometimes I think that I have a pretty balanced about my views of the world and that I'm like, I feel like I'm pretty realistic about things. And then I'll say something so wildly dark and pessimistic that I'm, like, maybe being in crisis domestic violence. And working out of jail for the last eight years has actually. Maybe colored my views on the world more than I anticipated.  Yeah, that'll do it. No, that that will definitely do it. That'll that's that's what the kids call a big downer.  That's a downer.  It's a big Debbie downer.  Yeah, it's an. L It's an L.  Yeah, you're just eating elves.  Eating elves.  Eating them.  Like BFR, that's trauma.  I've never heard that before.  Oh, I can't because it's going. To be it's B. Asleep for real? OK, it's my new favorite Gen.  I just got on period I period a like last week.  I don't know if that's still doing that, but that. Is really funny.  I just got on him. Yeah. So I don't know. I'm old. I'm. I'm not old. I think I'm the oldest person on TikTok.  I can't can't judge. No, there's some much older men and.  It was like.  They have all messaged me. Yeah, I get messages from people named Sugar Daddy M12. So how I don't.  Know on TikTok.  Tick tock.  How you don't even this is the first I've. Heard of this? You even?  Why don't you ask China? I don't know.  You don't even have like content.  No, I do. I do have a couple of things. I've been tagged in. Because my friend, my high school friend likes to make tick tocks when we get together in the summer.    So I have like 3 tick tocks I'm tagged in, they have like 5 views apiece. Apparently one of those 5 views was Sugar Daddy Mike. And he liked what he saw. And he would like to support my lifestyle.  I was gonna say, what are they talking about in the PG13 version?  They said you're so beautiful. I would like to get to know. You yeah. And they usually put like a dollar sign.  It ain't trickin if you got it.  They don't got it so. That's that's the. Thing, that's the thing. There's, like, established routes to go. If you want an actual sugar daddy or sugar baby. And it's not TikTok, but certainly not.  My God. What is doing? What is going on?  Cause like I'm not above letting a generous older gentleman fund my lifestyle, but that gentleman is not going to.  Right.  Find me via TikTok.  That's rough. This is for this is. Ooh, you learn something new every day. Good morning, comrade.  So if you thought my voice was hot. The rest of you is hot. Too hot enough that.  Yeah, I I would agree.  No, it's probably a Nigerian scammer.  That's like a reverse scam? How does that work?  Because they'll say.  I want to send you this is because this is another message I've gotten. They want to send you a check for $500.00 for you to go get your nails done and a massage. And then. But they have to do it via. Vanilla card.  Yeah, of course.  What are?  Because that's how everybody.  Those those prepaid spending cards.  That's how everybody transfers money. In 2023.  So either you're gonna get scanned of money, or you're gonna help someone launder money. So either way, no thank you.  Dang, tick talking wild.  So it did that did check my ego a little bit. I'm not going to lie to you. I was like, oh, this isn't actually a generous older man wanting to fund my lifestyle because my beauty is just so overwhelming. It is a person who thinks I might be dumb.  You could be on, like, 90 day fiance. You could be that Lady.  Oh, I would be so good on that show.  Just be like meeting some guy from the. Dr. the. Dominican Republic and be like, oh, he totally loves me. Now for the good. We've do station ID's, we listen to one of 2.3 W HIV. FM New Orleans and we love you.  And all wars.  That was end all wars. Oh, that was the wtix thing. And we love you, which is very creepy. Yeah, if you're driving.  Hey, sorry. They're just trying to spread. A little love in the world.  I know, but drive if you're driving through the east at like. 2:00 AM and it's just listening to the oldies and then it's WTX New Orleans and we love it's. And there's just a a pile of burning tires and it just looks like. Bartertown on the.  You sound like you live in Metairie.  No, because they would never. They cause I think bartertown's cool for Mad Max beyond Thunderdome.  So that was actually a compliment.  I'm cool.  Yeah, he's like, no, that was a good thing.  I'm cool with that.  But what is your good?  OK, so I got a letter in the mail and I'm going to read it to you. And you hear.  This is the official letter.  Hear the paper crumple. It's like this is an official show. Dear Robert Johnson, we are sending you. We are sending you this letter to share the good news that on behalf of a national donor, you no longer owe the above referenced medical debts. It was almost $1200. To auctioneer. Because of our national 5013 C nonprofit, RIP Medical debt bought and abolished the debt. This active medical debt relief was provided by. Li can't Al Ed Allendale. I'm going to go with Allendale, a public. What's that?  And then I think that's beer.  Nah, it says a public benefit corporation. I mean, beer is a public benefit. I mean, what? What is that now? You got me interested. Now you got me interested. What is the ale?  What is it lol?  Yeah, let's take a look. Value based care. Else what is this? It's like a primary care.  It's. Oh God.  I don't know. It's the position LED accountable care organization. What is that, Aaron, you are.  With primary care for primary care, you know what this is going to be, someone that I'm going to have to work with at some point and I'm going to be annoyed about it more than.    Likely, but honestly, we're why are we trashing them?  I bet.  They bought.  Your medical debt. Yeah, I know. So I don't know.  Just don't look.  I just. I'm not. I don't even know them too.  I'm sorry. That was just like.  I'm just like I was.  Corporate speak like that, just like truly triggers me to. Before I became. A social worker. So. It just really. I just assumed nothing good will come of it.  So we're we're we're on all Dale to learn more, please visit alladale.com/louisiana. Our abolishment of this medical debt is a no strings attached gift. You no longer have any obligation to pay this debt to anyone at any future time because it has been cancelled as a gift of our 5013 C charity. You do not earn any income or owe any taxes on this cancellation of. Debt, we have enclosed FAQ.  Blah blah blah.  Blah blah. Here's the FAQ. Of what happened here? I think the FAQ is very who is RIP medical debt? We are a nonprofit national charity. That fund that raises funds from donors and uses those funds to acquire and abolish medical debt. Our IRS number is blah blah blah blah blah our. Since our founding in 2014, as medical Debt Resolution Inc, we have abolished over 8.5 million of medical debt. Helping nearly 5.5 million people. Are there strings attached? No rest assured, the debt reference in the letter is no longer owed and you do not have to take any action. Why are you doing this? Probably the most important part. Medical debt often results from unplanned, unexpected illness and accidents. About 1/3 of US adults have difficulty covering unexpected mental health care bills. Medical debt also is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the US in many areas and for many reasons. Patient balances after insurance have been growing and many people remain uninsured. We are doing this to relieve. People of the burden of medical debt to enhance their economic opportunities and to enable them to leave to lead healthier, happier lives. Now paper crumple. Again, this is my rush, Landon. He always. Paper I used to hate. Listen to. Rush Limbaugh all the time.  Why did you listen to Rush Limbaugh?  I hate. I used to hate listen anytime like.  Oh, I thought you said hated listening. To it's like you did someone make you?  No, I would listen to him anytime. Something like when Obama like, won twice like I was like Rush Limbaugh. Let's go. Yeah, because you know, he's gonna lose. His mind. Yeah, you know, so it's like stuff like that, but. OK, so my first thought is since you were talking about Sugar Daddy scams, I was like, this is obviously a scam. What is this? So I did a little deep digging and no, it is not a scam. It's 100% real. It was started by two guys who were actually. Debt collectors, they they were executives at some like debt collecting thing. On Wall Street, across from Zuccotti Park, Occupy Wall Street happened. They go down there and just hang out and be like what's going on. And then they find they people found out who they were. And then they're like, hey, we've got an idea. And they started this, like, rolling jubilee of really of buying people's medical debt. And then we're leaving it. And honestly. OK so my thing is this. That that thousand, that $1000, almost 1200 bucks was from a CPAP machine that I own. I paid the what do you call it? The copay or? Whatever. So I paid the copay which was $500.00 off of my and I I have a good job. I have insurance. Thank God all these things like. I'm an atheist, but I thank God every day that I've I've made it to this point in my life where I, you know, I have these things, but. It's absurd because Aaron can testify. My snoring has been so loud since I was 20 and I would stop breathing at night and wake up in the middle of the night and I could pass out anywhere because I was so tired all the time and. I was just dying, you know, like. And she made me. She's like you have to go get this checked out. They're like you have sleep apnea. You could die at any moment. So, and we have to run a bunch of tests and then then you have to pay $2000.00 for a machine that's going to keep you alive and make sure you don't stop breathing in the. Middle of night. Which seems like. It's not even seen. Let let let me scratch seem out of there that it's the most perverse, disgusting, sick thing ever. When you tell someone you know as a doctor, you're telling somebody how important a piece of equipment is and how, Oh my God, thank God we got to you when you did and. By the way, we need 2K before this that we can give you this thing that's so in. And it's I paid for the $500.00 copay and I was like, gotcha. I was like, gotcha auctioneer because you're never seeing the rest of this. I'm like, you're not. They would send me bills and I would just throw them in the garbage cause I'm like, no, I'm not. I'm not paying. For this like this is crazy.  