Access to Medical Care in the US

From the Center for Studying Health System Change:

"The number and proportion of Americans reporting going without or delaying needed medical care increased sharply between 2003 and 2007, according to findings from the Center for Studying Health System Change’s (HSC) nationally representative 2007 Health Tracking Household Survey. One in five Americans—59 million people—reported not getting or delaying needed medical care in 2007, up from one in seven—36 million people—in 2003. While access deteriorated for both insured and uninsured people, insured people experienced a larger relative increase in access problems compared with uninsured people. Moreover, access declined more for people in fair or poor health than for healthier people. In addition, unmet medical needs increased for low-income children, reversing earlier trends and widening the access gap with higher-income children. People reporting access problems increasingly cited cost as an obstacle to needed care, along with rising rates of health plan and health system barriers." Click here to read more.

A Letter from European Bishops to G8

The European bishops have urged the heads of G8 countries to recommit to reducing global poverty and tackling climate change. Click here for further information

Action for Zimbabwe

There is an emergency ad campaign calling for an emergency summit of Southern African countries to broker a legitimate government in Zimbabwe -- and end the campaign of terror that Robert Mugabe has unleashed. Click here to enter the web site that will allow you to sign the petition.

Human Trafficking Article in The Economist

Click here to read an article on human trafficking from the June 14 edition of The Economist, "Human Trafficking: A Horrible Business." Thanks to Sister Joann Marie for alerting us to this article.

2008 Trafficking in Persons Report Released

The U.S. State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report 2008 has been released. This report tracks country's efforts to combat trafficking. According to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice: "We are pleased that in the seven years since the creation of the Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, the United States and our friends and allies have made important strides in confronting the reality that human beings continue to be bought and sold in the twenty-first century. It has been gratifying to witness the determined governments, human rights and women’s groups, faith-based organizations, and many brave individuals who are dedicated to advancing human dignity worldwide. Trafficking and exploitation plague all nations, and no country, even ours, is immune." Click here to access the report.

Immigrant Situation in Postville, Iowa

Click here for an article from the Diocese of Davenport which gives an update on the status of the immigrants who have been detained in Postville, Iowa. If you missed the initial story, here is the original article from the NY Times.

Virginia Governor Commutes Death Sentence

See the June 9 NY Times article for coverage of Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine's actions in commuting the death sentence of Percy Lavar Walton. Let's continue to pray that more states will follow New Jersey's lead in abolishing the death penalty!

June Stop Trafficking Newsletter

Access the June Stop Trafficking Newsletter here.

Project H.O.M.E.

Check out this inspiring video of Sister Mary Scullion, RSM, a co-founder of Philadelphia's "Project H.O.M.E." The video's from November, 2005, but the issue is still as important as ever.

National Call-In for Diplomacy with Iran

A reminder from the LCWR: The Campaign for a New American Policy on Iran, which the LCWR endorses, is organizing an event in Washington, DC, "Time to Talk to Iran." Also, there is a national call-in to congressional leaders on Tuesday, June 10 to urge congressional leaders to work for direct, unconditional, and comprehensive talks between the U.S. and Iran. Call 1-800-788-9372 to remind our congressional leaders that the U.S. and Iran share a common interest: a stable Iraq, Middle East, and Afghanistan. Current U.S. threats of military attacks, while refusing to talk to Iran until they stop enriching Uranium, are only heightening tensions, not alleviating them.

UN HIV/AIDS Meeting Begins

The UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS begins this week. Click here for the Calendar of Events and other information regarding this high-level meeting.

FAO Food Summit Concludes

The high-level conference on world food security convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN has concluded. Go to the FAO web site to learn more.

Newark Coalition Against Human Trafficking

Click here to access pictures of the May 21 vigil held in Newark's Military Park. Thanks to Sister Joann Marie for the pictures!