I have. I just gotta build just because it was been a few months ago now, but I got a bill for like $1200 when I got a new IUD and I was like, I thought this was covered under the ACA, and sure the actual IUD was covered, but not the removal of my previous IUD. And I said, well, I'm just not paying that.  Get out of here.  So you know, it's not not paying it.  I'm. I'm sitting here at work and I'm like researching. I'm researching this 5013 C and for a guy like me, who I've Erin, can attest. I've literally said, you know, the words have come out of my mouth. I don't have emotions. I started to tear up, and it wasn't because. Like, I wasn't gonna pay. That actually was never gonna see that money. Bill collectors were never gonna see. I wasn't gonna pay it. I wasn't worried about. It but. It got me to think about all the people who were just crushed. Lives ruined, completely bankrupt because they have, you know, they've got a long term cancer, somebody in their family needs, you know, long term care and they're just crushed under medical debt that they're and that they've been helped by this and. Literally have their life change by this, like rolling jubilee of people like ourselves who give money to this organization that buys up people's debts for pennies on the dollar and just. Tears them up.  Also I want to I want to say sorry to all jail because I was very snarky to you and I just looked up what you do and. A good job.  We're just making all the friends out of here.  I, but I do really think you should change some of the wording on your website because you sound like an insurance. But they're actually what's called an accountability management. It's here, it's it's an accountable care organization. So what that is is essentially they function. So basically how this insurance companies pressure doctors and like other medical places to. To do the most inexpensive things possible, and and that's a really terrible thing cuz it comes at the cost of patient care, accountable management organizations. Are they essential? Are advocating for the consumers, so it's generally and it's generally for. If you start want to start an independent private practice. Usually it's really, really hard because you have to have relationships with those insurance, so you'll send like it's just really difficult. So if you do end up wanting to do that, you can enjoin in accountable management. Organization and they'll help you hook you up and figure out how to give the best care for clients. It gets rid of a lot of Medicare waste, a lot of Medicaid waste, which is often. The for profit insurance companies are doing and it's just it's a good thing. So sorry everybody.  Nice, but like I was telling Aaron as a joke. Like, yeah, I'm an atheist. Like, I don't believe in a buy and buy. But I was like if somebody was to knock on my door and proselytize to me right now, like, this is this would be the time I'm most open to it because I just kept thinking in my head up, just like a God of the Old Testament. It's like I sent you, Bernie Sanders. I sent you another. I sent you another Jewish prophet. That you refuse to listen to. So now I've got to work around this.  Which I think is so dramatic. But like when he said that the other day I was like, OK, I know we're, we're both sad about Bernie losing, but let's not.  Oh, it's fine. I'm. It's fine but. No, it's just that something like this exists, and this has been existing for, you know, decades now or decade, decades, almost since Occupy is amazing and it just it's perverse that it has to exist, that it does exist and it's and it shows how badly we need. Medicare for all, like yesterday for because. The way I describe it to people who are like, oh, I don't want that, you know, they're going. It's like we're getting taxed as American citizens out the wazoo right now. And we're receiving little. To know return our social services are inept at being the most, the most generous assessment is they're inept. So if we're going to be taxed, if you know if they're going to take money out of my check, like, let me get some of that back. So I don't have to worry about can I cough up. 2 racks. To make sure I don't die in the middle. Right. It just, it just feels like in the richest country to ever exist. This is a perverse situation.  And this was actually the same, same organization that was featured on John Oliver, if you remember, I think that was a few years ago, they did this.  Yeah, it was like 3 or 4.  They yeah, they they did this. And John Oliver, the show donated a bunch of money, bought a bunch of debt and forgave it all and. I think part of, I mean he's he's he seems like a good egg, but I think he was especially upset about the idea of medical debt just coming from the NHS in England. He is British. If you don't know who John Oliver is in England does have, you know, a government run National Health care system.  Which is actually socialized medicine, like Medicare for all like. It's not even that. It's not even the NHS. So I'm just saying this. I'm interrupting this. So if anybody, you know, cause you've got that next level of reactionary who who knows a little something. So if they ever try to come at you with like, oh, the NHS is in shambles or the NHS, you know doesn't work, right, well, the NHS is not Medicare for all. We're not talking about an act like auction or Turo. Being run by the government, it's just the government. I mean, it's just auction or Turo. Your local doctor sends that check. Bill to Uncle Sam to to dark Brandon instead of you. That's the only difference.  They're already doing for people who are on Medicaid. And so it's not like a new model, it would just be including more people in the model that already exists.  The best, the best healthcare I ever and I have. You know, I have decent insurance now through my employer, which is an all another a just atrocity. It's it's surreal. It's 1984, George Orwin. That we that we even have. The best health insurance I ever got. Was through Medicaid like when I when I I didn't have a job. Until I got another one I got on. Absolutely the best insurance I've ever.  Had you know?  Like the my prescriptions were doggone near free. I well, I started seeing a therapist then because I didn't have to pay a copay. It was it like Medicaid, literally I, I mean this might be a little too. It was definitely life changing. It could have even.  Saved my life. I would agree with that. And just to just to as an example of how petty insurance companies are, I had a client who had disability. I think it was like $1100 and he made just too much with this ability that he didn't also qualify for Medicaid. So he had Medicare, but not Medicaid, so he still had to had to co-pay for prescriptions. And he also had a pretty serious drug addiction and so didn't generally have a lot of money at the end of. Month and would just like not be able to afford his $4 heart medication. And so like, I would just end up buying them a lot of times like what am I gonna do?  $4 dude.  Have him have a heart attack cuz he couldn't pay for four $4.00, but it's like and I think he was. Covered by like United. Or something. So it's like it's so absurd. It's like. They're just nickel and diming the poorest people and.  Yeah. So that's why I want to, you know, yeah, no, 100%. So that's funny. You say that about United?  Preaching the choir. But my God, it's bad.  So I here in new here in New Orleans, I had united is in Louisiana, United is the one that does our Medicaid.  So there's actually multiple Medicaid providers. So there's United Healthcare, there's healthy blue, there's Louisiana healthcare connections, Aetna and Humana.    So we have five different providers that. So basically, all of the Medicaid money gets funneled into those into those insurance companies, and they have a specific plan for Medicaid. And if you are on Medicaid, I believe you're allowed to change providers once a year. And if you're on Medicare, I believe you can change once 1/4.  So I had united Medicaid, so I didn't know that was a thing. So I got a job working for the city, and now I also united, does the insurance for the city so. The thing is, when I will call for a specialist and I'll call a specialist and they'll be like what insurance do you have? And I'll I'll say united and immediately they'll be like, well, we don't and I'll be like, I work for the City of New Orleans, and you can hear their tone change and they go. OK. Because they're so ready to be like, Nope, no, not doing Medicaid, but it's and. And I'm. I want to be like. You dirty dog like. The Medicaid that you're pooling is was better than the insurance.  And the reason so the.  I have now.  Reason why they don't want because it's like. OK, insurance is insurance is insurance and it's because the government refuses to pay some of the prices that the insurance companies will pay. And it's if you've ever gotten a hospital bill where they charged you $500.00 for two aspirin, which is real and not uncommon, the government just says no.  Yeah, that happens every day that happening random.  So that's the reason why these insurance companies.  That's awesome.  Because, like why they don't? Why they're lobbying against. A Medicaid, because you would, you would think, OK, if everybody has insurance that's more clients for these insurance companies, but they don't want that because they it it's less profit for them and the hospitals don't want that because hospitals are generally not nonprofits, we're lucky in.  Plus profit.  In this state that you know, or at least in New Orleans, that most of the hospitals around here are nonprofits, but. You know that's not the case in a lot of places in the country. And so the hospital, hospital administrators don't want, I almost said hospital staff. And I'm like, no those nurses. They would give you. That aspirin for free, if they could. But the hospital administration want to be able to charge, you know, whatever, and part of that is because they have to pay such high salaries. To the doctors because the doctors all have like $400,000 in education, debt and so on and so forth. And so you. A lot like as we were talking about earlier in the show, like part of the reason why a solution like Medicaid for all or Medicare for all is so abhorrent to so many people is because it's going to, it's going to be like. The first domino and a domino effect of showing how inflated so many costs are and how few people are benefiting from that money.  Yes, yes. And that's why that's why they fought so hard against Obamacare, which was just Romneycare, because once you get that wedge. In there it goes back to this all loops back to their previous conversation. Once you get that wedge in there and you show people no, this is how things should.  Be yeah. So for instance, if you have Medicaid, at least in Louisiana, they'll pay for your cancer treatment like they'll pay for your cancer treatment.  Then you know there's no. Going back, you know, watching window.  There's not gonna. There's not a question if you're gonna. Get chemo or not? But private insurance companies, if you meet your maximum benefit amount. She might not get. Chemo so it's. Like the hospitals, wanna keep charging insane prices? The insurance companies want to still make that profit, but part of the way they make that profit is by being able to deny you from certain procedures. Like there's zero reason why your CPAP had to cost $1500.  That's insane. That's absolutely insane.  Yeah, like, I actually just go sleep at myself because we're both old and can't breathe properly. If you are wondering why I sound a little more chipper cuz I'm actually sleeping like fantastic, highly recommend. And I'm I went through and this is this is honestly like, so dystopian. I went through a startup, an Internet startup, to get my CPAP.  That's so gross.  I logged, I said how to get, cuz I tried to sign up for a sleep, study through oschner and the first available appointment wasn't until April and this was back in. Back in November of last year, I was going to just have to wait, but it was getting so bad that I was forgetting English like I just could not remember words my cognition.  And what's one of the main things about they tell you about, oh, we can't do socialized medicine cause there's gonna be waitlists.  Show that.  I have insurance through my employer. Now you're telling me I am going to die. But can you just please not do it for like 4 months till we can?  Get you in? Yeah, yeah. So I have a private insurance as well and I was content to just wait, but yeah, like I said it was. It was getting bad. So I I googled how sleep studies New Orleans and app came up. I basically filled out a survey. They got me connected with a Doctor Who was like, yeah, you should probably get a sleep study. They ordered the sleep study. They mailed it to me. I wore it at night. Transmitted all the data via the app and then they were like, yeah, you're like not breathing. Apparently I was getting 6% of the REM sleep.  I was supposed to.  Get and sleep. So basically REM sleep is where you repair your cognition, so that's where you kind of like sort and process all the information you got during the day and then deep sleep is where your body. The parents itself. So I was getting enough deep sleep, but I wasn't getting any REM. And for you know, people who don't know that much about insomnia. Basically, when you have insomnia, your body goes from light sleep where are not really. It's kind of like that period before you get to the other part. You go from light sleep to deep sleep because your body is in survival mode. You need your body more than your smarts in order to survive. So it goes to. You repair your body, so you might not wake up feeling sick, but you're not. Be able to remember anything like I was at work just like it was. It was perfect. It was affecting my job. Performance honestly, which is why I looked for the sleep study and yeah, so they sent me the device, got it back. I have it. I'm paying. I financed my CPAP. So yeah, we're doing great as a society, but it's. So yeah, so. It's just like. You should be listening to good morning, comrades. If you're not pro single payer healthcare, but.  Yeah, absolutely. But we're running out of time, but I I invite everybody to check out ripmedicaldebt.org, see what they're about. Just on their web page, big splash screen just. I'll just read it to you just as it says, abolish medical debt at pennies on the dollar every $100 you donate relieves $10,000 in medical debt. Who I mean. The amount of people that that, this, that this nonprofit is helping. In this six sad world is. I I really can't understate how awesome they are, so thank you for helping me. And we'll see you guys next time I love. You, babe. I cut it off. You're not on there. You can't. Tell me you love me back.    But anyway, yeah. But So what? They're giving themselves cover to be able to say, well, no, we're not anti trans. Are you saying that all trans people are going to be having body shows are going to be having  

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky paid a surprise visit to liberated Kherson Monday as workers try to restore basics such as power, water and phone services. NPR's Frank Langfitt was on the phone with Ukrainian soldiers who recaptured the city. And, Toledo City Council teamed up with RIP Medical Debt to rid hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt for thousands of Toledo residents. Michele Grim, who led the effort, explains what other cities can learn from this. And, we speak with two early childhood educators about their fight for better wages.

Allison Sesso is the President & CEO of RIP Medical Debt, a non-profit established for the sole purpose of reducing the medical debt burdens of low-income individuals across the country. To date, their innovative model has abolished over $7 billion in debt for nearly 4 million people. Healthcare costs are the #1 cause of bankruptcy for America's families. In the past five years, more than half of U.S. adults report they've gone into debt because of medical or dental bills.  About 1 in 7 people with debt said they've been denied access to a hospital, doctor, or other provider because of unpaid bills. RIP Medical Debt is working to change that. On today's show, Allison shares how they are able to relieve about $100 in debt for every dollar donated, gives insights into their work with heath systems to prevent debt in the first place, and how philanthropist MacKenzie Scott's transformative gift to RIP is making a difference.   Learn more about RIP Medical Debt and how to donate at: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/

In the fourth episode of season 3, hosts Phil and Grace are joined by Allison Sesso, president and CEO of RIP Medical Debt. Allison discusses the enormous stigma and burden of medical debt in the U.S. healthcare system and provides insight into the organization's innovative model of canceling that debt. She also pushes back on the idea that the nonprofit sector is stagnant and uninventive and shares about her organization's experience receiving a $50 million gift from MacKenzie Scott.

On this episode Allison Sesso, the CEO & President of RIP Medical Debt talks about their unique approach to alleviating medical debt of Americans. By leveraging medical debt markets and partnering with hospitals, RIP Medical Debt is able to achieve 100X leverage on every dollar donated to wipe out debt at scale.   How big is the problem? The SIPP survey suggests people in the United States owe at least $195 billion in medical debt. Approximately 16 million people (6% of adults) in the U.S. owe over $1,000 in medical debt and 3 million people (1% of adults) owe medical debt of more than $10,000.     RIP Medical Debt by the numbers: $7,091,262,274 in medical debt relieved so far 3,987,191 individuals and families helped 2021 Annual Report   The debt relief we provide reduces mental and financial distress for millions of people. Here's how we got started.   RIP Medical Debt was founded in 2014 by two former debt collections executives. Over the course of decades in the debt-buying industry they met with thousands of Americans saddled with unpaid and un-payable medical debt and realized they were uniquely qualified to help those in need. They imagined a new way to relieve medical debt: by using donations to buy large bundles of debt that is erased with no tax consequences to donors or recipients. From this idea RIP Medical Debt was born, a New York based 501(C)(3). The results have been spectacular—billions in medical debt eradicated so far, providing financial relief for millions of individuals and families.   About Allison Sesso President / CEO Allison Sesso became the President / CEO of RIP Medical Debt in January of 2020. RIP Medical Debt was established for the sole purpose of reducing the medical debt burdens of low-income individuals with limited capacity to pay their medical bills by leveraging donations from people across the country. They have abolished $7,091,262,274 to date for over 3,987,191 people. Under Allison's leadership and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, RIP Medical Debt launched the “Helping COVID Heroes Fund” focused on relieving the medical debts of healthcare workers and emergency responders like nurses, home health aids, pharmacists, social workers, hospital technicians, the National Guard and others working on the front lines of the pandemic. It also benefits service workers and others facing financial hardship resulting from the COVID induced economic downturn. Through this effort RIP has abolished over $100 million in medical debt. Prior to joining RIP Medical Debt, Allison served as the Executive Director of the Human Services Council of New York (HSC), an association of 170 nonprofits delivering 90% of human services in New York City. Under her leadership HSC pioneered the development of nationally recognized tools designed to illuminate risks associated with government contracts, including an RFP rater and government agency grading system. She led negotiations with New York City and State government on behalf of the sector and successfully pushed for over $500 million in investments to address the nonprofit fiscal crisis. During her tenure at HSC, Allison also led a commission of experts focused on socialdeterminants of health and value-based-payment structures and published the report,Integrating Health and Human Services: a Blueprint for Partnership and Action, that examines the challenges of operationalizing relationships between health and human services providers, offering several recommendations. She also served on the New York State Department of Health's Social Determinants and Community Based Organizations (CBO) Subcommittee helping to formulate recommendations around the integration of CBOs into Medicaid managed care. Allison's work on behalf of the human services sector led City & State to recognize her as a top nonprofit leader in 2018 and 2019, one of the 25 most influential leaders in Manhattan in 2017, and one of New York City's 100 “Most Responsible” in 2016. She recently received the 100 “Most Responsible” award for the second time for her efforts at RIP Medical Debt. Allison also serves as the Vice Chair of the nonprofit “Right to Be,” formerly Hollaback!, a global movement working to end harassment through bystander intervention training and storytelling.    Rough Transcript   [00:00:00] George Weiner: This week we have an awesome guest who I, I think I promised I would track down somebody from R IP medical Debt because they kept showing up in the news and innovative approach to dealing with, uh, a tremendous. Problem in America around, uh, I'd say healthcare and debt, and none other than Allison Seso, the CEO and President is joining us. [00:00:52] This means a lot. Thank you, Allison, for, for taking the time today. [00:00:55] Allison Sesso: Thanks for hunting us down and finding us. We love talking about our work and, and the issue of, of medical debt, so I appreciate every opportu. . Well, [00:01:05] George Weiner: let's drive right into it on the front page of r i p medical debt.org. On the front page of the.org site, I see every $100 donated relieves 10,000 in medical debt. [00:01:19] First off. That gets my attention. What a perfect way to start a conversation. But how does that work exactly? [00:01:29] Allison Sesso: Yeah. We are a, uh, a unique model and we take advantage of the for profit, uh, debt market, uh, and use it for a mission driven purpose, which is really exciting and, and I think unique. So we do get an incredible return on investment and it's because there is a market for debt buying, uh, that is, has been established, and That is because, uh, there is a for profit industry that we take advantage of, uh, and they are looking to make money off of the issue of debt. We, on the other hand, are trying to relieve debt, so we take donations from individuals, we take 'em to the debt market, and we buy large portfolios at. [00:02:10] So, the individuals that are in those portfolios tend to be financially burdened. They are poor, they are, um, in fact, to qualify for our program, you have to be 400% of poverty or below, or the debt birth burden has to be significant compared to your overall income. So it has to be 5% or more of your income. [00:02:28] We do an analysis of the debt portfolio and we buy all of the accounts that qualify and then we purchase them based on. For profit rates. And so we're competitive with that market, but because the for profit folks are trying to make money, they have to really depress the prices and they have to have a really deep discount in order to make sure that they're making their money back. [00:02:49] And so we don't have to make our money back. And so we're able to take, you know, $1 and turn it into a hundred dollars of medical debt relief. And as you pointed out, you can ex expand that. So, you know, $500 gets rid of 50. Um, $50,000 of medical debt. And so that's how we're able to, provide massive debt relief to the tune of $7 billion to date and grow. [00:03:12] George Weiner: Yeah, I think there's a lot to unpack there. Maybe I, um, wanna poke a little bit more into like, making sure I actually get this. So let's say I'm, you know, a family living below the, the poverty line meeting your, your standards. There's an, uh, unexpected accident and injury. I then am in the hospital for a few days and suddenly I'm walking around with 45 grand in debt overnight. [00:03:34] And because of the way our systems work, this is now. A debt I owe to creditors. Now that debt, as I understand, can first go from the hospital to maybe a secondary buyer, right? There's like all these markets of like, Oh, I'll grab that one, I'll grab that one. And then it seems like they're, there's a discount on it cuz it's not dollar for dollar you're getting. [00:03:56] A hundred x leverage on it. So there's some discounting of my debt with that 45,000. Can you just walk me through like the individual, like I am sitting here, I've got 45 grand in debt. I can run off to a sort of like Go fund me type site and be like, Please, please, please, please pay this money. I have a story. [00:04:19] I have a narrative. And unfortunately I have to compete with other stories around me. What is the alternative path that my 45 K debt takes in your world? [00:04:29] Allison Sesso: Yeah, so your, I could buy your debt probably for $45. That's the diff . That's, that's the difference. It's pretty, you know, I'm sorry, I don't understand. [00:04:39] I'm sorry For $450. Sorry. Yeah. Okay. Um, Um, Um, so yeah, I could buy your debt for $450 and that is because I'm not just buying your. I am buying the entire provider's portfolio of bad debt, so it's more attractive of an option. So basically I'm, I'm a hospital or another healthcare provider. I am serving people who can't afford to pay. [00:05:02] They are poor as you just described. And, and by the way, just to be clear, it's 400% of poverty or below, so it's not just under poverty, but four times the amount of poverty. So it's people that are poor but but not necessarily. Oh, so [00:05:16] George Weiner: four x the whatever, $45,000 Exactly. Anywhere you are. Okay. So [00:05:21] Allison Sesso: that, that matter. [00:05:22] So we're really like helping people that. Really trying to make ends meet but aren't actually, uh, technically in poverty based on the federal definition. So you, you know, you, there's, there's, you have to, In order for our model to work, we're buying the entire portfolio of many of those individuals who have the 45,000 or a thousand dollars or $2,000 of debt. [00:05:43] Uh, that all together. So it's source driven. So basically I'm going to the hospital or other healthcare provider and I'm saying, Give me the debts. Give me your entire portfolio of debt that you have tried to collect and you have been unable to collect and mostly been able, unable to collect because the individuals are, uh, financially stressed out and can't. [00:06:03] Afford to pay this bill. I will look at that portfolio and I will assess what can I pay for that? And this is if I'm a for-profit, not F R P medical debt, but as a for-profit debt buyer, I will say, Okay, I'm gonna pay this. I'm gonna pay you an X amount of dollars for the entire portfolio for thousands of people's bads. [00:06:23] On the bet that at least I can squeeze enough out of that. Mm-hmm. , you get to make up for the investment that I've made plus, Right. Cuz I'm looking for a profit and I squeeze those individuals either by calling them, by putting it on their credit, you know, and giving them bad credit by sometimes suing them and taking, putting leans out on their. [00:06:43] Um, on their cars, on their vehicles. So I take different tactic to try and collect on that. And so that establishes this debt market that establishes a price that is very depressed and discounted. And again, that's what r i p medical debt takes advantage of. So I'm competing with that already depressed price that is driven by the fact that people are trying to make a profit off of these bad debts. [00:07:05] But in my world, I've sort of flipped it on its head and I'm. I will pay the same as the for profits, but I'm not trying to make a profit. I'm just trying to provide relief. So I'm going to take donated dollars, so I don't need to make any money back. I'm gonna go to that same debt market. I'm gonna say, give me all of the bad debts that you have available. [00:07:25] I'm gonna pull out the ones that are for, which is most of them, like 80% oftentimes of people who are financially uh, struggling. And I will pay. this amount, and I pay based on, usually the debt is, um, the older it is, the cheaper it is because [00:07:42] George Weiner: the idea is it pays outstanding, puts a higher discount on the probability [00:07:46] Allison Sesso: that gets behind. [00:07:46] I'm, I'm paying like, you know, a million dollars for, you know, $300 million worth of debt in one fail swoop. And so it's thousands of people that are getting helped. [00:07:58] George Weiner: Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. . So staying with the story here, I have incurred this 45,000. I have not been able to pay it back in thirty, ninety, a hundred eighty days. [00:08:09] I am within that window of one to four x the poverty level. And do you like show up at my door? Like an oversized check. Is it like, uh, so like how am I notified that? Like, hey, you're suddenly like, you don't owe this anymore. Like, how does this final, like I release you of your burden before, Like what, Like is there a confetti? [00:08:34] I'm like, that would be a lot of, uh, groundwork for us because we've helped over 4 million people. So that'd be a lot. Lot [00:08:40] George Weiner: of confetti. And then we got the environmental problem on that. A lot of conf the [00:08:43] Allison Sesso: confetti ideas. Yeah, exactly. It would be a lot, lot of champagne, you know, it would be a lot. no, we, what we do, first of all, The debts tend to be at least a year old because the hospital does it is required like by regulation, they have to try to collect that could be sending one letter, it could be sending two letters. [00:08:59] It depends. And so every hospital is different. And the thing is, when you've seen one hospital and their approach to collections, you've seen one hospital and their approach to collections. So there is no like, well what's the standard? There's some norms, but there's really differences. Like for example, not while hospitals sell their debt roughly and. [00:09:17] Like, I'm not even a hundred percent sure, like, but it's roughly like 30% of hospitals that sell their debt. So not even all hospitals sell their, their debt to begin with. but we do get hospitals to sell to us that don't normally sell to other for profit debt buyers, which is, I think, important. But So you are that individual. [00:09:34] We would not have access to your file and your debt and when, until a hospital engages with us and agrees to work with us. So that's an important element of our model, is that hospitals have to be interested in working with us and say yes to dis debt relief. Once we get a hospital involved, we will get their entire bad debt portfolio. [00:09:53] So you, if your debt of that 40, uh, what did you say? $45,000? Mm-hmm. , then we. , uh, send letters in mass like we do to every other individual that's in that thousands at one time that basically say, We are our IP medical debt. We have relieved your debt. You are free and clear. Check us out. We're for real. [00:10:14] Like, believe us. and [00:10:16] George Weiner: oh yeah, but there's a lot of, Sure right Where, where's the timeshare agreement? [00:10:21] Allison Sesso: Right. And you don't have to do anything. And the other thing that's really important is there's no tax burden associated with it. When, when certain debts are relieved, there can be a tax burden because it's considered a gift equal to the amount of the debt that's been released. [00:10:33] Right, exactly. So could you imagine you get a debt relieved and then you get a tax bill. It's like when you win a lotto and you have to pay taxes. You're like, what? ? The good news is soured. but with r p medical debt, that is not the case because we are disinterested third party. So you get this debt relief free and clear. [00:10:48] And honestly, the, the debt relief happens whether or not you actually pay attention to the letter. They really can [00:10:53] George Weiner: just continue to do what you were doing, which was ignore the problem and hope it goes away. Which I have to say, never were, I can't use the word never, because apparently sometimes that works. [00:11:04] Allison Sesso: Well, I mean, look, the people who were, we are helping though, at the end of the. everyone. I mean, we get the stories back from individuals. Mm. They want so desperately to pay. They really do. And they feel like failures because they haven't been able to pay. Mm-hmm. . So these aren't people who are just like, Whoa, let's hope for the best. [00:11:25] I'll just keep ignoring this. And you know, these are individuals. Something happened to them. Either they got sick, they were in an accident, whatever happened to them. Maybe they just are poor, like, and, and have other obligations they have to pay for and they can't pay this bill. And so we are relieving those debts of individuals who were forced to pay a bill that they should have never been forced to pay because it's unaffordable. [00:11:51] George Weiner: Yeah. Cuz clearly they had that desire to pay it back, but not the means by which to do it. What's more, medical prices are not exactly accurate in the United States. [00:12:03] Allison Sesso: I don't know if the word is accurate. They are all over the place because we have this weird system where the insurance company is paying and the prices are ar. [00:12:16] Yeah. [00:12:18] George Weiner: Yeah. Uh, when you operate as an individual in a system designed for these large players that are charging what they will, it just breaks, it seems like, and you're just left with outrageous numbers, and debt burns. [00:12:32] Allison Sesso: I think that we've created a, a. Typical consumer approach to healthcare and it doesn't work like the economics don't align when you're buying healthcare, first of all, you would pay a lot more than you would for any other good or service, right? [00:12:49] Because it's your health and your wellbeing. So like your artificially willing to to pay more. And I think we take a little bit of advantage of that in some ways. And, and I think that the fact that we have insurance companies that are negotiating what to pay is. Makes it complicated and it's really hard to navigate this as an individual, nor I think should we have that expectation that people, while they're sick, should be navigating what they're gonna pay for a service that they have Really no real way of doing comparison shopping on. [00:13:24] George Weiner: this is very different than a lot of other models that I see. And you must, and I see it on the site saying, if you were an individual looking for medical debt relief, that is not us. And that must be hard because you were. You know, behind the curtain that's behind the curtain running in debt markets, which frankly, you know, this may be the first time many people are hearing about this. [00:13:51] I'm curious how, how did this organization come about? It's been around for, for a while. [00:13:59] Allison Sesso: Well, I mean, actually we've only been around since 2014, so it's not that old considering, I mean, a lot of nonprofits. Just years old. You know, we, we were . We've only been around since 2014 and we, we came we came into being, because we have two, uh, former debt buyers who understood the market. [00:14:17] I think that was a key element of it. Craig and Jerry understood, uh, how the debt market works and what it costs to buy. , they were inspired by Occupy Wall Street, actually. Uh, and they saw that there was this group doing this thing called the Jubilee, where they were trying to do just what r i p does in, in large scale, which is to buy medical debt, and relieve it, but to make a point. [00:14:42] And they recruited actually Jerry's help in this. And then Jerry referred Craig. Then they sort of made their point as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement, and they were gonna pack up and go home kind of on, on this whole debt relief front. And I think Jerry sort of said to Craig like, We gotta make this a real thing. [00:15:01] And so they did. They, they really, they, and I think that they have a book that, that they put out talking about this. You can find it on our. , it's called End Medical Debt, and it tells sort of the origin story of of R I P and and and how they thought about this and one of the key moments that really helped the organization propel forward. [00:15:20] Was being highlighted on John Oliver, which, you know, I'm a big fan of, I was before I got this role and knew about r i p medical debt, but he really, did some debt relief through the institution and, uh, and that propelled a lot of donors to come to the table. Cuz without donors, this really doesn't work. [00:15:38] I mean, I can go to the debt market all I want, but if I don't have a lot of people supporting my ability to buy the debt, it, it doesn't, it doesn't work. So, That's our story. It was two Defiers who were brave. They took some. They almost went into poverty on, on, on their own because of the fact that they, they took this, uh, this on and they just thought this was too good of an idea to let go. [00:16:00] And again, John Oliver helped propel us and then the board of directors, you know, said, Let's take it to the next level. And, and then I came in as a, as a seasoned executive director type and, and we were able to really, uh, propel this work forward and we're gonna keep doing. . [00:16:16] George Weiner: Yeah. I mean, 24, I mean, you've made it through some, some filter bubbles for sure. [00:16:22] In terms of like the filtering of can you make it five years, can you make it over a, a certain amount of revenue, but you're starting to, uh, really pull. Pull through. It also strikes me because medical debt is the number one reason someone declares bankruptcy and it seems like this is, uh, something that may slow that down. [00:16:45] Uh, but I don't know how big you need to be, like billions of dollars that you have done. 4 million people. I think you said like those are big numbers. How big do you actually need to be in your mind to, I'm not gonna use the word solve, because you, you are not solving, you are resolving a broken system that will continue to break things. [00:17:08] But how big do you need to. To take this actually on at the level that you'd imagine? [00:17:13] Allison Sesso: Yeah, I, it's a good question and it's one I often think about as an executive director, or sorry, as a, as a CEO of the institution, it's one I often think about. What I would say is that, , we need to both be a certain size and relieving a certain amount of debt every year. [00:17:32] And I don't know what exactly what that number is. It really depends on the donation size. Maybe it's 10 million, maybe it's 20 million. I like the number 25, in terms of our budget size every year, uh, I'd love to grow to that size and, and you know, we're, we're more than halfway there already today, in consistent revenue, but, you know, we'll, [00:17:51] But the other thing is, I, I loved how you framed it and said, We're not solving but, but resolving this, the issue. And that's a hundred percent true. And that is our mantra. What I wanna make sure is that we're not just trying to grow to a size that picks up and just keeps resolving the issue, but at, in the process of resolving the issue for individual. [00:18:12] We are very intentional about telling the larger story about the issue of medical debt and how systemic in nature it is, and that we are very intentional about pushing for larger changes that are above our pay grade as an institution. And so to me that is really the key. So our size almost doesn't matter as much as our. [00:18:36] And so by growing our voice within this work and growing our expertise and taking the data that we are getting in mass, so we are having a deeper understanding. How many people, uh, we, how many people we're helping, what their situation is, what is their race? What is their economic situation? Where do they live? [00:18:56] Is this, is this problem more prevalent at certain types of hospitals, nonprofit versus for profit? I think over time we'll be able to take a deeper look at our data collectively as we do more and more direct hospital work and contribute to this issue in a larger scale. And be able to hopefully push for, uh, larger solutions that are above again, our pay grade and who we. [00:19:22] George Weiner: So the debt, we were talking about this before, the debt that a individual incurs, going back to like, here's a, my $45,000 and surprise debt that I now owe. I have a family, uh, we live, you know, in a house we're doing right. But this is something that frankly does not fit into the budget, not even by a long shot. [00:19:42] Uh, I may. Go into bankruptcy, but it seems like there is a like actual adverse medical effect to having debt. There's like a relationship to having this like held over my head that has negative consequences. We think we were talking about the drama report or other reports out there that suggest that like, I mean, it's just. [00:20:09] It hurts my brain to put it in the order of logic that like I went to the hospital to get better and now I'm probably gonna get worse because of the overpriced and debt that now chases me indefinitely. And can you tell me a bit about that relationship of debt distress? [00:20:23] Allison Sesso: Yeah, absolutely. Uh, it is the number one theme that we see in the letters that come back from individual. [00:20:29] We help, uh, it's overwhelming for individuals and, you know, stress is. Undermining of health and financial stress. Stress is one of the biggest things, and we look at poor communities and we see. You know, diabetes, we see all these stress related diseases, heart issues that are all stress related, that are more extreme. [00:20:54] Uh, and so in, in terms of medical debt, it is in itself a social determinant of health. And the social determinant of health is something that hospitals have increasingly been looking at and are spending. Millions, billion dollars, billions of dollars across the country trying to invest in community programs that address social determinants of health. [00:21:16] And yet, as this Gemma report that came out just recently shows the medical debt created from going to the hospital itself is a social determinate of health. So if, if we can really look at medical debt, , we can actually get rid of one of the stressors that's causing people to have to go to the hospital or get care to in the first place. [00:21:38] So I think it's a really key issue that you're raising and one that we wanna make sure that we keep elevating. Cuz again, these providers, these hospitals are investing lots and lots of money into social determinants of health. Those are things like environmental situations family dynamic. You know, lot things that are in the environment, not your own personal health. [00:21:57] You know, living in a food desert. All those kinds of things contribute to the undermining of health. And it's a, it determines how well you're going to be healthy, hence, hence the social determinate of health language. And so the fact that medical debt itself is among those is something we need to really look at. [00:22:14] And I'm so grateful that there is this new report that points to this because I think it will create, To reexamine billing and practices at. [00:22:26] George Weiner: and I think this is the Jam and Network, uh, that that put this out. But we'll put a link in the, the show notes on it cuz there's a certainly a lot in there and it's one of those things I'm glad somebody did the research on and I am now forced to think about it, but also, I'm sadly not surprised. [00:22:44] I'm not surprised that having, uh, you know, the, the threat of somebody putting a lean on the house that, you know, my kid lives in, like wouldn't cause me stress. Like I go, I went in cuz I broke my ankle, right? I went in cuz I broke my, and I walk out like two years later with diabetes and other stress related disorders that put me back on that bill. [00:23:05] Like, [00:23:06] Allison Sesso: well not only that but the other on top of that, the. Stressor is that people don't go to that hospital because they're scared. They're either gonna incur more debt cuz they have had some, or they know of a friend or family member that's had debt and that it's put them in a, you know, difficult situation and so they don't go and get the care that they need. [00:23:24] People are sitting outside of hospitals waiting to see if the pain dissipates before they walk in. or they're just ignoring it and, you know, putting, you know, Ben Gay on their knee over and over and over again, and taking Advil and trying to ignore the problem until it gets to a point where it's actually even more expensive to solve and to adjust. [00:23:46] George Weiner: Yeah, I mean, the, the size of the problem, it, you know, it's, what I like is that this is a pretty smart and leveraged play at an intractable problem, like the, the scale that you need to play at. And I'll just play, I'll, I'm show my own hand. I don't think it's solved by GoFundMe. No. Truly just it is, and you also even brought up the tax issue that I'm pretty sure if I got my 45 grand from people giving me money, and it showed up as a check to me, I now owe at least a third of that I think in taxes, depending on where I [00:24:19] Allison Sesso: am. [00:24:21] Yeah, I'm not exactly sure how the GoFundMe works in terms of the tax system, but it's definitely a popularity contest. How. That's the problem because what I mean for GoFundMe to work you, you need to tell your story effectively enough to have people give to you over others. GoFundMe is, The number one thing people go to, like they go to GoFund me for medical debt. [00:24:47] It's the number one reason to go to GoFund me. And most of them do not work. They do not reach, reach their goals. And certainly you're not gonna reach your goal if you have an ongoing medical issue. Like what? If you have, uh, a chronic condition, you can't keep going back to the well and begging your friends and family. [00:25:02] Not to mention the fact that a lot of people are able to. Money if they have friends with money and people with money tend to have other friends with money. People without money tend to have friends without money. So the, the, the GoFundMe is absolutely not a solution and it really is a popularity contest. [00:25:18] It's how well you're able to tell your sob story. and I just think that's a freely heartbreaking situation that we're putting people in to have to put themselves out there in that way in order to solve their medical death. . [00:25:33] George Weiner: Yeah. The, you know, frankly, it's, it's not really the, the individual's supposed to do everything they can in their power. [00:25:39] and so if you're back into the wall, I understand the market force is there pushing there, but there's only one winner in that. It's the person that takes 2% of transaction. if you were looking at a macro system, something like r i p, medical debt, uh, I'm wondering if, you know, just to sort of speculate on it, are there other areas where you feel. [00:25:58] George Weiner: Financial levers, debt markets even are unexplored avenues for this type of impact. [00:26:08] Allison Sesso: I mean, I think that there's probably other kinds of unaffordable debt that could be looked at for sure. The thing is, medical debt is unique, and I do think that people are potentially more willing to donate to, uh, medical debt causes because you have such little control over the situation. [00:26:27] You, you can be insured. Most people actually are insured. 90% of Americans are insured today. yet 41% have medical debt. So it is not a matter of having insurance. So you can do everything right. You can have, I. , you can still and are likely actually to get medical debt. In fact, the, the number one cause of medical debt isn't, is, or, or directional relationship is not whether or not you have insurance, but whether or not you get sick, like, so you're, that's, that's the number one connector, which is that means you couldn't be insured. [00:27:02] So I. At the end of the day, we can't look at things like GoFundMe for the solutions here. I think you're right that it is, uh, just creating more profit on top of a, a profitable system. Yeah, we, we have to, we have to look at at bigger solutions beyond beyond this, and I think that, that our model could be used for other areas. [00:27:25] but I think that people are more likely to give to medical debt because of the fact that there's so much little control over how much debt you end up in. People are less forgiving if you end up overusing your credit card or, Yeah, even if you can't pay a utility bill. Honestly. Yeah. [00:27:40] George Weiner: Yeah, the story obviously, obviously matters, but also, you know, I'd say your ability to, as you came back to it, say like you're able to go through and understand the data behind the actual communities that you're choosing to go for, and just to track back on the conversation. [00:27:56] You're like in your. Ideal world, you're like, I think we have about 25 million worth of work you wish you could do every year in this. [00:28:05] Allison Sesso: Yeah, I think 25 million feels right today. Now, I don't know. I mean, ask me, you know, in, in a year from now how, how we feel about that. But I think 25 million gives us a pretty steady pace. [00:28:16] Of doing debt relief, in mass, right, For individuals while also investing in our own ability to tell the story of medical debt. Cuz that's important, right? Like not every dollar do we only spend on medical debt. We spend a lot, almost every dollar on medical debt relief. But we also are intentional about investing in storytelling so that individuals can be heard and that we're, we are thinking about what is, what it feels. [00:28:43] To have medical debt. And what are the implications on your mental health? What are your struggles with the hospital finance system? What is it like for your family every single day when you have this thing looming over your head? How have you avoided care? What other trade offs and decisions have you made? [00:29:00] Have you borrowed from friends and family? All those kinds of things. So we are investing in different systems, but I think 25 million. Feels good as an annual like rate of our budget size because I think that gives us a large scale ability to relieve debt across the country for a lot of people again, and, and lifting up the stories at the same time. [00:29:26] Yeah. [00:29:27] George Weiner: Yeah. Well, just, I mean, I won't call out your nine 90, but it, it is all public and so you're, you're hoping to grow there, it seems. [00:29:36] Allison Sesso: Yes. We're hoping to grow there. That's right. I mean, we've had, we've been, uh, lucky to get a 50 million gift from McKenzie Scott, uh, which is Jeff Bezos's ex-wife, and she's been wonderful in the nonprofit sector and able to. [00:29:51] push organizations forward. But that's a one time gift, right? Yeah. We're able to do those in multiple years, but we have to be careful about you not expanding our staff to have an expectation that that's gonna be our permanent bottom line. So we pay lot of attention to that reality, and so that's propelled us forward in a lot of good ways and allowed us to invest in even ways in which we can donate and become more, you know, In which we can maximize our ability to fundraise and then also look at our own systems, become more efficient so that we don't need as much staff. [00:30:26] Uh, so we've done those two things with those funds, but we need to grow to, I think, a, a permanent, like 25 million size where it's year after year we're able to support that. [00:30:38] George Weiner: And that makes sense. Part of my mind, I keep going back to this $45,000 family that just ran into this just stroke of unlock and, you know, following through the pattern. [00:30:50] Like it, it is amazing that there is R ip, medical debt that may show up like in some ways, like a lottery ticket that you're like, I didn't know I was playing this one, but I won. And like frankly, I've lost enough. That's amazing. I wonder if there's a world where the probability that I'd have to pay my full debt could be made more publicly known to me. [00:31:12] And I know there's also nonprofit hospitals that technically if they're serving the public benefit actually are. Uh, due to absolve some of that debt as well. But I feel as though you're not told the full truth when you're handed that bill for your, you know, scan your PT scan and you're like the what? [00:31:29] And your overnight visit. There's no like, and by the way, you know the probability if you're in this area and you make this much, that if you just wait, frankly one year and don't pay this, like nothing battle happen because the converse is true. We've been taught to pay every bill that shows up to us. [00:31:44] Cuz that's how you are an honest participant in. , uh, economic society, What does that look like? ? [00:31:52] Allison Sesso: Yeah. So it's, that's a difficult question to answer because I don't think we're in enough hospitals yet, by any stretch, to, for anyone to feel confident or comfortable to just, you're just gonna [00:32:02] George Weiner: run around and catch that fly ball. [00:32:04] Yeah. Yeah. [00:32:04] Allison Sesso: Right. And also, we're still investing in our fundraising abilities. And I don't know, at some point maybe people are exhausted about paying for this too. And our issue. Not as exciting. You know, we, we are competing, frankly for donate donor dollars with things like Ukraine or abortion rights or gun rights, you know, so there are, there is a limitation to how much I can guarantee that I'm gonna be able to relieve people's debt. [00:32:28] And also remember that in order for me to relieve your debt, you have to be financially burdened, right? So you have to be 400% of poverty or below, or the debt has to be large compared to your. So I would be leery of people feeling comfortable with the idea that eventually not [00:32:45] George Weiner: pay. By the way, this is not financial advice. [00:32:48] I repeat, this is a nonprofit podcast. This is not financial [00:32:51] Allison Sesso: advice. Right. And, and, and I will say, frankly, you know, there is some concern on the hospital and provider side that, that if they work with us, that that. That that will happen, right? That if that people will bush think, Well, I don't have to pay my bill. [00:33:04] So I don't think that that's a good way. Wow. [00:33:05] George Weiner: I didn't even think of that, but [00:33:07] Allison Sesso: Right. That, that's, that's a good way of [00:33:10] George Weiner: not you have thought about this as the ceo. Yeah, [00:33:13] Allison Sesso: exactly. And it's not something I would say we've experienced. What we've experienced is people who can pay their bills do pay their bills. [00:33:22] There's people in the middle Right. That also pay their bills, but to a, a large. where it's a a difficult situation for them to pay the bills. I would like to address those people as well, like they sign up for a payment plan that they can't afford. What I would advise people, is to not sign up for payment plans that they can't afford. [00:33:43] If it's $700 a month and that's gonna create a real financial burden on you and your family, then do not sign up for it despite all of the pressure that you might feel from the debt collector, if it's an individual, individual entity or if it's the hospital themselves. So that's what I would advise. [00:34:00] Unfortunately, as much as I hate having to tell people. be their own advocates. This system is set up that it expects you to be an advocate for yourself, and so you have to advocate for yourself and make sure that you don't sign up for things that you can't afford. [00:34:19] George Weiner: Uh, what a mess. It just, what a mess. In my mind, I'm just saying like, Well, what if I just waited, like I had my $45,000 debt and I just waited out of like, I'm gonna buy this back on a penny on the dollar in a year. I'm gonna come back to you as an independent broker, and I'm just go buy back. [00:34:36] Allison Sesso: Yeah, but you aren't, you can't do that. [00:34:38] Right. You know, you're not gonna have the negotiated power that I can collectively, and you can't come to r i p and. Well look, I got this one debt. It's 45,000. I'm in [00:34:46] George Weiner: Texas. Hear me out. I mean, you can, I will donate this much over here for the help my angle get better fund, right? Exactly. Doesn't, doesn't work. [00:35:01] No, [00:35:01] Allison Sesso: it doesn't. It doesn't work that way, unfortunately. But I do. But I will say this, when we work with hospitals and increasingly so, Our vision is for when we work with hospitals that they take a look at their financial assistance policies and try, because you're right hospitals, especially non-profit hospitals. [00:35:20] Mm-hmm. are supposed to give out charity care. They're supposed to focus on low income individual. Remember that [00:35:25] George Weiner: C3 classification in the old taxis? [00:35:27] Allison Sesso: Yes, exactly. But the thing is that, Hospitals don't really get that classification taken away. Like that's not, that's not a thing that really happens that frequently. [00:35:38] Yeah, I, and I, and I don't, I don't mean to imply at all that hospitals don't take that seriously. I think they take it very seriously there. They're nonprofit status, and again, not all hospitals are alike. There are some bad actors and there are some that are genuinely struggling right now. Hospitals are not really in a great financial place. [00:35:56] Compared to some of the patients, they're probably better off. It depends, you know, on the situation. But hospitals are supposed to provide charity care, bottom line, and so they are not necessarily as generous as our program. So there's people in between, like some of them could be 200% of poverty or there's discounts provided at 300% of poverty, not the full, you know, getting it all relieved like r I p. [00:36:21] So we do hope though, that by doing an analysis of their bad debt file people, that means people that did not get charity care, whose debt we are buying, that we're able to give them information that helps them reflect on their own charity care policies and approaches, like letting people actually know about the charity care, making sure the application process is not to burdensome. [00:36:45] We encourage hospitals to do what's called presumptive eligibility, meaning that they just take a look on their own by buying data from, from TransUnion like we do, or any other, you know, Equifax, whatever. Buying the data, looking at people's incomes and making assumptions about whether or not they deserve or, you know, can get. [00:37:02] Charity care based on their income, and then they just give it without, just like we do. We just give it away. We let people know that they've gotten this free kick, this debt relief without them having to fill out any paperwork or anything like that. . [00:37:17] George Weiner: So that's so interesting. I didn't realize You're not looking at pii, personally identifiable information to the degree where you see maybe a name and an address. [00:37:24] You're getting like top line stats on somebody Or could you do like, do the search for, you know, George, we in Texas who's got 45 K in debt and you're like, Ah, I found [00:37:34] Allison Sesso: you, you're there. No. Well, when we get a, when we get a file, so we are HIPAA compliant, right? So we, we have a DAA with the hospital and, and we, you know, we do keep , uh, we're very vigilant about our, our cyber security and all of that other stuff. [00:37:47] But, and we, we have to be able to have the information of the individual or else we wouldn't be able to let them know about the fact that we've relieved their debt. Right. Right. You do know it. Right. So we do have that information, but, When we analyze a file from a hospital, we're doing it in the aggregate. [00:38:03] We're not focusing on the individual at all, that we're completely ignoring the individual's name and all of that stuff. All we're focusing on is those elements that qualify them, and so we take the entire part that qualifies, and that's what we hold onto, and then we send out the letters after we've bought that debt, et cetera, etc. [00:38:24] George Weiner: Gotcha. I love, still, in my mind I'm thinking like, but there's technically a way I could go through and be like, if my name comes up, let's just say I'd be, uh, encouraged to make a donation. You'd never do it, but would it open up a second? Don't get my debt for me. [00:38:42] Allison Sesso: Let you know. We'd never, ever let you, We would not, we don't give away the names of the individuals that we. [00:38:49] if people want to tell their stories, they are encouraged to do so, and we let them do that and they can put their stories on their web, on our website, and they can talk to our anthropologist, but we would never tell a donor you helped X, Y, Z. Ever. [00:39:01] George Weiner: Oh, that's fair. I was saying in reverse like the, the person who's like in distress, like, could I go search a database to be like, Oh, I'm in this distressed category of people, but you can't open up it up because of hipaa. [00:39:11] Yeah. [00:39:12] Allison Sesso: Well, you need to find out if we already relieved your debt. If it's already gone, we, we would've notified you. [00:39:20] George Weiner: Oh, thank you for humoring me. I'm such a, such a rabbit hole runner. That's even a thing. All right, we're gonna move to rapid fire. okay. With your permission, Please keep your responses as short as you feel like they, eh, feel like. [00:39:34] Okay. What is one tech tool or website that you or your organization has started using in the last year? [00:39:40] Allison Sesso: Max Q D, which is a qualitative data analysis visualization tool. Cool. [00:39:49] George Weiner: What are some tech issues you're currently battling with? [00:39:53] Allison Sesso: Well, we are making sure that our cyber security is so to compliant, so we're really focused on that and we're super excited about that. [00:40:01] And we also are trying to send people emails in addition to hard copy letters, and so we're working to incorporate that into our model. , [00:40:10] George Weiner: what is coming in the next year that has you the most excited? [00:40:15] Allison Sesso: The ability to enhance how we analyze our data, specifically with a focus on. [00:40:24] George Weiner: Talk about a mistake that you made in or maybe earlier in your career that shapes the way you do things today. [00:40:33] Allison Sesso: Creating space for everyone who's a stakeholder, be it on the board, on your team, uh, donor to make their voice heard and to be part of decision making. By not doing that, I think you really undermine everyone's buyin to what you're doing and the direction you're headed. [00:40:52] And that was a mistake I made in my career that I have overcorrected for, probably . [00:40:59] George Weiner: Do you believe nonprofits can successfully go out of business? [00:41:04] Allison Sesso: I sure hope so. I really do. I think that nonprofits are generally not set up to solve problems, but resolve them in your. And I hope that nonprofits can have a greater voice in getting systemic change so that they can help solve problems at a larger scale. [00:41:24] George Weiner: If I were to put you in the hot tub time machine, back to the beginning of your work at r I p Medical debt, what advice would you give your dryer self yourself [00:41:34] Allison Sesso: to focus on the progress over the. So that I could feel more excited about the work that I'm doing going forward and less [00:41:43] George Weiner: stressed. Uh, if I were to give you a magic wand to wave across the industry you work in, what would it do? [00:41:52] And you can't say, just clean up every single bit of debt [00:41:57] Allison Sesso: across the industry. Uh, I would, I, I would say, and when I say the industry, I'm talking about the nonprofit industry at large, I would say improve the marketing of the industry. I think that we. A, a skewed view as if we are the secondary industry that's sort of just doing what everyone calls God's work, which I hate. [00:42:16] I think that we are doing an essential, fundamental, fundamental function for society and that it takes real skill that not everybody has, and not everyone can from a business can just jump in and do, and take over and do well. And I think that I would do a better job of marketing who we are and how important we are as an, as an industry in terms of non. [00:42:38] George Weiner: What is something you think you should stop doing? [00:42:43] Allison Sesso: Uh, sometimes I think we put our heads down too much and do the day to day work, you know, going in and outta of meetings, taking, checking off our to-do list and I think we need to stop doing that as much and put our, pick our heads up and look at the big picture and appreciate what we've accomplished. [00:42:59] George Weiner: How did you get your start in the social impact sector? [00:43:04] Allison Sesso: I don't have a good answer for that. I feel like it's a calling for me. As lame and cheesy as that sounds, I've always, uh, felt like I needed to work in a mission driven, uh, capacity. And so here I am. , [00:43:19] George Weiner: what advice would you give college grads looking to enter the sector? [00:43:24] make sure that you have a strong ethical and moral compass and that you have people to talk to to ensure you stay with that because money and donors even can really influence you in a way that's not [00:43:37] George Weiner: always. What advice did your parents give you that you either followed or did not? Heed [00:43:47] Allison Sesso: Finding balance in my life, both in terms of work happiness and personal happiness. [00:43:56] To be [00:43:56] George Weiner: clear, you heated that advice. I [00:44:00] Allison Sesso: did. Yes. I'm very happy in both my work life and my, My question [00:44:03] audio1239347413: could [00:44:03] George Weiner: have gone the other way there. Life, right? could have been a real dark turn. Yeah. Uh, that's wonderful. Uh, how do people find you? How do people help you? [00:44:14] Allison Sesso: Well, first donate to us please. Uh, r i p medical debt.org. [00:44:19] I can't do this work without that. You can also follow us on Twitter, on Instagram. Just add our ip medical debt. but I really encourage you to, uh, to take a look at our website, check us out and, and talk about the issue of medical debt, uh, how it impacts you. I think one of the biggest problems with this issue is that people feel like they've personally failed when the reality is the system is broken. [00:44:41] And you have to remember that. And unless we talk about it in our personal stories, this issue's gonna be with us and it's gonna be killing us slowly, literal. [00:44:51] George Weiner: I'm grateful for the work that you are doing. Thank you. Thank you for, uh, just, uh, continuing to, to make this a national issue and an Avenue, Avenue to finally put dollars to work, I think, in a high leverage way. [00:45:03] Thank you. Thank you.

Did you know there is $195 billion of medical debt outstanding? And, in fact, medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy here in the U.S. If you've been to the hospital or even a Dr. recently you know, even with insurance, getting healthcare in the country means you often have to pay out of pocket in a big way. The truth is you shouldn't be put in financial ruin for walking through the door of a hospital or medical provider. We are human beings that all deserve to have affordable and accessible medical care. End of story. However, as our guest, Allison Sesso, Executive Director of RIP Medical Debt says, “the system wasn't set up for your success in the first place.” Allison joins us on a riveting episode uncovering the who, what, when, where, and why behind medical debt and offers some great advice if you are currently in medical debt. Some of her advice includes knowing hospital financial assistance programs, never putting medical debt on a credit card, and making sure you know the loopholes in your insurance plan. We dig deep into this episode to give you an education and actionable tips.LINKSRIP Medical DebtSupport a Medical Debt CampaignSPONSORSThanks to Chime for sponsoring the show. Get started with Chime today. Applying for a free account takes less than 2 minutes. Get started at chime.com/mymoney.Thanks to The Personal Finance Podcast for sponsoring this episode. Find The Personal Finance Podcast on any podcast player. Thanks to Shopify for sponsoring the show. Shopify is more than a store. Connect with your customers. Drive sales. Manage your day-to-day. Go to http://www.shopify.com/mymoney for a FREE fourteen-day trial and get full access to Shopify's entire suite of features.LEAVE US A REVIEWLeave us an honest rating and review, pretty please. Head to the podcast player you're listening to this episode in to leave us a review or you can click here to leave a review for Everyone's Talkin' Money podcast on Apple Podcasts. Love this episode. Share it with a few friends so they can learn these valuable money concepts as well. Be sure to FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode!GOT A QUESTION?Have a Shannah Shares question? Submit your question here https://bit.ly/shannahsharesMORE MONEY TIPSFollow Me on Instagram for more money tips and behind-the-scenes information https://www.instagram.com/shannahgameFREE GUIDES + RESOURCESDownload our FREE Top 25 Episode GuideSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kyle and Bob give their best bet on Eagles/Vikings on MNF, award the biggest Suckers Bet, and one of them decides he has the Eagles going 8-1 to start the season if they win Sunday. World Series manager Charlie Manuel then comes on to talk about his new t-shirt line with Hog Island Press, does he know more about hitting than Ted Williams, how important is a manager to a team, and should the Phillies retire every number from the Core Four. Go to www.hogislandpress.com/category/charlie-knows-best to buy a shirt from the Charlie Knows Best line. $5 from every shirt and Charlie's proceeds go to RIP Medical Debt, a national nonprofit that helps strengthen communities by abolishing burdensome medical debt. Crossing Broadcast is livestreamed every Tuesday and Thursday at 12pm on YouTube. Subscribe to the YouTube feed here: https://www.youtube.com/crossingbroadsports Please subscribe to the show ([Apple Podcasts] [Spotify] [Amazon Music] [Google Play] [Stitcher] [iHeartRadio] [RSS]), leave a 5 star review, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter: @CrossingBcast Check out the other shows on the Crossing Broad Podcast Network including: Crossed Up: A Phillies Podcast, Snow the Goalie: A Flyers Podcast, and It's Always Soccer in Philadelphia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices